Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed late, Healthy Happy was perfectly rated after straightening two lengths on top leading from gate eight for an upset win. He was suited by a change in tactics following an unlucky effort last start in the Classic Mile. Russian Emperor came from near last at the top of the straight to make it close on the wire in a vastly improved effort third up. Shadow Hero ran on well to just miss second prize following a rail run in midfield. He's on track for next month's Derby. Excellent Proposal made a steady bid down the far outside to fill the frame after taking off from near the back at the 550m. It was a nice effort but he likely would have preferred a faster tempo. Favourite Tourbillon Diamond came up one-paced over the final 100m following a one-off run better than midfield. He had every chance but was beaten only a length in the end. Packing Waltham made good ground late from near last. It was an encouraging effort following a gear change despite a rise in class. Travelling side-by-side five back, both Lucky Express and Sky Darci were held up at crucial stages in the straight run and not fully tested.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (449) - THE HONG KONG CLASSIC CUP - Class 4YO - 1800Meters

MAXIMUS was withdrawn on 20.2.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left front heel laceration) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SMILING TIME.

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

LUCKY EXPRESS was crowded for room on jumping between CONQUEROR and TOURBILLON DIAMOND, both of which shifted ground.

PACKING WALTHAM lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between EXCELLENT PROPOSAL and LUCKY PATCH which got its head on the side and shifted in away from HEALTHY HAPPY.

RUSSIAN EMPEROR shifted in abruptly at the start, resulting in DELIGHTFUL LAOS being hampered.

From wide barriers, ARTHUR'S KINGDOM and SEA OF LIFE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the 1400 Metres, SEA OF LIFE got its head up when travelling keenly.

A Badel (HEALTHY HAPPY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LUCKY PATCH, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily hampered and becoming badly unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of HEALTHY HAPPY.

A Badel was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 7 March 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 11 March 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Badel's good race riding record.

LUCKY EXPRESS was badly held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 300 Metres was steadied when unable to improve into tight running between LUCKY PATCH and CONQUEROR.

In this incident, LUCKY EXPRESS bumped the hindquarters of CONQUEROR which became unbalanced.

LUCKY EXPRESS then continued to be held up for clear running until passing the 200 Metres at which stage the horse was improving into very tight running between LUCKY PATCH and CONQUEROR.

In the early part of the Straight, RUSSIAN EMPEROR lay in under pressure and passing the 300 Metres was directed out away from the heels of TOURBILLON DIAMOND.

After this, RUSSIAN EMPEROR continued to lay in under pressure.

Passing the 400 Metres, SKY DARCI was disappointed for running between SHADOW HERO and TOURBILLON DIAMOND.

After this, SKY DARCI was unable to obtain clear running and near the 200 Metres was steadied away from the heels of TOURBILLON DIAMOND when unable to improve between SHADOW HERO and TOURBILLON DIAMOND (C Y Ho) which shifted in.

As the Stewards were satisfied that SKY DARCI was unable to establish running between SHADOW HERO and TOURBILLON DIAMOND at this stage, no further action was taken, nonetheless C Y Ho was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.

SEA OF LIFE was unable to obtain clear running from after the 400 Metres and passing the 200 Metres was crowded for room inside SKY DARCI.

In this incident, SEA OF LIFE bumped the hindquarters of LUCKY PATCH which became unbalanced.

After the 100 Metres, PACKING WALTHAM was shifted to the outside of HEALTHY HAPPY to continue improving.

Close to the finishing line, LUCKY PATCH was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PACKING WALTHAM and consequently was not ridden out to the end of the race.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LUCKY PATCH, M F Poon stated that, in his opinion, the horse did not see out the 1800 Metres of today's race at the first time of asking.

He said at its most recent start over 1600 Metres the horse's run finished towards the end of the race and at this stage of the horse's career it was not able to see out the extra distance of today's race.

A veterinary inspection of LUCKY PATCH immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea.

A veterinary inspection of SMILING TIME immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea.

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

TOURBILLON DIAMOND, HEALTHY HAPPY and RUSSIAN EMPEROR were sent for sampling.