Recap by phillip woo

Gracious Ryder finished nicely following a rail run in midfield to upset raging favourite Aerohappiness close to home for a second win from 11 starts. He's hard to get right. Aerohappiness had an easy time in front after finding the front 900m out from a wide gate but found one better on the day. It was still a good run in defeat but the rise in weight anchored him late. Sam's Love rallied late for third after settling last following a tardy break. Debutant Emerald Spur closed off well despite running about under pressure following a patient ride deep near the back to fill a Quartet spot. He's got a future but lacks experience. It was a long way back to the next group but Liverbird Star was getting going late after travelling last from a wide gate. He's flashed potential in a couple of his three starts but is another who requires more time. Complacency came up one-paced when popped the question travelling ungenerously one-out, one-back.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (588) - NURTURING TALENT HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

BOSSIEE was withdrawn on 20.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter OCEAN ELITE (C Schofield).

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

OCEAN ELITE and SAM'S LOVE were slow to begin.

ALL YOU NEED began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was checked away from the heels of COMPLACENCY which began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly.

From wide barriers, EMERALD SPUR and LIVERBIRD STAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 1100 Metres, TOP STRIKE, which was travelling keenly, got its head up when momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of MULTIMAX.

Near the 950 Metres, ALL YOU NEED momentarily raced tight between OCEAN ELITE and EMERALD SPUR which shifted in.

EMERALD SPUR was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to ALL YOU NEED.

Then making the first turn near the 900 Metres, ALL YOU NEED got its head up and shifted out towards the heels of EMERALD SPUR, resulting in ALL YOU NEED being checked and losing ground.

In this incident, EMERALD SPUR became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by ALL YOU NEED.

K C Ng (MULTIMAX) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of COMPLACENCY, causing that horse to be unnecessarily crowded for room and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

K C Ng was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 29 April 2018 and to expire on Thursday, 3 May 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Ng's good race riding record.

GRACIOUS RYDER lost its right front plate near the 800 Metres.

Near the 750 Metres, ALL YOU NEED and EMERALD SPUR bumped.

Rounding the Home Turn, ALL YOU NEED was awkwardly placed close to the heels of OCEAN ELITE.

In the early part of the Straight, COMPLACENCY got its head on the side and lay out under pressure and then near the 250 Metres shifted out abruptly towards SHINING ON which was inconvenienced.

When being corrected passing the 200 Metres, COMPLACENCY shifted in abruptly.

ALL YOU NEED, which was following, was checked away from the heels of COMPLACENCY in consequence.

ALL YOU NEED was subsequently shifted in away from the heels of COMPLACENCY passing the 100 Metres.

After the race, it was noted that OCEAN ELITE had blood at its right nostril.

A subsequent endoscopic examination of OCEAN ELITE confirmed the horse to be a bleeder.

A veterinary inspection of ALL YOU NEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

GRACIOUS RYDER and AEROHAPPINESS were sent for sampling.