Recap by phillip woo

California Moxie was wide behind midfield 900m out before circling the field to lead near the 200m and kept finding for a first win at his 16th start. He has been knocking on the door all season long. Late-fancied favourite Harry's Hero found one too good after a rails run from midfield. The combination of a better draw and return to turf nearly worked the oracle. Medic Elite stayed on well for third after a box-seat run. It was a good effort at his first run following a defeat with blood in his trachea in November. Foremost Teddy succumbed over the last 100m to finish fourth after getting an easy time in front from gate four. He couldn't offset top weight despite a downgrade. Fire Ball was on his tippy toes 100m out after making his run from third as the race changed complexion mid-race. He's more effective at Sha Tin. Sky Prophet couldn't really get his momentum going after getting impeded on a pair of occasions during the run travelling towards the rear. He had a clear excuse. Cervin wouldn't settle after a wide trip for the most part from beyond midfield and threw in the towel when impeded 250m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race One : (630) - DAEGU HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

Horse No 2 YOUNG HORIZON (G272) E C W Wong Near the 1200 Metres was steadied when crowded by ORIENTAL TYCOON (K C Leung) which shifted in when not quite clear.

K C Leung was advised to exercise more care.

When questioned regarding his riding in the early stages and if there was an opportunity to make more effort to hold his position to the inside of ORIENTAL TYCOON, Apprentice E C W Wong stated that his instructions were to hold an on-pace position.

He said when positioned to the inside of ORIENTAL TYCOON in the early stages he was reluctant to make too much use of his mount as YOUNG HORIZON has a sensitive mouth and if he was required to take corrective action this would result in his mount over-reacting to his efforts.

He said for this reason he rode YOUNG HORIZON in a neutral manner in the early stages which then allowed ORIENTAL TYCOON to cross him approaching the 1200 Metres.

Horse No 3 CERVIN (H253) Z Purton Near the 250 Metres was hampered when taken wider by GOLD TACK.

When questioned Z Purton stated that the instructions were to ride the horse in a midfield position to endeavour to obtain cover.

He said in the early stages when YOUNG HORIZON was steadied to avoid ORIENTAL TYCOON, CERVIN commenced to race fiercely and as a result was checked away from YOUNG HORIZON.

He added that CERVIN continued to race fiercely throughout the middle stages and as a result near the 800 Metres he shifted his mount out to commence a forward move and to provide it with clear running.

He further stated that as a result CERVIN failed to run on in the Home Straight.

Trainer W Y So confirmed the instructions and said such instructions were issued to attempt to provide CERVIN with the opportunity to finish the race off.

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

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

Before being allowed to race again, CERVIN 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 U S S CONSTITUTION (H357) A Atzeni From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Raced wide and without cover from the 800 Metres.

M L Yeung (MEDIC ELITE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 300 Metres he directed his mount out when not clear of HARRY'S HERO, resulting in HARRY'S HERO initially being taken out and then shifting out away from MEDIC ELITE, resulting in FIRE BALL being taken out from its rightful running and also forcing ORIENTAL TYCOON to be taken out from its rightful running which resulted in U S S CONSTITUTION which was following ORIENTAL TYCOON having to be checked and also contributing to GOLD TACK having to be checked when disappointed for clear running between U S S CONSTITUTION and CERVIN.

M L Yeung was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Sunday, 18 May 2025 at Sha Tin.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 1 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record.

K De Melo (HARRY'S HERO) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after being taken out by MEDIC ELITE after the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out whilst riding it along, resulting in FIRE BALL being taken out from its rightful running and also forcing ORIENTAL TYCOON to be taken out from its rightful running which resulted in U S S CONSTITUTION having to be checked away from ORIENTAL TYCOON and also contributing to GOLD TACK having to be checked when disappointed for clear running between U S S CONSTITUTION and CERVIN.

K De Melo was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 21 May 2025 and to expire on Monday, 26 May 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

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

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

Horse No 5 CALIFORNIA MOXIE (J131) H Bowman Noted to have blood in the mouth on arrival at the Start.

Was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

Raced wide and without cover until near the 800 Metres when it was ridden forward to obtain a position outside the lead.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 SKY PROPHET (J095) L Hewitson Near the 1100 Metres was steadied to avoid CERVIN.

Near the 250 Metres was hampered when taken wider by CERVIN.

After the event L Hewitson stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages.

He added SKY PROPHET raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages and after being taken wider approaching the 800 Metres did not run on when placed under pressure in the Home Straight.

Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions and said he issued such instructions as SKY PROPHET was stepping up to 1650 Metres tonight and was racing at the Happy Valley circuit.

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

The performance of SKY PROPHET was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts.

Before being allowed to race again, SKY PROPHET 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 MILES AWAY (J221) M Chadwick Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 8 FIRE BALL (D087) K Teetan Taken out after the 300 Metres.

Horse No 9 ORIENTAL TYCOON (J112) K C Leung Hampered when taken out after the 300 Metres.

Horse No 10 HARRY'S HERO (H332) K De Melo K De Melo was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference after the 300 Metres (see U S S CONSTITUTION).

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 11 GOLD TACK (H106) M F Poon After the 300 Metres was checked when disappointed for clear running between CERVIN and U S S CONSTITUTION.

Horse No 12 MEDIC ELITE (G129) M L Yeung M L Yeung was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference after the 300 Metres (see U S S CONSTITUTION).