Recap by phillip woo

Punted late Spirited Express showed a good turn of foot to just edge Savaquin ridden stone cold from gate 11 for first local win at his seventh start. He was suited by the pace but appreciated the longer trip after catching the eye with a third last start over the Valley 1,650m. Savaquin did everything right but get the win after rushing to the front 150m out following a patient ride fourth last. He keeps promising without delivering. Berlin Tango dashed nicely through the middle of the track to fill a placing after making his run two from the rear. Favourite Rise Brethren found a few just too good taking the short route home saving ground behind midfield. It was another honest effort. Cheerful Days made ground late from near the rear to finish next best without menacing the top four. He requires rating relief. Long-time leader Telecom Fighters didn't get the trip after turning the final bend two lengths on top. So We Joy wasn't good enough after a prominent run along the fence.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (232) - UNITED KINGDOM HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1800Meters

TELECOM FIGHTERS, which sustained an abrasion to the left hock in the saddling stalls, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race.

SAVAQUIN and FA FA bumped on jumping.

SPIRITED EXPRESS lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began awkwardly.

Then from a wide barrier, SPIRITED EXPRESS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After travelling a short distance, THE ROCK shifted out and brushed BERLIN TANGO.

BERLIN TANGO was then steadied to obtain a position closer to the rail from a wide barrier.

Also in the early stages, CHEERFUL DAYS was steadied to obtain cover.

At the 300 Metres, FLYING QUEST was directed to the inside of SUPERBELLA to obtain clear running.

After the 300 Metres, SO WE JOY got its head on the side and was reluctant to shift to the outside of TELECOM FIGHTERS.

Over the concluding stages, SPIRITED EXPRESS shifted in under pressure and close to the finishing line again shifted in, resulting in BERLIN TANGO racing tight outside SAVAQUIN.

After the race, M F Poon (PACKING AWARD) stated that, from the outside barrier, he shifted his mount across with a view to obtaining cover behind the leaders.

He said he steadied PACKING AWARD approaching the winning post on the first occasion, however, he was not able to obtain cover and consequently was left racing three wide and without cover passing the 1200 Metres.

He said he rode PACKING AWARD along approaching the 700 Metres with a view to crossing SUPERBELLA and race outside the lead, however, PACKING AWARD was not able to show sufficient speed to clear SUPERBELLA and therefore was required to continue to race wide.

He added that despite riding PACKING AWARD along vigorously rounding the Home Turn, the horse gave ground in the early part of the Straight and as he was aware that PACKING AWARD has previously bled, he did not ride it out over the concluding stages given the manner in which the horse gave ground.

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

The performance of PACKING AWARD, a winner of its last two starts and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, PACKING AWARD 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 FLYING QUEST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

RISE BRETHREN, SPIRITED EXPRESS and SAVAQUIN were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Racing Laboratory tests of WE ARE HERO, BABY CRYSTAL, CHIU CHOW BROTHER, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE, YOUTHFUL DEAL, HAPPY FAT CAT, ACCELERANDO, STAR CONTACT, MIDORI BEAUTY, FIERY DIAMOND, WINNING ICEY, CHING, SUPER RED DRAGON, ONE VOICE, BEAUTYVERSE, KEEFY, BELUGA, SWEET ENCOUNTER, ENTRUSTED, SUPERB CAPITALIST, SOLAR WINDS, PULSAR STRIDER, PACKING TREADMILL and KING LAND (27.11.22) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 8: SOLID IMPACT on 6.12.22 on veterinary advice.

2.

Riding Changes As Jockeys Y Kawada and M Barzalona tested positive to COVID-19 on 5 December 2022 and raceday morning respectively, they were required to withdraw from participating in the LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship racemeeting.

Accordingly, permission was given for the following riding substitutions: Jockey Y Kawada Race 4: L Hewitson on CHARMING STEED Race 5: L Hewitson on SUNNY DELIGHT Race 7: L Hewitson on RED MAJESTY Race 8: L Hewitson on HERE COMES TED Jockey M Barzalona Race 1: M Chadwick on TOYCOON Race 2: R Moore on MEDIC ELITE Race 3: J McDonald on TOUCH FAITH Race 4: K C Leung on CIRCUIT SEVEN Race 5: K C Leung on WIN WIN FIGHTER Race 6: R Moore on HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE Race 7: K C Leung on THE ANOMALY Race 8: K C Leung on NAMJONG SINGS Race 9: M L Yeung on SO WE JOY

3.

Reprimands Race 1: L Currie (FEARLESS FIRE) for shifting out at the entrance to the Straight.

S De Sousa (CORDYCEPS ONE) for shifting in near the 250 Metres.



4.

Suspensions Race 2: L Hewitson (MISTER ARM) for careless riding after the 300 Metres (from 28 December 2022 until 2 January 2023 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 8: J Kah (RED LION) for careless riding approaching the 250 Metres (from 11 December 2022 until 15 December 2022 on which day she may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

5.

Bleeder Race 5: FREE FOAL

6.

Barrier Trials Race 1: SO YOU TRUST Race 7: CAPTAIN WIN Race 9: PACKING AWARD

7.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: SO YOU TRUST Race 2: FORTUNE MASTER Race 8: SOLID IMPACT GOLD MARQUIS Race 9: PACKING AWARD

8.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf A Course

9.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after race

5.