Recap by phillip woo

Late-fancied favourite Orionids took the sit in second behind leader Gamechangers and wore that one down 80m out to win his first start at the Valley after running well in defeat in his opening three Sha Tin sprints this term. Gamechangers found only one too good after a tactics change to eventually lead from a tricky gate. He has trouble winning but rarely runs a bad race over this course. Early favourite Phantom Falcon stayed on well for a placing after settling three deep without cover the entire trip in fourth from a wide gate. Fantastic Feeling finished well after travelling fourth from the rear. He was the only one to emerge from the back and isn't far off a winning run. Master Albert ran on steadily without menacing after a deep run travelling behind midfield from a wide gate. Back In Black never came on following a rail run in midfield. He's just not the same horses that won five races two seasons back.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (516) - THE HONG KONG EXCHANGES CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1200Meters

From wide barriers, STORM SOLDIER, DIAMOND MASTER and MASTER ALBERT were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, FANTASTIC FEELING was hampered when bumped by FALCON TURBO which shifted out away from the heels of CALIFORNIA ASPAR which made the turn awkwardly and became unbalanced of its own accord.

In this incident, CALIFORNIA ASPAR shifted out and bumped BACK IN BLACK which then raced tight inside GAMECHANGERS.

Approaching the 1000 Metres, MASTER ALBERT commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of PHANTOM FALCON which was being steadied to obtain a position with cover.

MASTER ALBERT then made the turn awkwardly, shifted out abruptly and then continued to prove difficult to settle for some distance.

After the 1000 Metres, GAMECHANGERS was left racing wide and without cover and passing the 800 Metres was then allowed to improve its position into the lead.

Near the 950 Metres, FANTASTIC FEELING commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when racing behind BACK IN BLACK.

Approaching the 700 Metres, PHANTOM FALCON was left racing wide and without cover.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that it was intended for BEST STEP to be ridden in a forward position as this was the horse's usual racing pattern.

He said after being loaded into the barriers BEST STEP was fractious and then as the start was effected reared which resulted in the horse losing ground and having to race near the rear of the field.

He said when obliged to race much further back in the field than had been intended and due to the pace being only moderate in the middle stages, BEST STEP over-raced and near the 1000 Metres got its head up and became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of FALCON TURBO.

He said after this BEST STEP continued to travel keenly and would not relax.

He said then when placed under pressure in the Straight BEST STEP did not finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of BEST STEP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DIAMOND MASTER had bled from both nostrils.

A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA ASPAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ORIONIDS and GAMECHANGERS were sent for sampling.