Recap by phillip woo

Marqula rallied well to take control 200m out for a first win at his eighth start. He had put the writing on the wall last time out and should remain competitive off a light weight up in grade. Red Elysees finished well after travelling behind midfield on the fence to grab second. He's filled the frame in five of seven starts this term but has trouble saluting. Despite a slow pace Namjong Plus came on very well after being forced very wide on the final bend following a patient ride second from the rear to snatch third on the wire. He's run very well in victory and defeat in his three starts and appears to want a further trip. Desmios came up flat inside the last 50m after making up heaps of ground two from the right after settling third from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (453) - CITI WEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1600Meters

Trainer R Gibson was fined the sum of $3,000 for presenting CLUB LIFE in the Parade Ring with a ring bit which was not part of its approved gear.

After the blindfold was removed from POLYMER LUCK, that horse became fractious and as the start was effected lunged at the front gates, resulting in the horse beginning very awkwardly and losing ground.

This resulted in POLYMER LUCK racing at the rear of the field.

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

COMPASSION STAR began awkwardly, resulting in its rider, Z Purton, becoming unbalanced.

Shortly after the start, INDIGENOUS STAR and VIVA COUNCIL were crowded for room between MARQULA and RED ELYSEES, both of which shifted ground.

This resulted in both VIVA COUNCIL and INDIGENOUS STAR racing back in the field.

After the 1400 Metres, INDIGENOUS STAR was shifted in away from the heels of VIVA COUNCIL which raced tight inside COMPASSION STAR.

Near the 650 Metres, POLYMER LUCK was bumped and taken wider by VIVA COUNCIL which attempted to improve into tight running between that horse and COMPASSION STAR.

A short distance after this, VIVA COUNCIL was steadied when unable to continue improving between COMPASSION STAR and POLYMER LUCK which maintained its position.

After being shifted to the outside of NAMJONG PLUS after the 400 Metres, VIVA COUNCIL got its head on the side and hung out.

INDIGENOUS STAR had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

C Schofield (INDIGENOUS STAR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of GORGEOUS AGAIN, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily crowded for room when taken out onto POLYMER LUCK and ultimately causing GORGEOUS AGAIN to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 3 March 2018 and to expire on Thursday, 8 March 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, C Schofield was fined $55,000.

Throughout the race, GORGEOUS AGAIN travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, it was noted that SEA PEARL had blood at its left nostril.

An endoscopic examination of SEA PEARL found no blood in the horse's trachea and accordingly SEA PEARL was deemed not to have bled.

A veterinary inspection of COMPASSION STAR and GOOD FOR YOU immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

COMPASSION STAR MARQULA and RED ELYSEES were sent for sampling.