Recap by phillip woo

In a well-rated ride under Joao Moreira, Lightning Steed was able to go pillar-to-post for a second course-and-distance win this season as the late-fancied favourite. He's always a chance over this Valley trip. Early favourite Focus had his chance but found one too good following a box-seat run. He's done very little wrong following a switch to the Valley 1,650m two starts back. Seize The Spirit stayed on a non-threatening third after travelling effectively one-out, one-back. He does appear from his past two starts. V Chevaliers finished well to fill the frame after working into the clear with two wider out 150m out following a patient ride fourth from the rear. Blooming Spirit came up one-paced following a one-off run in midfield. The pace didn't suit but he might not have much upside left off his current mark. Plikclone made a mild bid without menacing after a rail run in midfield. He'll be a force to be reckoned with in Class Five.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (672) - TAI SHING STREAM HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

C Schofield was dislodged from BLOOMING SPIRIT behind the barriers without incident.

UNIVERSAL GO GO shifted out at the start and bumped FOCUS.

UNIVERSAL GO GO consequently became unbalanced, shifted in and bumped PLIKCLONE, resulting in UNIVERSAL GO GO being inconvenienced.

After this, UNIVERSAL GO GO was ridden along and near the 1600 Metres was steadied away from the heels of FOCUS which shifted in.

V CHEVALIERS was checked shortly after the start when crowded for room between NITRO EXPRESS and FAITHFUL TRINITY which got its head up on a number of occasions and shifted in away from THE DRIVE when being steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier.

THE DRIVE was also shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages.

Passing the 450 Metres, PLIKCLONE momentarily raced in restricted room inside SEIZE THE SPIRIT which got its head on the side and lay in.

Approaching the 100 Metres, PLIKCLONE got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount and change the whip over into his left hand.

When questioned, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to obtain cover on FAITHFUL TRINITY from a wide barrier.

He said it was not specifically mentioned where the horse should be ridden to obtain this cover, however, it was impressed upon him that he must obtain cover if at all possible.

He said on jumping FAITHFUL TRINITY got its head up and then shifted in abruptly which resulted in the horse continuing to get its head up for some distance.

He said FAITHFUL TRINITY continued to race awkwardly in the run to the first turn until he was able to obtain cover behind NITRO EXPRESS after which the horse commenced to race more tractably.

Mr R Gibson, the trainer of FAITHFUL TRINITY, advised the Stewards that FAITHFUL TRINITY had been racing disappointingly of late when ridden in a forward position and therefore he asked Jockey Poon to ensure the horse to be ridden more quietly tonight in the hope that it would finish off the race better than it had of late.

He said FAITHFUL TRINITY again raced disappointingly tonight.

A veterinary inspection of THE DRIVE and AMAZING LUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of NITRO EXPRESS immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer??which had previously been reported.

LIGHTNING STEED and FOCUS were sent for sampling.