Recap by phillip woo

After a patient ride four from the rear, Sugar Sugar got a clear run along the inside to take control 150m out and bag a fourth career win over the Valley 1,200m. Wings Of War ran on nicely to finish a close second after settling better than midfield. It was his best effort from four starts this term after returning to the course and distance of a past placing. Chain Of Gold showed a good turn of foot late down the outside to just snatch third after a patient ride one from the rear. It was an eye-catching run with a step up to 1,200m after an OK debut run over 1,000m. Raging Blizzard faded late after stalking the speed from gate 12. It was another honest performance. Bon's A Pearla ran on well near the inside to just miss the frame after straightening two from the rear. It was a better effort after misfiring last start with blood in her trachea. Golden Samurai ran on well without threatening down the outside after settling towards the rear. He'll be hard to beat if he opts for Class Four next time out. Punted late, Sing Dragon was on his tippy toes 100m out after dictating the pace from gate two. He needed the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine : (406) - VICTORIA PARK HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 BON'S A PEARLA (G449) A Badel Jumped awkwardly.

Making the turn near the 1000 Metres raced tight to the inside of GOLDEN SAMURAI and was eased.

Inside the 50 Metres had some difficulty obtaining clear running when improving into a tight run between SING DRAGON and RAGING BLIZZARD.

Horse No 2 HEROIC MASTER (G394) K Teetan After the race, K Teetan reported that his mount raced wide but had cover and did not respond to his riding in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 3 RAGING BLIZZARD (H368) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 WINGS OF WAR (H162) H Bentley Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 STAR LINE (J110) K De Melo From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 7 SING DRAGON (J141) L Hewitson Brushed a rail in the Parade Ring, examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and passed suitable to race.

Inside the 50 Metres raced tight to the inside of BON'S A PEARLA.

After the race, L Hewitson reported that his mount, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong, would derive benefit from tonight's performance.

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

Horse No 8 SUGAR SUGAR (G016) K H Chan Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 9 CHAIN OF GOLD (J138) M Chadwick Jumped only fairly.

Over the concluding stages lay in, resulting in its rider M Chadwick having to correct his mount.

Horse No 10 GOLDEN TITLE (H100) K C Leung Jumped only fairly.

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

Horse No 11 SOLAR UP (J134) M L Yeung Jumped awkwardly.

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

From the 550 Metres hung out and ran wide on the Home Turn.

The racing manners and performance of SOLAR UP, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, SOLAR UP will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend in Hong Kong and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

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

Horse No 12 GOLDEN SAMURAI (H024) M F Poon Making the turn near the 1000 Metres was steadied when crowded by SUGAR SUGAR (K H Chan) which shifted in before being corrected by its rider.

K H Chan was reprimanded.

In the Home Straight lay in.

Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when it shifted in and away from CHAIN OF GOLD and was awkwardly placed on the heels of RAGING BLIZZARD.

---

GENERAL:

1.

Adjourned Inquiry - 4 February 2024 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 9 (396) HAPPY FOR ALL - Near the 1200 Metres was steadied to avoid ISLAND GOLDEN (B Avdulla) which shifted in when not clear.

B Avdulla was severely reprimanded.

2.

Adjourned Inquiry - 24 January 2024 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 8 (368) ROMANTIC CHARM - The Stewards tonight resumed an inquiry, which was opened on 24 January 2024, into the reason for ROMANTIC CHARM (C Y Ho) falling near the 450 Metres, resulting in Jockey Ho being dislodged.

Further evidence was taken from M F Poon (ABSOLUTE SUNSHINE) and evidence was taken from C Y Ho.

M F Poon was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 450 Metres, whilst riding his mount along, he allowed ABSOLUTE SUNSHINE to shift out, resulting in ABSOLUTE SUNSHINE making contact with ROMANTIC CHARM and as a result of that contact, ROMANTIC CHARM fell and dislodged its rider, C Y Ho.

M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 25 February 2024 and to expire on Monday, 11 March 2024 on which day he may resume race riding (5 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 5 and also considered his excellent race riding record.

ABSOLUTE SUNSHINE - M F Poon was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 450 Metres (see ROMANTIC CHARM).

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of NICOLSON RETURNS, SHARPEN BRIGHT, LITTLE FAIRY, DIAMOND DIAMOND, ONE HEART ONE, SMART BEAUTY, ACE VICTORY, SECOND TO NONE, LOYAL BO BO, CELTIC TIMES, PANDA LEGEND, SMART FIGHTER, BEATO, JOYFUL PROSPERITY, SUPER LEGENDS, PATCH OF THETA, CHAMPION INSTINCT, GORGEOUS WIN, EIGHTY LIGHT YEARS, LUCKY SWEYNESSE, LUCKY WITH YOU, VICTOR THE WINNER, SWEET ENCOUNTER, FLAMINGO TRILLION, GREEN N WHITE and E LEGEND (28.1.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 2 MR ALADDIN on 6.2.24 on veterinary advice

2.

Severe Reprimand General B Avdulla (ISLAND GOLDEN) for shifting in near the 1200 Metres

3.

Reprimand Race 9 K H Chan (SUGAR SUGAR) for shifting in making the turn near the 1000 Metres

4.

Suspension General M F Poon (ABSOLUTE SUNSHINE) for careless riding near the 450 Metres (from Sunday, 25 February 2024 until Monday, 11 March 2024 on which day he may resume race riding - 5 Hong Kong racedays)

5.

Stewards' Inquiry Race 7

6.

Barrier Trials Race 1 DASHING GLORY (unacceptable performance) Race 3 DAILY TROPHY (disappointing performance) Race 7 D STAR (barrier manners) Race 8 NORTHERN BEACHES (disappointing performance) Race 9 SOLAR UP (racing manners and unacceptable performance)

7.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 DASHING GLORY Race 2 MR ALADDIN Race 3 DAILY TROPHY Race 5 MERCHANT PRINCE Race 8 NORTHERN BEACHES Race 9 SOLAR UP

8.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf B Course

9.

Rolling Arrangement Rolling after Race 4 was cancelled due to weather condition.