Recap by phillip woo

Post-time favourite Good Buddy weaved a run near the inside to overhaul long-time leader Massive Action 80m out for a second win and first in the grade from four starts this term. He'll remain in the grade and can win again. Massive Action kept on nicely for second after finding the front from gate five. He relished a return to the course and distance of a past win after giving a better sight last start over the Valley 1,650m. Rocket Spade came from last at the top of the straight to finish a close third. It was a good effort over an inadequate trip off a 175-day break. Happy Day rallied to fill the frame after a one-off run behind midfield. He was able to back up a placing last start. Tamra Blitz ran on without menacing after making his run four from the rear. It was another typical effort despite a rise in trip. Punted late Decrypt got going without ever looking a threat from towards the rear. Early favourite Erimo came up flat after a one-off trip in midfield. He couldn't cope carrying 10 pounds more after notching back-to-back wins.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (187) - BOCHK BOC PAY HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

At declaration time, K C Leung was declared as the rider of both DECRYPT and MASSIVE ACTION.

It was established that K C Leung had a firm commitment to ride MASSIVE ACTION.

As such, the Stewards permitted C Y Ho to be substituted as the rider of DECRYPT.

For this declaration error, Trainer P C Ng was fined $2,000.

ERIMO and SEASONS BLISS bumped heavily on jumping, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced and bumping again shortly after the start.

TAMRA BLITZ shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of GOOD BUDDY.

HAPPY DAY began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped MASTER MONTARO which also began awkwardly.

When being steadied on jumping with a view to being shifted across behind runners, SUPER BABY was crowded for room between MASTER MONTARO and COBHFIELD which shifted in.

After this, COBHFIELD was shifted across behind runners with SUPER BABY.

Also from the outside barriers, DECRYPT and ROCKET SPADE were steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail.

After the 1100 Metres, MASTER MONTARO, which was travelling keenly, was left racing wide and without cover.

Then making the turn after the 900 Metres, MASTER MONTARO, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, lay in and was steadied away from the heels of MASTER HERO.

When MASTER MONTARO lay in, DECRYPT momentarily raced in restricted room between MASTER MONTARO and HAPPY DAY which got its head on the side and lay out.

MASTER MONTARO then shifted out and made the turn awkwardly.

After the 1000 Metres, MASTER HERO was also left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 700 Metres, HAPPY DAY raced close to the heels of ERIMO.

COBHFIELD, which was following HAPPY DAY, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

Also approaching the 700 Metres, SUPER BABY got its head up when awkwardly placed behind TAMRA BLISS.

MASTER HERO got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn.

Shortly after entering the Straight, GOOD BUDDY was shifted in away from the heels of SEASONS BLISS to obtain clear running.

Near the 350 Metres, ERIMO and WINNER METHOD bumped.

At the 350 Metres, COBHFIELD was steadied when disappointed for running between ROCKET SPADE which improved to the inside of MASTER HERO and TAMRA BLITZ which shifted out from behind WINNER METHOD.

After the race, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, ERIMO's failure to finish the race off today was attributable to the horse having to carry the top weight of 135 lbs.

He said whilst ERIMO had previously carried weight in some of its races, that was in Class

4.

He said he was of the view that the horse was not able to finish the race off today when carrying top weight in Class

3.

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

Also after the race, J McDonald was not able to offer any explanation for WINNER METHOD's failure to finish off today.

He said after travelling in a forward position, WINNER METHOD came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and then gave ground over the latter stages.

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

GOOD BUDDY and MASSIVE ACTION were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Races 8 - 10 were each put back 5 minutes.

SUMMARY:

1.

Riding Changes As Jockey A Hamelin tested positive to COVID on raceday morning, permission was given for the following riding substitutions: Race 1: M Barzalona on PRECISE EXPRESS Race 3: M Barzalona on SUPERBELLA Race 5: H Bentley on TRAVEL GOLF Race 9: M Barzalona on TORONADO PHANTOM

2.

Fines Race 6; S De Sousa (CORDYCEPS SIX): $90,000 for careless riding approaching the 300 Metres.

Race 10: Trainer P C Ng (DECRYPT): $2,000 for a declaration error.

3.

Reprimands Race 4: J McDonald (HORSESAIN BOLT) for shifting in passing the 200 Metres.

Race 5: B Shinn (LORD THUNDER) for shifting in approaching the 200 Metres.

Race 6: C L Chau (LUCKY PATCH) for shifting out after the 350 Metres.

4.

Warning Race 4: H Bentley (SUPERB MOVE) for shifting in shortly after the start.



5.

Suspension Race 6: S De Sousa (CORDYCEPS SIX) for careless riding approaching the 300 Metres (from 21 December 2022 until 25 December 2022 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

6.

Official Veterinary Examination Race 6: SUPER WEALTHY

7.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf B+2 Course

8.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after race

5.