Recap by phillip woo

Gustosisimo travelled third, about seven lengths off runaway leaders Glory Elite and Lady's Choice, and took control 100m out for a third win and first at Sha Tin from 11 local starts. Lady's Choice kept up gamely for second after serving it up to Glory Elite for the lead from gate three. It was a solid effort. Whizz Kid ran on well to finish a close third after a prominent run. It was clearly his best effort. Glory Elite just held on for fourth after working hard to eventually clear to lead by nearly three lengths at one point. The hard run took its toll. Kaholo Angel just failed to get up for fourth after settling four back on the fence. It was an okay effort up in grade. Gorgeous Win ran on without menacing after spotting them a big lead travelling second last from gate 10 carrying top weight. Brave Star made only a mild bid from behind midfield. He's a Valley horse. Early favourite Beauty Destiny was eased down 250m out following a midfield run. He was reported to have bled for a second time in his career and will be forced to retire.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five : (585) - THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB COMMUNITY TROPHY (HANDICAP) - Class 2 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 GORGEOUS WIN (J008) B Avdulla After the event, B Avdulla stated that from the outside barrier he was obliged to settle at the back of the field to avoid covering additional ground.

He said, under its top weight, in the Home Straight GORGEOUS WIN responded reasonably well to his riding, however, its run peaked after the 150 Metres.

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

Horse No 2 SON PAK FU (G265) M Chadwick Jumped only fairly.

From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 3 BEAUTY DESTINY (H281) A Atzeni A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils and also revealed that it was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

As this was the second occasion that BEAUTY DESTINY had bled, the horse is permanently barred from any further racing.

Horse No 4 BRAVE STAR (G268) L Hewitson Near the 450 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of BEAUTY DESTINY when that runner commenced to give ground.

Horse No 5 LADY'S CHOICE (H155) K Teetan Bumped at the start.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that his instructions were to lead the event.

He said as a result in the early stages he rode his mount along to comply with his instructions where his mount showed good pace to hold the front.

He said whilst he was aware that the pace of the event was fast his mount was travelling comfortably in the early stages to hold the lead.

He added when GLORY ELITE maintained its position to his outside near the 900 Metres and as its rider Z Purton showed intent on crossing LADY'S CHOICE he then elected near the 900 Metres to allow GLORY ELITE to cross LADY'S CHOICE as he was of the opinion the pace of the event was too fast.

He said after obtaining a trailing position behind GLORY ELITE, LADY'S CHOICE travelled only fairly and for this reason near the 500 Metres he elected to shift LADY'S CHOICE to the outside of GLORY ELITE to encourage it to maintain its position and to commence to improve into the event.

He said after entering the Home Straight he held his mount together for a short distance before commencing to ride it out to the finish of the event and LADY'S CHOICE continued to respond to his riding to the line.

After considering his explanation, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Teetan were reasonable in the circumstances.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 GLORY ELITE (H311) Z Purton When questioned regarding his riding in particular the fast pace set in the early and middle stages, Z Purton stated that his instructions were to ensure that GLORY ELITE led as the horse performs best when ridden in this manner.

He said after riding his mount along in the early stages he continued to urge GLORY ELITE forward to cross LADY'S CHOICE.

He said when K Teetan, the rider of LADY'S CHOICE, maintained his position in the lead, he was obliged to make further use of his mount to cross that runner to comply with his instructions.

He said whilst he was aware that the pace of the event was being run inside of standard time he felt it was in the horse's best interests to continue forward as GLORY ELITE had only won its races when being able to dictate from the front.

Trainer K H Ting confirmed the instructions issued and expressed satisfaction with the manner in which GLORY ELITE was ridden.

After considering his explanation and taking into account the racing history of GLORY ELITE which confirmed that the horse had won its three races from leading and Jockey Purton was riding to the instructions issued, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Purton were in all the circumstances reasonable.

However, he was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he would have been better suited by maintaining his position outside of LADY'S CHOICE in the early stages having regard to the fast pace set during the early and middle stages of the event.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 8 GUSTOSISIMO (J303) Y L Chung Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 9 STELLAR EXPRESS (J186) A Hamelin Jumped awkwardly.

From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After the event, A Hamelin could offer no explanation for his mount's failure to run on strongly in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 10 KAHOLO ANGEL (H216) A Badel Bumped at the start.