Recap by phillip woo

Richcity Fortune was hustled to the front from a wide gate and kept up a good gallop to just hold Great Son for the win. The light weight with a move to claimer Dylan Mo Hin-tung has paid off in his past two starts. Great Son just failed to reel in the winner following a pace-stalking run. There's clearly a win in him in this class. Paddington stayed on a nonthreatening third following a handy run. He's honest but has trouble saluting. Favourite M Reborn couldn't lift following a prominent run on the fence. The combination of a rise in weight and tactics change to sit closer in the run went against him. Hidden Spirit wasn't beaten too far despite being short of room at times with his move from beyond midfield. It was his best run to date with a step back in distance. Indigenous Star got going late near the outside after settling third last from a wide gate. He's a winner waiting to happen in this grade but clearly over a longer trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (405) - AZALEA HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

KEEP WINNING was slow to begin.

ROCKAGE and NASHASHUK began only fairly.

Passing the 1100 Metres, COUR VALANT momentarily raced tight between SOCCER BRAVE and GOBI STORM.

GOBI STORM then shifted in a short distance later and brushed PADDINGTON.

Apprentice H T Mo (RICHCITY FORTUNE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of ROCHFORD, causing that horse to be unnecessarily hampered and to be steadied away from the heels of RICHCITY FORTUNE.

Apprentice Mo was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 17 February 2019 and to expire on Thursday, 21 February 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Apprentice Mo was fined $10,000.

At the entrance to the Straight, ROCHFORD was bumped by COUR VALANT which shifted to the outside of GOBI STORM to obtain clear running.

G van Niekerk (PADDINGTON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 350 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of GOBI STORM, resulting in that horse being bumped and taken out onto COUR VALANT which in turn was hampered and taken out across the rightful running of ROCHFORD which was badly checked as a result of the shift from the inside.

G Van Niekerk was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 24 February 2019 and to expire on Thursday, 28 February 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, G van Niekerk was fined $20,000.

Passing the 100 Metres, HIDDEN SPIRIT was shifted out away from the heels of M REBORN to continue improving.

Throughout the race, ROCHFORD and GOBI STORM travelled wide and without cover.

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

A veterinary inspection of GOBI STORM immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, GOBI STORM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

M REBORN, RICHCITY FORTUNE and GREAT SON were sent for sampling.

<11/2/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>GOBI STORM, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

GOBI STORM was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer T P Yung this morning.

He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg.

As previously advised, GOBI STORM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.