Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Flying Lover held off Viva Council after hitting the front 200m out following a prominent run on the fence for back-to-back wins. The gate aided him on this occasion but he might find it harder in Class Three. Viva Council finished well travelling one-off better than midfield to finish a clear-cut second. He can bob up at any moment in this grade. Coolceleb stayed on very well furthest out despite a deep run with cover worse than midfield to fill a placing. Bond Elegance finished well after travelling third from the rear to fill a Quartet spot. He rarely produces a bad run on this surface. Hearts Keeper came on all right near the inside travelling fourth from the rear following a slow start. Late-fancied The Createth was making good ground late after settling one from the back from gate 12 in a pleasing first run on this surface. Star Luck faded after a threedeep run without cover the entire trip up on the speed. He can be forgiven for this run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (596) - KINGFISHER HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

HEARTS KEEPER was slow to begin.

LUNAR ZEPHYR began only fairly and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed.

ELITE BOY lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then lost ground when crowded for room between BOND ELEGANCE and COOLCELEB which got its head on the side and shifted out despite the efforts of its rider after being bumped by NICE FANDANGO.

In this incident, BOND ELEGANCE became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by ELITE BOY.

From wide barriers, MCMUNIGAL and THE CREATETH were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

COOLCELEB lay out rounding the Home Turn.

H T Mo (VIVA COUNCIL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 250 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of ELITE BOY (M F Poon), causing that horse to be unnecessarily hampered and to be checked away from the heels of VIVA COUNCIL.

H T Mo was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 28 April 2019 and to expire on Thursday, 2 May 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, H T Mo was fined $20,000.

After the race, M F Poon reported that after being checked, ELITE BOY made an abnormal breathing noise.

A veterinary inspection of ELITE BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Approaching the 150 Metres, BOND ELEGANCE had difficulty obtaining clear running and then passing the 150 Metres was shifted to the inside of IRON KING to obtain clear running.

In the Straight, IRON KING raced with its head on the side and lay out under pressure.

When questioned regarding the performance of STAR LUCK, K Teetan stated that, from the wide barrier, he was asked to allow STAR LUCK to use its natural speed and obtain a forward position, but not to ride his mount along to do so if possible.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode STAR LUCK positively in the early stages and STAR LUCK immediately commenced to improve its position.

He said he did not have to ride his mount along to clear runners to his inside and after the 800 Metres was racing in a three wide position outside IRON KING.

He said he did not believe it was available for him to continue forward to clear IRON KING and obtain a position one horse off the rail as IRON KING was travelling strongly and riding his mount along would have been contrary to his instructions, therefore he remained racing three wide and without cover.

He said in the early part of the Straight STAR LUCK initially responded satisfactorily to his riding and was able to gain an advantage over IRON KING.

He said however that STAR LUCK came under pressure passing the 200 Metres and then was particularly disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the concluding stages.

K Teetan further stated that whilst STAR LUCK may be better suited when drawn an inside barrier, he noted the horse had gone up in weight following its last start win.

Mr F C Lor, the trainer of STAR LUCK, said that the horse was particularly disappointing in today's race.

He said STAR LUCK had trained on well since its last start win and another forward showing was expected despite the horse's wide barrier draw.

He said based on the manner in which STAR LUCK failed to finish off the race, he is of the opinion that the horse is better suited by inside draws as its two failures had come when being drawn wide and its only success was when it had drawn an inside barrier.

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

The performance of STAR LUCK, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

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

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that THE CREATETH had sustained a small laceration to the inside of the right hind heel.

FLYING LOVER and VIVA COUNCIL were sent for sampling.