Recap by phillip woo

Rank outsider Red Warrior zipped home down the outside from near last to upset shortpriced stablemate Champion's Way. The previously unbeaten Champion's Way hit the front 150m out after darting underneath Beauty Spirit for a clear run at the 300m following a midfield run and was just denied on the wire. Well-backed King Opie finished well to fill a placing after having to shift out for a clear run at the 200m following a patient ride fourth from the back. Beauty Spirit kept on reasonably well for fourth tracking the leader Circuit Glory. He can produce a good run now and then. Circuit Glory gradually faded after leading from an awkward gate. His speed is better taken advantage of at the Valley. Right Choice had his chance following a prominent run. He's risen too quickly after winning five of his opening seven runs and might need to catch his breath. Perfect Match did not fire following a box-seat run. It was too rich a test for the three-year-old.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (675) - SPORTS FOR ALL 1600M HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1600Meters

DOCTOR GEOFF shifted in at the start and bumped RIVET.

LOBO'S LEGEND began awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Also from wide barriers, RED WARRIOR and SICHUAN DAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

At the 400 Metres, KING OPIE was shifted to the inside of RIVET after being disappointed for running to the outside of that horse.

Passing the 400 Metres, DOCTOR GEOFF raced tight outside RIGHT CHOICE which improved to the outside of CHARITY GO.

Approaching the 300 Metres, LOBO'S LEGEND was shifted to the inside of RIVET after being disappointed for a run between RED WARRIOR and COBY BOY.

Near the 250 Metres, RIVET was steadied away from the heels of DOCTOR GEOFF (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted out abruptly.

After this, DOCTOR GEOFF continued to shift out as Apprentice Wong changed his whip from his right hand into his left hand.

Apprentice Wong was told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to straighten his mounts before attempting to change the whip over.

At the 200 Metres, LOBO'S LEGEND was shifted out away from the heels of KING OPIE which shifted to the outside of RIGHT CHOICE to continue improving.

Throughout the race, CHARITY GO travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, G van Niekerk stated that he had been provided with two sets of instructions for how KING OPIE should be ridden.

He said if KING OPIE began very well, he should take advantage of this and obtain a forward position, however, in the event that KING OPIE, which was running over 1600 Metres for the first time, did not began very well, he should shift the horse across behind runners and obtain a position with cover.

He said this was based on the manner in which KING OPIE performed in a barrier trial in the lead up to today's race.

He said in that trial KING OPIE finished well after being ridden off the speed.

He said, in his opinion, whilst KING OPIE had been racing consistently, the horse had not been finding the line strongly at the end of its recent races and therefore it was felt that KING OPIE may benefit by being ridden more conservatively.

He added KING OPIE began only fairly today and therefore he immediately commenced to shift across behind runners and obtain cover in a position behind midfield.

He said when ridden more quietly, KING OPIE finished off the race well.

After the race, K Teetan (PERFECT MATCH) stated that although his mount became fractious in the barriers and lunged at the front gates, he did not believe this had a bearing on the performance of the horse.

He said PERFECT MATCH was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages without having to be ridden along and after obtaining a trailing position behind CIRCUIT GLORY near the 1000 Metres then travelled well.

He said however that, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing in the Straight in that it did not finish off the race as anticipated.

A veterinary inspection of PERFECT MATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

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

RED WARRIOR and CHAMPION'S WAY were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

After the running of Race 5, the track classification was officially changed from "Good??to "Good to Firm?? This change in the opinion of the Stewards should be recorded as being retrospective.

As a consequence of this, the official results will show Race 5 being run on a track rated "Good to Firm??

2.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 15 May 2019 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of EVERBRAVE, HONG KONG WIN, THIS IS CLASS, BULLISH BROTHER, LUCKY GIRL, XIANG BAI QI, ENJOY LIFE, MAGIC LEGEND, HONG KONG BET, FRUSTRATED, TRUE GRIT, UNIVERSAL GO GO, HARRIER JET, RACING FIGHTER, BUOYANT BOY, BRAVE LEGEND and CINQUANTE CINQ revealed no apparent abnormality.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of FLASH FAMOUS, BUDDIES, ASSOCIATION FANS, CORRE RAPIDO, SKY TREASURE, BOND ELEGANCE, THE HAPPY BUNCH, EXPONENTS, FAME AND FORTUNE, GRAND HARBOUR, COOLCELEB, GENERAL DINO, ENFOLDING, GLORIOUS ARTIST, RAGING BLITZKRIEG, JUST NOT LISTENING, COBY OPPA, HANDSOME REBEL, PING HAI TREASURE, TANG FLEMING and GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR (8.5.19) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 1: MY DEAR on 17.5.19 on veterinary advice.

Race 4: HELLO BEAUTY on 17.5.19 on veterinary advice.

Race 9: KINGS SHIELD at barriers on veterinary advice.

2.

Riding Changes After riding in Race 3, N Callan became indisposed and was stood down by the Chief Medical Officer.

Accordingly, permission was given for the following riding substitutions: Race 5: M Chadwick on KWAI CHUNG ELITE Race 6: C Schofield on THE CREATETH Race 9: C Schofield on TANGMERE Race 10: H N Wong on LOBO'S LEGEND

3.

Fines Race 1: G van Niekerk (M REBORN): $35,000 for careless riding near the 350 Metres.

Race 8: Trainer D E Ferraris (SURREALISM): $2,000 for a declaration error.

4.

Severe Reprimand Race 3: Z Purton (DIAMOND BRILLIANT) for shifting in passing the 1000 Metres.

5.

Reprimand Race 1: N Callan (BIG BULLY) for shifting in near the 200 Metres.

6.

Warnings Race 3: N Callan (ALL YOU NEED) re his riding over the concluding stages.

Race 5: K Teetan (YOU HAVE MY WORD) re dropping a rein during a race.

Race 10: Apprentice C Wong (DOCTOR GEOFF) for shifting out near the 250 Metres.

7.

Suspension Race 1: G van Niekerk (M REBORN) for careless riding near the 350 Metres (from 8 June 2019 until 13 June 2019 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

8.

Barrier Trials Race 3: FOREVER BRIGHT Race 5: DELIGHT EXPRESS Race 6: HEALTHY TREASURE Race 7: FOLLOW ME Race 8: GREEN CARD Race 9: KINGS SHIELD

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: MY DEAR DOUBLE DOUBLE Race 3: FOREVER BRIGHT Race 4: HELLO BEAUTY Race 5: DELIGHT EXPRESS Race 6: HEALTHY TREASURE Race 7: FOLLOW ME Race 8: GREEN CARD Race 9: KINGS SHIELD