Recap by phillip woo

Gorgeous King dashed nicely near the inside sitting handy one off the fence to overhaul stablemate Cloud Nine 60m out to ring up a third win from five starts over this particular Sha Tin trip. Cloud Nine found one too good after circling the field travelling midfield at the 600m to hit the front 400m out. He has trouble winning at this level but has given a good sight for seconds once at each track this term and is equally capable on the dirt as well. Sangria finished well with one wider out following a patient ride second from the rear to fill a placing in a pleasing first run this term and likes a longer trip. Favourite Rocketeer came up rather one paced after peeling out for his run coming to the final bend following a midfield run. He continues to disappoint and is not one to take at short odds. Helene Charisma should have gotten up for fourth if not getting shuffled back at a crucial stage by the tiring Goldfield. He's backed up a pleasing run at the Valley.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (43) - SAN ANTONIO HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1800Meters

Trainer R Gibson was fined the sum of $3,000 for presenting GOLDFIELD in the enclosure without a tongue tie, part of its declared gear.

HELENE CHARISMA was slow to begin.

FRIENDS OF KA YING was badly crowded for room on jumping between GORGEOUS KING and GOLDFIELD which shifted out abruptly.

GENERAL SHERMAN was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, CLOUD NINE failed to muster speed.

Passing the 800 Metres, ROCKETEER was shifted to the outside of GORGEOUS KING after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse.

This resulted in CLOUD NINE, which was racing outside ROCKETEER, being taken wider and without cover.

Passing the 500 Metres, GRAN MASTER, which was giving ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of BEAUTY SPIRIT which was taken out by FRIENDS OF KA YING which made the Home Turn awkwardly.

HELENE CHARISMA had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

The performances of BEAUTY SPIRIT and GRAN MASTER, both of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY SPIRIT and GRAN MASTER 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, T H So stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on GRAN MASTER from an outside barrier and it was felt that he may be able to obtain a position behind the leaders.

He said as he expected BEAUTY SPIRIT to obtain a forward position, he followed that horse across in the early stages in order to position GRAN MASTER to the outside of that horse.

He added when BEAUTY SPIRIT took some time to clear runners to its inside which were being ridden along to maintain their position, this resulted in GRAN MASTER being left wide after the 1600 Metres.

He said he attempted then to obtain a trailing position behind BEAUTY SPIRIT, however, GORGEOUS KING maintained its position inside GRAN MASTER and he was unable to obtain cover behind BEAUTY SPIRIT and GORGEOUS KING which resulted in GRAN MASTER travelling wide and without cover throughout the race and in the Straight giving ground.

When questioned, H N Wong stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on GOLDFIELD as the horse is one-paced and it was believed that it would not be in the horse's best interests were it to get too far back in the race.

He said it was anticipated that GOLDFIELD may be able to obtain the lead or race behind the leader if another horse was intent on leading.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode GOLDFIELD along for a considerable distance in the early stages to maintain its position inside FRIENDS OF KA YING.

He said he was concerned that if he allowed FRIENDS OF KA YING to cross GOLDFIELD in the early stages, that horse may hand up to either BEAUTY SPIRIT or GRAN MASTER which would then result in GOLDFIELD racing further back in the field than had been intended.

He said because he was reluctant to allow FRIENDS OF KA YING to cross GOLDFIELD too easily, this resulted in him having to ride GOLDFIELD along for a considerable distance in the early stages.

He said when FRIENDS OF KA YING continued to improve its position forward of GOLDFIELD approaching the 1300 Metres, he then allowed that horse to cross as he did not believe that FRIENDS OF KA YING would then be able to be crossed by BEAUTY SPIRIT.

He said after this GOLDFIELD travelled only fairly before coming under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and then giving ground in the Straight.

Jockey Wong was advised that his explanation would be reported and whilst there is an obligation for riders to attempt to ride to their instructions, nonetheless they are equally expected to show judgement and initiative when those instructions are not able to be readily executed.

He was further advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had persisted for too long in endeavouring to prevent FRIENDS OF KA YING from crossing GOLDFIELD which resulted in the horse having to be ridden along for too long in the early stages of the race.

He was told to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner that they can finish off their races as best as they are able.

A veterinary inspection of FRIENDS OF KA YING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ROCKETEER, GORGEOUS KING and CLOUD NINE were sent for sampling.