Recap by phillip woo

Berlin Tango never went around a horse to get up 200m out after a patient ride one from the rear for a first win at his 15th start. He was suited by the pace and a return to the surface of a past placing. Kings Shield wouldn't go down without a fight after prompting the quick pace of Buddies up front. It was a return to form on his past few following a downgrade. Early favourite Money Catcher just failed to get up for second after a one-out, one-back run. He's close to a win but prefer him over a longer trip. Late-fancied favourite The Rock got going to finish a non-threatening fourth after a one-off run in midfield. He doesn't have points in hand around his current mark. Telecom Fighters kept grinding away without menacing after settling midfield on the fence. He's at his best when bowling along in front, preferably at the Valley. Delightful Laos made headway late from the rear of the field without menacing. It wasn't a bad effort trying the dirt for the first time but he did get the race run to suit. Czarson made some ground without threatening. He's not a miler. Punted late, Beauty Fit never landed a blow from towards the rear. He just struggles to match up in Class Two.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (643) - YUEN LONG HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1650Meters

BEAUTY FIT began only fairly.

DELIGHTFUL LAOS was slow to begin.

Shortly after the start, RED DESERT and MONEY CATCHER bumped.

Approaching the 200 Metres, DELIGHTFUL LAOS shifted out under pressure and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of RED DESERT.

DELIGHTFUL LAOS was then shifted out abruptly away from the heels of THE ROCK after the 100 Metres to continue improving.

When questioned, L Ferraris (BUDDIES) stated that he was instructed to lead tonight's race from the outside barrier if possible.

He said he was asked to ride BUDDIES positively in the early stages and it was felt that he would not have to make too much use of the horse as BUDDIES would have sufficient natural speed to be able to clear runners to its inside.

He said he was further told not to restrain BUDDIES as the horse races best when able to maintain a rhythm.

He said after riding his mount positively in the early stages, he commenced to shift across to clear CHANCHENG PRINCE which was drawn to the inside of BUDDIES.

He said when CHANCHENG PRINCE was ridden along to clear runners to its inside, this resulted in BUDDIES having to take some time to be able to clear that horse.

He said he was able to shift across in advance of CHANCHENG PRINCE after the 1200 Metres and near the 1100 Metres he looked to his inside to establish whether he would be able to continue forward to clear KINGS SHIELD which was racing on the rail and to lead the race.

He added at the 1000 Metres it became apparent to him that KINGS SHIELD was not going to hand up to BUDDIES and therefore he remained racing to that horse's outside rather than attempting to continue forward of that horse and obtain an outright lead.

He said given that he had not ridden BUDDIES along at any stage to cross runners to its inside prior to this, he was reluctant to steady his mount after the 1000 Metres as he believed that this would have been contrary to his instructions.

He said he therefore allowed BUDDIES to maintain its momentum and race outside KINGS SHIELD and in advance of that horse.

He said whilst he was aware that the race was being run at a faster tempo that he would have preferred, he was of the opinion that given the manner in which BUDDIES was racing at the relevant time, he would have had to restrain his mount in order to come back to race on terns with KINGS SHIELD.

L Ferraris was told that his explanation would be reported, however, he was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made some effort to try and ease the tempo being set by BUDDIES given that the race was being run at a good tempo.

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

The performance of BUDDIES, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, BUDDIES 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 BEAUTY FIT and CHANCHENG PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

THE ROCK, BERLIN TANGO and KINGS SHIELD were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Racing Laboratory tests of BRAVE DREAMS, LUCKY QUALITY, FIGHTING STAR, KAI XIN DRAGON, ONE VOICE, PRECISE EXPRESS, CHARITY GRACE, ROYAL BOMB, SPARKY STAR, KUNG FU TEA, LIGHT OF WANSHI, BEAUTY JOY, SAVAQUIN, WELLINGTON, COMPUTER PATCH, BEAUTY MISSION, REVE PARISIEN, SOLID IMPACT, GOLDEN SIXTY, CALIFORNIA SPANGLE, ROMANTIC WARRIOR, TOURBILLON DIAMOND, GOLDEN EMPIRE, SUPER TEN, MALDIVES, LUCKY WITH YOU and CORDYCEPS SIX (24.4.22) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 2: LUMEN BABA on 3.5.22 on veterinary advice.

2.

Reprimands Race 2: B Shinn (TELECOM MISSILE) for shifting in passing the 150 Metres.

Race 7: K Teetan (TRUE LEGEND) for shifting out approaching the 400 Metres.

3.

Warnings Race 7: M Chadwick (ULTRA EXPRESS) re the manner in which he rode his mount out over the concluding stages.

Race 9: L Ferraris (BUDDIES) re his riding in the middle stages.

4.

Suspension Race 7: M F Poon (SKYEY SUPREME) for careless riding approaching the 1400 Metres (from 11 May 2022 until 16 May 2022 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

5.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 1: HAPPY MATADOR

6.

Bleeder Race 7: A LA KING

7.

Barrier Trials Race 1: HAPPY MATADOR Race 2: MASTER OF FUN Race 5: BIG HAPPINESS Race 6: FLYING ON THE TURF Race 7: TRUE LEGEND Race 9: BUDDIES

8.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: HAPPY MATADOR Race 2: LUMEN BABA MASTER OF FUN Race 5: BIG HAPPINESS WHISKEY NEAT Race 6: FLYING ON THE TURF Race 7: TRUE LEGEND Race 9: BUDDIES

9.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement MIXED - Turf C Course / All Weather Track