Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Precision Goal settled four lengths off long-time leader Yoda's Choice on the fence and just got up in the final stride for a second win at his 25th start. Punted late Yoda's Choice gave a cheeky sight in front from gate two. It was a fine effort carrying top weight at his first effort over the dirt 1,650m. He's a winner waiting to happen shortly in this grade. Yeaboi rocked home from last for third. It was a good run on his return to the dirt 1,650m. Joyful Champion came up one-paced 100m out with his bid in the straight after biding his time three from the rear. It was another honest effort on the surface. Firming late in betting, Family Fortune peaked on his effort 100m out after looming a place chance following a patient ride two from the rear. It was another ordinary effort despite a downgrade and step up to a mile on the dirt. Verbier only plodded after making his run a position behind the eventual winner in fourth. Off this performance, the turf course suits him better.

Racing Incident Report

Race One : (221) - ASHLEY HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 YODA'S CHOICE (J146) A Pouchin When questioned, A Pouchin stated that his instructions were to endeavour to hold the lead.

He said in accordance with those instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages in an attempt to cross CALIFORNIA ICON.

He said when unable to clear that runner he continued to encourage his mount forward although he agreed with the Stewards that in the circumstances he had set too fast a pace in the early stages of the event.

As this was the first occasion that Jockey Pouchin had ridden in Hong Kong, he was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to show better judgement than what he did on this occasion.

Trainer P C Ng confirmed the instructions issued.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 STERLING WONGCHOY (H273) L Hewitson The performance of STERLING WONGCHOY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, STERLING WONGCHOY 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 4 VERBIER (J187) H Bowman Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 5 PRECISION GOAL (H016) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 CALIFORNIA ICON (H404) B Avdulla When questioned regarding his tactics, B Avdulla stated that his instructions were to endeavour to hold the lead.

He said as a result he rode his mount along in the early stages to comply with those instructions, but was unable to obtain the lead in the early stages.

He said when positioned to the inside of YODA'S CHOICE he continued to encourage his mount to hold its position to the inside of that runner, but at the 1400 Metres when he was of the opinion he would not be able to hold that position, he restrained his mount to allow that runner to cross.

He added from the 1400 Metres his mount raced keenly and would not respond to his efforts to allow YODA'S CHOICE to cross which resulted in the pace of the event being quicker than what he would have liked.

Trainer A S Cruz confirmed the instructions issued.

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

The performance of CALIFORNIA ICON, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA ICON 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 7 YEABOI (G372) A Atzeni From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 8 LEATHER MASTER (H034) M L Yeung After the event, M L Yeung reported that his mount did not appreciate the kickback from the All Weather surface.

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

Horse No 9 JOYFUL CHAMPION (G072) M F Poon Jumped awkwardly.

M F Poon was issued with a warning in relation to raising his whip arm above shoulder height on a number of occasions in the Home Straight.

Horse No 10 MAGIC TRAVELLER (H102) H Bentley As the start was effected became fractious and as a result was slow to begin.

Near the 1400 Metres, when racing keenly, was steadied to allow VERBIER to cross.

After the event, H Bentley reported that when his mount commenced to give ground quickly and he felt there may be something amiss with it, he did not continue to fully ride it out over the concluding stages of the event.

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

The performance of MAGIC TRAVELLER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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