Recap by phillip woo

Mcmunigal edged clearly to score at massive odds after taking the lead from late-fancied Break Record 300m out following a pace-pressing run. Victorious Seeker ran on steadily to grab second after chasing the speed one off in third. He hasn't been beaten as far in two prior starts this term so a big effort was not a total surprise. Favourite Amazing Agility made ground settling fore of midfield to fill a placing. He's a winner waiting to happen in this grade. Likely leader Wicker finished well to fill the frame but cost himself any chance after missing the kick. Golden Kid ran on after a deep run second from the back. It was another honest effort. Reeve's Muntjac came up flat in midfield. He's found it harder in his past two starts after a win in November. Break Record faded 100m out after sharing the lead in his first Class Five outing. The trip was too far. Chaparral Star never let down after covering a tonne of ground near the back.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (295) - YEW HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1800Meters

HAY RUN was withdrawn on 31.12.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore).

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

WICKER (K Teetan) began awkwardly and then lost ground after becoming badly unbalanced when bumped heavily by REGENCY GEM which got its head on the side and shifted out despite the efforts of its rider.

This contact also resulted in REGENCY GEM becoming badly unbalanced.

K Teetan explained that it was intended for WICKER to lead today's race, however, after being bumped by REGENCY GEM, WICKER took some time to get balanced and because of this was required to race much further back in the field than had been intended.

STRAPPING BAUHINIA shifted out and bumped MCMUNIGAL on jumping.

STRAPPING BAUHINIA then shifted in and made contact with CHAPARRAL STAR.

From the outside barrier, GOLDEN KID was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

G van Niekerk (AMAZING AGILITY) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1500 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of REGENCY GEM, causing that horse to be unnecessarily crowded for room, to clip the heels of AMAZING AGILITY and to stumble near the 1450 Metres.

G van Niekerk was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 22 January 2020 and to expire on Tuesday, 28 January 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, G van Niekerk was fined $60,000.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that AMAZING AGILITY had sustained a long laceration above the right hock.

Passing the 1000 Metres, GOLDEN KID and CHAPARRAL STAR raced tight as CHAPARRAL STAR improved around GOLDEN KID which at this time shifted to the outside of REGENCY GEM.

When GOLDEN KID and CHAPARRAL STAR raced tight, those horses bumped, causing GOLDEN KID to shift in and bump REGENCY GEM which became unbalanced and shifted out, causing GOLDEN KID to be buffeted for room between CHAPARRAL STAR and REGENCY GEM and caused all three horses to become unbalanced.

In the early part of the Straight, BREAK RECORD lay out under pressure and approaching the 250 Metres was corrected after shifting out towards the heels of MCMUNIGAL.

Approaching the 300 Metres, REGENCY GEM was brushed by WICKER which shifted out.

The performance of STRAPPING BAUHINIA, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, STRAPPING BAUHINIA 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 STRAPPING BAUHINIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned regarding the improved performance of MCMUNIGAL, Trainer D J Hall stated that he had barrier trialed the horse last Friday morning with the blinkers applied and, in his opinion, this trial was the best work that the horse had done since being transferred to his stable.

He said as MCMUNIGAL had trialed well, it was decided to enter it for today's race after the original entries were extended.

He said irrespective of this improved trial, today's win had not been anticipated.

He added that MCMUNIGAL had generally been disappointing, but felt that with the blinkers being reapplied to the horse together with it being able to have an uninterrupted run off the back of an improved barrier trial were the principal reasons for its improvement in performance.

A veterinary inspection of CHAPARRAL STAR, REGENCY GEM and DIVINE POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

AMAZING AGILITY, MCMUNIGAL and VICTORIOUS SEEKER were sent for sampling.