Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Incanto Prepared dashed nicely after turning the final bend one from the rear to grab victory 50m out for a second win this season. He's racing very well and there's clearly another win in store. Zhan Jiang Rocks was no match for the winner after briefly poking his head in front 100m out following a one-off run behind midfield. He keeps promising but the big weight took its toll yet again. Fast Pace stayed on gamely to just miss second after easing three wide at the 900m and improving around horses 600m out to sit near the speed rounding the final bend. He proved a last-start win was not a one off effort. Charity Wings just got the head down for fourth after a midfield run on the fence. He's naturally returning to form. Punted late, Blooming Spirit just lost a quartet spot with a move down the outside after a patient ride second from the rear. Shanghai Grace worked too hard to get to second 900m out, led 250m out and had no more 100m out. It wasn't a bad run considering the circumstances. Plunged late, Bulletproof was a non-factor after covering tonne of ground towards the rear from a wide gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (251) - FRANCE HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

HAPPY ICHIBAN, trained by Mr D J Whyte, was entered for and was consequently listed as reserve No.

4 for this race.

Evidence was tonight taken from Mr Whyte and Dr P Robinson, Senior Surgeon allocated to Mr Whyte's stable.

It was established that after being entered for this race, HAPPY ICHIBAN was treated at the request of Mr Whyte through his allocated stable staff.

This treatment resulted in HAPPY ICHIBAN having to be withdrawn from this race.

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

After considering all the circumstances of this case, Mr Whyte was fined the sum of $7,500 for being in breach of Rule 50(2) in that he had failed in his responsibility for all matters pertaining to the running of his stable.

ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was withdrawn on 7.12.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter NATURAL WINNER.

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

NATURAL WINNER hit its head when being unloaded from the horse transport after arriving at the track.

NATURAL WINNER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was suitable to race.

As the start was effected, BLOOMING SPIRIT lifted its front feet off the ground, began very awkwardly and consequently lost ground.

FAST PACE shifted in at the start and bumped INCANTO PREPARED which in turn shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of CHARITY WINGS.

BIG BANG BONG got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

From a wide barrier, BULLETPROOF was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Passing the 1600 Metres, INCANTO PREPARED was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CHARITY WINGS which shifted out.

Approaching the 1300 Metres, FAST PACE was awkwardly placed behind SHANGHAI GRACE which was eased away from the heels of MORE THAN ENOUGH which shifted in when awkwardly placed inside NATURAL WINNER.

K Teetan (NATURAL WINNER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MORE THAN ENOUGH, causing that horse to be checked and to lose ground and SHANGHAI GRACE, which was following MORE THAN ENOUGH, to be severely checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

K Teetan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 23 December 2020 and to expire on Sunday, 27 December 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Teetan was fined $30,000.

When SHANGHAI GRACE was checked, that horse shifted out and was consequently left racing wide and without cover near the 1100 Metres.

After this, SHANGHAI GRACE was then allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead near the 800 Metres.

FAST PACE, which was following SHANGHAI GRACE, was also inconvenienced in this incident.

Near the 900 Metres, BULLETPROOF shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FAST PACE.

BULLETPROOF was then left racing wide and without cover approaching the 800 Metres.

Near the 650 Metres, BULLETPROOF and ZHAN JIANG ROCKS raced tight as ZHAN JIANG ROCKS shifted out to follow FAST PACE.

Approaching the 500 Metres, BLOOMING SPIRIT shifted out away from the heels of MORE THAN ENOUGH and bumped BIG BANG BONG.

For some distance approaching and passing the 500 Metres, MORE THAN ENOUGH was taken back through the field by CAN'T TOUCH THIS which commenced to give ground.

MORE THAN ENOUGH then shifted out away from the heels of CAN'T TOUCH THIS passing the 450 Metres, resulting in BLOOMING SPIRIT racing tight inside BULLETPROOF.

MORE THAN ENOUGH then continued to be awkwardly placed behind CAN'T TOUCH THIS after the 400 Metres and rounding the Home Turn was checked away from the heels of that horse.

Passing the 300 Metres, CAN'T TOUCH THIS, which was giving ground, was steadied away from the heels of INCANTO PREPARED (J Moreira) which shifted out.

J Moreira was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Near the 250 Metres, INCANTO PREPARED shifted out and inconvenienced BLOOMING SPIRIT.

A veterinary inspection of MORE THAN ENOUGH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of BULLETPROOF immediately following the race found that horse to have a displacement of the soft palate.

INCANTO PREPARED and ZHAN JIANG ROCKS were sent for sampling.