Recap by phillip woo

Firming second favourite Excellent Chariot barged his way into the clear 350m out following a prominent run, hit the lead 130m out and just held off the fast-finishing favourite Soaring Tower to make it back-to-back wins at Sha Tin. Soaring Tower finished willingly to make it close on the wire after settling third last from a wide gate. He lost nothing in defeat and the future remains very bright. Vigor Champ ran on nicely down the outside from the rear of the field to fill a placing after getting squeezed out at the start. He was fitter for three runs and relished a return to the course and distance of a win in July. Monster Kaka just failed to place after getting held up for a run until the 150m following a rail run behind midfield. It was a good first-up effort this season. Voyage Star was on his tippy toes 50m out after assuming the lead 300m out tracking the leader Vector. Star Of Wuyi kept on all right following a wide without cover run better than midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (243) - HANKOW HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

AUGUST MOON was withdrawn 3.12.20 on by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PACKING MILES.

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

OURGOLDENRULES began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of VIGOR CHAMP.

VIGOR CHAMP consequently became badly unbalanced, stumbled and shifted in abruptly, resulting in OURGOLDENRULES losing ground when crowded onto SIGHT HERO which also became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by OURGOLDENRULES.

Shortly after this incident, VECTOR raced in restricted room between SIGHT HERO and EXCELLENT CHARIOT which shifted out and then became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by VECTOR.

After being corrected, VIGOR CHAMP, which has lost ground, was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed.

From a wide barrier, SOARING TOWER was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Passing the 900 Metres, SIGHT HERO was momentarily awkwardly placed behind VOYAGE STAR.

Approaching the 700 Metres, MY ECSTATIC and ALL BEST FRIENDS raced tight.

Passing the 300 Metres, SIGHT HERO raced tight outside EXCELLENT CHARIOT as that horse improved into tight running outside VOYAGE STAR.

Near the 250 Metres, MONSTER KAKA was shifted to the inside of VOYAGE STAR to obtain clear running.

Then passing the 200 Metres, MONSTER KAKA was held up when racing in restricted room between VOYAGE STAR and VECTOR.

Passing the 100 Metres, ALL BEST FRIENDS and MY ECSTATIC made contact when racing tight inside SIGHT HERO.

Then over the concluding stages, ALL BEST FRIENDS was steadied when racing tight between MY ECSTATIC and VOYAGE STAR which shifted out under pressure.

T Piccone (ALL BEST FRIENDS) was placed on notice regarding raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder.

T Piccone was told that should he offend again, further action may be taken.

Throughout the race, PACKING MILES travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that EXCELLENT CHARIOT had sustained a small wound to the right front fetlock.

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

EXCELLENT CHARIOT and SOARING TOWER were sent for sampling.