Recap by phillip woo

In a thrilling finish, favourite Dancing Fighter defied a deep run better than midfield to get the head down on the wire for the win after threatening with seconds in his past three starts. Yoo Yoo King did everything right but get the win after hitting the front near the 100m following a prominent run on the fence carrying top weight. Ballistic King ran on nicely to make it close on the wire settling effectively one-out, one-back. Punted late My Darling was swamped late after emerging with the lead 800m out. Sensationallybacked Namjong Sings wouldn't go away without a fight after working hard without cover on the speed. He's caught the eye. Buoyant Boy finished in the mix after a midfield run on the fence. He rarely produces a bad run over this Valley trip. Nordic Warrior left things too late but made up heaps of ground after settling last from a wide gate. First Responder came up flat travelling one off in midfield. This was a bit too rich.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (159) - O'BRIEN HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

FIRST RESPONDER began only fairly and then a short distance after the start raced tight between NAMJONG SINGS and SHANGHAI MASTER.

DANCING FIGHTER shifted out at the start and bumped NORDIC WARRIOR.

From wide barriers, BEST ALLIANCE and FANTASTIC FEELING were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After travelling a short distance, NORDIC WARRIOR was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, BUOYANT BOY was bumped by FIRST RESPONDER which in turn was bumped by SHANGHAI MASTER which got its head on the side and shifted in away from DANCING FIGHTER despite the efforts of its rider.

Near the 600 Metres, BUOYANT BOY raced tight inside FIRST RESPONDER which got its head on the side and lay in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BALLISTIC KING.

Passing the 75 Metres, BUOYANT BOY was shifted in away from the heels of YOO YOO KING (K Teetan) which shifted in.

K Teetan was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Passing the 50 Metres, NAMJONG SINGS shifted in and bumped MY DARLING.

Then close to the finishing line, MY DARLING and NAMJONG SINGS raced tight.

For the majority of the race, DANCING FIGHTER travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FIRST RESPONDER, N Callan stated that at its most recent start FIRST RESPONDER was able to take up a forward position without having to make any use of the horse in the early stages.

He said FIRST RESPONDER began only fairly tonight and then after being crowded for room shortly after the start was then able to take up a forward position.

He said FIRST RESPONDER became unbalanced when bumped by SHANGHAI MASTER near the 1050 Metres, however, after this FIRST RESPONDER travelled satisfactorily.

He said he was able to shift FIRST RESPONDER to the outside of DANCING FIGHTER, the eventual winner, rounding the Home Turn, however, after being placed under pressure FIRST RESPONDER was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race.

A veterinary inspection of FIRST RESPONDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

DANCING FIGHTER and YOO YOO KING were sent for sampling.

---

GENERAL:

1.

3 November 2019 Sha Tin Racemeeting a.

Race 3 (143) The Stewards tonight questioned J Moreira, the rider of MAJESTIC CONQUEROR, regarding the disappointing performance of that horse.

J Moreira stated that he had to make some use of the horse in the early stages to clear runners to his inside and it was not until approaching the 700 Metres that he was able to shift MAJESTIC CONQUEROR across to race on the rail in the lead.

He said during this time MAJESTIC CONQUEROR made a number of abnormal breathing noises.

He said after reaching the lead he attempted to steady the tempo on MAJESTIC CONQUEROR given that he had had to do some work in the early stages.

He added MAJESTIC CONQUEROR continued to make a number of abnormal breathing noises and then came under pressure after the 400 Metres.

He said FRESH POWER was able to improve forward of MAJESTIC CONQUEROR passing the 300 Metres after which MAJESTIC CONQUEROR came under heavy pressure and, despite being ridden out, gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages.

The performance of MAJESTIC CONQUEROR, favourite for this race, was considered unacceptable.

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

b.

Race 6 (146) Approaching the 900 Metres, THANKS FOREVER was steadied away from the heels of MR LUMIERES (M F Poon) which shifted in when not properly clear.

M F Poon was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

2.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 3 November 2019 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of LEISURED FEET, KING MORTAR, DUKE WAI, LUCKY MORE, FRESH POWER, BREEZE OF SPRING, BEAUTY APPLAUSE, ENDEARING, RELENTLESS ME, DESTIN, FAT TURTLE, THANKS FOREVER, CALIFORNIA WHIP, EXULTANT, SOUTHERN LEGEND, TIME WARP, PICKEN, FLYING VICTORY, REGENCY BO BO, BELLAGIO, CORDYCEPS, BEAUTY DAY, MORE THAN THIS and NICCONI EXPRESS revealed no apparent abnormality.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of LUCKY SHINY DAY, WONDERFUL TIGER, CALLING THE SHOTS, AFTER ME, LA BOMBA, MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE, RIGHT HONOURABLE, ENJOY LIFE, NOT USUAL TALENT, PLAYA DEL PUENTE, HAPPY DRAGON, ALL WONGCHOY, VERY RICH MAN, IRON BOY, HAPPY TIME, SHOUSON, RELIABLE TEAM, JOLLY HONOUR, SURREALISM, LE TERROIR, FIRST RESPONDER, YEE CHEONG BABY, SPEEDY KING, SUPER TURBO (23.10.19) and I'M THE CONQUIST, ROCHFORD, RUN MOOCHI, ABOVE, CURLING LUXURY, MISTER MONTE, REGENCY GEM, CHATER THUNDER, WINNING CIRCLE, ELUSIVE STATE, BUDDIES, PROMISE KEPT, STAR SUPERIOR, ZERO HEDGE, FORTUNE HAPPINESS, WAYFOONG CHARMER, MR WEALTH, AQUILA, BEAR SLAM, VOLPINO, SEVEN HEAVENS, UTOPIA LIFE (27.10.19) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 3: NAVAS on 5.11.19 on veterinary advice.

BRILLIANT prior to Race 1 on veterinary advice.

2.

Fines Race 1: G van Niekerk (IRON BOY): $30,000 for careless riding approaching the 550 Metres.

Race 3: Apprentice K H Chan (E GENERATION): $12,500 for careless riding near the 900 Metres.



3.

Reprimands Race 4: M Chadwick (PRESIDENT STAR) for shifting in approaching the 1300 Metres.

Race 6: G van Niekerk (FOCUS) for shifting in passing the 900 Metres.

General: M F Poon (MR LUMIERES) for shifting in approaching the 900 Metres.

4.

Warnings Race 1: N Callan (APOLLOS BOW) for shifting in near the 750 Metres.

Race 5: K Teetan (GOOD DAYS) re dropping his rein in races.

H N Wong (STARLIT KNIGHT) re his riding in the early and middle stages.

Race 9: K Teetan (YOO YOO KING) for shifting in passing the 75 Metres.

5.

Suspensions Race 1: G van Niekerk (IRON BOY) for careless riding approaching the 550 Metres (from 27 November 2019 until 2 December 2019 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 3: Apprentice K H Chan (E GENERATION) for careless riding near the 900 Metres (from 27 November 2019 until 2 December 2019 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

6.

Stewards' Inquiry Race 1

7.

Non-runner Race 1: METHANE

8.

Stalls Test Race 1: METHANE

9.

Barrier Trials Race 5: CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE General: MAJESTIC CONQUEROR

10.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: NAVAS BRILLIANT Race 5: CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE Race 7: HAR HAR HEART General: MAJESTIC CONQUEROR