Recap by phillip woo

Waikuku shot clear the 250m settling effectively one-out, one-back to build on a solid debut last month to cap a sensational five-win day for the dream team of John Size and Joao Moreira. Baba Mama ran on well following a midfield run to finish a clear second. Plunged late Comfort Life grudgingly gave way after stalking the leader Ka Ying Legend from a wide gate. He can bob up now and then. Encouraging closed off reasonably well to take fourth after easing out to travel deep beyond midfield at the 800m. Ka Ying Legend grudgingly gave way when headed for the lead in his first try over the trip. He might be better ridden held up for a run. Lady First ran on late without menacing following a midfield run in his first run for his new trainer. Diamond Rhyme failed to let down as expected when gaining a clear run inside the 200m after being trapped behind the leaders.

Racing Incident Report

Race : (311) - SUNSET PEAK HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

DEFINING MOMENT was slow to begin.

HAPPY SEBRING began only fairly.

CROWN AVENUE shifted in at the start and hampered SMART PATCH.

AMAZING CHOCOLATE was hampered on jumping by ENCOURAGING which shifted in.

After this, AMAZING CHOCOLATE was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

KA YING LEGEND shifted out at the start and inconvenienced WAIKUKU.

From a wide barrier, SALTO OLIMPICO was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners.

After the 1000 Metres, ENCOURAGING was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 700 Metres, LADY FIRST commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of WAIKUKU.

After this, LADY FIRST raced tight inside ENCOURAGING.

Approaching the 600 Metres, HAPPY SEBRING improved into tight running between BABA MAMA which was awkwardly placed behind DIAMOND RHYME and LADY FIRST which, when continuing to race tight inside ENCOURAGING, was checked away from the heels of WAIKUKU which at this time raced tight outside DIAMOND RHYME.

HAPPY SEBRING was then checked near the 600 Metres when unable to maintain its position between LADY FIRST which became unbalanced when racing close to the heels of WAIKUKU and BABA MAMA which continued to prove difficult to settle and race close to the heels of DIAMOND RHYME.

When HAPPY SEBRING was checked, that horse shifted in and crowded SMART PATCH which was checked and lost ground.

As the Stewards were satisfied that this incident did not result from carelessness being exhibited by any rider but rather the tempo of the race at this time, no further action was taken.

At the entrance to the Straight, WAIKUKU (J Moreira) shifted to the outside of COMFORT LIFE to obtain clear running and in doing so made contact with INCREDIBLE which became badly unbalanced and shifted out abruptly, resulting in ENCOURAGING being hampered.

J Moreira was advised that whilst he had not placed undue pressure on INCREDIBLE at this time, nonetheless he must exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

BABA MAMA had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

Near the 350 Metres, LADY FIRST was bumped by BABA MAMA which shifted out marginally.

When questioned regarding the performance of DIAMOND RHYME, Z Purton stated that his mount was very fractious in the barriers and got its head into the adjoining stall.

He said when the horse's head was corrected, DIAMOND RHYME again became fractious, however, stood better and as the start was effected was able to jump on terms with the field.

He said DIAMOND RHYME travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages and when improving between KA YING LEGEND and COMFORT LIFE, DIAMOND RHYME momentarily raced in restricted room passing the 350 Metres, however, after this came under pressure and was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND RHYME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

After the race, LADY FIRST was observed to have blood at the left nostril.

An endoscopic examination of LADY FIRST confirmed that horse not to have bled.

WAIKUKU and BABA MAMA were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

29 December 2018 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 3 (293) The Stewards today questioned Mr D J Hall, the trainer of SPEEDY DRAGON, regarding the improved performance of that horse in this race.

Mr Hall said after being ridden along in its recent races to obtain a forward position, the horse had not been finishing off its races and had been disappointing.

He said SPEEDY DRAGON had always worked well, however, its racing performances had not reflected the quality of its work.

He said following its most recent start over 1400 Metres, Jockey K C Leung suggested to remove the blinkers from SPEEDY DRAGON and to drop the horse back in trip to allow it to relax better.

He said in this race he instructed the rider not to make use of SPEEDY DRAGON in the early stages and thought the horse would be positioned closer to midfield than it was.

He added however whilst the horse was still able to take up a relatively forward position, it was not ridden along to do so and because of this, in his opinion, it was able to finish off its race better than had been of late.

2.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 29 December 2018 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of REMARKABLE, ROMANTIC BONANZA, GRAND HARBOUR, RUMINARE, M REBORN, DIAMOND LEGEND, CHARIZARD, SPEEDY DRAGON, CHAIRMAN LO, MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR, ALCAZAR, I AM POWER, CALIFORNIA ARCHER, PEAR CHAMPION, WIN WIN, DANCING FIGHTER, EPTIWINS, TIANCHI MONSTER, GRAND CHANCELLOR, PEOPLE'S KNIGHT, RAGING BLITZKRIEG, MR SO AND SO and SUPERICH revealed no apparent abnormality.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 6: BETTER CHOICE on 30.12.18 on veterinary advice.

Race 10: SUPER FORM on 31.12.18 on veterinary advice.

2.

Riding Change As C Murray was indisposed, permission was given for M F Poon to be substituted as the rider of MR GENUINE in Race 8 on raceday morning.

3.

Severe Reprimand Race 9: A Badel (MORETHANLUCKY) for shifting in near the 1000 Metres.

4.

Reprimands Race 2: J Moreira (DASHING DART) for shifting in near the 350 Metres.

Apprentice H T Mo (TRIUMPH) for unnecessarily using the whip on a horse out of contention.

Race 6: Apprentice C Wong (PLAY TO WIN) for shifting in passing the 800 Metres.

Race 9: C Schofield (RATTAN) for shifting in shortly after the start.

5.

Warning Race 11: J Moreira (WAIKUKU) for shifting out at the entrance to the Straight.



6.

Suspension Race 6: Apprentice C Wong (PLAY TO WIN) for careless riding approaching and passing the 350 Metres (from 12 January 2019 until 17 January 2019 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

7.

Stalls Test Race 3: MR DARTHVEGAR

8.

Barrier Trials Race 7: HERO TIME Race 8: LEAN PERFECTION Race 9: NOTHINGILIKEMORE

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: CHIU CHOW KID Race 4: WAYFOONG CHARMER Race 6: BETTER CHOICE Race 7: HERO TIME YOUNG LEGEND Race 8: LEAN PERFECTION REGENCY LEGEND Race 9: NOTHINGILIKEMORE Race 10: SUPER FORM