Recap by phillip woo

Outsider Leslie burst through a gap 100m out to win going away after Derek Leung Ka-chun rode him patiently four from the rear. It was his second victory from his past three 1,400m starts. He is a rejuvenated runner for Michael Chang Chun-wai this season. Beauty Crescent finished nicely near the inside for second after his rail run behind midfield. He is a winner waiting to happen with placings in five of his seven starts this term. Favourite The Heir closed well down the outside for third after settling third last from gate 11. He has run well in defeat in all three of his Hong Kong races. Punted late, Mighty Stride stayed on well for fourth after getting posted wide without cover in midfield. It was a good effort first up following his fetlock surgery in May. Massive Action did not have much left in the tank over the final 100m after dictating the tempo from barrier eight. The move to a 10-pound claimer did not pan out. Parterre gradually faded after his one-out, one-back run. He is a better prospect in Class Four. Well-backed late, Solid Impact ran on from last without threatening the principals.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten : (278) - POINSETTIA HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

Horse No 1 MIGHTY STRIDE (G346) K Teetan Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 2 BEAUTY CRESCENT (H334) J McDonald Bumped at the start.

In the middle stages raced keenly.

For some distance near the 250 Metres was held up for clear running.

Near the 100 Metres, when improving into a narrow run between MASSIVE ACTION and PINS PRINCE, lay out and proved difficult to ride out to the finish.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 MASSIVE ACTION (E445) E C W Wong Jumped awkwardly.

Horse No 4 SOLID IMPACT (E447) A Badel From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Making the Home Turn was bumped by THE HEIR and taken wider when that runner shifted out to improve.

Horse No 5 PINS PRINCE (G013) Z Purton Near the 1100 Metres was steadied to avoid the heels of MASSIVE ACTION (Apprentice E C W Wong) which shifted in when not clear.

Apprentice Wong was reprimanded.

When questioned regarding his riding over the concluding stages, Z Purton stated that as his mount commenced to give ground, he observed BEAUTY CRESCENT to his inside shifting out when taking a narrow run and then when he observed PARTERRE shift in slightly at the same point, he was concerned that his mount may be crowded for room and as a result he steadied PINS PRINCE near the 50 Metres when it was not in a competitive position.

He added that his mount raced keenly during the running of the event and as a result weakened in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 6 THE HEIR (H459) C Y Ho Bumped on jumping and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Bumped on the Home Turn.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 8 BEAUTY CHAMP (G137) A Hamelin Near the 1300 Metres was steadied to avoid MASSIVE ACTION (Apprentice E C W Wong) which shifted in when not clear.

Apprentice Wong was reprimanded.

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

Horse No 9 SILVER UP (J078) M Chadwick Jumped only fairly and then was crowded shortly after the start.

Horse No 13 LESLIE (E471) K C Leung Bumped on jumping and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Between the 350 Metres and the 200 Metres was held up for clear running.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 14 RATTAN KINGDOM (G035) Y L Chung Bumped at the start.

Crowded near the 1300 Metres.

Approaching the 200 Metres attempted to obtain a run to the inside of MASSIVE ACTION where there was doubtful room, resulting in RATTAN KINGDOM being unable to obtain clear running over the final 200 Metres.

---

GENERAL:

1.

Race 8 was put back 5 minutes.

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of HAPPY HORSE, VAMOS, DOUBLE SHOW, SUPER CONTENTED, REGENCY HAPPY STAR, SAMARKAND, HAPPY ANGEL, TOGEPI, KING ECCELLENTE, BEAUTY DESTINY, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS, ATOMIC ENERGY, FORTUNE WARRIOR, YOUNG LIFE FOREVER, GOLDEN LONG, SHINKANSEN, DRAGON STAR, STRONGEST BOY, GALLANT WAKING, TOURBILLON PRINCE, BRAVE STAR and COPARTNER AMBITION (13.12.23) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 4 DARCI LEGEND on 21.12.23 on veterinary advice

2.

Fines Race 3 M Chadwick (LADY BILLIE): $2,000 for initially presenting himself to be weighed out with the incorrect saddle cloth number Race 5 A Hamelin (BLISSFUL STAR): $5,000 for using the whip down the horse's shoulder on a number of occasions Race 6 Trainer D J Whyte (NATURAL GOLD): $2,000 for a declaration error

3.

Reprimands Race 2 M Chadwick (GANGNAM STAR) for shifting out near the 250 Metres Race 6 C L Chau (BEYOND TURBO) for shifting in near the 1200 Metres Race 10 Apprentice E C W Wong (MASSIVE ACTION) for shifting in near the 1300 Metres and again near the 1100 Metres

4.

Warnings Race 6 A Atzeni (MAXIMIZE HEART) re his riding on the Home Turn Race 9 J McDonald (ADEFILL) for failing to present himself in the Parade Ring by the required time

5.

Suspensions Race 2 M L Yeung (RUBY SAILING) for careless riding near the 250 Metres (Thursday, 4 January 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday) Race 7 M L Yeung (WOODFIRE BRO) for careless riding near the 100 Metres (from 7 January 2024 until 11 January 2024 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays) Race 8 C Y Ho (JOYFUL HUNTER) for careless riding near the 150 Metres (Friday, 29 December 2023 - 1 Hong Kong raceday)

6.

Stewards' Inquiry & Protest/Objection Race 7

7.

Bleeders Race 3 GOOD HAPPY HEART Race 7 RISE BRETHREN

8.

Barrier Trials Race 3 GOOD HAPPY HEART (bleeder) Race 4 PRESIDENT'S CHOICE (disappointing performance) Race 7 RISE BRETHREN (bleeder) ALWAYS FLUKE (disappointing performance) Race 9 EVERYONE'S DELIGHT (unacceptable performance) TRUE LEGEND (unacceptable performance)

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 FLYING SILVER GO GO SIXTEEN Race 3 GOOD HAPPY HEART Race 4 PRESIDENT'S CHOICE DARCI LEGEND Race 6 BEYOND TURBO Race 7 RISE BRETHREN ALWAYS FLUKE Race 9 EVERYONE'S DELIGHT TRUE LEGEND

10.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf C Course All Weather Track

11.

Rolling Arrangement The track was not rolled today.