Recap by phillip woo

Ka Ying Spirit kept up a strong gallop after turning the final bend two lengths in front for an upset win. He was resuming after issues with blood in his trachea on two occasions. He is capable on his day and goes well fresh. After settling one off the rail, Heroic Master got up for second in the last stride with one wider out. He has solid 1,000m form. Atomic Energy stayed on nicely but just missed second after settling handily with cover from a tricky gate. He rarely produces a bad run over the Valley 1,000m. Favourite Happy United had his chance after tracking the speed but came up one-paced over the last 100m. He couldn't cop carrying a few pounds more following wins in two of four prior runs this term. Following a tardy start, Great State recovered to travel handily and held his ground for fifth. It was a positive debut performance in Hong Kong. California Deeply ran on well without threatening after a patient ride three from the rear. It was a typical effort. Hoss finished next best after biding his time second last from gate 10. He went a shade better stepping back in distance.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine : (445) - KING KWONG HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Meters

Horse No 1 EXPLOSIVE WITNESS (B001) A Badel From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

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

Horse No 2 GREAT STATE (J124) K De Melo Jumped only fairly.

Near the 350 Metres was crowded between ATOMIC ENERGY and ROMANTIC NOVELIST.

Over the final 50 Metres raced tight to the inside of ATOMIC ENERGY and as a result could not be fully tested to the finish of the event.

Horse No 3 HEROIC MASTER (G394) K Teetan Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 4 KA YING SPIRIT (E217) K H Chan Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 HAPPY UNITED (H208) B Avdulla Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 CALIFORNIA DEEPLY (G451) H Bentley Noted to have blood at the mouth on arrival at the Start, examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

Crowded shortly after the start, bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced.

Horse No 7 SUMMIT CHEERS (E221) A Atzeni From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 8 FORTUNE WHISKEY (J153) A Hamelin Crowded shortly after the start.

Horse No 10 MA COMET (H391) L Hewitson Crowded shortly after the start.

After the race, L Hewitson reported that, in his opinion, the horse would be suited by being stepped up in distance for its next race start.

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

Horse No 11 ROMANTIC NOVELIST (J167) M Chadwick After the race, M Chadwick reported that his mount hung out from the 600 Metres and near the 350 Metres was steadied away from HAPPY UNITED.

Horse No ALLGREEKTOME (H007) L Ferraris Withdrawn on 19.2.24 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left front ligament injury) and replaced by Standby Declared Starter CALIFORNIA DEEPLY.

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

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GENERAL:

1.

Race 9 was put back 5 minutes.

2.

Additions to Racing Incidents Report of 18 February 2024 Sha Tin Racemeeting Race 9 (435) SIMPLE HEDGE - Bumped near the 1200 Metres.

ENIGMA - When questioned Apprentice Y L Chung stated that he was instructed to hold a forward position.

He said when his mount jumped awkwardly and did not show sufficient pace to cross runners to his inside he elected to take cover behind LOOKING GREAT.

He said in the middle stages ENIGMA raced keenly, shifted out at the 1200 Metres and bumped SIMPLE HEDGE but finished the race off well.

Trainer A S Cruz confirmed the instructions were to be forward and expressed satisfaction with the decision Apprentice Chung made in the early stages to obtain a position behind LOOKING GREAT.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of RATTAN WORLD, HAPPY TANGO, GREAT DAYS, AFFIRM, BEAT HOLLOW, TSUEN WAN GLORY, PARTERRE, PATCH OF THETA, MASTER MASTERMIND, MUST GO, WINDCHEATER, WINNING DATA, LUCKY ETERNITY, DEVAS TWELVE, GOLDEN RISE, VOYAGE SAMURAI, SMILING COLLECTOR, KA YING RISING, LADY'S CHOICE, RED LION, MUGEN, SWEET ENCOUNTER, CALIFORNIA VOCE, HOLY LAKE, HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE, GALAXY PATCH, STORM RIDER, SUPERB KID and GIDDY UP (12.2.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 5 PEGASUS GENERAL prior to the race on veterinary advice Race 8 EXCELLENT PEERS on 20.2.24 on veterinary advice Race 9 ALLGREEKTOME on 19.2.24 on veterinary advice

2.

Riding Changes As L Ferraris was indisposed, permission was given for the following riding substitutions on raceday morning: Race 4: A Atzeni on DUKE WAI Race 5: K De Melo on OWNERS's PRAISE Race 7: L Hewitson on TOURBILLON PRINCE Race 8: K Teetan on WINNING ICEY After riding in Race 7, M L Yeung became indisposed and was stood down by the Chief Medical Officer.

As such, permission was given for A Hamelin to be substituted as the rider of FORTUNE WHISKEY in Race 9.

3.

Severe Reprimand Race 1 M L Yeung (BEAU GOSSE) for shifting out over the concluding stages

4.

Reprimands Race 1 L Hewitson (GOLDEN LUCK) for shifting in near the 1000 Metres Race 3 A Badel (HERCULES) for shifting in near the 200 Metres

5.

Warnings Race 4 A Atzeni (DUKE WAI) re the manner in which he rode his mount out over the concluding stages B Thompson (MAJESTIC KNIGHT) for shifting in at the 300 Metres Race 8 M Chadwick (GOKO WIN) for shifting in inside the 100 Metres L Hewitson (WONDER KIT) for shifting in inside the 100 Metres

6.

Suspensions Race 4 B Thompson (MAJESTIC KNIGHT) for careless riding near the 150 Metres (Wednesday, 13 March 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday) Race 6 A Atzeni (GALLANT VALOUR) for careless riding near the 150 Metres (Wednesday, 6 March 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday) Race 8 K Teetan (WINNING ICEY) for careless riding after the 200 Metres (Wednesday, 6 March 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday)

7.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 4 SON PAK FU Race 5 PEGASUS GENERAL Race 8 EXCELLENT PEERS Race 9 ALLGREEKTOME

8.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf C+3 Course

9.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Race 5