Recap by phillip woo

Happy Horse led from gate three, turned the final bend a length on top and kept on gamely for a second win from his past four starts over the Valley 1,000m. He took full advantage of the 10-pound claim. Sweet Diamond stayed on nicely to take second after a prominent run wide without cover from gate 10. He's building towards a win with placings in three of his four starts. Happy Tango was touched off late for second after stalking the pace from a tricky gate. He has been racing consistently well. Ace Talent was unlucky after getting badly held up and hampered by the winner from the 150m marker. Off this run, he should find his mark soon in this grade. Old-timer Smart Leader came from last to finish next best. It was a better run than his past few starts with a return to the Valley. Goodmanship made a mild bid after settling wide with cover in midfield. He had an excuse but has limited ability. August Moon only plodded after getting posted wide without cover behind midfield. After a tardy start, favourite Mr Good Vibes travelled three from the rear and was a non-factor.

Racing Incident Report

Race One : (494) - AP LEI CHAU HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1000Meters

Horse No 1 ACE TALENT (H046) H Bentley Approaching the 150 Metres was steadied when crowded for room to the inside of HAPPY HORSE (Apprentice E C W Wong) which shifted in.

Apprentice Wong was severely reprimanded.

Horse No 2 HAPPY HORSE (H061) E C W Wong Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 MR GOOD VIBES (H180) B Avdulla Jumped awkwardly, made contact with the right side of its barrier and then was crowded by HAPPY HORSE which shifted out.

Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when placed in restricted room between GREAT DAYS and DEVIL AND GOLD.

After the race, B Avdulla reported that his mount may not have been suited by racing over 1000 Metres at the Happy Valley circuit and he recommended that the horse be better suited racing at Sha Tin.

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

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 MODEST GENTLEMAN (G352) A Atzeni Jumped only fairly.

Near the 250 Metres was held up for clear running when improving to the outside of GOODMANSHIP which shifted out slightly, resulting in MODEST GENTLEMAN shifting out and making contact with AUGUST MOON.

Horse No 6 SWEET DIAMOND (G063) A Badel Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

A Badel was warned for raising his whip arm above shoulder height.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 SMART LEADER (B456) K De Melo Hit a rail on entering the track, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

Approaching the 800 Metres was steadied when placed in restricted room between MODEST GENTLEMAN and GOODMANSHIP which shifted out slightly.

Horse No 8 AUGUST MOON (D409) K H Chan Near the 250 Metres was carried wider by MODEST GENTLEMAN.

When questioned regarding his riding, K H Chan stated that from the outside barrier his instructions were to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages to endeavour to avoid racing wide.

He stated that after AUGUST MOON commenced well, he initially contemplated allowing his mount to go forward but when a number of runners improved to his inside, he then desisted from riding forward and look to obtain a position with cover as instructed.

He added when AUGUST MOON did not come back in the early stages, he was then obliged to race very wide and without cover for the remainder of the event.

Trainer J Richards confirmed the instructions issued and stated that such instructions were issued as AUGUST MOON was obliged to race wide and without cover at its previous race start.

Mr Richards stated that, in his opinion, although he had instructed Jockey Chan to ride the horse conservatively in the early stages, he would have been better served by taking advantage of his mount's good start and holding a forward position.

After considering the evidence, the Stewards advised K H Chan that he had made an error of judgement in the early stages in that, notwithstanding his instructions, when his mount commenced well, he should have taken advantage of the good start to hold a more forward position to endeavour to avoid racing wide.

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

Horse No 9 GOODMANSHIP (E208) K Teetan Bumped shortly after the start.

Horse No 12 DEVIL AND GOLD (G443) M F Poon Shortly after the start was crowded.

Approaching the 800 Metres was steadied when crowded between GOODMANSHIP and MR GOOD VIBES which shifted out slightly.

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