Recap by phillip woo

Oriental Smoke just got the better of favourite and long-time leader Windcheater after settling outside that one in the run from gate four for a fifth career win. He was a well-rated runner dropping into Class Four. Windcheater gave a cheek sight after rolling to the lead from gate nine. He lost no admirers after a smart debut win last month. Strathpeffer ran on nicely for third after a wide without cover run from better than midfield. He continues to race well without winning over the Sha Tin 1,200m. King Oberon just won fourth by a lip after a handy run on the fence. It was his best effort from four starts. Sky Trust ran on nicely to just miss fourth prize money after getting held up for a run from the 400m until the 150m travelling four back on the fence. He should have finished a lost closer. Gangham Star ran on steadily without threatening after a one-off trip from behind midfield. It was a typical type performance. Golden Darci finished next best but did get baulked for a run 280m out travelling one off from midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two : (466) - ESSEX HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 SOLAR UP (J134) Y L Chung Jumped awkwardly, made contact with the left side of its barrier and lost ground.

L Ferraris (WINDCHEATER) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of SOLAR UP, resulting in SOLAR UP having to be checked away from the heels of WINDCHEATER.

L Ferraris was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Saturday, 16 March 2024 at Sha Tin.

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

Apprentice Y L Chung pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 400 Metres (see STRATHPEFFER).

Horse No 2 ORIENTAL SMOKE (E467) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 WINDCHEATER (J122) L Ferraris Sent for sampling post-race.

L Ferraris was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 900 Metres (see SOLAR UP).

Horse No 4 GOLDEN DARCI (H470) H Bowman Raced keenly in the middle stages.

Held up making the Home Turn.

Near the 300 Metres, GOLDEN DARCI, which was laying out, was steadied and got its head up when crowded between KING OBERON and SOLAR UP (Apprentice Y L Chung) which shifted in.

Apprentice Chung was reprimanded and advised that he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion.

Near the 50 Metres was shifted to the inside of KING OBERON to secure clear running and over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when KING OBERON shifted in slightly.

Horse No 6 FIREFOOT (J183) A Atzeni Jumped only fairly.

In the Home Straight lay in, resulting in its rider A Atzeni changing the whip to his right hand passing the 200 Metres.

Horse No 7 FORTUNE COOKIES (J032) K H Chan Jumped only fairly and then was crowded shortly after the start.

The performance of FORTUNE COOKIES, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

Horse No 8 PACKING WISHER (H448) B Thompson Bumped on the hindquarters on jumping.

Raced keenly in the middle stages.

Horse No 9 SKY TRUST (J161) B Shinn As the start was effected lowered its head, resulting in its rider B Shinn becoming unbalanced on jumping and SKY TRUST being slow to begin.

Horse No 11 TRAVEL GOLF (H063) A Hamelin When questioned, A Hamelin stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed by Trainer C H Yip to ride his mount conservatively in the early stages.

He said after settling at the rear of the field, he placed TRAVEL GOLF under pressure leaving the 500 Metres, however, his mount lay in and proved reluctant to shift to the outside of runners in the Home Straight.

He added as a result he was placed at some disadvantage from not being able to fully test TRAVEL GOLF out to the finish of the event although his mount ran home reasonably well.

Trainer C H Yip confirmed the instructions issued.

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

Horse No 13 GANGNAM STAR (H326) K Teetan Leaving the 1100 Metres improved to the inside of GOLDEN DARCI and was steadied for a short distance.

Making the turn leaving the 900 Metres lay out and made the turn wider.

Checked approaching the 400 Metres.

Horse No 14 STRATHPEFFER (H095) M Chadwick Apprentice Y L Chung (SOLAR UP) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 400 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out, resulting in PACKING WISHER being taken out across the running of STRATHPEFFER, resulting in STRATHPEFFER having to be checked and GANGNAM STAR, which was following and slightly to the outside of STRATHPEFFER, also having to be checked.

Apprentice Chung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 24 March 2024 and to expire on Thursday, 28 March 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.

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