Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed Casa Rochester settled third last and timed things perfectly to just get the head down for a first win at his sixth local start. He was suited by the race tempo but had given a better sight in two prior starts following a downgrade. Quantum Patch was touched off late after hitting the lead near the 100m following a handy run along the inside from gate one. The Azure ran on well for third after making his run fourth last from a wide draw. He's always a chance over the Valley 1,650m. Sky Vino stayed on well for fourth after doing it tough near the front from gate 11. He clearly has the tools to add to a win two runs ago. Turin Warrior ran on steadily for fifth after settling three back on the fence. It wasn't a bad run carrying top weight, but he has found things harder off his current mark following a win in January. Jumbo Fortune ran on without threatening down the outside after making his run one off from behind midfield. He's as honest as the day is long. Ocean Impact was twice hampered when trying to improve peeling three wide 450m out following a midfield run. He had an excuse.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven : (578) - OI MAN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 QUANTUM PATCH (H166) K C Leung Near the 800 Metres improved to the inside of KINGLY DEMEANOR and was momentarily crowded.

Held up making the Home Turn.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 2 TURIN WARRIOR (G150) L Ferraris Held up making the Home Turn.

Horse No 3 CASA ROCHESTER (J494) H Bowman After travelling a short distance was steadied to avoid GALLANT EPOCH which shifted out abruptly.

Held up for a short distance near the 350 Metres.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 GALLANT EPOCH (J451) L Hewitson When questioned regarding his riding and the fast early pace his mount set throughout the early and middle stages, L Hewitson stated that his instructions were to take up a forward position but to ensure that his mount did not obtain cover as GALLANT EPOCH has raced best when able to dictate.

He said in the early stages he rode his mount along to comply with his instructions where he obtained a position outside the leader KINGLY DEMEANOR.

He said near the 1200 Metres he then urged his mount forward to cross KINGLY DEMEANOR which resulted in GALLANT EPOCH commencing to race keenly.

He added when positioned in advance of KINGLY DEMEANOR near the 1100 Metres he encouraged his mount forward to cross that runner but GALLANT EPOCH did not show sufficient pace to do so and as a result he was obliged to make further use of his mount entering the Back Straight where he eventually was able to cross KINGLY DEMEANOR near the 800 Metres.

Trainer K W Lui confirmed the instructions issued and stated that GALLANT EPOCH may have been disadvantaged by having its first race start at Happy Valley.

After considering the sectional times of the event which showed the early stages of the race being run well inside of standard time, L Hewitson was advised by the Stewards that he had made an error of judgement in the early stages by continuing to endeavour to go forward to cross KINGLY DEMEANOR.

He was further advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to show better judgement than what he did on this occasion.

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

Horse No 6 THE AZURE (J227) A Atzeni Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 7 RED MAJESTY (E028) K Teetan Was obliged to race wide and without cover from the 700 Metres.

After the event, K Teetan stated that after being obliged to steady to avoid KINGLY DEMEANOR near the 800 Metres his mount then raced wide and without cover thereafter and as a result was not able to finish the race off in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 8 OCEAN IMPACT (J502) J Orman Jumped awkwardly.

Near the 300 Metres was steadied when crowded between FLYING SILVER which shifted out slightly when giving ground and THE AZURE.

Raced tight between FLYING SILVER and THE AZURE near the 200 Metres when THE AZURE shifted in.

After the event, J Orman stated that his mount travelled only fairly during the race and he was obliged to make some use of OCEAN IMPACT to hold his position.

He added after racing tight in the Home Straight his mount finished the race off in a one-paced manner and would be better suited stepping up in distance.

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

Horse No 10 TO INFINITY (G277) Y L Chung Passing the 350 Metres became held up behind FLYING SILVER and did not obtain clear running until near the 150 Metres.

Horse No 11 KINGLY DEMEANOR (H486) M L Yeung Approaching the 800 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of GALLANT EPOCH (L Hewitson) which shifted in when not quite clear.

KINGLY DEMEANOR (M L Yeung) then contested a position to the outside of GALLANT EPOCH and to the inside of SKY VINO but was prevented from shifting out as SKY VINO (Apprentice E C W Wong) improved forward and held its position.

L Hewitson was advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground.

Both M L Yeung and Apprentice Wong were advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Horse No 12 FLYING SILVER (E478) A Badel After the event, A Badel stated that the instructions were to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages from its wide barrier.