Recap by phillip woo

Post-time favourite Sight Success kept on gamely after assuming the lead from Flying Bonus rounding the final bend following a pace-stalking run for back-to-back wins over this course. He's now won five of 11 starts. Ka Ying Master ran on nicely near the inside from midfield to make it close on the wire. He's returned in good spirits despite winning four times last term. Winning Method nearly got up for second down the outside after settling one off with cover worse than midfield. He's always a chance over this Valley trip. Drops Of God had his chance after quickly slotting one off in fourth from a wide gate but found a few too smart in the run to the wire. The switch to the Valley backfired following a win. Shining Gem made a good bid late near the inside without menacing after a patient ride at the rear of the field. He has been hit the line well without threatening on a win line in each of his four outings this term. Transcendent made some ground late but blew any chance when spotting them a head start after jumping slowly. Sparkling Dragon had every chance following a box-seat run. It was a disappointed effort despite a downgrade and return to his preferred Valley 1,200m.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (164) - HIGH WEST HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1200Meters

TRANSCENDENT began only fairly and then shortly after the start became unbalanced when checked away from the heels of FLYING BONUS when being shifted across behind that horse.

Despite being vigorously ridden for some distance in the early stages, IGNITING failed to muster speed and passing the 1000 Metres was awkwardly placed outside WINNING METHOD which got its head on the side and shifted out away from the heels of DROPS OF GOD.

IGNITING then raced ungenerously in the middle stages.

SHINING GEM was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

When being steadied to obtain cover, KA YING MASTER was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FLYING BONUS approaching the 1100 Metres when that horse shifted out.

Making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres, FLYING BONUS got its head on the side, shifted in and bumped SIGHT SUCCESS.

Rounding the Home Turn, SPARKLING DRAGON became unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING BONUS.

Close to the finishing line, DROPS OF GOD got its head on the side and lay in abruptly.

When questioned regarding his riding of KA YING MASTER in the Straight, C L Chau stated that when he had ridden the horse previously and again prior to tonight's race, it was explained to him that KA YING MASTER had a tendency not to finish off its races strongly when finding the lead too early and therefore he was asked, as he had been in the past, to ensure that he timed his run on KA YING MASTER, but particularly given that the horse was first up tonight.

He said at the entrance to the Straight he was following SIGHT SUCCESS and although it was available to him to shift directly to the inside of that horse on straightening, he commenced to ride his mount along and improve its position closer to the heels of SIGHT SUCCESS before shifting his mount to the inside of that horse passing the 300 Metres.

He said he urged his mount forward without aggressively riding it and KA YING MASTER continued to make ground on SIGHT SUCCESS.

He said after the 200 Metres KA YING MASTER had improved its position to be racing about a length behind SIGHT SUCCESS and given the manner in which KA YING MASTER was travelling at that stage, he anticipated that the horse would sprint well when fully tested.

He added passing the 150 Metres KA YING MASTER was approximately three quarters of a length behind SIGHT SUCCESS and he commenced to ride his mount out vigorously.

He said when placed under heavy pressure, KA YING MASTER improved marginally to be racing about a half length behind SIGHT SUCCESS, however, near the 50 Metres KA YING MASTER's run ended and the horse lost ground on SIGHT SUCCESS and was just able to hold on for second position in front of WINNING METHOD.

He said given the disappointing manner in which KA YING MASTER finished off the race over the concluding stages, he was of the opinion that the horse's condition gave out at its first run since 4 July 2021.

Mr T P Yung, trainer of KA YING MASTER, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Chau tonight and also confirmed that this was consistent with the manner in which he had instructed riders to ride the horse in its previous starts.

He said when successful at its most recent start last season the rider of that horse had ridden KA YING MASTER quietly in the early part of the Straight and it was not until the 200 Metres that he had ridden the horse along.

He said given that KA YING MASTER was able to be successful when ridden in this manner, he instructed Jockey Chau to ride the horse in a similar manner so that KA YING MASTER did not reach the lead too early.

He added having regard to KA YING MASTER not finishing off the race as strongly as anticipated, he was satisfied with Jockey Chau's riding of the horse and was of the opinion that he had provided KA YING MASTER with the best opportunity to win the race.

After having considered a number of factors including the instructions provided to Jockey Chau by Mr Yung, the manner in which the horse finished off the race by comparison with other runners in the race and the manner in which it had been previously ridden, the Stewards accepted Jockey Chau's explanation.

A veterinary inspection of SPARKLING DRAGON, IGNITING and TRANSCENDENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

SIGHT SUCCESS and KA YING MASTER were sent for sampling.