Recap by phillip woo

Punted late Bank On Red had enough in the tank to hold off the late surge of Imperial Gallantry after hitting the front along the inside 200m out following a handy run to keep up his solid form of late over this Valley trip. In the right race, he might be able to get away with another in the grade. Imperial Gallantry whizzed home late after travelling third from the rear. He's got ability but isn't easy to get right on his day. Litterateur closed off well travelling fifth from the back to pick up a placing. He had found things harder after back-to-back wins in May but clearly acts best over this course. Flying Quest ran on late without menacing from near the back. He's gone close in his past three starts but has little upside off his current mark. Favourite Super Form ran on steadily without looking a threat from behind midfield. It was a disappointing effort on his past few starts and there might have been unforeseen issues. Bullish Smart wasn't too far away at the finish.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (252) - LONGINES INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS' CHAMPIONSHIP (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1650Meters

RAZOR QUEST began awkwardly and shortly after the start was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KIRAM when being shifted across behind that horse to obtain cover.

Shortly after the start, LITTERATEUR raced tight between LOTUS BREEZE and SUPER FORM which was taken out by BANK ON RED.

From wide barriers, FLYING QUEST, KIRAM and HIGH SPIRIT were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages in an endeavour to obtain cover.

Passing the 1500 Metres, FLYING QUEST got its head up when being checked away from the heels of LITTERATEUR when being shifted across behind that horse.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HIGH SPIRIT was left racing wide and without cover and passing the 1400 Metres was ridden along to obtain a more forward position in an endeavour to obtain cover.

HIGH SPIRIT was however unable to obtain cover and then near the 1100 Metres was taken wider still by MIGHTY MAVERICK (S de Sousa) which shifted out when being checked away from the heels of BANK ON RED.

After the race, S de Sousa stated that he was required to shift away from BANK ON RED's heels at this time as MIGHTY MAVERICK was proving difficult to settle and was racing too close to the heels of BANK ON RED.

MIGHTY MAVERICK subsequently travelled wide and without cover for the remainder of the race.

Approaching the 1200 Metres, LITTERATEUR, which was travelling keenly, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of SUPER FORM.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, LOTUS BREEZE was bumped by BULLISH SMART which was racing tight inside MIGHTY MAVERICK.

F Prat (IMPERIAL GALLANTRY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 30 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when riding it along, resulting in IMPERIAL GALLANTRY bumping LITTERATEUR and taking that horse out into the rightful running of FLYING QUEST which was checked.

F Prat was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 13 December 2017 and to expire on Monday, 18 December 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HIGH SPIRIT was lame in its right front leg.

The performance of HIGH SPIRIT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

SUPER FORM, BANK ON RED and IMPERIAL GALLANTRY were sent for sampling.