Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed late, Champion's Way got up to take control near the 200m after peeling out for a clear run at the 300m following a patient ride second from the rear. He relished a step back to the distance of a second behind superstar Golden Sixty in September and was suited by the race tempo. Sky Darci came from last to finish a clear-cut second. He lost nothing in defeat with a step back in distance. Mighty Giant stayed on a non-threatening third following a one-off run in midfield after a sluggish start. He does appear from his past few runs to possibly be on his mark. Fat Turtle ran on well for fourth despite getting badly hampered rounding the final bend after settling third last in the run. Ka Ying Star faded over the last 100m after pushing forward from a wide gate to stalk the leader Buddies 700m out. Winning Dreamer found nothing when asked for an effort after bumping with Kings Shield peeling out at the 400m following a prominent run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (313) - THE CHINESE CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class G3 - 1400Meters

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that BUDDIES had blood at its mouth.

BUDDIES was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race.

MIGHTY GIANT raced in restricted room between WINNING DREAMER and FAT TURTLE soon after the start.

Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, MIGHTY GIANT was slow to muster speed.

Approaching the 1200 Metres, FAT TURTLE and MIGHTY GIANT bumped.

Leaving the 900 Metres, CHAMPION'S WAY was steadied after improving inside the heels of FAT TURTLE where there was insufficient room.

C Soumillon (BUDDIES) was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in approaching the 800 Metres when not fully clear of KINGS SHIELD, resulting in that horse being awkwardly placed on the heels of BUDDIES and shifting out approaching the 700 Metres, causing KA YING STAR to be taken out.

Approaching the 500 Metres, FAT TURTLE shifted out and made contact with SKY DARCI which became unbalanced and was forced wider.

C Y Ho (WINNING DREAMER) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that rounding the Home Turn after leaving the 500 Metres, he directed his mount out, resulting in KINGS SHIELD, which was racing to its outside, being crowded onto MIGHTY GIANT, causing MIGHTY GIANT to become unbalanced and also causing KINGS SHIELD to be badly checked.

As a consequence of KINGS SHIELD being badly checked, FAT TURTLE, which was following, was also severely checked, shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of SKY DARCI which again became unbalanced.

C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 13 January 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 21 January 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Ho was fined $60,000.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards had regard to the severity of the interference suffered by both KINGS SHIELD and FAT TURTLE.

A Badel reported that after sustaining interference, FAT TURTLE was badly unbalanced, hence he did not place the horse under full pressure until after passing the 300 Metres.

At the 250 Metres, MIGHTY GIANT shifted out marginally and made contact with SKY DARCI.

When questioned, C Y Ho stated that WINNING DREAMER did not travel comfortably as it normally does and was under pressure prior to the Home Turn to improve.

He said although WINNING DREAMER was up in class today, he still considered the horse was disappointing in its failure to close off the race.

A veterinary inspection of WINNING DREAMER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, WINNING DREAMER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of BUDDIES and KINGS SHIELD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

WINNING DREAMER, CHAMPION'S WAY and SKY DARCI were sent for sampling.