Recap by phillip woo

Happy Warrior came on strongly after peeling into the open 150m out racing near last to grab victory 30m out over what was supposed to be an inadequate 1,200m. Focus came with a ducking-and-weaving run from near last to win a blanket finish for the minors. Holee Money kept on well following a prominent run on the fence to just miss the Quinella spot. He had been threatening in two late-season runs at Sha Tin. Favourite Lady First ran on steadily to just miss a placing after a deep run near the back. He keeps promising but continues to cost punters dearly. Confucius Day grudgingly gave way to finish a close fifth after being hustled to lead from gate 12. He has been itching to salute in his three starts this term and only needs to draw a gate. Punted late Compassion Star wasn't too far away in the end after being posted deep without cover fore of midfield until the 500m. It was a pleasing effort following a win last month in Class Five.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (102) - TAI LAM CHUNG HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

FOCUS began very awkwardly, bounded in the air at the start and in doing so shifted in across the heels of NICE KICK and lost ground.

HOLEE MONEY shifted out at the start and bumped EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE which began awkwardly.

Shortly after the start, COMPASSION STAR was crowded for room between LADY FIRST and HAPPY WARRIOR which shifted in when being steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier.

In the early stages, GENEROUS HEART and LADY FIRST were steadied to obtain cover from wide barriers.

Also in the early stages, MY POWER travelled wide and without cover and after the 800 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead passing the 600 Metres.

Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, GENEROUS HEART was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FOCUS which made the turn awkwardly and shifted out.

Approaching the 900 Metres, LADY FIRST was awkwardly placed behind MASTER GALAXY.

After the 600 Metres, COMPASSION STAR was left racing wide and without cover.

After the 400 Metres, NICE KICK was awkwardly placed behind LIGHTNING STEED.

GENEROUS HEART had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

Approaching the 200 Metres, FOCUS was shifted out away from the heels of LIGHTNING STEED to continue improving.

Approaching the 100 Metres, MASTER GALAXY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FOCUS.

Approaching the 50 Metres, FOCUS raced tight inside HOLEE MONEY which shifted in before being corrected by its rider and shifting out to relieve the momentary crowding to FOCUS.

In this incident, FOCUS brushed the hindquarters of CONFUCIUS DAY which then became unbalanced and shifted in marginally, causing LIGHTNING STEED, which was attempting to improve into tight running inside CONFUCIUS DAY, being steadied and in turn shifting in and crowding the room of NICE KICK which became unbalanced.

This resulted in LIGHTNING STEED being checked away from the heels of CONFUCIUS DAY over the concluding stages.

Because of this incident, both CONFUCIUS DAY and in particular LIGHTNING STEED were not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

As the Stewards were satisfied that LIGHTNING STEED had not fully established running to the inside of CONFUCIUS DAY prior to that horse shifting in after becoming unbalanced, no further action was taken.

Very close to the finishing line, FOCUS shifted out and made contact with HOLEE MONEY which became unbalanced.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CONFUCIUS DAY was lame in its right front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, CONFUCIUS DAY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of GENEROUS HEART immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils.

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

LADY FIRST, HAPPY WARRIOR and FOCUS were sent for sampling.