Recap by phillip woo

Late-fancied favourite Foxhunter Way scrambled home just ahead of Flash Famous after splitting rivals to lead 150m out following his handy run on the fence. He had filled the frame in two of his past four starts and took full advantage of gate one for his first win at his 19th start. Flash Famous dashed nicely near the inside to make it close on the wire after fading back from barrier 11. He rarely produces a bad run over this Happy Valley trip and the tempo suited him. Faithful Trinity just held on for a placing after chasing the speed in the box seat. He has proven form over this distance and was stepping out off a rating low. Old-timer Charizard ran on steadily to just miss the medals after his one-offthe- fence run better than midfield. He could bob up at any moment. Karuizawa came from near the rear to earn a pay slip for the first time at his ninth start. However, the genuine pace flattered his run. Super Hornet was next best after going forward three deep to track Brilliant Eight. His run at his second start in Class Five was a shade better than his first. Lucky Missile never got into the act after his wide trip towards the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (398) - YUK SAU HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

FOXHUNTER WAY jumped awkwardly.

ALL IS READY was slow to begin, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of OUR CREED which became unbalanced.

MEDIC ELITE jumped only fairly.

KARUIZAWA also jumped only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, LUCKY MISSILE was inclined to race keenly and was steadied away from the heels of FAITHFUL TRINITY.

In this incident, LUCKY MISSILE shifted in and made contact with CHARIZARD.

S De Sousa (LUCKY MISSILE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MEDIC ELITE, causing MEDIC ELITE to be taken in and crowded onto ALL IS READY, resulting in ALL IS READY being badly crowded for room, having to be severely checked and becoming unbalanced.

In this incident, K C Leung (ALL IS READY) lost the use of his left stirrup iron which he regained it near the 1200 Metres.

S De Sousa was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 8 March 2023 and to expire on Thursday, 16 March 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey De Sousa was fined $120,000.

In considering penalty, the Stewards took into account that this was Jockey De Sousa's 6th careless riding offence this current racing season.

AMAZING NEWS, which was following ALL IS READY, was checked in consequence.

Near the 800 Metres, AMAZING NEWS shifted out to commence a forward move and near the 700 Metres was then taken wider by OUR CREED which shifted out when also commencing a forward move.

OUR CREED and AMAZING NEWS then raced wide and without cover from the 700 Metres.

Near the 600 Metres, OUR CREED was buffeted for room for a short distance when racing tight to the inside of AMAZING NEWS.

In this incident, OUR CREED shifted in and made contact with SUPER HORNET which became momentarily unbalanced.

Passing the 500 Metres, OUR CREED was again crowded for room between AMAZING NEWS and SUPER HORNET which shifted out slightly.

In this incident, both OUR CREED and AMAZING NEWS became unbalanced.

On the Home Turn, FAITHFUL TRINITY became awkwardly placed on the heels of BRILLIANT EIGHT when it made the turn awkwardly.

Approaching the 200 Metres, FLASH FAMOUS improved into a narrow run to the inside of FOXHUNTER WAY which was being directed to the inside of BRILLIANT EIGHT to obtain clear running.

Passing the 200 Metres, OUR CREED and KARUIZAWA bumped due to KARUIZAWA shifting out to improve to the outside of the heels of AMAZING NEWS.

Over the concluding stages, FLASH FAMOUS (H Bowman) raced tight to the inside of FOXHUNTER WAY which shifted in slightly, resulting in H Bowman being restricted in his use of the whip.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of V Borges (FAITHFUL TRINITY), 3rd placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse's finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ensure that he fully rides his mounts out to the finish of the race.

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

A veterinary inspection of OUR CREED immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea.

FOXHUNTER WAY and FLASH FAMOUS were sent for sampling.