Recap by phillip woo

Firming late in betting, Hair Trigger came with a solid run from last on the far side to overhaul My Beginner's Luck for a second win over this trip. My Beginner's Luck kept on gamely after shifting to lead on the stand side from gate one in a good second-up run with a switch to the Sha Tin straight. He's acclimatising well and isn't far off a winning run. Roman Odyssey kept on well chasing the speed to just hold off Dragon Master for a placing. He's shown ability to place in half his six starts and should be able to pick up a race soon up to 1,200m. Dragon Master took a while to wind up following a prominent run on the grandstand side. Ace King only held his ground following a prominent run near the far side. He's on his mark. Favourite Beauty Energy gradually improved to travel midfield on the far side after showing no early pace then found little when popped the question in a lacklustre debut. He needs more time and requires a longer trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (339) - OAK STEAMSHIP HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Meters

After being loaded into the barriers, SMART DECLARATION became fractious and reared on two occasions, resulting in the horse momentarily resting its right front foot on the front gates.

Before being allowed to race again, SMART DECLARATION will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

When SMART DECLARATION was fractious, ACE KING also became fractious and reared on a number of occasions.

DRAGON PIONEER began awkwardly.

HAIR TRIGGER began only fairly and then on jumping was bumped by TURF SPRINT which shifted out.

A short distance after the start, HAIR TRIGGER lost ground when crowded for room between SMART DECLARATION and TURF SPRINT.

Passing the 900 Metres, DRAGON PIONEER raced tight outside DRAGON MASTER which got its head on the side and lay out.

Near the 750 Metres, DRAGON PIONEER was crowded for room outside DRAGON MASTER which at this time was taken out by MY BEGINNER'S LUCK (C Schofield) which shifted ground when not quite clear.

C Schofield was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground.

After the 500 Metres, ROMAN ODYSSEY got its head on the side and lay out.

ROMAN ODYSSEY continued to lay out under pressure, resulting in ALL MY GAIN, which was racing to the outside of ROMAN ODYSSEY, being awkwardly placed outside that horse for some distance after the 300 Metres.

ALL MY GAIN was then steadied over the concluding stages when unable to improve between SMART DECLARATION and ROMAN ODYSSEY which continued to lay out under pressure.

Over the final 400 Metres, MY BEGINNER'S LUCK lay in under pressure.

TURF SPRINT was badly held up for clear running from approaching the 400 Metres until near the 50 Metres and consequently was not able to be fully tested.

Near the 150 Metres, DRAGON PIONEER was steadied when unable to improve between SMART DECLARATION and DRAGON MASTER where there was insufficient room.

After this, DRAGON PIONEER was not able to obtain clear running and consequently was not tested.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that he was asked to try and obtain cover on BEAUTY ENERGY, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong today.

He said it was hoped that BEAUTY ENERGY would then be able to finish off the race strongly.

He said although the horse had led in its trials in the lead up to today's race, it was felt that, under race conditions, BEAUTY ENERGY would be more likely to finish off the race better if given the opportunity to obtain cover in the early and middle stages.

He said in accordance with his instructions he steadied his mount behind ACE KING in the early stages, however, from passing the 800 Metres until the 500 Metres BEAUTY ENERGY proved difficult to settle and would not relax.

He said at the 500 Metres he shifted his mount to the inside of ACE KING and, irrespective of the manner in which it travelled in the early stages, he expected the horse to quicken, given its overseas form over longer distances.

He said however that BEAUTY ENERGY did not respond to his riding as expected and then was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground over the concluding stages.

He added that whilst the manner in which BEAUTY ENERGY had travelled keenly in the early stages had not aided the horse in finishing off the race, nonetheless he felt that BEAUTY ENERGY was disappointing in today's race.

Trainer W Y So stated that, in his opinion, although BEAUTY ENERGY had trialed well in the lead up to today's race, he felt that the horse was somewhat weak over the concluding stages in those trials.

He said this was confirmed by Jockey K C Leung who rode BEAUTY ENERGY in its most recent trial.

He added because of this and the fact that BEAUTY ENERGY had previously raced over longer distances prior to being imported into Hong Kong, he believed it would be in the best interests of the horse to obtain cover, particularly given there were a number of horses with good pace engaged in the race.

A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY ENERGY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of BEAUTY ENERGY, a favourite for today's race and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable.

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

BEAUTY ENERGY, HARI TRIGGER and MY BEGINNER'S LUCK were sent for sampling.