Recap by phillip woo

Jolly Gene enjoyed an uncontested lead to win easily in a class record time. He's a hard one to get right but is certainly capable on his day and the claimer's allowance helped. General Dino stayed on well following a box-seat run for second. He's been racing well of late and should be picking up a race soon enough. Bring It On ran on steadily from behind midfield to fill a placing. He has the tools to add to a win two back over this trip. Bullish Glory came from near last to add further value to the Quartet. It was his best run to date following a step up in distance. Well-punted late Grand Chancellor kept grinding away without menacing following a handy run on the fence. The weight was too much. Rule Thee found a nice spot one off in second from a wide gate but found little in the drive when push came to shove. Favourite Tai Smart's move from midfield approaching the final bend was short lived. It was a below par performance.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (473) - THE ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG RACING JOURNALISTS CHALLENGE - Class 3 - 1800Meters

MAMBO ROCK was withdrawn on 2.3.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore).

Before being allowed to race again, MAMBO ROCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

BULLISH GLORY was slow to begin.

JOLLY GENE and GRAND CHANCELLOR bumped on jumping.

HO HO FEEL was steadied and shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages.

Approaching the 50 Metres, GONNA RUN and BULLISH GLORY bumped.

When questioned regarding the performance of TAI SMART, J Moreira stated that he was required to shift the horse out to commence improving after the 700 Metres which was earlier than he otherwise would as he was aware that the leader JOLLY GENE was increasing the tempo and he did not want TAI SMART to get too far out of its ground.

He said TAI SMART initially quickened well, however, from the 300 Metres could not sustain the forward move and then finished off the race only one-paced.

He said whilst the circumstances of the race may not have been in TAI SMART's favour and the horse's finishing effort may have been dulled by having to make a sustained run, nonetheless he did feel that the horse was somewhat disappointing in its failure to finish off the race over the final 200 Metres.

A veterinary inspection of TAI SMART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that RULE THEE had shown early speed in some of its races and as today's race appeared to be devoid of speed outside JOLLY GENE, it was felt that RULE THEE's best opportunity to be competitive would be to obtain a more forward position than had been the case of its recent starts.

He said RULE THEE had generally shown a good turn of foot in its races, however, the circumstances of today's race, with JOLLY GENE increasing the tempo throughout the race, meant that RULE THEE was then not able to sustain its finishing run as it had done in past races.

A veterinary inspection of RULE THEE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

TAI SMART, JOLLY GENE and GENERAL DINO were sent for sampling.