Recap by phillip woo

Hong Kong Hall kept finding to just score after slipping away by three lengths 400m out leading quickly from gate seven for second win and numerous placings from nine starts. He was able to recapture top form at his third run this term. Plunged late, newcomer Sky Heart ran on nicely widest out for second after a deep run towards the rear. It was an eye-catching effort on debut. Favourite Patch Of Theta stayed on well for third after a three wide trip from better than midfield. He's produced good runs ion both starts and will be winning races in no time. Lucky Fionn ran on nicely near the inside to just miss a placing settling a distant last from a wide draw. It was a solid debut effort. Sonic Boom ran on steadily to just miss fourth after a rails run from midfield. He'll be a force to reckon with shortly in Class Five over this trip. Debutant Silver Destiny had every chance after a box seat run. It was an okay effort. Punted late Loyal Bo Bo stayed on next best after getting posted four-wide without cover around midfield from gate 14. He had an excuse. Sight Hero was held up for a majority of the straight from behind midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two : (316) - LEI MUK SHUE HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 HONG KONG HALL (G315) H Bowman Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 2 SIGHT HERO (D487) L Hewitson After the 200 Metres was steadied when disappointed for clear running between PATCH OF THETA which shifted in slightly and HIGH PERCENTAGE which shifted out under pressure.

Then had difficulty obtaining clear running over the final 200 Metres.

Horse No 3 SHINING FORTUNE (G252) B Avdulla Leaving the 300 Metres became held up for clear running behind BOWSER and was unable to secure clear running until near the 200 Metres.

Horse No 4 AMAZINGTEAMWORK (H488) Y L Chung Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 5 BOWSER (H460) A Atzeni C L Chau (HIGH PERCENTAGE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of BOWSER, resulting in BOWSER having to be checked.

C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 21 January 2024 and to expire on Thursday, 25 January 2024 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

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

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

Horse No 8 PATCH OF THETA (H485) C Y Ho Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 9 SILVER DESTINY (J096) K Teetan Bumped at the start.

Horse No 10 SKY HEART (J092) H Bentley When questioned regarding his riding, H Bentley stated that from a wide barrier he was asked to ride the horse in a midfield position preferably with cover.

He said after jumping reasonably well, he looked to obtain cover in the early stages behind PATCH OF THETA, but when he was concerned that that runner would obtain a position closer to the rail, he then looked to obtain cover behind PATCH OF KINGDOM so as to avoid potentially racing wide and without cover.

He said when positioned behind PATCH OF KINGDOM near the 900 Metres, he then was concerned that PATCH OF KINGDOM would shift in and obtain a trailing position behind PATCH OF THETA and for this reason he then contemplated taking up a position behind AMAZINGTEAMWORK when that runner held a position three wide.

He added that when PATCH OF KINGDOM did not obtain a position closer to the rail, he was then left racing to the outside of AMAZINGTEAMWORK and consequently his mount settled further back than what he had intended.

H Bentley agreed with the Stewards that in hindsight he should have made more effort to maintain his position behind PATCH OF THETA and prevented PATCH OF KINGDOM crossing his mount which would have allowed him to take up a midfield position with cover.

H Bentley stated that when placed under pressure in the Home Straight SKY HEART responded well to his riding and over the final 200 Metres lay in and proved somewhat difficult to ride out to the finish of the event.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 12 LOYAL BO BO (J011) M Chadwick When questioned regarding his riding, M Chadwick stated that the instructions were if his mount commenced well, to take up a forward position, but not to make too much use of his mount to do so and was given the option to endeavour to take cover behind midfield if unable to go forward.

He said after LOYAL BO BO commenced reasonably well, he assessed the runners positioned to his inside and when HONG KONG HALL went forward, he contemplated following that runner across.

He added that when LOYAL BO BO did not show sufficient pace to do so, he then elected to endeavour to obtain a position behind PATCH OF THETA, however, when PATCH OF KINGDOM then improved to his inside, he was left racing wide and without cover.

He further stated that from the 900 Metres when BOWSER went forward, he contemplated allowing LOYAL BO BO to improve to cross PATCH OF THETA, but when PATCH OF THETA was travelling well, he elected to remain four wide without cover where his mount was travelling comfortably.

After considering his explanations, the Stewards advised Jockey Chadwick that his ride in the early stages lacked initiative in that he did not make any decisive decision to endeavour to race closer to the rail.

Trainer F C Lor confirmed the instructions issued.

Horse No 13 HIGH PERCENTAGE (G413) C L Chau In the early stages raced keenly when being steadied to obtain cover.

Near the 800 Metres was then steadied to avoid the heels of BOWSER (A Atzeni) which shifted in when not clear.

A Atzeni was advised to exercise more care.

C L Chau pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 200 Metres (see BOWSER).

Horse No 14 SONIC BOOM (H144) A Badel Crowded on jumping.

Horse No 11 WINDCHEATER (J122) L Ferraris Withdrawn prior to the race by order of the Stewards when unable to be bridled.

Trainer M Newnham was advised that before being allowed to race again, WINDCHEATER will be subjected to a parade test where it will be required to have the bridle fitted once in the parade.