Recap by phillip woo

Definitive led for the most part from gate nine and fought back when clearly headed 100m out to just get the bob down for an upset win at his fourth local start. Soleil Fighter did everything but get the win after briefly hitting the front 100m out following a one-off trip from better than midfield. Beato came from last and widest out at the top of the straight after copping a check 680m out to get the head down for third. He's a winner waiting to happen. Comet Splendido came from near last upon straightening to just miss a placing. It was a better performance after a few underwhelming runs. Galaxy Witness sustained his move from near the back 700m out to just miss a first four spot. He was able to build on an OK effort first up this term over 1,400m. Glorious Journey was just touched off for fifth after a rails run from midfield. He had no excuse. Setanta ran on without threatening after settling third last from gate 12. Early favourite Pray For Mir found nothing when push came to shove after settling one-out, one-back following a sluggish start. The move to the Valley failed to have the desired result.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight : (354) - CHATER HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 I CAN (H381) A Atzeni After the event, A Atzeni stated that he was asked to ride his mount where comfortable.

He said after commencing well he was able to obtain a position outside the lead in the early stages.

He added I CAN travelled satisfactorily during the race before failing to respond to his riding in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 2 PRAY FOR MIR (J245) Z Purton On jumping shifted in, made contact with the right side of its barrier and shortly after was steadied when crowded by SOLEIL FIGHTER which shifted out.

Bumped near the 1600 Metres.

After the event, Z Purton stated that his mount raced too keenly in the early and middle stages and as a result gave ground in the Home Straight, particularly in circumstances where it was withdrawn from its previous engagement on 1 January 2025.

Trainer W K Mo stated that after being withdrawn from its engagement on 1 January 2025, PRAY FOR MIR had pleased him in its track work and he expected the horse to run well tonight.

Mr Mo agreed with the assessment of Jockey Purton that PRAY FOR MIR raced too keenly in the early and middle stages after being bumped shortly after the start.

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

The performance of PRAY FOR MIR was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts.

Before being allowed to race again, PRAY FOR MIR 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 3 GALAXY WITNESS (G110) H Bowman From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event and near the 600 Metres made contact with SOLEIL FIGHTER when that runner shifted out.

Horse No 4 SOLEIL FIGHTER (J127) K C Leung Shifted out at the start and was bumped.

In the middle stages raced keenly and near the 800 Metres shifted out when being checked away from PRAY FOR MIR.

Shifted out near the 600 Metres and was bumped.

Over the concluding stages shifted in slightly and made contact with DEFINITIVE.

Prior to declaring weighed-in, the Stewards viewed the patrol film to ascertain if there were grounds for a protest/objection.

When the Stewards were satisfied that the contact between DEFINITIVE and SOLEIL FIGHTER had occurred principally due to SOLEIL FIGHTER shifting in over the concluding stages, they declined to lodge a protest/objection and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 GOLDEN ARTIE (G434) C L Chau After the 1600 Metres was bumped by GLORIOUS JOURNEY.

Near the 700 Metres was steadied to avoid SOLEIL FIGHTER.

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

Horse No 6 SETANTA (G095) L Ferraris From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 7 DEFINITIVE (K037) K Teetan When questioned regarding the horse leading, K Teetan stated that with blinkers being applied tonight he was asked to ride the horse in the lead.

He said such instructions were issued as DEFINITIVE had raced well in the lead wearing blinkers when it raced in New Zealand prior to arriving in Hong Kong.

Trainer D Eustace confirmed the instructions issued and the reasons as to why such instructions were issued.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 8 GLORIOUS JOURNEY (J137) M F Poon Near the 1600 Metres became unbalanced when bumped by PRAY FOR MIR which was taken out slightly by SOLEIL FIGHTER.

Horse No 9 BEATO (H090) Y L Chung After the 1600 Metres was steadied away from GLORIOUS JOURNEY.

After the 700 Metres was checked to avoid GOLDEN ARTIE.

Horse No 12 FOREVER GLORIOUS (G229) H T Mo Jumped awkwardly and lost ground.