Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed Beauty Charge quickened nicely to win going away 60m out after a patient ride two from the rear. He was suited by the race tempo, but he had put the writing on the wall with his close second on his initial Happy Valley start in January. Sugar Sugar ran on nicely to grab second after making his run behind midfield on the fence. He rarely produces a bad run over this Happy Valley trip. Stormtrouper was making up heaps of ground late to fill a placing after peeling off heels for a clear run 250m out following a patient ride one from the rear. He was suited by the pace, but he is always a chance over this course and distance. Compassion Spirit held onto fourth at huge odds after handing up the lead to Adios 850m out. It was a better run in Class Three after winning three runs back in Class Four. Golden Link ran on steadily from midfield to finish next best. He has been around the mark in two of his three prior starts over this C&D. Favourite Nordic Dragon did not have much left in the tank after his prominent run wide without cover from barrier 12. He had an excuse. First-time starter in Hong Kong Tiger Legend was only plodding in midfield when impeded 150m out. He needed the outing.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (444) - O'BRIEN HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that TIGER LEGEND had blood at its mouth.

TIGER LEGEND was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

TIGER LEGEND jumped only fairly.

On jumping, BEAUTY CHARGE was crowded by MARK THE MOMENT which shifted out.

RED DESERT jumped only fairly and soon after the start was placed in restricted room between STAR BRITE and ADIOS which shifted out.

RED DESERT was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages and was inclined to race keenly.

From a wide barrier, SUGAR SUGAR was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

ADIOS over-raced in the early stages and ran wide making the first turn.

BEAUTY CHARGE raced keenly in the middle stages and was held up making the Home Turn and on straightening became awkwardly placed behind GOLDEN LINK.

Approaching the 250 Metres, BEAUTY CHARGE then became held up behind MARK THE MOMENT before shifting to the inside of MARK THE MOMENT near the 200 Metres to secure clear running and in doing so made contact with SUGAR SUGAR which was also endeavouring to obtain clear running.

As a result, SUGAR SUGAR became unbalanced and was shifted to the inside of COMPASSION SPIRIT where it secured clear running near the 150 Metres.

In this incident, TIGER LEGEND, which was positioned to the inside of SUGAR SUGAR, was momentarily crowded.

Near the 250 Metres, STORMTROUPER was briefly held up behind THE RUNNER before shifting to THE RUNNER's outside approaching the 200 Metres to secure clear running.

Near the 125 Metres, when BEAUTY CHARGE was improving to the inside of MARK THE MOMENT, it shifted out slightly and bumped MARK THE MOMENT which became slightly unbalanced.

When improving to the inside of COMPASSION SPIRIT near the 100 Metres, SUGAR SUGAR was struck across the nose by the whip of M L Yeung, the rider of COMPASSION SPIRIT.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance NORDIC DRAGON, C Y Ho reported that he had expected to take up a position in or outside the lead tonight.

He said whilst NORDIC DRAGON jumped well, it did not show sufficient speed in the early stages to cross runners to his inside and as a consequence was obliged to race wide in the early stages.

He added that along the Back Straight he endeavoured to ride his mount forward to cross MARK THE MOMENT, however, when that runner was travelling strongly, NORDIC DRAGON did not show sufficient pace to cross MARK THE MOMENT and as a result was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

He stated that, in his opinion, the wide run endured by NORDIC DAGON was the reason for its disappointing performance tonight.

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

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TIGER LEGEND, Z Purton stated that he was able to settle the horse in a forward position in the early stages.

He said passing the 800 Metres TIGER LEGEND did not appear comfortable racing around the Happy Valley circuit when it changed stride and from this point on did not respond to his riding and he attributed tonight's performance to the horse not appreciating the Happy Valley track.

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

The performance of TIGER LEGEND was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, TIGER LEGEND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

NORDIC DRAGON, BEAUTY CHARGE and SUGAR SUGAR were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Additions to Racing Incidents Report of 19 February 2023 Sha Tin Racemeeting a.

Race 2 (427) WINNING STEPS had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the Straight.

b.

Race 6 (431) PACKING PRESENT raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

2.

KING LAND (G141), trained by Mr T P Yung was found to have bled on 8 February 2023 and therefore was not permitted to use the swimming pool for one month from that day.

However, swimming records showed that KING LAND had used the Club's swimming facilities on 11 February 2023.

After having reviewed the CCTV records, the Stewards established that KING LAND did not swim on the aforementioned date and that it was an error in the records submitted by Mr Yung's stable staff.

The relevant work records for KING LAND will be amended accordingly.

Mr Yung, as the person responsible for the management of his stable, was fined the sum of $5,000.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of ACA POWER, TAKINGUFURTHER, STAR OF

2.

YUEN LONG, STAR OF GLORY, MURRAY'S PARTNERS, CIRCUIT STELLAR, WINNING METHOD, LASER VICTORY, SOARING TOWER, STAND UP, ADEFILL, HAPPY TANGO, RUN RUN BUDDY, SMILING COLLECTOR, LIGHTNING BOLT, FLYING DRAGON, FIERY DIAMOND, FAST BUCK, OWNERS' PRAISE, BULB PRINCE, WOODFIRE BRO, CHAMPION DRAGON, BEAUTY ETERNAL and SOLAR WINDS (12.2.23) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 3: LEGION OF MERIT on raceday morning on veterinary advice.

Race 5: VIVA POPCORN at barriers on veterinary advice.

2.

Riding Changes As H Bowman was indisposed, permission was given for the following riding substitutions on raceday afternoon: Race 2: K C Leung on HAPPY GATHERING Race 3: Z Purton on RIGHT AS RAIN Race 4: M F Poon on TIMESTORM Race 5: C Y Ho on COPARTNER FIONN Race 6: K Teetan on KOKUSHI MUSOU Race 7: C L Chau on COMPASSION SUPER Race 8: M Chadwick on SOLAR WINDS Race 9: M F Poon on ADIOS

3.

Fine Race 2: K C Leung (HAPPY GATHERING) and C Y Ho (LE PLUS VITE): $2,000 each for initially presenting themselves to be weighed out with the incorrect saddle cloth number.

General: Trainer T P Yung (KING LAND): $5,000 for submitting incorrect work records for the horse.

4.

Reprimand Race 1: H N Wong (ON EXCEL STAR) for shifting in at the 100 Metres.

5.

Warnings Race 3: C L Chau (GANG OF BROTHERS) re his riding over the concluding stages.

Race 4: M F Poon (TIMESTORM) re his riding in the Straight.



6.

Void Race Race 8

7.

Adjourned Inquiry Race 2

8.

Bleeder Race 1: COMMON ROOM

9.

Barrier Trials Race 5: VIVA POPCORN Race 7: HURRY HURRY RICH Race 9: TIGER LEGEND

10.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: LEGION OF MERIT YOUNG LIFE FOREVER Race 5: VIVA POPCORN Race 9: TIGER LEGEND

11.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf C+3 Course

12.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after race

5.