Recap by phillip woo

Everyone's Joy just got up in a blanket finish following a handy run to remain unbeaten in two starts. It was a fine performance carrying top weight in a quality Class Four test and there's clearly more upside to come from the three-year-old. Duke Wai was just denied after quickening nicely near the inside after a patient ride fourth from the rear. Top Score rallied nicely with three wider out following a one-off run behind midfield to make it close on the wire. Favourite Meridian Genius came up one-paced to finish a distant fourth tracking the leader The Abraxas one off the fence. He's not far off a winning run. Junzi was running on late near the outside travelling one from the back to pick up some prize money in a rare positive performance at Sha Tin. Newcomer Sunshine Warrior stayed on all right travelling one off worse than midfield. He's a nice type who'll clearly improve with experience. War Lord faltered after a prominent run without cover.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (613) - FWD INSURANCE ICBC (ASIA) HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

DANEHILL JADE was slow to begin.

DUKE WAI, which was fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently lost ground.

JUNZI was bumped on jumping by WAR LORD which shifted out.

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

TIGERLAD was crowded for room on jumping between KING'S TROOPER and WINNING WARRIOR which shifted out despite the efforts of its rider.

From a wide barrier, LASTING FRIENDSHIP was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 950 Metres, DUKE WAI raced tight inside TOP SCORE which was taken in by SUNSHINE WARRIOR which shifted in.

Near the 850 Metres, WAR LORD was momentarily crowded for room inside THE ABRAXAS (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted in.

Apprentice Wong was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances.

Approaching the 100 Metres, HURRICANE HUNTER raced tight inside the heels of LASTING FRIENDSHIP which shifted in under pressure.

When questioned regarding the performance of WAR LORD, J Moreira stated that although his mount was required to race three wide and without cover throughout the race, WAR LORD was nonetheless disappointing in that as far out as the 700 Metres he felt that the horse was not travelling as strongly as it was when it won first up for him.

He said he had to niggle at his mount prior to the 600 Metres to maintain his position and WAR LORD then came off the bridle rounding the Home Turn.

He added WAR LORD failed to quicken at the top of the Straight rather it initially finished off the race one-paced before weakening over the concluding stages.

A veterinary inspection of WAR LORD 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, WAR LORD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

After the race, M Harley reported that after travelling well throughout the early and middle stages, he expected KING'S TROOPER to finish off the race well.

He said however that after being placed under pressure near the 400 Metres, his mount immediately came under pressure and then was very disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of KING'S TROOPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of HURRICANE HUNTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

MERIDIAN GENIUS, EVERYONE'S JOY and DUKE WAI were sent for sampling.