Recap by phillip woo

Sky Treasure defied a wide run without cover better than midfield to take control 100m out for a sixth career win. He was out of form but came back in better spirits following a short break. Vega Rhythm was closing with every stride for second after a prominent run with cover from a tricky gate. It was clearly his best run to date following a switch to the dirt. Ruby Stars got going late to just take third after a deep run with cover better than midfield. He had shown nothing in 10 prior starts but was able to wake up following a downgrade here. Jungle Blaze lost a placing late chasing the leader one off the fence. It was a vastly improved effort following a downgrade and the claim was well utilised. Favourite Ka Ying Brilliance was on his tippy toes 100m out after clearing to the lead passing the 1,000m. He likely prefers a faster surface.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (749) - TING KAU HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

After being loaded into the barriers, EURO LAGO reared and got both front legs into the adjoining stall occupied by DEMONS ROCK.

EURO LAGO was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that in his opinion the horse was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, EURO LAGO was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

Having regard to EURO LAGO's previous record in respect of barrier incidents, the Stewards ruled that that horse must perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials totalling not less than three and be subjected to an official veterinary examination prior to being permitted to race again.

Trainer K H Ting was advised that should EURO LAGO perform in a similar manner in either barrier trials or races in the near future, the Stewards would consider making a recommendation to the Stewards of the Jockey Club that the horse be compulsorily retired.

REGENCY GEM was slow to begin.

AEROSONIC began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between ONE HAPPY STAR and LUCKY TURBO which got its head on the side and shifted out.

Also on jumping, ONE HAPPY STAR shifted out and bumped DEMONS ROCK.

GRAND POWER began awkwardly and bumped RUBY STARS.

GRAND POWER was then steadied shortly after the start when crowded for room between SKY TREASURE and RUBY STARS which was taken out by VEGA RHYTHM.

Approaching the turn near the 700 Metres, VEGA RHYTHM was awkwardly placed behind JUNGLE BLAZE.

ONE HAPPY STAR, which was following VEGA RHYTHM, became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of that horse and in doing so shifted out towards the heels of RUBY STARS.

Passing the 600 Metres, GRAND POWER was crowded for room between REGENCY GEM and RUBY STARS which got its head on the side and lay out away from VEGA RHYTHM which itself shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of JUNGLE BLAZE.

At the 350 Metres and again passing the 250 Metres, LUCKY TURBO and VEGA RHYTHM raced tight.

Passing the 200 Metres, DEMONS ROCK became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room inside KA YING BRILLIANCE which lay in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to DEMONS ROCK.

When KA YING BRILLIANCE was directed out, JUNGLE BLAZE was inconvenienced.

After this, DEMONS ROCK continued to give ground and near the 100 Metres again momentarily raced in restricted room inside LUCKY TURBO which shifted in away from the heels of KA YING BRILLIANCE to continue improving.

Throughout the race, SKY TREASURE and REGENCY GEM travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, Z Purton (DEMONS ROCK) stated that it was decided to take advantage of barrier 4 and obtain as forward a position as possible on today's surface.

He said, in his opinion, DEMONS ROCK may not have been suited by being made use of in the early part of the race to obtain a forward position as the horse came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and then did not finish off the race.

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

After the race, Apprentice K H Chan stated that, despite being ridden along in the early stages, ONE HAPPY STAR was slow to muster speed.

He said when required to race behind runners, ONE HAPPY STAR did not travel comfortably at any stage of the race and, in his opinion, did not handle today's track surface.

A veterinary inspection of ONE HAPPY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

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

A veterinary inspection of KA YING BRILLIANCE immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small laceration to its left hind heel.

KA YING BRILLIANCE, SKY TREASURE and VEGA RHYTHM were sent for sampling.