Recap by phillip woo

Flame Hero was gifted an uncontested lead after finding the front from gate nine, cornered nearly two lengths on top and kept on gamely for the win. Winning Leader settled one off in second, straightened three deep and plugged on well to inject value into the Quinella. Giant Treasure only got in with cover behind midfield three deep at the 1,000m, swung the final bend with two wider out and finished well to grab a placing 50m out as the firming favourite. Beauty Only settled two off the rails in midfield with cover, turned the final bend four from the right and ran on steadily to just miss a placing. He's crying out for a longer trip. Santa Fe Sun made a huge run two from the right after travelling third from the rear in a paceless race to finish just out of the First-4. Thunder Fantasy was ridden handily one off the rails in fifth, cornered five deep and plugged on evenly over the final 200m. Mr Gnocchi had every chance after a box-seat run and was yielding ground over the final 250m. Little Men kept on all right from behind midfield and one off the rails after recovering from a tardy break. He'll be hard to oppose if he can get a drop in grade. Helene Happy Star over-raced without cover in fourth outside Thunder Fantasy and was dropping out at the 250m. He had excuses.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (292)-YUEN LONG HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1600Metres

WONDERFUL GUY and LITTLE MEN were slow to begin.

JOLLY VICTOR began only fairly and shortly after the start was crowded for room between SANTA FE SUN and VICTORY MASTER which was taken in by GIANT TREASURE.

After the 1300 Metres, LITTLE MEN commenced to prove difficult to settle.

Passing the 150 Metres, JOLLY VICTOR was shifted to the outside of LITTLE MEN.

When questioned, U Rispoli (SANTA FE SUN) stated that he was instructed to attempt to shift the horse to the outside of runners rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight if possible as it had struck interference at its most recent start when amongst other runners.

He said for this reason he was reluctant to improve his position inside GIANT TREASURE after the 1300 Metres as he did not want to be left racing inside that horse rounding the Home Turn.

He said as GIANT TREASURE was a strong chance in today's race, he felt that it was better to position SANTA FE SUN behind that horse so that it could take his mount into the Straight at which time it would be able to immediately shift to the outside of that runner.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HELENE HAPPY STAR, J Moreira stated that he had been asked to ride the horse in a midfield position if possible.

He said HELENE HAPPY STAR began well and, despite him not riding the horse along in the early stages, it immediately travelled into the bridle.

He said for a considerable distance in the early stages he attempted to steady HELENE HAPPY STAR to obtain cover, however, due to the slow pace, the horse proved very difficult to settle, repeatedly got its head up and was inclined to shift out away from runners to its inside.

He said he did consider allowing HELENE HAPPY STAR to stride forward, however, he believed that this would not have been in the best interests of the horse given its racing manner at that time.

He said therefore he elected to remain racing in a three wide position and attempt to have HELENE HAPPY STAR more settled despite requiring the horse to race three wide and without cover throughout the event.

He added that when the tempo of the race quickened, HELENE HAPPY STAR was left flat-footed and then was not able to finish off the race.

He said HELENE HAPPY STAR's failure in today's race could be attributed to the manner in which it travelled in a slowly run race.

A veterinary inspection of HELENE HAPPY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

GIANT TREASURE, FLAME HERO and WINNING LEADER were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 1 January 2015 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of HEAR THE ROAR, TELEPHATIA, NAMJONG TURBO, CHARITY JOY, SIGHT BELIEVER, OPTIMIZATION STAR, JUN HAO, WHY WHY, JOYEUX, CHARITY KINGDOM, UNIQUE HAPPIEST, REBORN TO WIN, HEALTH WISE, WINNING NOVEL, SUPER TALENT, ADDOLE, DANE PATROL, COUNTRY MELODY, REWARDING HERO, ALL YOU WISH, DA VINCI, OVETT, WORLD CITY, CELESTIAL SMILE and ISHVARA revealed no apparent abnormality.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 2: RED ADVENTURE on 3.1.15 on veterinary advice.

Race 5: JOYFUL MOMENTS on 2.1.15 on veterinary advice.



2.

Fines Race 5: N Callan (STAR OF WAI BO) and B Prebble (MERIDIAN TREASURE): $2,000 each for failing to present themselves in the Parade Ring by the required time

3.

Warnings Race 2: D Whyte (FOLLOW THE WIND) for shifting out approaching the 300 Metres.

M Guyon (HEAR THE ROAR) for having raised his whip arm above the height of his shoulder.

Race 6: U Rispoli (MONEY CAFE) regarding his riding at the 200 Metres.

Race 7: J Moreira (EROICO) for allowing his mount to shift in after the winning post.

M L Yeung (TELECOM BOSS) regarding language that he used during an incident after the winning post.

Race 8: B Prebble (RUMBA KING) for shifting in passing the 900 Metres.



4.

Adjourned Inquiry Race 9

5.

Stalls Tests Race 2: FOLLOW THE WIND Race 7: GLORY SUNSHINE

6.

Official Barrier Trials Race 1: CALIFORNIA ROCK Race 2: YOU KNOW I WIN Race 6: SUNSHINE DAY

7.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: JOYFUL LUCK Race 2: RED ADVENTURE YOU KNOW I WIN Race 5: JOYFUL MOMENTS CONFUCIUS ELITE Race 6: SUNSHINE DAY