Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed late Romantic Warrior got up in the dying stages to defeat long-time leader California Spangle after a perfect run three back on the fence to remain unbeaten in five starts. He's got a bright future and connections can continue their dreams of Derby glory. California Spangle wouldn't go down without a fight after quickly finding the front from gate 13. He ran a cracker despite stepping beyond 1,200m for the first time. The Irishman closed off reasonably well after a rails run behind midfield to fill a placing. It was another solid effort in a richer class after back-to-back placings. Turin Redsun ran on well to fill the frame after getting held up for a good part of the straight until forcing his way out 100m out. It was an eye-catching effort. Ima Single Man kept on one-paced after rolling forward three deep to chase the speed one off in second. It was another honest performance. Sight Spirit ran on without menacing after making his run five back and one off the fence. It wasn't a bad effort at level weights in a richer test. Favourite Packing Victory was given every chance travelling one off with cover better than midfield but found nothing when push came to shove. The disappointing run was too good to be true.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (383) - THE HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE - Class 4YO - 1600Meters

FA FA shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of PACKING VICTORY.

COBHFIELD shifted in at the start, resulting in ROCKET SPADE and SIGHT SPIRIT being hampered.

From wide barriers, TURIN REDSUN, SETANTA and MASTER DELIGHT were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 1300 Metres, THE IRISHMAN raced tight inside PACKING VICTORY which shifted in away from LUCKY WITH YOU.

Then passing the 1200 Metres, THE IRISHMAN, which was travelling keenly, was crowded for room inside PACKING VICTORY which was racing tight inside LUCKY WITH YOU.

BLAZE WARRIOR, which was following THE IRISHMAN, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse in consequence.

Approaching the 1300 Metres, COBHFIELD was bumped by IMA SINGLE MAN which shifted in when momentarily racing tight inside CALIFORNIA SPANGLE which also shifted in before being directed out to relieve the crowding to IMA SINGLE MAN.

When being crossed by LUCKY WITH YOU approaching the 900 Metres, PACKING VICTORY shifted out away from behind that horse.

THE IRISHMAN, which was travelling keenly behind PACKING VICTORY, improved of its own accord to be racing inside the heels of PACKING VICTORY which resulted in FA FA being momentarily crowded for room making the turn after the 900 Metres.

When PACKING VICTORY resumed its position behind LUCKY WITH YOU, THE IRISHMAN, which was continuing to travel strongly, was awkwardly placed inside the heels of that horse for some distance and then approaching the 700 Metres shifted in when continuing to race in restricted room inside PACKING VICTORY, resulting in FA FA being crowded for room and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

When FA FA was checked, that horse shifted out, resulting in BLAZE WARRIOR, which was proving very difficult to settle, being crowded for room inside the heels of SIGHT SPIRIT.

TURIN REDSUN, which was following FA FA, was hampered whilst ROCKET SPADE, which was following BLAZE WARRIOR, was checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted out, resulting in ROCKET SPADE being very awkwardly placed close to the heels of SETANTA.

As the Stewards were satisfied that the incident occurred as a result of THE IRISHMAN improving its position of its own accord rather than the rider of that horse allowing THE IRISHMAN to improve inside the heels of PACKING VICTORY where there was not sufficient room, no further action was taken.

BLAZE WARRIOR got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of THE IRISHMAN passing the 900 Metres.

ROCKET SPADE, which was following BLAZE WARRIOR, was hampered in consequence.

At the entrance to the Straight, COBHFIELD was steadied away from the heels of IMA SINGLE MAN and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LUCKY WITH YOU.

FA FA, which was following COBHFIELD, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence and in doing so bumped BLAZE WARRIOR.

ROCKET SPADE had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

C L Chau (TURIN REDSUN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 150 Metres he directed his mount to the outside of IMA SINGLE MAN when not clear of FA FA, resulting in FA FA having to be checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

In the circumstances, C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 16 February 2022 and to expire on Monday, 21 February 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Chau was fined $45,000.

L Ferraris (COBHFIELD) was fined the sum of $5,000 for using the whip on a horse out of contention, PACKING VICTORY lost its left front plate after the race.

After the race, Z Purton stated that PACKING VICTORY came under heavy pressure prior to the 500 Metres and then lay out making the Home Turn.

He said after initially staying on satisfactorily in the early part of the Straight, PACKING VICTORY commenced to give ground after the 300 Metres and he was concerned with the manner in which the horse weakened out of the race over the latter stages.

A veterinary inspection of PACKING VICTORY immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer?? The performance of PACKING VICTORY, favourite for today's race and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, PACKING VICTORY 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 FA FA and MASTER DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

PACKING VICTORY, ROMANTIC WARRIOR and CALIFORNIA SPANGLE were sent for sampling.