Recap by phillip woo

Brown-lamped at the jump, Victory In Hand went pillar-to-post to win with something up his sleeves. He relished a switch to the Valley after flashing some potential in five other starts at Sha Tin. Well-backed Super Alliances stayed on well for second after settling effectively one-out, one-back. He handled the track without a problem after placing in one of three Sha Tin runs . All Times Grateful ran on well settling one off in midfield to grab a placing in the last stride. He's made a nice impression both times on the turf from his three starts. Navas ran on steadily to just miss a placing after a one-off run behind midfield. He needed the outing after falling lame early last month. The One made some ground after a deep run without cover worse than midfield. Humble Steed made some ground from near last along the inside. It was his best effort to date from four starts. Eight Trigrams quickly recovered to be prominent on the fence after a slow start.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (239) - THE HONG KONG GOLF CLUB CENTENARY CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 4 - 1200Meters

AIOLOS was withdrawn on 9.12.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WIND PACIFIC.

Before being allowed to race again, AIOLOS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

On arrival at the Happy Valley holding stalls, it was noted that VICTORY IN HAND had sustained a minor laceration to the left nostril when being transported from Sha Tin.

VICTORY IN HAND was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that VICTORY IN HAND had sustained a laceration above the right front fetlock.

WIND PACIFIC, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly.

FLYING EMPEROR began awkwardly.

ALL TIMES GRATEFUL shifted out at the start and bumped SUPER ALLIANCES.

WONDER WIN, which was racing outside SUPER ALLIANCES, shifted out away from that horse, resulting in THE ONE (S de Sousa), which was being ridden along, being crowded onto HERE COMES TED, causing THE ONE and HERE COMES TED to bump.

After this, THE ONE was ridden along to obtain a forward position and after the 1100 Metres was steadied in an attempt to obtain cover whilst HERE COMES TED was shifted across behind runners.

S de Sousa stated that it was intended for THE ONE to take up a forward position, however, after being crowded for room shortly after the start his mount did not show as much early speed as anticipated and therefore he had no option but to attempt to obtain cover on THE ONE.

Also from wide barriers, DIAMOND LEGEND and HUMBLE STEED were steadied to obtain cover.

Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, HUMBLE STEED became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of DIAMOND LEGEND.

Passing the 900 Metres, NAVAS was steadied away from the heels of THE ONE (S de Sousa) which shifted in.

S de Sousa was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

THE ONE then commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ALL TIMES GRATEFUL.

NAVAS, which was following, was hampered in consequence.

THE ONE continued to travel keenly and near the 750 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of ALL TIMES GRATEFUL and consequently raced wide and without cover.

SUPER ALLIANCES travelled wide and without cover in the early and middle stages and after the 800 Metres was steadied to obtain a position with cover behind WIND PACIFIC.

WIND PACIFIC made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly and lay out.

After the race, A Badel stated that on straightening he placed WIND PACIFIC under pressure, however, its action deteriorated and the horse commenced to give ground after the 200 Metres.

He said as he was not comfortable with the horse's action, he eased it down over the final 100 Metres.

A veterinary inspection of WIND PACIFIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Before being allowed to race again, WIND PACIFIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned regarding the performance of EIGHT TRIGRAMS, C Y Ho stated that as the start was effected the horse turned its head to the right and was consequently slow to begin.

He said he then rode EIGHT TRIGRAMS along in the early stages to obtain a prominent position and he was able to shift in to race on the rail behind the eventual winner VICTORY IN HAND near the 800 Metres.

He said EIGHT TRIGRAMS did not travel comfortably throughout the middle stages and he had to continually ride his mount along to maintain its position.

He said he had to place EIGHT TRIGRAMS under heavy pressure prior to the Home Turn and then in the Straight the horse did not close off the race as anticipated.

He added he was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of EIGHT TRIGRAMS.

A veterinary inspection of EIGHT TRIGRAMS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of EIGHT TRIGRAMS, favourite for tonight's race, was considered unacceptable.

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

A veterinary inspection of HERE COMES TED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

EIGHT TRIGRAMS, VICTORY IN HAND and SUPER ALLIANCES were sent for sampling.