Recap by phillip woo

Punted late, Cordyceps One never looked back from gate seven after being gifted an easy time in front for a second Valley 1,650m win and first for his new trainer from his past three starts. They handed him the race on a platter. Brave Witness found one too good after getting all favours in the box seat. It was a better run stepping up in distance. Early favourite Joyful Prosperity ran on nicely down the outside to nearly claim second after making his run two from the rear. It was a good performance in an inadequately run race. Kimberly kept on one paced after stalking the pace from gate 12. He should find his mark soon in this grade. Post-time favourite Capital Legend made a mild bid after settling on the rail in midfield. He's in the right grade but needed both a stronger pace and rider. Chateau produced a grinding effort after settling wide with cover in midfield. Legion Of Merit whacked on one paced after travelling one off the fence better than midfield. He's not easy to get right. Punted late, Joyful Friendship was restless in the stall and scratched by order of the stewards on vet advice.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three : (420) - WAI YIP HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 CAPITAL LEGEND (G333) E C W Wong When questioned regarding his riding and as to whether there was an opportunity to hold a more forward position, Apprentice E C W Wong stated that from an inside barrier he was asked to hold a handy position but not to make use of his mount in the early stages to do so.

He said after commencing well he rode in accordance with his instructions where CAPITAL LEGEND then settled in a handy position behind BRAVE WITNESS.

Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions issued and advised that Apprentice Wong had ridden the horse in accordance with those instructions.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 FIGHT TIME (H409) M F Poon Jumped awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with CHATEAU.

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

After the race, M F Poon stated that his mount became stirred up prior to the event due to the start of the race being delayed.

He added that FIGHT TIME did not travel well throughout the event and failed to respond to his riding in the Home Straight.

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

The performance of FIGHT TIME was considered to be disappointing as compared to its first race start.

Before being allowed to race again, FIGHT TIME will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 4 BRAVE WITNESS (H425) Z Purton Near the 1300 Metres was steadied away from CORDYCEPS ONE.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 CHATEAU (H214) A Atzeni Bumped at the start.

When questioned regarding his riding, A Atzeni stated that his instructions were to endeavour to hold a forward position.

He said after being bumped at the start, he was reluctant to ride his mount forward as the horse has previously had a tendency to race keenly when he rode the horse on 13 January 2024.

He said when caught wide in the early stages and when a number of runners positioned to his inside had held a forward position, he elected to allow CHATEAU to hold a midfield position where it was able to obtain cover behind KEEN UNITY.

When questioned if there was an opportunity to make use of his mount in the early stages to comply with his instructions and go forward, A Atzeni stated that he was reluctant to do so given the horse's previous racing manners and he felt his best option was to endeavour to obtain cover in the early stages.

Trainer J Size confirmed the instructions were to hold a forward position.

The Stewards advised Jockey Atzeni that, in their opinion, he had made an error of judgement in the early stages in that he failed to ride his mount with the necessary urgency to comply with his instructions and he would be expected in future to endeavour to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so as to comply with the instructions that he has been issued with.

Horse No 7 JOYFUL PROSPERITY (H213) K C Leung Jumped only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 8 LEGION OF MERIT (D419) M Chadwick On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to LEGION OF MERIT was replaced.

After being loaded into the barriers lunged forward and opened the starting gate.

Removed from the barriers, examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

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

Horse No 9 FORTUNE PRESIDENT (G054) K De Melo Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 10 KEEN UNITY (G298) M L Yeung Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 11 CORDYCEPS ONE (E107) Y L Chung Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 12 SPLENDID STAR (G026) H Bentley Jumped only fairly.

Approaching the 550 Metres became unbalanced when endeavouring to improve into a narrow run between CAPITAL LEGEND and CHATEAU.

Over the concluding stages could not be fully ridden out when positioned behind CHATEAU.

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

Horse No FEARLESS FIRE (B085) K Teetan Withdrawn on 13.2.24 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left front tendon injury) and replaced by Standby Declared Starter BRAVE WITNESS.

Before being allowed to race again, FEARLESS FIRE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 5 JOYFUL FRIENDSHIP (H295) L Hewitson Reared in the barriers after being loaded, resulting in its right front leg making contact with the running board.

Removed from the barriers, examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its right front leg and therefore was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, JOYFUL FRIENDSHIP was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL FRIENDSHIP will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.