Recap by phillip woo

Early favourite Erimo held on for the win after tracking the speed behind the leading pair and claiming the front 230m out. He defied top weight and rise in trip to ring up his fourth win across both surfaces this season. Post-time favourite Adefill ran very well to make it a bob of heads on the wire after getting posted wide without cover in midfield all the way. He continued his fine form on the dirt. Punted late, Perfect Team ran on nicely after his midfield trip one off the fence to make it close on the line. He is a winner waiting to happen after making a good impression in back-to-back runs following his switch to the all-weather circuit. So We Joy came from last in the field of seven to just miss the placings. It was another honest effort on the surface. Skyey Supreme weakened after getting his own way in front to finish next best. He is a better prospect in Class Four. Nordic Star was held up for a good part of the straight after travelling three back on the rail. He had an excuse. Tianchi Monster went forward four wide to slot in one off the fence 1,200m out. He had a tough run but is better suited on turf.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (731) - CHAI WAN ROAD HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1800Meters

FIERY DIAMOND was withdrawn on 9.6.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind).

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

NORDIC STAR and PERFECT TEAM jumped only fairly.

From an outside barrier, SO WE JOY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Over the final 100 Metres, SO WE JOY, which was inclined to lay in, was held up behind ERIMO and as a consequence could not be ridden out to the finish of the event.

When questioned regarding his riding of ADEFILL, K Teetan stated that with his mount stepping up to 1800 Metres for the first time today, he was instructed to endeavour to ride ADEFILL with cover, preferably behind ERIMO.

He said in the early stages he was caught wide and without cover and as a result was unable to comply with his instructions.

He added that from the 1400 Metres he attempted to shift in to be racing in advance of PERFECT TEAM, however, when that runner held its position to his inside, he was obliged to remain racing wide.

He said as ADEFILL was not travelling well and having regard to his instructions, he was reluctant to make a forward move along the Back Straight in an endeavour to obtain a position closer to the rail.

He further stated that from the 600 Metres ADEFILL became one-paced as the tempo of the race continued to be run quicker than standard and it was not until straightening that once balanced ADEFILL ran to the line well.

Trainer P F Yiu confirmed the instructions issued and the reasons as to why such instructions were issued as detailed by Jockey Teetan.

After the race, Z Purton (TIANCHI MONSTER) reported that his instructions were to endeavour to obtain a position midfield with cover.

He said from the outside barrier when caught wide in the early stages, he was obliged to allow TIANCHI MONSTER to stride forward and race outside the lead to avoid covering additional ground.

A veterinary inspection of TIANCHI MONSTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of NORDIC STAR immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

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

ERIMO and ADEFILL were sent for sampling.