Recap by phillip woo

Lightning Bolt timed things perfectly with two wider out to pip Reward Smile and post his third Hong Kong win from 23 local starts. His previous victories in the city had occurred in dirt races. Reward Smile did everything right but get the win after racing prominently on the fence and claiming the lead 150m out. He got back on track following his uncharacteristically poor first-up performance. Firming favourite Sweet Briar settled one out and out back from gate six, poked his head in from 200m from home and kept on nicely for third. It was a fine effort up in grade on his first Happy Valley appearance. Sixth Generation bided his time two from the rear and ran on well to fill the frame without threatening the top three. He needs further than 1,200m. Solar Partner ran on steadily for fifth after travelling on the rail in midfield. It was not a bad effort up in class following his back-to-back wins. Family Folks came from last to finish the next best. His best days are behind him. Street Scream came up flat after getting posted wide without cover in the early stages.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (55) - CUCKOO HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

REWARD SMILE jumped only fairly.

SWEET BRIAR jumped awkwardly, shifted out and crowded SEIZING THE MOMENT.

From wide barriers, FAMILY FOLKS and SIXTH GENERATION were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres, AMAZING ACE shifted out slightly and made contact with SOLAR PARTNER which became unbalanced when racing tight to the inside of STREET SCREAM.

LIGHTNING BOLT, which was following STREET SCREAM, was steadied as a consequence.

After the 800 Metres, STREET SCREAM was obliged to race wide and without cover.

In the middle stages, SOLAR PARTNER raced keenly.

Near the 200 Metres, SWEET BRIAR shifted out and away from REWARD SMILE.

After the race, K Teetan (SEIZING THE MOMENT) could offer no explanation for his mount's disappointing performance.

A veterinary inspection of SEIZING THE MOMENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

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

A veterinary inspection of VICTORY SCHOLARS immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY SCHOLARS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SWEET BRIAR, LIGHTNING BOLT and REWARD SMILE were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

After the running of Race 3, the track classification was officially changed from "Good" to "Good to Firm" This change in the opinion of the Stewards should be recorded as being retrospective.

As a consequence of this, the official results will show Race 3 being run on a track rated "Good to Firm"

2.

16 July 2023 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 2 (828) The Stewards tonight conducted a hearing of a charge issued against licensed jockey Z Purton under Rule 155(5) of improper conduct, due to the matter being referred back to the original panel following the conduct of an appeal on 16 September 2023.

Such referral was to allow the Stewards to consider new video evidence that had become available after the original hearing.

Jockey Purton subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge in that he improperly struck or attempted to improperly strike VANTASTIC CHOICE in or around the ribcage and/or stomach region on approximately two occasions with his whip that was held in his right hand following the running of this race.

Jockey Purton was fined the sum of $15,000.

3.

24 September 2023 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 2 (38) A further review by a specialist of an ECG performed on FLYING GALLOP post-race was requested and confirmed that FLYING GALLOP had displayed an irregular heart rhythm.

As previously advised, FLYING GALLOP will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.

4.

Racing Laboratory tests of SELF IMPROVEMENT, EURO ROCKS, MIRACLES, SURE JOYFUL, M M NEBULA, DREAM WINNER, KURPANY, WHIZZ KID, CHIU CHOW BROTHER, SUNNY BABY, MAN STAR, KILLER INSTINCT, RED DESERT, PAKISTAN FRIEND, LUCKY ETERNITY, JOYFUL HUNTER, LUCKY ENCOUNTER, SUPER FORTUNE, I GIVE, KA YING WARRIOR, OWNERS' PRAISE, SUPER WINNER, COPARTNER AMBITION, SUPERB BOY and MASSIVE ACTION (17.9.23) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 3: TURQUOISE ALPHA on 26.9.23 on veterinary advice.

Race 5: BEAU GOSSE on 26.9.23 on veterinary advice.

Race 7: E BROTHER on raceday morning on veterinary advice.

2.

Riding Changes As L Currie was indisposed, permission was given for the following riding substitutions on raceday morning: Race 5: L Hewitson on FEARLESS FIRE Race 7: M L Yeung on NINJA DERBY Race 9: M L Yeung on GALLANT CROWN

3.

Fines Race 5: K Teetan (WINNING DATA): $5,000 for raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder in the Home Straight.

General: Z Purton (VANTASTIC CHOICE): $15,000 for improper conduct under Rule 155(5).

4.

Severe Reprimand Race 7: A Badel (ROUND THE GLOBE) for shifting in approaching the 1000 Metres.

5.

Reprimand Race 5: H Bentley (M UNICORN) for shifting in near the 200 Metres.

6.

Warnings Race 2: H T Mo (BRILLIANT EIGHT) for using the whip on the horse which was out of contention.

Race 5: K C Leung (SPANGLE FORTUNE) for shifting in near the 100 Metres.



7.

Suspension Race 5: K Teetan (WINNING DATA) for careless riding near the 200 Metres - suspended from riding in races on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 - 1 Hong Kong raceday.

8.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 6: VANQUISHER (2nd time) General: FLYING GALLOP

9.

Barrier Trials Race 6: VANQUISHER Race 8: SOLID IMPACT

10.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: TURQUOISE ALPHA CIRCUIT ELITE Race 5: BEAU GOSSE Race 6: VANQUISHER Race 7: E BROTHER Race 8: SOLID IMPACT Race 9: VICTORY SCHOLARS

11.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf C Course

12.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after race 4