Recap by phillip woo

Premium Champion timed things perfectly from beyond midfield to get the beak down when it counted over early favourite Rule Thee for a third win from his past five starts. He'll remain in the grade off a big weight but his versatility gives him plenty of options. Rule Thee was nipped on the line after rushing to the lead 600m out following a one-out, one-back from an awkward gate. He'll be winning shortly if he remains in the grade. Happy Contender finished well from behind midfield to grab a placing, his 11th minor result from 30 starts. Do expect him to be breaking his maiden shortly in this class. Happy Rocky ran on down the outside to finish a non-threatening fourth after travelling second from the rear. He's always a chance over the 1,800m to 2,200m. King Winsa rallied well without menacing after travelling without cover beyond midfield. It wasn't a bad run in defeat but do prefer him over the 1,800m or possibly 2,000m.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (229) - MA TAU WAI HANDICAP - Class 4 - 2200Meters

KING WINSA shifted out at the start and bumped HAPPY CONTENDER.

Approaching the 1800 Metres, ISTANBUL BEY was checked away from the heels of FRUITFUL LIFE when travelling keenly.

Approaching the 1200 Metres, ISTANBUL BEY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FRUITFUL LIFE and then passing the 1200 Metres was shifted out and allowed to improve its position.

Near the 1100 Metres, PREMIUM CHAMPION was checked away from the heels of KING WINSA.

Passing the 150 Metres, CLOUD NINE, which was commencing to give ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of PREMIUM CHAMPION (J Moreira) which shifted out.

J Moreira was advised to exercise more care.

J Moreira (PREMIUM CHAMPION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of CROWN AVENUE, causing that horse to be checked away from the heels of PREMIUM CHAMPION.

J Moreira was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 20 December 2017 and to expire on Sunday, 24 December 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Moreira's good race riding record.

A veterinary inspection of ISTANBUL BEY and BALAY BALAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performances of ISTANBUL BEY and BALAY BALAY, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, ISTANBUL BEY and BALAY BALAY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned, D Whyte stated that as the start was effected CLOUD NINE turned its head to the right which resulted in the horse being slow to begin.

He said CLOUD NINE then lost further ground when crowded for room between PREMIUM CHAMPION and CROWN AVENUE, both of which shifted ground.

He said after this he rode his mount along in an endeavour to make up lost ground, however, was only able to obtain a position in about midfield or slightly behind midfield.

He said when the tempo of the race slackened approaching the 1200 Metres he shifted out to follow ISTANBUL BEY forward in the hope of obtaining a position closer to the leaders.

He said ISTANBUL BEY was able to obtain a forward position easily, however, he had to ride CLOUD NINE along in an attempt to follow that horse which allowed FRUITFUL LIFE to shift out underneath CLOUD NINE, resulting in him having to ride CLOUD NINE harder to improve into a forward position so as not to race unnecessarily wide.

He added passing the 1000 Metres he had to continue to ride CLOUD NINE forward as RULE THEE was shifted out to improve around CROWN AVENUE.

He said RULE THEE then took some time to cross CROWN AVENUE and then ISTANBUL BEY which meant that he had to make a sustained run approaching the 600 Metres to also clear runners to his inside to race to the outside of RULE THEE.

He said because of the circumstances of the race, which were in contrast to its last start when successful, CLOUD NINE was not able to finish off the race tonight.

N Rawiller stated that he was instructed to have HAPPY ROCKY travel where it was comfortable in the early stages and not to make use of the horse to obtain a forward position.

He said shortly after the start he had the opportunity to ride HAPPY ROCKY along to prevent PREMIUM CHAMPION from shifting in front of HAPPY ROCKY, however, he believed that he would have had to ride his mount along to obtain that position and as this would have been contrary to his instructions, he allowed PREMIUM CHAMPION to cross and take up a trailing position behind that horse.

When questioned regarding the performance of FRUITFUL LIFE, K Teetan stated that he was asked to have the horse in a forward position as it was stepping up to 2200 Metres for the first time tonight.

He said he was able to obtain cover behind RULE THEE near the 1800 Metres and FRUITFUL LIFE initially travelled comfortably.

He said the pace of the race slacked in the middle stages and for this reason he shifted to the outside of RULE THEE when ISTANBUL BEY improved to the outside of his mount and he attempted to follow that horse forward.

He said however that FRUITFUL LIFE was not able to quicken sufficiently to prevent RULE THEE from shifting out in front of FRUITFUL LIFE, therefore he took a trailing position behind that horse near the 900 Metres.

He said the tempo of the race quickened after this due to RULE THEE and CLOUD NINE being ridden along to improve their positions and FRUITFUL LIFE had difficulty adapting to the change in tempo.

He said he commenced to ride his mount along prior to the 600 Metres, however, FRUITFUL LIFE did not respond and then did not finish off the race.

He said, in his opinion, the performance of FRUITFUL LIFE tonight was a combination of the horse being up in grade and distance and the tempo of the race at various stages not being consistent.

He said at its last start when successful the race was run at an even gallop throughout and this suited FRUITFUL LIFE more than the fluctuating tempo of tonight's race.

A veterinary inspection of FRUITFUL LIFE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

FRUITFUL LIFE, PREMIUM CHAMPION and RULE THEE were sent for sampling.