Recap by phillip woo

Baby kept on gamely for the win after hitting the front 200m out tracking the leader Prince Of Frog. He had shown steady progress in his opening three runs and relished a return to his favourite Valley 1,200m. Scores Of Fun just held on for second after getting all the favours in the box-seat. He continues to race well but has been beaten as the favourite in four straight runs now. Punted late, The Runner ran on well to make it close for second after saving ground in midfield from gate one. He rarely produces a bad run over this Valley trip. Harmony N Home rattled home late to finish a clear-cut fourth after settling last from a wide gate. He's a winner waiting to happen. Specked late, Ka Ying Master ran on all right after a deep run towards the rear to get the head down for fifth. It was an encouraging run from a bad draw. High Rise Soldier ran on steadily to just miss a pay slip after covering a heap of ground behind midfield from a tricky gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (275) - ELGIN HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

On jumping, HARMONY N HOME and SEVEN HEAVENS were crowded for room between KA YING MASTER and HIGH RISE SOLDIER, both of which shifted ground.

At the 1100 Metres, XPONENTIAL was momentarily steadied away from the heels of BABY which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to XPONENTIAL.

At the 900 Metres, FALCON TURBO was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 700 Metres, SEVEN HEAVENS commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from the heels of HIGH RISE SOLDIER.

Approaching the 200 Metres, XPONENTIAL was awkwardly placed inside the heels of FALCON TURBO which shifted in slightly.

Passing the 150 Metres, PRINCE OF FROG, which was giving ground, was momentarily eased away from the heels of SCORES OF FUN (J Moreira) which shifted in when placed under pressure.

J Moreira was reprimanded.

Approaching the finishing line, A Badel, the rider of HARMONY N HOME, was required to stop riding and straighten his mount when it shifted in towards KA YING MASTER.

When questioned, Apprentice C L Chau stated that he was instructed to endeavour to find cover on KA YING MASTER and this was expected to be behind midfield.

He said however that KA YING MASTER began well and in order to comply with his instructions he had to restrain his mount quite heavily in the run to the first turn in an attempt to find cover.

He said KA YING MASTER continued to travel strongly when racing very wide and without cover along the Back Straight and the horse eventually settled towards the rear of the field.

He further stated that KA YING MASTER subsequently closed off the race satisfactorily given the difficult run that it endured.

The Stewards interviewed Mr T P Yung, trainer of KA YING MASTER, who confirmed that he had instructed Apprentice Chau to ride the horse conservatively tonight.

He said he felt that horses racing on the pace tonight had not been advantaged and that whilst KA YING MASTER had consistently been ridden in a forward position from favourable barriers, he was quite concerned that the horse would be left racing very wide and be forced to work hard from the outside barrier if ridden for speed.

He added as KA YING MASTER also has a breathing issue, this was another consideration in arriving at the instructions to ride the horse from back in the field.

Mr Yung was advised that his explanation would be noted, however, where appropriate circumstances exist, horses should be ridden in a consistent manner.

A veterinary inspection of FALCON TURBO and PRINCE OF FROG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

BABY and SCORES OF FUN were sent for sampling.

---

GENERAL:

1.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 13 December 2020 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of SUPER DOBBIN, AUTHENTIC CHAMP, PLIKCLONE, BEAUTY ANGEL, CHARITY GO, NATURAL STORM, MOGUL, EXULTANT, HOT KING PRAWN, DANON SMASH, JOLLY BANNER, LUCKY PATCH, SUPER FOOTBALL, GOLDEN SIXTY, SOUTHERN LEGEND, MAGICAL, NORMCORE, WIN BRIGHT, WINNING DREAMER, BEAUTY APPLAUSE, SHADOW HERO, TOURBILLON DIAMOND and CIRCUIT THREE revealed no apparent abnormality.

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of SWEETLY BABY, CROWN AVENUE, EZRA, TREASURE CHEST, STRATHCLYDE, GOLD COMET, WAR LORD, GOLFMAN STAR, HAPPY TANGO, SHINEALOT, TURF BRILLIANT, CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE, EXCELLENT CHARIOT, SOARING TOWER, KA YING EXCELLENT, E STAR, CHEERFUL DAYS, MY SUGAR, CASIMIRO, JOYFUL FORTUNE, PING HAI BRAVO, VALIANT DREAM, TURIN REDSTAR, PARTY EVERYDAY, AMAZING CHOCOLATE, WILL POWER (6.12.20) and RUN THE TABLE, NITRO EXPRESS, NOBLE DESIRE, SPEEDY OPTIMIST, GREAT HARVEST, INCANTO PREPARED, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS, WINNER'S HEART, GOUTEN OF GARO, HAPPY GOOD GUYS, REGENCY MASTER, GALLANT CROWN, FEARLESS FIRE, INNO LEGEND, WOOD ON FIRE, WHISKEY NEAT, WINS ALL, GIFT OF LIFELINE, SMILING CITY, HARMONY N BLESSED, GRATEFUL HEART, MAXIMUS, GLORIOUS ARTIST, PACKING WALTHAM (9.12.20) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 5: RED BRICK FIGHTER on 15.12.20 on veterinary advice.

2.

Fine Race 6: Apprentice K H Chan (MISSION TYCOON): $5,000 for careless riding near the 250 Metres.

3.

Severe Reprimand Race 5: Apprentice C L Chau (HAPPY WARRIOR) for shifting in approaching the winning post on the first occasion.

4.

Reprimands Race 3: B Shinn (EVEN KEEL) for shifting out approaching the 100 Metres.

Race 4: K Teetan (PEAK TO PEAK) for shifting in making the turn near the 1000 Metres.

Race 5: A Badel (V CHEVALIERS) for shifting in near the 1300 Metres.

Race 8: J Moreira (SCORES OF FUN) for shifting in passing the 150 Metres.

5.

Warnings Race 2: Apprentice C L Chau (HAPPY PROFIT) for shifting in passing the 900 Metres.

M F Poon (PHENOMENAL COMBO) for shifting in approaching the 600 Metres.

6.

Suspension Race 6: Apprentice K H Chan (MISSION TYCOON) for careless riding near the 250 Metres (from 26 December 2020 until 7 January 2021 on which day he may resume race riding - 3 Hong Kong racedays).

7.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 2: COMPASSION STAR

8.

Barrier Trial Race 2: COMPASSION STAR

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2: COMPASSION STAR Race 5: RED BRICK FIGHTER Race 6: MISSION TYCOON