Recap by phillip woo

You Have My Word got up in the final few metres down the outside after travelling second from the rear for a shock win following seven lifeless runs and nearly a year on the sidelines. He was down in class for the first time and should come on for this run. Kwaichung Brothers was collared late after hitting the front 50m out following a well-executed ride by Zac Purton to land a spot one off worse than midfield from a wide gate. He's a winner waiting to happen at this level. Le Pegase dashed to the front 200m out after slotting one off in midfield but couldn't hold the top pair. He's been racing honestly over the mile at both tracks. Gold Talent stayed on well after a deep run without cover the entire trip in midfield. He keeps going close without delivering. Lightning And Gold came up one-paced 100m out after looming a chance one from the right following a patient ride second from the rear. It was one of his better runs this term.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (467) - ANSER HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1600Meters

As the start was effected, HIT A HOME RUN became fractious and consequently was slow to begin.

After this, HIT A HOME RUN was shifted across behind runners.

YOU HAVE MY WORD began only fairly and then was crowded for room between JOYFUL FOREVER and SPICY DOUBLE which shifted out.

SOCCER BRAVE began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped BORN TO RACE.

LIGHTNING AND GOLD, which began only fairly, was crowded for room on jumping between LE PEGASE which shifted out and WINNINGLI which shifted in abruptly.

From a wide barrier, JOYFUL FOREVER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, BORN TO RACE and LE PEGASE raced tight.

After the 1000 Metres, GOLD TALENT was left racing wide and without cover.

Making the first turn near the 900 Metres, MY FOLKS lay out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JOYFUL FOREVER.

In this incident, MY FOLKS bumped the hindquarters of JOYFUL FOREVER which became unbalanced.

HIT A HOME RUN had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres.

Over the concluding stages, MY FOLKS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHARITY KINGDOM.

When questioned, Apprentice H T Mo (G-ONE UNION) stated that from the horse's inside barrier he was asked to ride it positively in the early stages and obtain a position behind the leaders.

He said after riding his mount along for a short distance, he was able to obtain a forward position and then after passing the 1500 Metres steadied his mount to allow another runner to cross, however, even though the tempo of the race, particularly after the 1200 Metres, was slow, no other horse was able to improve its position forward of G-ONE UNION which resulted in him having to lead the race.

He said it was not intended for G-ONE UNION to lead today's race, however, the circumstances of the race in the early stages had resulted in him obtaining this more forward position.

He added G-ONE UNION then travelled only fairly during the race and then in the Straight, after being placed under pressure, weakened noticeably.

Mr C S Shum, the trainer of G-ONE UNION, stated that as the horse had drawn barrier 1 and as he was of the opinion that apart from WINNINGLI and one or two other runners, there was little follow-up speed, he felt that there was an opportunity for G-ONE UNION to be ridden in about 3rd or 4th position with cover.

He said he felt that if G-ONE UNION was to be ridden back in the field as it had done at most of its race starts, the horse would be required to follow horses which may not be able to take G-ONE UNION into the race and therefore it was felt that G-ONE UNION's best opportunity of obtaining clear running in the Straight would be for the horse to be ridden in a more forward position but with cover.

He added however that due to the circumstances of the race, G-ONE UNION was left in the lead and not able to obtain cover and it was for this reason that the horse was then not able to finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of G-ONE UNION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of G-ONE UNION, which weakened badly in the Straight to finish at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable.

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

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SOCCER BRAVE, K Teetan stated that he was able to obtain a forward position as instructed in the early stages behind G-ONE UNION.

He said SOCCER BRAVE travelled well in the early and middle stages and he believed that the horse was travelling well enough rounding the Home Turn to finish off the race well.

He said however that after shifting to the outside of G-ONE UNION shortly after entering the Straight, SOCCER BRAVE immediately came under pressure and near the 350 Metres was inclined to lay in behind G-ONE UNION.

He added after this SOCCER BRAVE, despite being ridden along, did not quicken.

He said although he got his whip momentarily entangled in the reins near the 150 Metres, this was of no consequence as SOCCER BRAVE was already well beaten at this time.

A veterinary inspection of SOCCER BRAVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of SOCCER BRAVE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, SOCCER BRAVE 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 HIT A HOME RUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

The Stewards will interview Mr T P Yung, the trainer of the winner, YOU HAVE MY WORD, regarding the improved performance of that horse.

Mr Yung was not in Hong Kong today due to business commitments.

WINNINGLI, YOU HAVE MY WORD and KWAICHUNG BROTHERS were sent for sampling.