Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite Above gained a clear run near the 300m following a rail run in midfield, hit the lead 150m out and edged clear for the win. He had been racing well and suited by the step up to 2,000m. C P Power came up one paced over the final 100m after rushing forward following a prominent run to briefly challenge for the lead at the 150m. Ho Ho Feel finished well from near the back for third. The tepid pace went against him. Amazing Agility ran on late to just fill the frame from Dragon Commander but a distant way behind Ho Ho Feel. Old-timer starting to recapture form and can bob up at any moment. Dragon Commander gradually faded over the last 150m after rushing forward at the 1,350m to sit outside the leader Curling Luxury 1,200m out. Well-backed Mister Monte lost the challenge for the front when steadied by Curling Luxury 1,750m out and was caught behind the tiring leaders in the run to the wire.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (171) - SHA TIN PARK HANDICAP - Class 4 - 2000Meters

WON WON TOO began awkwardly and then was crowded for room on jumping by MISTER MONTE which shifted in.

FULL POWER was slow to begin and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners.

After travelling a short distance, GOOD DAYS and C P POWER bumped.

From wide barriers, HO HO FEEL, DRAGON COMMANDER and AMAZING AGILITY were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.

H N Wong (CURLING LUXURY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 1800 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MISTER MONTE, causing that horse to be crowded for room and checked.

H N Wong was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 4 December 2019 and to expire on Monday, 9 December 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Wong's good race riding record.

Near the 1700 Metres, DRAGON COMMANDER was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1400 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead near the 1100 Metres.

Passing the 1600 Metres, GOOD DAYS was steadied away from the heels of ABOVE.

WON WON TOO, which was following, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of GOOD DAYS in consequence.

MISTER MONTE was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight.

Approaching the 350 Metres, FAMILY LEADER was brushed by ABOVE which improved into tight running between FAMILY LEADER and DRAGON COMMANDER.

When FAMILY LEADER received contact, it shifted out marginally and inconvenienced C P POWER.

Near the 250 Metres, FAMILY LEADER, which was inclined to lay in, was checked when crowded for room between ABOVE (J Moreira) and C P POWER (G van Niekerk), both of which shifted a slight amount of ground.

J Moreira and G van Niekerk were advised that whilst the individual shift from their respective mounts was not great, nonetheless they had both contributed to FAMILY LEADER being crowded for room.

Accordingly, both J Moreira and G van Niekerk were reprimanded and told in future to make every endeavour to prevent their mounts from shifting ground.

When FAMILY LEADER was checked, SMART BABY was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

At the 100 Metres, H N Wong dropped his whip.

After the 100 Metres, WON WON TOO was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of AMAZING AGILITY.

Near the 50 Metres, MISTER MONTE was shifted in away from the heels of DRAGON COMMANDER.

A veterinary inspection of GOOD DAYS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ABOVE and C P POWER were sent for sampling.