Recap by phillip woo

Punted late, Agree defied a deep run without cover in midfield to win going away 200m out at his third start in the class. In a return to form, Triumphant Light led from a wide gate and wouldn't go down without a fight. He'll have to prove it wasn't a one-off effort. Specked late, Polymer Luck just got his beak down for third after getting a lovely run to land in the box-seat from a wide gate. He's a consistent miler at both tracks but has trouble winning. Enjoy Life got going from beyond midfield to just miss a placing to continue his consistent form this campaign. Hay Run was checked and had to switch inside at a crucial stage when trying to improve from the second half of the field which cost him at least a placing. He'll be hard to beat if he remains in this grade over the 1,800m or 2,000m. Godspeed was beaten as the favourite for a third straight start when failing to lift after over-racing a tad in midfield to continue his hit-and-miss run of form.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (344) - HKSOA SPIRIT HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1600Meters

After being loaded into the barriers, STRATHSPEY became fractious and reared on a number of occasions, resulting in its rider, P-C Boudot, being dislodged without incident.

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

HAY RUN shifted out at the start and bumped THE JOY OF GIVING.

On two occasions near the 1400 Metres, LAUGH OUT LOUD, when travelling keenly, shifted in and bumped GODSPEED.

LAUGH OUT LOUD continued to travel keenly when attempting to obtain cover.

Then near the 1150 Metres, LAUGH OUT LOUD was steadied away from the heels of ENREACHING (D Whyte) which shifted in when not quite clear.

D Whyte was advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

After this, LAUGH OUT LOUD was left racing wide and without cover and was consequently ridden along after the 1000 Metres to race outside the lead near the 800 Metres.

In the Straight, LAUGH OUT LOUD gave ground and finished tailed out.

A veterinary inspection of LAUGH OUT LOUD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of LAUGH OUT LOUD was considered unacceptable.

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

After the 800 Metres, AGREE was left racing wide and without cover.

For some distance approaching and passing the 700 Metres, GODSPEED was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ENREACHING.

Passing the 700 Metres, GODSPEED and AGREE raced tight.

Also passing the 700 Metres, BEAUTY DAY (A Sanna), when racing greenly, got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ENJOY LIFE.

BEAUTY DAY then continued to be awkwardly placed outside the heels of ENJOY LIFE which was awkwardly placed behind GODSPEED.

A Sanna reported that BEAUTY DAY would not settle during the race and consequently was not able to finish off the race.

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

The racing manners and performance of BEAUTY DAY, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable.

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

Near the 550 Metres, BEAUTY DAY, which was continuing to race ungenerously, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of AMBITIOUS PINS.

At the 400 Metres, AMBITIOUS PINS was bumped by ENJOY LIFE which shifted out when racing close to the heels of STRATHSPEY.

In this incident, STRATHSPEY became unbalanced.

A veterinary inspection of STRATHSPEY immediately following the race found the horse to have sustained wounds over the left hind cannon and an endoscopic examination conducted on the horse showed a substantial amount of mucus in its trachea.

When questioned regarding his riding of HAY RUN in the Straight, Z Purton stated that at the entrance to the Straight he was disappointed for running between GODSPEED and ENREACHING due to ENREACHING shifting out.

He said this resulted in HAY RUN being held up for clear running behind GODSPEED until passing the 300 Metres.

He said at this time GODSPEED drifted out under pressure which resulted in a run becoming available between that horse and ENREACHING.

He said he hesitated for a short distance to gauge whether GODSPEED would shift back in, however, when that horse remained racing away from ENREACHING, he then commenced to ride his mount along near the 250 Metres to improve between GODSPEED and ENREACHING.

He added however that approaching the 200 Metres both GODSPEED and ENREACHING shifted ground which resulted in HAY RUN having to be steadied when disappointed for running between those horses.

He said HAY RUN was then unable to fully establish clear running until the concluding stages.

After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on CELESTIAL NOVA at the request of Trainer C S Shum.

The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, CELESTIAL NOVA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

GODSPEED, AGREE and TRIUMPHANT LIGHT were sent for sampling.