Recap by phillip woo

Classic Posh came from third last early on to overhaul long-time leader Colonel in the final few metres for the win. He was coming off a fine campaign and has now produced a third win from six starts over this Valley trip. Colonel was still two lengths on top at the 100m after quickly finding the front from gate three but found one better on the day. He relished the light weight despite a rise in class. Stoicism just failed to fill the quinella spot after tracking the leader on the fence. He appears to have settled in now after showing some ability in his eight starts last term. Well-backed late Compassion Spirt made a steady bid late to fill the frame without menacing the top-three following a one-off run in midfield. He'll be hard to beat if he finds his way into Class Four. Simply Fluke made progress late after a one-off run behind midfield. He couldn't cope with a rise in handicap and weight after ending last season with back-to-back wins. Exuberant didn't let down as expected after a deep run with cover behind midfield from a middle draw. He had an excuse and appeared to need the run. Favourite Mig Energy was stopping 150m out after stalking the leader from the 800m. He's nothing special and not one to take at short odds.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (35) - TAI SHUE WAN HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

BRIGHT KID was slow to begin.

COLONEL shifted in abruptly at the start, resulting in STOICISM being bumped and taken in onto LINCOLN BRIGHT which was inconvenienced.

From wide barriers, SICOMORO and CLASSIC POSH were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

After being steadied in the early stages, A LA KING travelled wide and without cover throughout.

After being crossed by COLONEL approaching the 1000 Metres, STOICISM got its head up, shifted out and raced tight inside COMPASSION SPIRIT.

After the 1000 Metres, LINCOLN BRIGHT travelled keenly and proved difficult to settle.

At the entrance to the Straight, EXUBERANT became unbalanced when bumped by SIMPLY FLUKE (Apprentice C L Chau) which attempted to improve between EXUBERANT and A LA KING where there was insufficient room.

Apprentice Chau was severely reprimanded and told that the Stewards considered whether the incident warranted a charge of careless riding.

In electing not to proceed to a charge, he was told to ensure that he exercises due care when shifting ground so as not to make unnecessary contact with other runners.

After this, when unable to improve between A LA KING and EXUBERANT, SIMPLY FLUKE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of A LA KING and near the 275 Metres was directed to the inside of that horse to obtain clear running.

After the 150 Metres, EXUBERANT got its head on the side and lay in, resulting in its rider having to correct his mount.

After this, EXUBERANT continued to lay in over the concluding stages, resulting in A LA KING racing tight inside that horse close to the finishing line.

When questioned, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to obtain cover on TRIPLE TRIPLE and it was felt that, from barrier 9, this would result in the horse racing in about a midfield position or worse than midfield.

He said on jumping TRIPLE TRIPLE threw its head up abruptly which resulted in him becoming unbalanced and causing TRIPLE TRIPLE to get its head up on a number of occasions as he attempted to regain balance on the horse.

He said the manner in which TRIPLE TRIPLE began and due to him becoming badly unbalanced, this resulted in the horse losing ground.

M F Poon was advised to ensure that he gives his mounts sufficient rein to be able to begin satisfactorily.

Irrespective of this, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, TRIPLE TRIPLE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a stalls test.

A veterinary inspection of MIG ENERGY immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils and also to be a "roarer??which had previously been reported.

MIG ENERGY, CLASSIC POSH and COLONEL were sent for sampling.