Recap by phillip woo

Punted late, Telecom Missile just held off the late surge of M M Johnny after hitting the front 100m out following a dream run in the box seat for a fourth win from 35 starts. It was his best run from 10 starts at the Valley, but he had been knocking on the door at Sha Tin. Well-supported late, M M Johnny ran on nicely to make it close on the wire after a one-off-the-fence run worse than midfield. Like the winner, he had put the writing on the wall in recent outings at Sha Tin. Specked late, Alloy King made a good bid to finish a close third following a one-off-the-rail trip in midfield. It was his best run in a while. Travel Glory ran on nicely from near last to fill the frame. He has run well in his past three starts and could get away with a race shortly. Sunshine Legendary made good ground late down the outside from the rear of the field. He has made a good impression in his past two starts following a downgrade. Day Day Rich retreated 100m out after turning the final bend two lengths on top despite getting away with an uncontested lead. He is limited. Strive For Glory held his ground after a wide-without-cover trip in midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (262) - MERCURY HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

ENCORE was withdrawn on 20.12.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SHENRON (L Ferraris).

Before being allowed to race again, ENCORE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

ONE STEP AHEAD and SPLENDID STAR were both slow to begin.

From the outside barriers, SUNSHINE LEGENDARY and TOUCH FAITH were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 1050 Metres, ONE STEP AHEAD shifted out and bumped TRAVEL GLORY, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced.

SHENRON raced three wide in the early stages before crossing to obtain a position outside the leader near the 700 Metres.

TRAVEL GLORY shifted out abruptly rounding the Home Turn to obtain clear running and in doing so forced TOUCH FAITH wider.

GLORIFIED FIRE, which was weakening, was steadied near the 150 Metres after being bumped by SHENRON which shifted out marginally before being straightened.

After the race, L Currie (ONE STEP AHEAD) explained that at the entrance to the Straight his mount blundered after getting too close to the heels of SPLENDID STAR, making contact with that horse's heels.

He added that in relation to the overall performance, he believed that the horse would benefit from the first up run tonight.

A veterinary inspection of ONE STEP AHEAD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Also after the race, Z Purton (STRIVE FOR GLORY) explained that his instructions, from barrier 8, were to try and settle in a midfield position with cover, however, was unable to do so.

He added that, in his view, tonight's disappointing performance was affected by being caught wide and without cover from the 700 Metres carrying top weight.

A veterinary inspection of STRIVE FOR GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of GLORIFIED FIRE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer??which had previously been reported.

STRIVE FOR GLORY, TELECOM MISSILE and M M JOHNNY were sent for sampling.