Recap by phillip woo

Elusive State edged clear after claiming the front 250m out following a perfect one-out, one-back run. He didn't beat much but had been knocking on the door without luck. Kirov defied a deep run beyond midfield to just out-stay early favourite Mi Blanco for second. He's not reliable but does pop up at times and did have a stronger rider on top. Mi Blanco stayed on all right after a three-deep run without cover travelling fore of midfield with a step up to the mile. He's a winner waiting to happen on this surface but don't give up on him at the Valley either. Late-fancied favourite Diamond Friends got going late to finish a non-threatening fourth travelling three from the back. It wasn't a bad effort with a return to Class Four after three straight wins but he could be nearing his mark. Golden Sleep kept on reasonably well in a rare dirt appearance after working forward from a wide gate to sit second outside the leader Beauty Connection at the 1,100m.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (414) - SHATIN PASS HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

ENORMOUS HONOUR was withdrawn on 8.2.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SPICY KAKA.

Before being allowed to race again, ENORMOUS HONOUR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

BEAUTY CONNECTION stumbled on jumping, shifted out and bumped DASHING DART which became unbalanced.

A short distance after this, DASHING DART was crowded for room inside MI BLANCO which also stumbled at the start and then raced tight inside ELUSIVE STATE.

COME ON WONGCHOY began awkwardly and lost ground.

SEMPITERNAL and TORNEY bumped at the start.

After this, when being ridden along in an attempt to take up a forward position, SEMPITERNAL became unbalanced when bumped by DIAMOND FRIENDS which shifted in.

After this, SEMPITERNAL continued to be hard ridden, however, failed to muster speed and raced back in the field.

From a wide barrier, SMART CHARADE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

SPICY KAKA was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

ELUSIVE STATE made the first turn awkwardly and after this was inclined to race with its head on the side and lay out.

Then near the 1300 Metres, ELUSIVE STATE, after being crossed by SUNSHINE UNIVERSE, momentarily got its head up when awkwardly placed behind that horse.

After the 1200 Metres, MI BLANCO and TORNEY were left racing wide and without cover.

DASHING DART was badly held up for clear running from approaching the 200 Metres until after passing the 100 Metres.

The performance of SMART CHARADE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

A veterinary inspection of SPICY KAKA immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and also found the horse to be lame in its right front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, SPICY KAKA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of SUNSHINE UNIVERSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

DIAMOND FRIENDS, ELUSIVE STATE and KIROV were sent for sampling.