Recap by phillip woo

Golden Kid came on strongly after travelling behind midfield on the fence to run down the late-fancied Happy Century for a maiden win at his 12th start. Happy Century drove forward to pressure the leader at the 550m following a one-out, one-back run, advanced to the lead 200m out and found one too smart in the late stages in a solid first run following a near five-month break. Dazzle Winner stayed on much better following a midfield run on the fence to add huge value to the tierce in an out-of-the-blue improved effort. Gobi Storm was settling a genuine pace when tackled by Happy Century but still stuck around to share fourth with the fast-finishing Rising Power. Rising Power might have gotten fourth if not having to take hold close to home after travelling last following a slow break. Jolly Amber closed well from the back. He relished a return to the Valley and likely needs a further trip. Kwaichung Brothers travelled without cover the entire trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (530) - BRIAR HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

RISING POWER lost a significant amount of ground when very slow to begin.

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

GOLDEN KID began only fairly.

DAZZLE WINNER shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of HAPPY CENTURY.

For some distance after the start, CASH COURIER and HAPPY CENTURY raced tight due to CASH COURIER (Apprentice M F Poon) shifting in.

Apprentice Poon was advised to ensure that he does not place undue pressure on other horses when shifting ground.

Approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, CHEERS CONQUEROR got its head up when travelling keenly.

At the 300 Metres, CASH COURIER was checked away from the heels of CHEERS CONQUEROR when disappointed for running between that horse which was giving ground and KWAICHUNG BROTHERS.

Passing the 150 Metres, DAZZLE WINNER momentarily raced in restricted room between TORNEY and GOLDEN KID.

Approaching the finishing line, RISING POWER, which was finishing off the race strongly, was severely checked away from the heels of HAPPY CENTURY which at this time raced tight inside GOLDEN KID which shifted in under pressure.

When RISING POWER was checked, that horse shifted out, resulting in TORNEY being crowded for room inside the heels of DAZZLE WINNER.

Because of this incident, both RISING POWER and TORNEY were unable to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

W M Lai (RISING POWER) was fined the sum of $2,000 for raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder on a number of occasions in the Straight.

When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was given two sets of instructions in respect of how to ride KWAICHUNG BROTHERS.

He said as a first option he was asked to ride KWAICHUNG BROTHERS positively if it began well and obtain a position outside the anticipated leader of the race GOBI STORM.

He said if KWAICHUNG BROTHERS did not begin well, he was instructed to steady that horse and shift across behind runners to obtain cover.

He said in accordance with his primary set of instructions, he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position as KWAICHUNG BROTHERS began well.

He said KWAICHUNG BROTHERS did not show as much early speed as he expected and therefore he believed that he would have had to make too use of his mount to obtain a position outside GOBI STORM which approaching the winning post on the first occasion was positioned directly to the outside of CHEERS CONQUEROR.

He said as it was no longer possible to steady his mount behind runners, he attempted to find a position with cover behind the leading division.

He added after passing the winning post on the first occasion he believed that he may have been able to obtain a position behind HAPPY CENTURY and in front of CASH COURIER as that horse had on occasions failed to show early speed.

He said however that CASH COURIER was hard ridden at this time to maintain its position to the inside of KWAICHUNG BROTHERS and this resulted in KWAICHUNG BROTHERS being left racing wide and without cover.

He said as the tempo of the race in the middle stages was only moderate, he rode his mount along after the 900 Metres in the hope that he may be able to improve his position to race outside the leader GOBI STORM.

He said however that KWAICHUNG BROTHERS did not quicken and he was unable to prevent HAPPY CENTURY from shifting out inside KWAICHUNG BROTHERS and improving its position around CHEERS CONQUEROR.

He said at this time KWAICHUNG BROTHERS was not travelling well and when HAPPY CENTURY took up the position to the outside of GOBI STORM near the 650 Metres, KWAICHUNG BROTHERS continued to race without cover.

He said KWAICHUNG BROTHERS came off the bridle before the 500 Metres and then did not finish off its race.

A veterinary inspection of KWAICHUNG BROTHERS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned regarding the performance VARA PEARL, Apprentice H N Wong stated that the horse did not travel well at any stage of the race.

He said after entering the Back Straight he attempted to ride VARA PEARL forward to follow KWAICHUNG BROTHERS, however, VARA PEARL was not travelling well enough to improve its position at this time.

He said after the 700 Metres VARA PEARL came under heavy pressure and then did not close off the race and was disappointing.

A veterinary inspection of VARA PEARL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CHEERS CONQUEROR had bled from both nostrils.

KWAICHUNG BROTHERS, GOLDEN KID and HAPPY CENTURY were sent for sampling.