Recap by phillip woo

Texas Moon ducked inside for a clear run 100m after cornering widest out to come from last to just beat Rock Ya Heart at huge odds. It was an impressive performance on debut and on his Irish form will prefer longer trips going forward. Early favourite Rock Ya Heart just found one too good after getting held up for most the straight travelling second last after a slow start. It was a solid effort in defeat in a paceless race. Pins Prince ran on well to finish a close third after a wide without cover run in midfield. It was a good effort up in grade. Jumbo Fortune ran on nicely to just miss a placing straightening in traffic following a one-off run worse than midfield. It was an improved effort at his second start. Colonel just missed the frame after a pace-stalking run outside Team Spirit. It was another honest effort. Team Spirit grudgingly gave way after settling slow fractions in front. He's found things harder in back-to-back runs after a win. Jolly Ruler was held up for the entire straight after a midfield run on the fence. Post-time favourite Double Six Pop wasn't beaten overly far but kept on one-paced over the final 150m after shifting four deep without cover towards the rear 750m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (421) - PEONY HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

SPEEDY MOUSE was withdrawn on 11.2.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen left front leg) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter JOLLY RULER (H Bentley).

HERE COMES TED was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen right front leg).

Before being allowed to race again, SPEEDY MOUSE and HERE COMES TED will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

TURQUOISE HOPE began very awkwardly.

LOCKHEED shifted out at the start and bumped COLONEL.

TEXAS MOON began only fairly.

From the outside barrier, PINS PRINCE, despite being steadied in the early stages, travelled wide and without cover throughout.

C L Chau (JUMBO FORTUNE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of EXCELLENT DADDY, resulting in that horse being checked to avoid the heels of JUMBO FORTUNE.

C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 12 March 2022 and to expire on Thursday, 17 March 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Chau was fined $67,500.

Making the turn near the 900 Metres, EXCELLENT DADDY was awkwardly placed behind JUMBO FORTUNE which made the turn awkwardly.

After this, EXCELLENT DADDY proved very difficult to settle for some distance and got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of JUMBO FORTUNE.

This resulted in EXCELLENT DADDY shifting out away from the heels of JUMBO FORTUNE passing the 700 Metres and bumping DOUBLE SIX POP on a number of occasions, causing both horses to become unbalanced.

As a result of being bumped by EXCELLENT DADDY after the 700 Metres, DOUBLE SIX POP was taken out and then travelled wide and without cover..

After this, EXCELLENT DADDY continued to travel keenly and approaching the 600 Metres was awkwardly placed behind PINS PRINCE.

Passing the 500 Metres, JUMBO FORTUNE became unbalanced when awkwardly placed behind LOCKHEED.

ROCK YA HEART had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres and then raced in restricted room between LOCKHEED and JUMBO FORTUNE passing the 200 Metres when improving into restricted room between those horses.

TURQUOISE HOPE and JOLLY RULER were both unable to obtain clear running at any stage in the Straight and consequently neither horse was able to be tested.

When questioned, M Chadwick stated that it was decided to ride ROCK YA HEART in about a midfield position from barrier 8 today.

He said he had noted when reviewing the videos of ROCK YA HEART's races that it had proved difficult to settle on occasions after being ridden along in the early stages and following the withdrawal of SPEEDY MOUSE earlier in the day, it was felt that there would be an opportunity for ROCK YA HEART to take up a position in about midfield.

He said as a result of being crowded for room on jumping between DOUBLE SIX POP and EXCELLENT DADDY which shifted out, ROCK YA HEART lost ground.

He said he then shifted ROCK YA HEART across behind runners which resulted in the horse racing slightly further back in the field than had been intended.

He said nonetheless when ridden more quietly today, ROCK YA HEART finished the race off very well despite racing keenly after the 800 Metres and having to be checked away from the heels of JOLLY RULER.

When questioned, D Moor stated that rounding the Home Turn he commenced to ride TEXAS MOON along at the rear of the field and when racing behind other runners, the horse picked up very well.

He said he therefore shifted TEXAS MOON to the outside of runners at the entrance to the Straight to obtain clear running.

He said after he did this TEXAS MOON appeared to labour and was reluctant to stretch out.

He said, given the manner in which the horse had raced prior to this when travelling behind runners, he made the decision to direct TEXAS MOON back in amongst runners near the 250 Metres to see if this would result in the horse finishing the race off better than it was when taken to the outside of runners.

He said whilst this was a somewhat unusual tactic, he believed that, given the makeup of the field at this time, TEXAS MOON would likely not to be held up for clear running.

He added that after shifting to the inside of DOUBLE SIX POP, TEXAS MOON immediately commenced to finish the race off strongly and then after being directed to the inside of PINS PRINCE near the 100 Metres continued to find the line.

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

DOUBLE SIX POP, TEXAS MOON and ROCK YA HEART were sent for sampling.