Recap by phillip woo

Success Allstars responded well to get up 30m out for an upset win after making his run for the most part three back on the fence. It was clearly his best run to date in 12 starts. Late-fancied Well Dragon found one too good after going for home on top 600m out tracking the genuine pace of Wicker from the widest gate. It was a solid effort in defeat and he's a winner waiting to happen after filling the frame in three straight starts. Amazing Agility came on well from behind midfield to get the head down for third. The old-timer's been racing pretty well this season. Jimmu finished well from towards the rear to nearly grab a placing. It was a better performance as expected following a downgrade here. Favourite Good Days made a steady bid late along the inside to just miss the frame after a patient ride third from the rear. He's in the right grade but prefers Sha Tin. Speed Force came up one-paced after settling box-seat from a middle draw. He continues to disappoint despite a switch to the Valley. Plunged late, Fox Cheunger will sleep well after a torrid run. Great Smart never landed a blow from the rear of the field.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (585) - WALNUT HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1800Meters

SPEED FORCE began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped SOCKET ELITE.

From wide barriers, GREAT SMART and JIMMU were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, WELL DRAGON shifted in and bumped WICKER.

Approaching and passing the 400 Metres, JIMMU was held up for clear running behind BRAVE POWER which was giving ground.

The performance of RUNNING GUY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, RUNNING GUY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned, A Hamelin stated that he was instructed to attempt to obtain a position in about midfield with cover if possible on FOX CHEUNGER which was stepping up in distance tonight.

He said in the early stages he commenced to shift across to obtain a position closer to the rail and passing the 1600 Metres was racing outside RUNNING GUY.

He said although it was available for him to steady FOX CHEUNGER and obtain a position behind RUNNING GUY, he was reluctant to trail that horse as he did not believe it would take him into the race.

He said he therefore elected to continue to race outside RUNNING GUY in anticipation that that horse would shift across onto the rail behind SUCCESS ALLSTARS which would give him a trailing position behind SOCKET ELITE, one horse off the rail.

He said although this option was available to the rider of RUNNING GUY for some distance approaching the 1300 Metres, that horse remained racing one horse off the rail and when AMAZING AGILITY improved its position to be racing inside RUNNING GUY after the 1300 Metres, this resulted in FOX CHEUNGER racing wide and without cover.

He added he allowed FOX CHEUNGER to improve its position after the 900 Metres and was able to shift in to race in a two wide position passing the 600 Metres.

When questioned regarding the improved performance of SUCCESS ALLSTARS, Trainer D E Ferraris stated that at its run prior to its most recent start on 4 October 2020, the horse had performed satisfactorily having run 5th.

He said after having subsequently been withdrawn from a race due to lameness issue, SUCCESS ALLSTARS was required to have some time off and was not able to resume racing until 14 February 2021.

He said with such a gap between races, it was not ideal for the horse's first start back to be over 2000 Metres, however, this was the best race which was available for SUCCESS ALLSTARS and the horse subsequently finished at the tail of the field due to the distance of the race and the time off between races.

He added prior to the lameness issue, given the manner in which the horse had raced on 4 October 2020, he anticipated that it would be a strong chance in its subsequent race which it was required to be withdrawn from.

He said following its last start SUCCESS ALLSTARS had taken benefit from the race and its performance tonight was in keeping with its run on 4 October 2020.

After the race, K C Leung (SOCKET ELITE) stated that the only explanation he could offer for the disappointing performance of the horse was that it did not seem to appreciate the race being run at a good tempo.

He said SOCKET ELITE came under pressure passing the 700 Metres and then, despite being ridden along, did not finish off the race.

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

The performance of SOCKET ELITE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, SOCKET ELITE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of BRAVE POWER, GREAT SMART and WICKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

GOOD DAYS, SUCCESS ALLSTARS and WELL DRAGON were sent for sampling.