Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite What A Legend drew clear after advancing to the front 200m out tracking the leader Winning Ways for a first win at his ninth start. Nice Kick got up 50m out to finish a clear-cut second following a prominent run. He's nothing special but rarely produces a bad run. Supreme Plus stayed on for a placing after a one-off run in third. He can produce a good run now and then. Winning Ways just held on for fourth by a lip after getting his own way in front. It was another honest effort but he's limited. Iron Boy got going late near the outside to just miss a Quartet spot. You can forget the run by Winwin Thirtythree, who was badly impeded on three occasions travelling behind midfield on the fence. Second-time starter Methane finished well despite still being last at the 200m after badly missing the kick. He was later deemed a non-starter after an unfair start but it was nonetheless another eye-catching run and he'll be winning races shortly.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (151) - HARBOUR HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

As the start was effected, APOLLOS BOW lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently began awkwardly and in doing so shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of IRON BOY which became unbalanced.

HERO TIME and WINWIN THIRTYTHREE bumped at the start.

From wide barriers, HERO TIME, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE and VEGA RHYTHM were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

When being steadied to obtain cover approaching the 1100 Metres, SUPER LUCKY got its head up when travelling keenly.

Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, BRILLIANT PROFIT got its head up when travelling keenly.

At the same time, APOLLOS BOW was steadied away from the heels of NICE KICK.

Passing the 800 Metres, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was crowded for room inside APOLLOS BOW (N Callan) which got its head on the side and lay in.

Then near the 750 Metres, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was checked when APOLLOS BOW again shifted in before being directed back out.

Having regards to the racing manners of APOLLOS BOW near the 450 Metres and again in the Home Straight, N Callan was advised that he was given the benefit of the doubt in that the racing manners of APOLLOS BOW did play a significant rule in this incident.

Nonetheless he was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.

G van Niekerk (IRON BOY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 550 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HERO TIME, resulting in that horse being taken in onto WINWIN THIRTYTHREE, causing WINWIN THIRTYTHREE to be severely checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

G van Niekerk was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 27 November 2019 and to expire on Monday, 2 December 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, G Van Niekerk was fined $30,000.

After being shifted to the outside of BRILLIANT PROFIT at the 450 Metres, APOLLOS BOW hung back in across the heels of that horse, resulting in APOLLOS BOW being awkwardly placed close to the heels of BRILLIANT PROFIT.

Passing the 200 Metres, APOLLOS BOW shifted in abruptly when being ridden out and was checked away from the heels of BRILLIANT PROFIT.

APOLLOS BOW was then shifted out away from the heels of BRILLIANT PROFIT, resulting in WINWIN THIRTYTHREE, which was following, being checked out away from the heels of APOLLOS BOW in consequence.

For the majority of the race, SUPER LUCKY travelled wide and without cover.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if METHANE had been afforded a fair start.

Evidence was taken from L Hewitson, the rider of METHANE, and Mr A Speechley, Starter.

After taking evidence from both parties and after viewing the videos, it was established that some time prior to the start being effected METHANE put its head down and accordingly was not standing correctly.

The Stewards accepted that when this happened L Hewitson called out to the starting gate team in an attempt to delay the start of the race to provide METHANE with the opportunity to stand correctly.

They also found that as this occurred, L Hewitson reached out with his right arm and held onto the barrier partition.

Mr Speechley stated that he had not heard a call from Jockey Hewitson but accepted that Jockey Hewitson had attempted to notify staff of the issue.

He added as he was of the opinion that all horses were standing correctly and was unaware of METHANE's issue given that it was in barrier number 11, he effected the start.

As the Stewards were of the opinion that METHANE had not been afforded a fair start due to the horse's head remaining down and Jockey Hewitson's right arm remaining on the barrier partition, that horse was declared a non-runner.

As METHANE had put its head down some time prior to the start being effected, that horse will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test prior to being permitted to race again.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BRILLIANT PROFIT had sustained a small wound to the right hind pastern.

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

A veterinary inspection of APOLLOS BOW and WINWIN THIRTYTHREE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

WHAT A LEGEND and NICE KICK were sent for sampling.