Recap by phillip woo

Following a one-off run from better than midfield, favourite Valhalla took the lead 200m out and kept up a good gallop to record his third 1,200m Valley win this season. He will likely find things harder in Class Four next time out. Wind Speeder settled wide two from the rear and zipped home late down the outside to snatch second in the closing stages. It was a much-improved effort on his second start down in Class Five company. Hercules stayed on nicely for third after having to change course for a clear run 150m out. He is a winner waiting to happen in this grade. August Moon grudgingly gave way after dictating the pace from gate six. He has gone all right twice from his past four starts down in Class Five over the Valley's 1,200m. Well-backed Viva A La stayed on reasonably well after a midfield run wide with cover. It was a better run stepping back to 1,200m off two points higher than a mile win in October. General Ace made some late ground without threatening after settling second last from an outside draw. Punted late, Double Show picked off a few ridden for luck at the rear of the field from gate 10.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two : (290) - NAM LONG SHAN HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 HERCULES (C476) A Badel Near the 600 Metres lay out slightly when racing tight to the inside of VALHALLA which lay in and as a result was eased.

Approaching the 400 Metres was steadied after improving to the inside of VALHALLA when that runner shifted in when positioned close to HAPPILY FRIENDS which after shifting out moved back in when corrected by its rider Z Purton.

Horse No 2 VALHALLA (E495) H Bowman Approaching the 1000 Metres, after being bumped by GET THE MONIES which improved to the inside of that runner, was then steadied when crowded by AUGUST MOON (K C Leung) which shifted in when not clear.

K C Leung was advised to exercise more care.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 WIND SPEEDER (E281) M Chadwick Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 GET THE MONIES (G168) L Ferraris K C Leung (AUGUST MOON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of GET THE MONIES, resulting in GET THE MONIES being checked away from the heels of AUGUST MOON.

K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Sunday, 7 January 2024 at Sha Tin.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good race riding record.

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

Horse No 6 GENERAL ACE (G425) L Hewitson Shortly after the start was bumped and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 600 Metres was steadied away from HERCULES when that runner gave ground in front.

Again approaching the 400 Metres was steadied away from HERCULES, blundered and became unbalanced when positioned close to the heels of that runner.

Horse No 8 DOUBLE SHOW (G250) J McDonald Bumped shortly after the start.

Approaching the 200 Metres was steadied when disappointed for clear running between MILLENNIUM FALCON and HAPPILY FRIENDS.

A veterinary inspection 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, DOUBLE SHOW will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 9 MILLENNIUM FALCON (D281) C L Chau Checked near the 200 Metres.

Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 10 EASY TWO (G423) A Atzeni In the early stages raced keenly and near the 1000 Metres was steadied away from VALHALLA.

Leaving the 300 Metres was steadied when crowded between HERCULES which shifted out slightly and VIVA A LA which lay in before being corrected by its rider K De Melo.

Horse No 11 HAPPILY FRIENDS (C533) Z Purton Bumped shortly after the start.

K De Melo (VIVA A LA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of HAPPILY FRIENDS, resulting in HAPPILY FRIENDS having to be checked when crowded for room and then shifted out, crowding MILLENNIUM FALCON which was also checked.

K De Melo was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Thursday, 4 January 2024 at Happy Valley.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good race riding record.

After the race, Z Purton reported that his mount was taken wide on the Home Turn when CRAIG'S MASTER shifted out and after being interfered with near the 200 Metres did not finish the race off.

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

Horse No 12 VIVA A LA (G282) K De Melo Shortly after the start was bumped by HAPPILY FRIENDS which shifted out and away from AUGUST MOON after initially being taken out by that runner.

In the early part of the Home Straight lay in and had difficulty obtaining clear running to the outside of GET THE MONIES when that runner shifted out.

Over the concluding stages, when continuing to lay in, was positioned close to the heels of AUGUST MOON and could not be ridden out fully to the finish of the event.