Recap by phillip woo

Punted late Encouraging was too good after shooting to the front 350m out following a prominent run with cover in a vastly-improved performance following a stable change. Post-time favourite Noble Steed overhauled early favourite Nicconi Express 50m out for second following a handy run. He's racing well and just found one better on this occasion. Nicconi Express stuck on gamely to finish a clear-cut third after easily finding the front from a wide gate. He's made a nice impression in both starts. Smart Boy got going from midfield to finish a distant fourth. It was another honest performance. Grade One gradually faded travelling box-seat. He hasn't been far off the finish in his three runs this term. Generous Heart stayed on all right after a deep run behind midfield but he too needs to find his way back into Class Four to show his best. Circuit Hassler never let down travelling worse than midfield on the fence. He's not going well at the moment.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (245) - HIGHLAND REEL HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

SMART BOY shifted out at the start and bumped GRADE ONE.

Shortly after the start, AMAZING CHOCOLATE, BABA MAMA, TASHIDELEK and GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR were all crowded for room between MR WEALTH which shifted in marginally and INVINCIBLE FRESH which shifted out.

This resulted in BABA MAMA and TASHIDELEK losing ground and AMAZING CHOCOLATE and MR WEALTH both becoming badly unbalanced.

From the outside barrier, SHAMPORT was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Also from a wide barrier, GENEROUS HEART was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners, however, was left racing wide and without cover after the 1100 Metres.

Approaching the 700 Metres, TASHIDELEK commenced to travel keenly and improved into tight running between SHAMPORT and GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR.

This resulted in GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR and SHAMPORT both becoming unbalanced when contacted on the hindquarters by TASHIDELEK.

After this, GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR got its head up and commenced to travel keenly.

GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 200 Metres was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of SMART BOY.

BABA MAMA was unable to obtain clear running from the 400 Metres until passing the 250 Metres at which time the horse was shifted to the outside of GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR.

Close to the finishing line, CIRCUIT HASSLER shifted in and brushed AMAZING CHOCOLATE.

The performance of MR WEALTH, a last start winner which gave ground noticeably over the latter stages of the race, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, MR WEALTH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of MR WEALTH immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

A veterinary inspection of INVINCIBLE FRESH and TASHIDELEK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

NICCONI EXPRESS, ENCOURAGING and NOBLE STEED were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Races 6 - 10 were each put back 5 minutes.

2.

Omission from Racing Incidents Report of 5 December 2018 Happy Valley racemeeting - Race 9 (235) Near the 250 Metres, SUPER CHIC was struck across the nose by the whip of Apprentice M F Poon (PACKING DRAGON).

3.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 5 December 2018 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of THE SYLPH, WONDERFUL TIGER, THE SHOW, SUPER EURO STAR, ROYAL CHOCOLATE, SPLIT OF A SECOND, HARD PROMISE, SPECIAL STARS, MIDNIGHT RATTLER, CLEAR CHOICE, GLORY STAR, GOOD FOR YOU, COUNTRY STAR, JUST NOT LISTENING, ALL YOU KNOW, LITTLE ISLAND, CURLING LUXURY, EXPERTO CREDE, BANK ON RED, SUPER CHIC and RED WARRIOR revealed no apparent abnormality.

4.

Racing Laboratory tests of MULTIMAX, AVELLINO, LE PEGASE, ROOKIE STAR, COME ON WONGCHOY, DYNAMIC EAGLE, FLYING QUEST, TOP LAURELS, QUADRUPLE DOUBLE, FEARLESS FIRE, EVERBRAVE, SMART BABY, HAPPY ROCKY, LAKESHORE EAGLE, E MASTER, EAGLE, TELECOM BROTHERS, MOST BEAUTIFUL, FANTASTIC FEELING and BLITZING (28.11.18) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 5: PINGWU SPARK at the barriers by order of the Stewards.

Race 9: PRECIOUSSHIP at barriers on veterinary advice.

2.

Fines Race 1: J Moreira (PICKEN): $3,000 for failing to present himself in the Parade Ring by the required time.

Race 4: W Buick (PAKISTAN STAR): $20,000 for reckless riding near the 450 Metres.

3.

Severe Reprimands Race 4: J Moreira (LYS GRACIEUX) for shifting in approaching the 300 Metres.

S de Sousa (EAGLE WAY) for shifting out passing the 300 Metres.



4.

Reprimands Race 2: Apprentice C Wong (HIGH FIVE) for shifting in passing the 1100 Metres.

Race 4: J Moreira (LYS GRACIEUX) for shifting in after the 150 Metres.

5.

Warnings Race 1: S Clipperton (DESTIN) for shifting in near the 150 Metres.

Race 6: A Badel (TIGRE DU TERRE) for raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder.

Race 9: A Badel (HINCHINLOVE) for shifting out for some distance approaching the 200 Metres.

6.

Suspensions Race 4: Z Purton (EXULTANT) for careless riding at the 2100 Metres (from 19 December 2018 until 27 December 2018 on which day he may resume race riding - 3 Hong Kong racedays).

W Buick (PAKISTAN STAR) for reckless riding near the 450 Metres (from 17 December 2018 until 28 January 2019 on which day he may resume race riding - 12 Hong Kong racedays).

7.

Protest/Objection Race 6

8.

Irregular Heart Rhythms Race 2: SONIC FIGHTER Race 4: MIRAGE DANCER

9.

Barrier Trials Race 1: PICKEN Race 2: SONIC FIGHTER Race 5: PINGWU SPARK Race 9: PRECIOUSSHIP Race 10: MR WEALTH

10.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: PICKEN Race 2: SONIC FIGHTER Race 9: PRECIOUSSHIP Race 10: MR WEALTH