Recap by phillip woo

After tracking the pace one off the fence, firming favourite Beauty Infinity surged to the lead and won with plenty in hand. He's now won two of his five starts and there's plenty more to come from him. Our Lucky Glory ran on nicely with two wider out for second after settling wide without cover better than midfield. It was a good effort at his second start for his new trainer. Dan Attack ran on nicely for third after settling second last from gate 10. It was another solid effort after a last-start win. Vantastic Choice gradually faded after dictating the pace from gate two. It was one of his better runs at the Valley after winning two of his first three Sha Tin starts this term. Scotch Tycoon kept on at one pace after having every chance in the box seat. He's struggled in his past four starts after a second-up win. Youth Power just held his ground after travelling one off the rail in midfield. Jumbo Legend was caught in traffic and unable to improve along the inside after travelling on the rail in midfield. It was also a hard luck story for King Eccellente, who was caught behind tiring runners after a patient ride three from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine : (464) - TSUEN WAN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 BEAUTY INFINITY (H377) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 JUMBO LEGEND (G266) H Bowman Over the final 200 Metres was badly held up behind VANTASTIC CHOICE and could not be tested.

Horse No 4 EVERYONE'S VICTORY (E177) B Thompson From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 5 KING ECCELLENTE (G264) K Teetan Slow to begin.

Over the final 200 Metres was held up and could not be ridden out to the finish.

Horse No 6 OUR LUCKY GLORY (G292) H Bentley Raced wide and without cover from the 900 Metres.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 8 VULCANUS (J150) C L Chau Jumped only fairly and shortly after the start was crowded.

Horse No 9 BONUS PAL (H360) L Ferraris Bumped shortly after the start.

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

Horse No 10 YOUTH POWER (H358) K C Leung After the 350 Metres was awkwardly placed close to SCOTCH TYCOON and was steadied.

Horse No 11 DAN ATTACK (H317) A Hamelin Jumped awkwardly.

Raced keenly in the early stages.

When questioned, A Hamelin stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride DAN ATTACK conservatively in the early stages in an endeavour to have his mount settle.

He said he was also instructed if possible he should make his run to the inside in the Home Straight as connections had formed the opinion that it was advantageous to improve on this section of the track.

He said he shifted DAN ATTACK across behind runners in the early stages where his mount raced keenly.

He said after following KING ECCELLENTE into the Home Straight, he initially ascertained as to whether a run was available to the inside of KING ECCELLENTE having regard to his instructions.

He said when KING ECCELLENTE maintained its position towards the inside, he then observed the run available to the outside of YOUTH POWER and behind OUR LUCKY GLORY where he endeavoured to balance DAN ATTACK up and then commenced to allow it to improve into the event.

He added near the 200 Metres once fully balanced he was able to place DAN ATTACK under pressure where it finished the race off reasonably well.

When questioned regarding his vigour between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres, A Hamelin stated that at all stages through this section of the race he was urging his mount forward, but having regard to his previous experience with the horse, where it was required to be balanced before being placed under full pressure, he was reluctant to ride his mount along fully through this section of the race.

Trainer J Richards confirmed the instructions issued and expressed satisfaction with his ride.

After considering his explanations, the Stewards advised A Hamelin that he had made an error of judgement between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres by not placing his mount under full pressure to follow OUR LUCKY GLORY into the event.

Whilst the Stewards found Jockey Hamelin had made an error of judgement, they were satisfied that his actions had not resulted in DAN ATTACK not finishing the best possible placing in the field.

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GENERAL:

1.

Addition to Racing Incidents Report of 25 February 2024 Sha Tin Racemeeting Race 8 (453) UNIVERSAL HORIZON - C L Chau was warned for raising his whip arm above shoulder height.

He was also warned for dropping his right rein near the 100 Metres.

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of STARSHIP EIGHTY, DIAMOND WINNER, JOYFUL CHAMPION, CHATEAUNEUF, GREAT SPIRIT, UNPRESUMING, ONLY U, CELTIC TIMES, JAMES TAK, YOU'REMYEVERYTHING, G LINER, MAYHEM, FAST BUCK, SPEEDY SMARTIE, HINOKAMI KAGURA, GOOD BUDDY, SKY FOREVER, VICTORY MOMENTS, ATULLIBIGEAL, SUPERB BOY, GLOBAL HARMONY, SIMPLE HEDGE, PACKING HURRICANE, SIMPLY MAVERICK, ADEFILL, BEAUTYVERSE, MASSIVE ACTION and FRANTANCK (18.2.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 1 AI ONE on 27.2.24 on veterinary advice Race 6 TATTENHAM at barriers on veterinary advice

2.

Fine Race 6 Trainer D J Hall (MARIO): $2,000 for a declaration error

3.

Severe Reprimands Race 2 A Atzeni (MODEST GENTLEMAN) for shifting out leaving the 100 Metres Race 8 A Atzeni (JOYFUL HUNTER) for shifting in passing the 800 Metres

4.

Reprimands Race 2 C L Chau (PRECISION GOAL) for shifting out approaching the 300 Metres Race 6 K C Leung (PRIME MORTAR) for improving into a run approaching the 300 Metres where there was insufficient room

5.

Warnings Race 1 K C Leung (CIRCUIT ELITE) for shifting out near the 200 Metres Race 2 M L Yeung (NOIR RIDER) for shifting out near the 200 Metres Race 4 K H Chan (MIGHTY ARMOUR) for using his whip on a horse which was out of contention Race 9 A Hamelin (DAN ATTACK) re his riding between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres General C L Chau (UNIVERSAL HORIZON) for raising his whip arm above shoulder height and also for dropping his reins in races

6.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 2 CHIU CHOW BROTHER

7.

Stalls Test Race 3 PARENTS' LOVE

8.

Barrier Trials Race 2 CHIU CHOW BROTHER (heart irregularity) Race 6 CRYSTAL POWERFUL (disappointing performance) TATTENHAM (barrier manners)

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 DIAMOND WINNER AI ONE Race 2 CHIU CHOW BROTHER Race 5 CHAMPION METHOD Race 6 CRYSTAL POWERFUL TATTENHAM Race 7 SILVER SONIC Race 8 ONE FOR ALL

10.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf A Course

11.

Rolling Arrangement Rolling after Race 5 was cancelled due to weather condition.