Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Gold Comet won by a country mile in a class-record time after surging to the lead 250m out following a dream run in the box seat. He relished a rise in distance after ringing up seconds twice over the 1,200m from five other starts and remains one to follow on this surface. Oh Bravo ran on well down the outside to snatch second after a patient ride second last from a wide draw. He'll remain in the grade after showing nothing in six prior starts on both surfaces. Blotting Paper kept on reasonably well for a placing after bowling along in front. It was a return to form following a rise in trip after disappointing seven times following a 1,200m win in September. El Valiente ran on reasonably well to fill the frame after getting shuffled back to sit three deep behind midfield rounding the final bend. London Luckystar came from last and near the outside to pick up a minor cheque but was baulked for a run near the 200m. It was an improved effort at his second start following a stable change. Winning Volatility was one-paced when asked for an effort following a rails run in midfield. He should stick to the turf.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (667) - TIU CHUNG CHAU HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

CIGARY began only fairly and then shifted in towards the heels of LADY FIRST, resulting in CIGARY losing ground.

MISTER ARM began only fairly and then after being ridden along in the early stages was steadied passing the winning post on the first occasion when crowded for room between LAND POWER and OH BRAVO.

From wide barriers, OH BRAVO and LONDON LUCKYSTAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

When being ridden along shortly after the start, LADY FIRST got its head up and became unbalanced.

Then, despite continuing to be ridden along for some distance, LADY FIRST failed to muster speed.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, COOLCELEB failed to muster speed.

Making the turn after the winning post on the first occasion, EL VALIENTE was bumped by HANG'S DECISION which was racing tight outside WINNING VOLATILITY which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COOLCELEB.

Approaching the 1200 Metres, CIGARY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING VOLATILITY and then passing the 1200 Metres shifted in away from the heels of WINNING VOLATILITY, resulting in CIGARY becoming unbalanced and losing ground.

Passing the 1000 Metres, EL VALIENTE was steadied away from the heels of MISTER ARM which was being steadied to obtain cover behind NOTHING NEW which travelled wide and without cover until near the 800 Metres at which stage MISTER ARM was then left racing wide and without cover.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MISTER ARM had sustained a laceration to the left hind heel.

MISTER ARM lost its left hind plate in the middle stages.

Passing the 400 Metres, LONDON LUCKYSTAR was steadied away from the heels of EL VALIENTE when held up for clear running behind that horse.

At the entrance to the Straight, HANG'S DECISION was shifted in away from the heels of NOTHING NEW which was giving ground.

A veterinary inspection of NOTHING NEW immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg.

The performance of NOTHING NEW, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, NOTHING NEW will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Shortly after entering the Straight, K Teetan (LADY FIRST) dropped his right rein.

Passing the 200 Metres, LONDON LUCKYSTAR was disappointed for running between LADY FIRST and EL VALIENTE which shifted out.

This resulted in LONDON LUCKYSTAR racing tight outside the heels of EL VALIENTE for some distance before being shifted to the outside of LADY FIRST near the 100 Metres.

Near the 150 Metres, FLYING SWORD was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of WINNING VOLATILITY.

A veterinary inspection of FLYING SWORD immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg.

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

A veterinary inspection of HANG'S DECISION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on COOLCELEB at the request of Trainer T P Yung.

The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea and also found that horse to be a "roarer??which had previously been reported.

GOLD COMET and OH BRAVO were sent for sampling.