Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Howdeepisyourlove was too smart after shooting to the lead 150m out following a speed-stalking run on the fence for a maiden win at his third start following an unlucky effort last start. He clearly has the tools to head higher. Sixth Generation dashed well from behind midfield to finish a clear-cut second. He is a winner waiting to happen. Owners' Praise ran on nicely near the inside to fill a placing after a patient ride second last from a wide draw. He has made a good impression in both starts and remains one to follow. Punted late, United We Stand stuck on well for fourth after getting his own way in front from gate six. He kept on all right in back-to-back runs over a span of three days following a 1,200m win at Sha Tin on December 4. Jazz Steed finished next best after making his run two from the rear. He is better in Class Five. All Is Good made a mild bid after a one-off-the-rail trip behind midfield. He went OK trying the Valley for the first time but is better suited at Sha Tin. Hercules could not lift off a big weight after making his run three back on the fence.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (268) - MARS HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that UNITED WE STAND had blood in its mouth.

UNITED WE STAND was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that in his opinion it was suitable to race.

SIXTH GENERATION was slow to begin.

From the outside barriers, OWNERS' PRAISE and KA YING GLORIOUS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

SIXTH GENERATION had a tendency to lay in rounding the turn near the 1050 Metres and at the same time bumped with JAZZ STEED which shifted in slightly.

SPEEDSTAR raced three wide in the early and middle stages before obtaining a position outside the leader near the 800 Metres.

Making the turn near the 600 Metres, FUN TOGETHER shifted out to obtain a position three wide and in doing so forced HAPPY TRIO wider on the track.

OWNERS' PRAISE was unable to improve its position from the 500 Metres when awkwardly placed inside the heels of JAZZ STEED for some distance.

After passing the 500 Metres, SPEEDSTAR commenced to give ground, resulting in ALL IS GOOD, which was following, being held up and unable to improve its position until obtaining clear running on straightening.

Near the 300 Metres, HAPPY TRIO, which was under pressure, was steadied to avoid the heels of H Z TOURBILLON which shifted out to improve.

Throughout the race, HAPPY TRIO travelled wide and without cover.

Following the race, M F Poon (SPEEDSTAR) explained that his instructions were to settle his mount in the early stages where comfortable and after jumping extremely well he was endeavouring to carry out those instructions, however, to avoid being caught extremely wide and without cover, he elected to press on to take up a forward position.

After the race, K Teetan (H Z TOURBILLON) reported that although his mount was three wide with cover, it failed to respond to his riding in the Straight and he could not offer any tangible excuse for the horse's performance.

A veterinary inspection of H Z TOURBILLON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on FUN TOGETHER at the request of Trainer T P Yung.

The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea.

A veterinary inspection of ALL IS GOOD and HAPPY TRIO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE and SIXTH GENERATION were sent for sampling.