Recap by phillip woo

Wings Of War settled one off behind midfield and ran on strongly to mow down favourite Aurora Lady in the concluding stages for a second win over this course and distance from 18 starts. He was able to build on an eye-catching third on his seasonal debut in October. Aurora Lady wouldn't go down without a fight after emerging with the lead 900m out from gate seven. It was another solid effort carrying top weight following back-to-back wins. Gallant Valour showed a strong turn of foot to come from near last at the 600m and with one wider out upon straightening to snatch third. He has the tools to win a race in this grade. Gustosisimo lost third late after handing up the lead to travel in the box seat. It was another honest performance this season over the Valley 1,200m. Punted late Spicy Gold stayed on reasonably well despite a prominent run wide without cover the entire trip from gate eight. It was a good run in defeat. Harold Win grudgingly gave way after a pace-stalking run from gate 12. Nordic Dragon only plodded after a one-off trip from better than midfield. He doesn't have points in hand off his rating.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine : (355) - CONNAUGHT HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 AURORA LADY (J066) Z Purton On jumping raced tight between CHATEAUNEUF and SPICY GOLD which shifted in slightly.

For some distance approaching the 1000 Metres became unbalanced when crowded for room between CHATEAUNEUF and SPICY GOLD.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 NORDIC DRAGON (G467) A Pouchin Bumped on jumping.

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

Horse No 4 WINGS OF WAR (H162) H Bowman Bumped shortly after the start.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 BRIGHT DAY (J530) K C Leung A Atzeni (HAROLD WIN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of BRIGHT DAY, resulting in BRIGHT DAY being crowded for room and having to be severely checked and shifting in, crowding SPICY GOLD, also resulting in SPICY GOLD having to be checked.

A Atzeni was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 9 February 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 13 February 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Atzeni was fined $27,500.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 3 and also considered his good race riding record.

Horse No 6 CHATEAUNEUF (J219) K Teetan After the 1100 Metres was steadied when crowded between AURORA LADY which raced tight to the inside of SPICY GOLD and GUSTOSISIMO (Y L Chung) which shifted out slightly when being corrected to relieve the crowding to its inside.

Y L Chung was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

After the event, K Teetan stated that his mount raced "flat" during the race.

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

Horse No 7 DENFIELD (G471) M F Poon Near the 600 Metres was steadied when momentarily crowded by NORDIC DRAGON which lay in slightly despite the efforts of its rider.

Horse No 8 GALLANT VALOUR (H323) B Avdulla Bumped shortly after the start.

Raced keenly in the middle stages.

Horse No 9 SPICY GOLD (H440) A Badel For some distance approaching the 1000 Metres became unbalanced when buffeted for room between BRIGHT DAY and AURORA LADY and near the 1000 Metres was checked.

Near the 200 Metres was taken out slightly by HAROLD WIN which shifted out.

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

Horse No 10 TURF PHOENIX (J294) K De Melo Shortly after the start became unbalanced when crowded between GALLANT VALOUR and HAROLD WIN which shifted in.

Approaching the 500 Metres was steadied to avoid FLYING FORTRESS.

After the event, K De Melo stated that in the Home Straight he had concerns with his mount's action.

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

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

Horse No 11 FLYING FORTRESS (J445) M Chadwick Jumped only fairly.

Shortly after the start shifted out and made contact with WINGS OF WAR.

Horse No 12 HAROLD WIN (J280) A Atzeni Shifted in at the start, was bumped and became unbalanced.

A Atzeni pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 1000 Metres (see BRIGHT DAY).

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GENERAL:

1.

Additions to Racing Incidents Report of 12 January 2025 Sha Tin Racemeeting Race 3 (339) DRAGON AIR FORCE - Hung out in the middle stages.

Race 9 (345) MARKWIN - Briefly held up near the 300 Metres.

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of COUNTRY DANCER, STERLING WONGCHOY, ENJOY GOLF, CIRCUIT JOLLY, SWORD POINT, CAPITAL DELIGHT, HONG LOK GOLF, KA YING RADIANCE, KING OBERON, ARIEL, HAPPYDEARHAPPYDEER, BABY CRYSTAL, RED ELEGANCE, KA YING VICTORY, RAGING BLIZZARD, WUNDERBAR, GORGEOUS WIN, PAKISTAN LEGACY, SUPER LEGENDS, MAGNIFICENT NINE, ANOTHER WORLD, SKY DEEP, KAHOLO ANGEL and PACKING ANGEL (5.1.25) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 3 HAPPY DAILY at barriers on veterinary advice

2.

Riding Change After riding in Race 7, A Hamelin became indisposed and was stood down by the Chief Medical Officer.

As such, A Badel was substituted as the rider of COMET SPLENDIDO in Race 8.

3.

Fine A Atzeni (HAROLD WIN): $27,500 for careless riding approaching the 1000 Metres

4.

Warnings Race 2 H T Mo (ARTHUR'S KINGDOM) re his riding between the 1200 Metres and the 900 Metres Race 9 Y L Chung (GUSTOSISIMO) for shifting out after the 1100 Metres

5.

Suspension Race 9 A Atzeni (HAROLD WIN) for careless riding approaching the 1000 Metres from Sunday, 9 February 2025 until Thursday, 13 February 2025 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays)

6.

Bleeder Race 5 MR VALIANT (2nd time)

7.

Barrier Trials Race 2 ARTHUR'S KINGDOM (unacceptable performance) Race 3 HAPPY DAILY (withdrawn - lame) BRILLIANT FIRE (unacceptable performance) Race 5 SWEET DIAMOND (disappointing performance) Race 8 PRAY FOR MIR (disappointing performance)

8.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2 ARTHUR'S KINGDOM Race 3 HAPPY DAILY BRILLIANT FIRE Race 5 SWEET DIAMOND Race 8 PRAY FOR MIR Race 9 TURF PHOENIX

9.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Race 5