Recap by phillip woo

King's Trooper dashed well after a one-off trip behind midfield to just deny long-time leader Cigar Buddies on the wire for the win. It's been a long time between drinks but he was well rated at his second run in the grade with a return to his favourite Valley 1,200m. Cigar Buddies nearly made all after quickly finding the front from gate 11. He relished a return to the course and distance of a win two back. One Step Ahead dashed well from towards the rear to finish a close third. He continues to hold his form very well. Winning Strikes held his ground after a one-out, one-back run. He lived up to an improved run last start on the dirt. Sensationally-backed to jump favourite Regency Poet made only a mild bid without menacing after a rails run in midfield. He's now a 21-run maiden but appeared to need the run after a long break. Viva Chef ran on steadily after a one-off trip in midfield. He's still trying to find a bottom. Zacian only plodded when asked for an effort despite getting a lovely run in the box-seat from a tricky gate. Early favourite Daily Beauty never ran on after settling one from the rear. It was a disappointing effort with a return to his preferred Valley 1,200m after staying on fourth best last start.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (329) - WANG TAU HOM HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

AMAZEMENT was withdrawn on 11.1.22 by order of the Stewards (Club membership issue involving the owner) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CIGAR BUDDIES (A Hamelin).

On arrival at the track, REGENCY POET, which sustained a minor cut to the left hip when being transported to Happy Valley, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was suitable to race.

ONE STEP AHEAD and VECTOR began only fairly.

REGENCY POET shifted out at the start and brushed the hindquarters of VIVA CHEF.

KING'S TROOPER and DAILY BEAUTY bumped after the start, resulting in DAILY BEAUTY shifting out and bumping THE JOLLY.

DAILY BEAUTY then became unbalanced and lost ground when crowded for room between KING'S TROOPER and THE JOLLY.

After this, THE JOLLY was steadied to obtain cover.

ISLAND SUNSHINE began awkwardly.

ZACIAN lost its left front plate in the early stages.

Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, MASTER OF FUN was hampered when bumped by CIGAR BUDDIES (A Hamelin) which shifted in before being directed out abruptly to relieve the crowding to MASTER OF FUN.

A Hamelin was told that he should have corrected his mount sooner than he did on this occasion and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Also near the 1050 Metres, THE JOLLY was awkwardly placed behind KING'S TROOPER.

Passing the 600 Metres, REGENCY POET commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions and then after the 600 Metres shifted in of its own accord and bumped the running rail.

REGENCY POET then shifted out making the turn approaching the 550 Metres and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of VIVA CHEF.

VECTOR, which was following REGENCY POET, was inconvenienced.

After this, REGENCY POET continued to prove very difficult to settle and after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of ZACIAN near the 500 Metres was checked away from behind that horse passing the 400 Metres.

VECTOR, which continued to follow REGENCY POET, was hampered in consequence.

Passing the 300 Metres, ZACIAN got its head on the side and lay in away from VIVA CHEF, resulting in ZACIAN being awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING STRIKES.

ZACIAN then raced in restricted room between WINNING STRIKES and VIVA CHEF passing the 250 Metres.

Near the 200 Metres, DAILY BEAUTY was shifted out away from the heels of MASTER OF FUN when that horse shifted out when giving ground.

Near the 50 Metres, VECTOR was shifted out away from the heels of REGENCY POET which shifted out.

Throughout the race, ISLAND SUNSHINE travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, J Moreira stated that after being hampered at the start, DAILY BEAUTY did not show any early speed and was required to race at the rear of the field throughout.

He said DAILY BEAUTY did not travel well at any stage of tonight's race and he had to continually ride his mount along in an endeavour to have it maintain its position.

He said despite being ridden along DAILY BEAUTY would not respond to his riding and in the Straight did not finish off the race.

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

A veterinary inspection of MASTER OF FUN and THE JOLLY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

REGENCY POET, KING'S TROOPER and CIGAR BUDDIES were sent for sampling.