Recap by phillip woo

Outsider Giddy Up rallied nicely to get up 30m out after shifting across runners for a clear run 300m out travelling fifth last for a first local win at his fourth start. Superb Kid ran on nicely to just get the better of Blue Marlin for second after fading back to settle third last from gate 11. He was coming off a confidence building win in Class Four. Blue Marlin found a couple too good in the end after working to the lead underneath the 200m peeling three wide 650m out from behind midfield. It was a good run. Magnificent Nine stayed on well for fourth after poking his head in front 150m out after a handy run wide without cover the entire trip. It'll only be a matter of time before he salutes. Karma just failed to get up for fourth after a one-off trip from midfield. It was another honest effort. Talents Ambition ran on well to nearly fill the frame after getting held up early straight travelling three from the rear. It was a good effort on his local debut.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eleven : (417) - KUT CHEONG HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

Horse No 1 BLUE MARLIN (H078) H Bentley Jumped only fairly.

From the 800 Metres raced wide and without cover.

Horse No 2 QUANTUM PATCH (H166) K Teetan Near the 200 Metres raced tight to the inside of KARMA for a short distance.

Horse No 4 SINBA (H091) Y L Chung From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 5 LESLIE (E471) K C Leung Jumped awkwardly.

Near the 400 Metres was disappointed for clear running between E LEGEND and RUN RUN COOL which shifted to the outside of SUPER WINNER to improve.

Was then held up for clear running until approaching the 150 Metres.

Horse No 6 STORM RIDER (J027) K H Chan K H Chan pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference leaving the 1100 Metres (see MAGNIFICENT NINE).

After the race, K H Chan reported that from a wide barrier he was obliged to make use of his mount in the early stages to cross and race outside the lead.

He added that entering the Home Straight STORM RIDER came under pressure and gave ground from that point onwards.

Trainer D A Hayes advised that, in his opinion, the early section of the race, which was run inside of standard time, may have affected the ability of STORM RIDER to finish the race off.

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

The performance of STORM RIDER was considered to be disappointing as compared to its previous race starts.

Before being allowed to race again, STORM RIDER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 KARMA (G392) M L Yeung In the middle stages raced keenly and lay out.

Horse No 8 JOLLY RULER (E346) L Hewitson After the race, L Hewitson reported that he was instructed to find cover from the outside barrier and as a result he was obliged to shift across behind runners in the early stages to comply with his instructions.

Assistant Trainer H F Yiu confirmed the instructions issued.

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

Horse No 9 RUN RUN COOL (E322) L Ferraris Near the 200 Metres was bumped by STORM RIDER which shifted in whilst giving ground.

After the race, L Ferraris reported that from an inside barrier he was instructed to take up a forward position and as a result he rode his mount along in the early stages to comply with his instructions.

Trainer F C Lor confirmed the instructions issued.

Horse No 11 SUPERB KID (H298) K De Melo Jumped only fairly.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 12 GIDDY UP (J020) A Hamelin Bumped at the start.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 13 MAGNIFICENT NINE (H433) Z Purton K H Chan (STORM RIDER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that leaving the 1100 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of MAGNIFICENT NINE, resulting in MAGNIFICENT NINE being checked away from the heels of STORM RIDER and losing its running.

K H Chan was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Thursday, 15 February 2024 at Happy Valley.

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

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

Horse No 14 TALENTS AMBITION (J136) A Atzeni Bumped on jumping and then shortly after the start was crowded by GIDDY UP which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider.

Horse No WINNER METHOD (E178) C L Chau Withdrawn on 9.2.24 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUPER WINNER.

Before being allowed to race again, WINNER METHOD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

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GENERAL:

1.

Racing Laboratory tests of HAPPY HERO, DIAMOND WINNER, GOLDEN FAIRY, HARMONY N HOME, HERCULES, COLONEL, GALLANT VALOUR, TELECOM SPEED, YEABOI, HARMONY FIRE, SUPER FAST DRAGON, CIRCUIT SEVEN, NOBLE PURSUIT, SURE JOYFUL, TURIN WARRIOR, HAPPY GOLF, ALLOY KING, HARMONY N BLESSED, CELESTIAL COLOURS, NICCONI COUNTY, TOMODACHI KOKOROE, BEAUTY WAVES, SIMPLY MAVERICK and RED HARE KING (31.1.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 1 NOBLE ONE on 11.2.24 on veterinary advice Race 4 STRATHBARRY (standby runner) on 11.2.24 on veterinary advice Race 5 SUPER CONTENTED on 11.2.24 on veterinary advice Race 6 SMART FOLKS at barriers on veterinary advice Race 9 THE HEIR on 11.2.24 on veterinary advice Race 11 WINNER METHOD on 9.2.24 on veterinary advice

2.

Riding Changes After riding in Race 7, C L Chau became indisposed and was stood down by the Chief Medical Officer.

As such, permission was given for the following riding substitutions: Race 10: B Thompson on ASTROLOGER Race 11: M F Poon on SUPER WINNER

3.

Reprimands Race 6 C L Chau (DOUBLE WIN) for shifting in near the 850 Metres Race 10 A Atzeni (LUCKY ENCOUNTER) for shifting in near the 900 Metres

4.

Warnings Race 1 Apprentice Y L Chung (HAPPY TANGO) for shifting in shortly after the start Race 3 L Hewitson (PARTERRE) for shifting in near the 850 Metres Apprentice E C W Wong (GOLDEN LINK) for shifting in near the 1000 Metres Race 4 C L Chau (GOLDEN BULL) for shifting in near the 850 Metres Race 10 B Thompson (ASTROLOGER) for using the whip on a horse which was out of contention

5.

Suspension Race 11 K H Chan (STORM RIDER) for careless riding leaving the 1100 Metres (Thursday, 15 February 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday)

6.

Bleeder Race 3 MASTER MASTERMIND

7.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 2 APEX TOP

8.

Barrier Trials Race 2 APEX TOP (heart irregularity) Race 3 MASTER MASTERMIND (bleeder and racing manners) Race 4 LE MAILLOT JAUNE (unacceptable performance) Race 6 SMART FOLKS (barrier manners) Race 11 STORM RIDER (disappointing performance)

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 NOBLE ONE Race 2 APEX TOP Race 3 MASTER MASTERMIND Race 4 LE MAILLOT JAUNE STRATHBARRY Race 5 SUPER CONTENTED Race 6 SMART FOLKS Race 9 THE HEIR Race 11 STORM RIDER WINNER METHOD

10.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf A Course

11.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Race 6