Recap by phillip woo

Drifting favourite Elusive State defied a no-cover run three to four deep worse than midfield to get up 50m out for a remarkable sixth win from his past seven starts. He's going great guns and can head higher. Plunged late Raging Blitzkrieg found one better after surging to the front 280m out chasing the leading pair nearly three-deep at times. Circuit Glory kept the leader Big Time Baby one off the fence up front and kept grinding away to hold a placing. He might not have too much upside off his current mark but his ability to perform on both surfaces gives connections options. Turin Redstar just took fourth after slotting in with cover one-off in fifth at the 1,300m from a wide gate. He as honest as the day is long on either surface. Glorious Artist was doing his best work late following a midfield run. The mile might be too short for him now. Bear Slam made some ground without menacing from the rear of the field. It was a shade better effort.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (338) - LEIGHTON HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1650Meters

GO PUBLIC began only fairly and then was crowded for room between JOLLY GENE and CIRCUIT GLORY, both of which shifted ground.

BIG TIME BABY shifted out at the start and hampered CALCULATION.

CALCULATION then shifted out and bumped HANG'S DECISION which in turn bumped the hindquarters of ELUSIVE STATE which became unbalanced.

From wide barriers, FIGHT HERO and BEAR SLAM were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 1500 Metres, PEOPLE'S KNIGHT was steadied away from the heels of GLORIOUS ARTIST which was taken in by CALCULATION (S Clipperton) which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RAGING BLITZKRIEG.

S Clipperton was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing crowding to other runners.

Passing the 1000 Metres, PEOPLE'S KNIGHT commenced to travel keenly and was checked away from the heels of GLORIOUS ARTIST.

Also passing the 1000 Metres, ELUSIVE STATE was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 900 Metres, FIGHT HERO was shifted in away from the heels of ELUSIVE STATE and inconvenienced RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE.

As PEOPLE'S KNIGHT was improving to the outside of GLORIOUS ARTIST near the 800 Metres, GLORIOUS ARTIST shifted out, resulting in PEOPLE'S KNIGHT being taken out onto FIGHT HERO which was bumped and taken wider, without cover.

Apprentice H T Mo (GO PUBLIC) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 500 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of GLORIOUS ARTIST, resulting in that horse having to be checked when crowded for room inside TURIN REDSTAR.

Apprentice Mo was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 20 January 2019 and to expire on Thursday, 24 January 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Apprentice Mo was fined $10,000.

Passing the 150 Metres, JOLLY GENE momentarily raced tight between CALCULATION which was giving ground and HANG'S DECISION which got its head on the side and lay in.

After the race, M F Poon (BIG TIME BABY) stated that it was his intention to cross CIRCUIT GLORY after the 1500 Metres, however, his mount raced with its head on the side, lay out and was reluctant to shift over towards the rail which allowed CIRCUIT GLORY the opportunity to maintain its position inside his mount after the 1400 Metres.

Also after the race, S Clipperton stated that although CALCULATION did not show sufficient speed to lead which is where the horse has shown to be more effective, nonetheless CALCULATION was disappointing in that after coming under pressure rounding the Home Turn it did not finish off the race.

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

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

When questioned, Z Purton stated that the circumstances of the race, together with the horse having to carry top weight, meant that FIGHT HERO was not able to finish off the race as it normally does.

He said FIGHT HERO was required to race wide and without cover over the latter stages which did not allow it the opportunity to finish off.

A veterinary inspection of FIGHT HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ELUSIVE STATE and RAGING BLITZKRIEG were sent for sampling.