Recap by phillip woo

King Oberon had a one-out, one-back run and after coming off heels for a run near the 200m, he got up 50m out for a second win and first at the Valley from 22 starts. Star Figure should would gone close to winning if not having the gap close on him just underneath the 200m following a rails run from midfield. He had run well in one of two outings last term. Favourite Nebraskan just held on for third after getting pestered for the front to his outside by Super Universal. He's honest but has trouble getting his head in front. Punted late Super Universal battled away for fourth after going forward three wide to eventually vie for the lead from gate 11. He's run well both times over the Valley 1,200m from three outings this term. California Deeply surged late down the outside to finish level for fifth after a wide trip from midfield. He should find his mark shortly in this grade. Von Baer made good ground late after settling second last from gate 12. He's one to keep safe from a better draw at either track. Denfield will sleep well after getting caught wide and without cover travelling better than midfield from gate nine.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four : (117) - SWIFTY HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 FLYING TING LOK (K228) M F Poon On jumping became unbalanced when bumped by KING OBERON.

Horse No 3 DENFIELD (G471) H Bowman H Bowman stated that his instructions were to go forward from his wide barrier.

He said when unable to cross runners to his inside this resulted in DENFIELD being obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Trainer C S Shum confirmed the instructions and said he issued those instructions as he believed it was advantageous to race in a more forward position having regard to the track pattern tonight.

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

Horse No 4 RISING PHOENIX (J498) Z Purton Jumped only fairly.

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

Leaving the 300 Metres RISING PHOENIX commenced to improve to the inside of HAPPY BUDDIES (K C Leung).

A short distance later RISING PHOENIX was then shifted to the inside to obtain clear running before Jockey Leung corrected his mount.

As a consequence RISING PHOENIX was then checked when it was crowded by HAPPY BUDDIES.

K C Leung was severely reprimanded and advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to ensure that he is clear before shifting ground.

However, the Stewards were satisfied that he had endeavoured to straighten his mount just prior to shifting in into the running of RISING PHOENIX.

RISING PHOENIX was then shifted to the outside of HAPPY BUDDIES and SUPER PACE to obtain clear running near the 150 Metres.

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

Horse No 5 STAR FIGURE (K215) L Hewitson When questioned L Hewitson stated that after entering the Home Straight he improved to the inside of SUPER PACE with a view to obtaining clear running inside NEBRASKAN.

He stated that as his mount commenced to improve NEBRASKAN shifted in which then resulted in STAR FIGURE being crowded for room between the 200 Metres and the 100 Metres and having to be steadied as a consequence.

As the Stewards were satisfied that STAR FIGURE had not established clear running to the inside of NEBRASKAN before NEBRASKAN commenced to shift in no action was taken.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 HAPPY BUDDIES (K344) K C Leung On jumping was checked when crowded by NEBRASKAN which shifted out abruptly.

Horse No 8 VON BAER (K198) E C W Wong From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Raced keenly in the middle stages.

When questioned regarding his riding Apprentice E C W Wong stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages and endeavour to obtain runs to the inside in the Home Straight.

He said after settling back in the field his mount was positioned behind CALIFORNIA DEEPLY throughout the race and from the 500 Metres he elected to remain racing behind that runner to comply with his instructions to take inside runs.

He added that when VON BAER continued to travel well this resulted in it improving to the inside of CALIFORNIA DEEPLY and then being held up behind FLYING TING LOK in the Home Straight.

When questioned as to why he did not improve to the outside of CALIFORNIA DEEPLY Apprentice Wong stated that his focus was on complying with his instructions but in retrospect he agreed with the Stewards that his best option would have been to improve to the outside of CALIFORNIA DEEPLY after the 500 Metres.

Trainer D A Hayes confirmed the instructions issued and in particular confirmed he had requested Apprentice Wong to endeavour to take runs towards the inside in the Home Straight.

After considering his explanation and the instructions issued the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Apprentice Wong were reasonable in the circumstances.

Horse No 9 KING OBERON (H407) L Ferraris Bumped at the start.

Making the Home Turn was steadied and shifted to the outside of SUPER UNIVERSAL when it endeavoured to improve into a doubtful run between SUPER UNIVERSAL and SUPER PACE which shifted out.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 11 NEBRASKAN (J304) K Teetan Shifted out abruptly at the start and was bumped.

Sent for sampling post-race.