Recap by phillip woo

Early favourite Mighty Steed was perfectly ridden travelling one off in fourth from gate 11 and found the lead 200m out to score a first win at his 14th start. Fortune Star ran on nicely for second after making his run five back and one off the fence. He lived up to a hard-charging second at his final start last term. Super Sicario battled on nicely for third after landing a spot one off travelling midfield from gate 12. It was a good effort up in grade following a Class Five win. Punted late Sterling Wongchoy had to settle for fourth after tracking the leader Vigor Elleegant from gate seven. It was another honest after coming into his own late last season when trying the Valley 1,650m. Absolute Honour kept on a one-paced fifth after a box-seat run. It was an improved effort with a step up to 1,650m at his second run this term. Forerunner ran on without threatening near the outside after making his run second last from gate nine. It was a shade better effort on his return to the Valley 1,650m second up this term. Celestial Patch made minor inroads late after biding his time three from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four : (79) - MAN CHEUNG HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 THE AZURE (J227) H Bowman From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Making the Home Turn was held up for clear running behind TO INFINITY.

Horse No 2 FORERUNNER (G465) C L Chau When questioned regarding his riding C L Chau stated that from a wide barrier he had been instructed to endeavour to obtain a midfield position with cover.

He said with the early stages of the event being run inside of standard time FORERUNNER settled towards the back of the field.

When questioned regarding his riding on the Home Turn and as to whether there was an opportunity to improve to the outside of CELESTIAL PATCH sooner than what he did C L Chau stated that the instructions issued by Trainer W K Mo preferred the horse securing an inside run due to the rail being in the "C+3" position.

He said with this in mind, when following CELESTIAL PATCH, he was of the opinion that from the 500 Metres that horse would shift out as it was under pressure and being ridden along.

He added that when CELESTIAL PATCH did not shift out and SIMPLE HEDGE then moved out from the rail he was unable to secure an inside run into the Home Straight.

He said after remaining behind CELESTIAL PATCH he then shifted FORERUNNER to the outside on entering the Home Straight where it finished the race off reasonably well.

Mr Mo confirmed the instructions issued and expressed satisfaction with the manner in which Jockey Chau rode the horse.

After considering his explanation the Stewards advised Jockey Chau that, in their opinion, he should have shifted to the outside of CELESTIAL PATCH sooner than what he did, particularly having regard to the fact that his mount was positioned towards the rear of the field on the Home Turn.

He was further advised that in similar circumstances he should ride his mounts so as to leave no room for query.

Horse No 4 MIGHTY STEED (J384) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 TO INFINITY (G277) A Badel After the event A Badel stated that his mount did not appreciate the "Good to Firm" track conditions.

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

Horse No 6 VIGOR ELLEEGANT (J375) Y L Chung After the event Y L Chung stated that with his mount stepping up in distance from the 1200 Metres to the 1650 Metres it raced keenly in the lead and refused to settle in the early stages.

He added that as a consequence VIGOR ELLEEGANT ran inside of standard time in the early stages despite his efforts to set a more sustainable pace.

He said having regard to the manner in which the horse raced in the early stages it weakened when placed under pressure in the Home Straight.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer" which had previously been reported.

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

Before being allowed to race again, VIGOR ELLEEGANT 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 SIMPLE HEDGE (H237) A Atzeni Jumped only fairly and then was bumped by CELESTIAL PATCH.

Horse No 8 FORTUNE STAR (K003) L Ferraris Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 9 SOARING BRONCO (J162) H Bentley Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 10 CELESTIAL PATCH (K151) D Probert Shortly after the start was crowded between SIMPLE HEDGE and ABSOLUTE HONOUR which shifted in slightly.

After the event D Probert stated that his mount did not appreciate the "Good to Firm"track conditions.

Horse No 11 SUPER SICARIO (K306) K Teetan In the early stages raced ungenerously and got its head up when obtaining a position with cover behind MIGHTY STEED.

After obtaining a position with cover behind MIGHTY STEED near the 1200 Metres SUPER SICARIO then raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages.

Lay in under pressure in the Home Straight and for a short distance near the 150 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MIGHTY STEED which shifted out slightly.