Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Right Choice quickly put the race away at the 250m out with a bold move following a perfect run one-off in fourth from a wide gate. He's won four of five and should be able to step up off a light weight in Class Two next time out. Amazing Chocolate got up approaching the 100m for second settling midfield on the fence following a sluggish start. He's improving but the combination of a better draw and step back up to 1,400m aided him. Backed late Roundabout had to settle for third following a bid from just worse than midfield. He's returned to form in his past two starts and can breakthrough at any moment. Good For You finished nicely down the outside travelling third from the back to just take fourth. He's a better hope of winning in Class Four. Kiram made it close for a Quartet spot following a patient ride one from the back. Uncle Steve over-raced racing box-seat and knocked up 150m out. He's still acclimatising.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (469) - THE MERLION HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

Prior to being walked the saddling area, COOL TEAM broke loose from its handler after which the horse was found to be lame as a result of an overreach injury to the right front foot.

As COOL TEAM was found to be not suitable to race, that horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

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

Whilst in the saddling stalls, HIDDEN BLITZ had its right front plate refitted.

HIDDEN BLITZ was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

AMAZING CHOCOLATE and HIDDEN BLITZ were slow to begin.

When being steadied in order to be shifted across behind runners shortly after the start, GOOD FOR YOU shifted out and bumped ROMAN IMPERO which in turn shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of KIRAM.

After this, GOOD FOR YOU, ROMAN IMPERO and KIRAM were all shifted across behind runners.

After the 1100 Metres, IRISH VEGA was left racing wide and without cover.

Making the turn after the 900 Metres, UNCLE STEVE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERFECT BUDDY.

Close to the finishing line, INVINCIBLE FRESH was awkwardly placed between ROUNDABOUT and GOOD FOR YOU and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

Also close to the finishing line, KIRAM was shifted in away from the heels of AMAZING CHOCOLATE.

After the race, U Rispoli was not able to offer an explanation for the performance of UNCLE STEVE.

He said UNCLE STEVE appeared reluctant to race inside horses, however, given that it enjoyed a good run behind the leader, UNCLE STEVE was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of UNCLE STEVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

RIGHT CHOICE and AMAZING CHOCOLATE were sent for sampling.

---

GENERAL:

1.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 27 February 2019 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of GENTRY, LUCKY SHINY DAY, LE PANACHE, HAPPY ROCKY, SALTO OLIMPICO, MR RIGHT, TOM'S DRAGON, WAH MAY PRINCESS, THE SHOW, CLEAR CHOICE, SPARKLING SWORD, BREEDERS' STAR, BLITZING, BRAVE LEGEND, HARMONY HERO, AMBITIOUS HEART, WATER DIVINER and GAMECHANGERS revealed no apparent abnormality.

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of THE HAPPY BUNCH, TRENDIFUL, SHOW MISSION, COME ON WONGCHOY, THE JOY OF GIVING, GOOD COMPANION, LONDON MASTER, ROYAL CHOCOLATE, CHAMPION'S WAY, SUNNY DRAGON, MIDNIGHT RATTLER, SPEED VISION, LOVING A BOOM, MERRYGOWIN, NABOO STAR, LITTLE BIRD, DRAGON PIONEER, ARCADA and HAR HAR HEART (20.2.19) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 1: KING'S HEROISM on 28.2.19 on veterinary advice.

VICTORY IN HAND on 1.3.19 on veterinary advice.

Race 10: COOL TEAM prior to the race on veterinary advice.

2.

Riding Changes As M L Yeung was indisposed, permission was given for the following riding substitutions on 28 February 2019: Race 1: K C Leung on WINNERS BROTHER Race 2: R Bayliss on DOUBLE DOUBLE Race 3: U Rispoli on WIN WIN Race 4: K C Ng on SKY TREASURE Race 8: S de Sous on GOD OF DRAGON Race 10: Apprentice H T Mo on PERFECT BUDDY

3.

Fines Race 2: G van Niekerk (HIDDEN SPIRIT): $2,000 for initially failing to weigh out with a girth.

Race 4: Apprentice H T Mo (BIG FORTUNE): $10,000 for careless riding in the early stages.

Race 6: Trainer P F Yiu (SPEEDY KING ): $2,000 for a declaration error.

4.

Reprimands Race 5: M F Poon (BULLISH BROTHER) for reducing the tempo of the race at the 800 Metres.

S de Sousa (CRAIG'S STAR) for shifting in close to the finishing line.

5.

Warnings Race 8: R Bayliss (UNICORNBABY) for shifting out passing the 300 Metres.

M F Poon (BETTER CHOICE) re using the whip near the 50 Metres.

6.

Suspensions Race 3: W M Lai (DATING) for careless riding approaching the 1100 Metres and again passing the 1000 Metres (from 20 March 2019 until 24 March 2019 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 4: Apprentice H T Mo (BIG FORTUNE) for careless riding in the early stages (from 23 March 2019 until 25 March 2019 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

7.

Bleeders Race 2: BEST RUNNER Race 7: THRILLED

8.

Barrier Trial Race 1: VIGOROUS SPIRIT

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: KING'S HEROISM VICTORY IN HAND VIGOROUS SPIRIT Race 3: COURAGEOUS DRAGON Race 5: SUPER EIGHTEEN Race 8: LAND GRANT Race 10: COOL TEAM