Recap by phillip woo

Punted late, Karma was patiently ridden two from the rear and came down the outside to hit the front 150m out for a fifth win and third over 1,600m from 15 starts. Helene Feeling ran on nicely for second after a one-off trip from midfield. He's a handy horse on his day and was fitter third up after two flat efforts. Favourite Patch Of Theta just lost second late after working to a narrow lead 200m out following a wide without cover trip from better than midfield. It was another solid effort. C P Brave just failed to get up for third after having his momentum checked 300m out following a patient ride three from the rear. He ran well carrying a big weight and is better suited over 1,800m. Stunning Peach should have finished closer after getting badly held up for a run until the 100m straightening one from the rear. He remains one to follow up on at a mile and further this season. Supreme Lucky kept on all right after a prominent run trying 1,600m for the first time. He is better on a rain-affected track.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five : (115) - THE HKJC 140TH ANNIVERSARY CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 2 - 1600Meters

Horse No 1 CHIU CHOW SPIRIT (H175) A Badel Jumped only fairly.

Near the 50 Metres was bumped by THE BEST PEACH.

After the event, A Badel stated that his mount may not have run out a strong 1600 Metres.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer" which had previously been reported.

Horse No 2 MONEY CATCHER (G171) K C Leung Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 3 C P BRAVE (E306) H Bentley For a short distance near the 300 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running.

Horse No 4 HELENE FEELING (H215) B Avdulla Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 FLAMING RABBIT (H257) L Ferraris A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 6 PATCH OF THETA (H485) H Bowman On the Home Turn was taken wider by TOP GUN which shifted out to attempt to improve.

After the event, H Bowman stated that his instructions were to take up a forward position and to obtain cover if possible.

He said in the early stages when TOP GUN remained racing away from the rail, this resulted in PATCH OF THETA being obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 STUNNING PEACH (J301) Z Purton From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Was struck across the head by the whip of M Chadwick (TOP GUN) near the 150 Metres.

When questioned regarding his riding, Z Purton stated that he expected to take up a position behind midfield from his wide barrier.

He said from the 700 Metres he improved to the inside of KARMA to follow C P BRAVE into the event.

He said when KARMA was ridden forward by its rider C Y Ho, it did not immediately respond to Jockey Ho's efforts and for this reason he elected to shift to the inside of C P BRAVE to secure clear running as he would have been required to ease his mount back to obtain clear running to the outside of KARMA on the Home Turn.

He added after being able to ride his mount along in the early part of the Home Straight, STUNNING PEACH became badly held up near the 250 Metres behind STAR CONTACT and when that runner then commenced to give ground, he was obliged to check to avoid STAR CONTACT approaching the 150 Metres.

He further stated that after improving to the outside of STAR CONTACT soon after STUNNING PEACH then lay out which restricted his ability to fully test his mount out to the finish of the event as he was concerned that had he elected to regather his reins STUNNING PEACH would shift out and he had already been racing in restricted room between PATCH OF THETA and C P BRAVE.

After considering his evidence, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Purton on the Home Turn were reasonable in the circumstances and were satisfied with his explanation for his riding out of STUNNING PEACH.

Horse No 9 THE BEST PEACH (H139) K Teetan From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 50 Metres was steadied and shifted to the inside of STAR CONTACT to obtain clear running and as a result made contact with CHIU CHOW SPIRIT.

Horse No 10 KARMA (G392) C Y Ho From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 11 TOP GUN (J249) M Chadwick Approaching the 150 Metres lay in and away from C P BRAVE and made contact with STUNNING PEACH.

A short distance later TOP GUN, which was giving ground, was steadied when crowded between C P BRAVE and STUNNING PEACH (Z Purton) which, after improving behind STAR CONTACT and being checked to avoid that runner's heels, then shifted out.

After STUNNING PEACH improved to the outside of STAR CONTACT, it was then taken out when STAR CONTACT (Apprentice P N Wong) shifted out.

Both Z Purton and Apprentice Wong were advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

After the event, M Chadwick reported that with the early pace of the event being run inside of standard time, his mount was under pressure throughout the event and as a result did not respond to his riding in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 12 STAR CONTACT (E472) P N Wong Near the 50 Metres Apprentice P N Wong dropped her whip.