Recap by phillip woo

Super Fluke came on nicely travelling midfield to get up approaching the 100m for backto- back wins following a stable change. He's not one to rule out at the top of the grade or in Class Two off a light weight. Lucky Dollar led 250m out after settling second in the run from a wide gate and found one too good in the end. He was suited by the return to Class Three and Sha Tin. Post-time favourite Top Beautiful travelled third from the rear on the fence after copping a bump at the start from a wide gate and finished well when gaining a clear run 150m out to just get the nose down for third. It was a good first try over the 1,200m after two 1,000m wins and remains one to follow. Super Hoppy came on well after travelling fourth from the rear to just miss a placing despite being tight for room at the 200 and 150 in a solid debut performance. He'll be winning races shortly and will get further. Daring Fit stayed on all right after travelling without cover the entire trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (135) - ZENITH EXCELLENT HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

OUR FOLKS, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 21.10.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore).

Before being allowed to race again, OUR FOLKS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

After entering the track, LUCKY DOLLAR became fractious, resulting in its rider, Z Purton, being dislodged without incident.

LUCKY DOLLAR then proceeded riderless up into the 1800 Metre chute.

After being taken back to the Start, LUCKY DOLLAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

PRIMERO shifted in at the start and bumped DARING FIT.

TOP BEAUTIFUL and LUCKY DOLLAR bumped on jumping.

SUPER FLUKE began awkwardly.

Shortly after the start, MEGA HEART was steadied and shifted across to race on the rail after racing in restricted room between SUPER HOPPY and RIGHT CALL.

Despite being hard ridden in the early stages, both RIGHT CALL and DARING FIT failed to muster speed.

From a wide barrier, ARM RUNDA was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After being ridden along in the early stages, LOADED was steadied passing the 1000 Metres and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Passing the 900 Metres, WINNING FAITH was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RIGHT CALL.

Making the turn after the 900 Metres, STAR OF PATCH momentarily raced in restricted room inside the heels of LUCKY DOLLAR.

Also making the turn after the 900 Metres, MEGA HEART raced greenly.

Rounding the Home Turn, PRIMERO shifted out and bumped RIGHT CALL.

Also rounding the Home Turn, DARING FIT got its head on the side and lay out and then at the entrance to the Straight raced tight outside SUPER FLUKE which shifted out to improve around STAR OF PATCH.

Shortly after entering the Straight, SHANGHAI MASTER and STAR OF PATCH raced tight as SHANGHAI MASTER attempted to improve between STAR OF PATCH and LUCKY DOLLAR.

Apprentice M F Poon (DARING FIT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 250 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SUPER HOPPY, causing that horse to be taken in and causing unnecessary crowding to STAR OF PATCH which as a result blundered.

Apprentice Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 5 November 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 9 November 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Apprentice Poon was fined $15,000.

When questioned, Mr T P Yung, the trainer of LUCKY DOLLAR, stated that prior to the race he had intended for the horse to be ridden positively from a wide barrier but not so far forward as to lead.

He said he believed that the wide draw would make it awkward for the horse to be ridden in a handy to midfield position as had been the case as it was likely that LUCKY DOLLAR would have to cover ground.

He said after speaking to Jockey Z Purton regarding the manner in which LUCKY DOLLAR should be ridden today, Z Purton advised that he believed, from a wide barrier, it would be in the best interests of the horse for it to be ridden positively and take up a forward position rather than attempting to obtain a midfield position given that a number of horses which had raced up on the speed today had performed well.

He said had LUCKY DOLLAR drawn more favourably, it would have been his intention for the horse to be ridden in a midfield position or slightly in advance of midfield which would have been consistent with the manner in which the horse was ridden in its recent runs.

Mr Yung was advised that his explanation would be reported.

When questioned, Trainer W Y So stated that TOP BEAUTIFUL was only having its third race start and was stepping up to 1200 Metres for the first time after being successful on the Straight 1000 Metre course at Sha Tin.

He said as TOP BEAUTIFUL had drawn wide in today's race and given that the horse was racing around a turn for the first time in its career, he asked J Moreira to shift TOP BEAUTIFUL across behind runners.

He said although he was aware that horses racing up on the speed had performed well today, he believed that, given TOP BEAUTIFUL's relative inexperience, it would not be in its best interests to be ridden aggressively into the first turn to take up a forward position.

He added, when ridden in this manner, he was pleased by the way in which TOP BEAUTIFUL finished off the race.

When questioned, Trainer P O'Sullivan stated that he had instructed K C Leung to ride STAR OF PATCH positively in the early stages so as to take advantage of the horse's light weight.

He said STAR OF PATCH was having only its fifth race start today and he believed that the wide draw and the light weight provided the horse with the opportunity to take up a more prominent position than had previously been the case.

He said however that given the manner in which the horse weakened in the Straight, it would be his intention, even from a more favourable draw, for STAR OF PATCH not to be rushed in the early stages and have the horse racing where it is comfortable.

A veterinary inspection of PRIMERO and STAR OF PATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

TOP BEAUTIFUL, SUPER FLUKE and LUCKY DOLLAR were sent for sampling.