Recap by phillip woo

In a race in which first and last were, at one point, separated by 20 lengths, favourite Sword Point took control 200m out after getting a lovely run fourth on the fence. It was his second win from 10 Hong Kong starts. Meaningful Star kept up his strong gallop to just hold second after chasing the speed in third and working to the lead 650m from home. It was another solid effort despite switching to Sha Tin following back-to-back wins at Happy Valley. Old-timer Butterfield ran on nicely from behind midfield to just miss the quinella spot. He has not won in ages, but he has been in the mix in five of his past seven starts. Rise Brethren dashed late for fourth after making his run five back and one off the rail. He has run with merit in two of four starts since his stable change. Punted late, Champion Dragon ran his usual honest race to place fifth. Sweet Encounter ran on late without menacing the placegetters after getting steadied not long into the race. He ran OK but appears to be crying out for a break. Five G Patch plugged on one-paced after making a mid-race move. La City Blanche made headway late from near the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (783) - THE HONG KONG REUNIFICATION CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 2 - 2000Meters

CHAMPION DRAGON jumped only fairly.

On jumping, SWEET ENCOUNTER, which was slow to begin, was checked when crowded for room between ALACRITY which was crowded and taken in by FIVE G PATCH and NATURAL STORM which was crowded and taken out by LA CITY BLANCHE.

Near the 1300 Metres, SWEET ENCOUNTER shifted in and brushed the running rail.

Near the 800 Metres, CHAMPION DRAGON was shifted to the outside of MEANINGFUL STAR to improve and bumped FIVE G PATCH.

Near the 500 Metres, LA CITY BLANCHE was steadied when momentarily crowded between COLUMBUS COUNTY and SWEET ENCOUNTER, both of which shifted ground slightly.

SWORD POINT was held up making the Home Turn and in the early part of the Home Straight.

Near the 200 Metres, CHAMPION DRAGON was steadied when crowded by BUTTERFIELD (H Bowman) which shifted in.

H Bowman was advised to exercise more care.

Near the 100 Metres, the whip of M F Poon (MEANINGFUL STAR) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of H Bowman.

The performance of ERIMO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

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

When questioned regarding his riding of ERIMO in the fast early pace set during the early section of the event, A Hamelin stated that he was asked to take up a forward position and with the option to lead if the pace of the race was not strong.

He said from an outside barrier he was obliged to make some use of ERIMO to cross MEANINGFUL STAR in the early stages and although he was aware that the pace was strong through this section of the race, he felt this was the best option to avoid racing wide.

He added after obtaining a position slightly in advance of ALL FOR ST PAUL'S, he was reluctant to come back and race to that runner's outside as he had established a margin on ALL FOR ST PAUL'S.

He said when the rider of ALL FOR ST PAUL'S did not show intent to hold the lead, he then allowed his mount to stride forward and cross to the front before easing the pace in the middle stages.

After considering his evidence, the Stewards advised Jockey Hamelin that he had made an error of judgement in the early stages by not coming back and racing to the outside of ALL FOR ST PAUL'S to set a more sustainable pace throughout the early section of the event.

When questioned regarding the performance of CHING, L Hewitson stated that after settling back in the field, he commenced a forward move making the Home Turn.

He added when he became positioned close to the heels of FIVE G PATCH at the 450 Metres, CHING blundered, causing ALACRITY to be steadied away from the heels of CHING.

He said CHING quickly recovered whereby he was able to place his mount under pressure in the Home Straight, however, CHING responded disappointingly to his efforts from that point onwards.

He said, in his opinion, his mount stepping up in class, up to 2000 Metres and the wide barrier were the reasons for the disappointing performance.

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

The performance of CHING, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

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

After the race, CHAMPION DRAGON was noted to have sustained a laceration to the left hock.

Also after the race, A Badel (FIVE G PATCH) stated that his mount raced wide when taken out from the 800 Metres and when under pressure in the Home Straight ran to the line fairly and was somewhat disappointing.

A veterinary inspection of FIVE G PATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of ALL FOR ST PAUL'S and NATURAL STORM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

SWORD POINT and MEANINGFUL STAR were sent for sampling.