Recap by phillip woo

Escape Route just held on by a lip after surging to the lead near the 100m following his prominent run one off the fence for his second win at his 13th start in Hong Kong. It was a return to form after two ninth placings earlier this term. Favourite Rocket Spade weaved a run through the field to just miss after a patient ride second last from a tricky gate. He is a winner waiting to happen. Prime Minster ran on well to finish a close third after his one-off-the-rail trip in midfield. He is not easy to get right but did run with merit in his only other start over the Happy Valley 1,800m. Comet Splendido found a few too good after hitting the lead 160m out following his box-seat run. It was another honest performance. Tianchi Monster made a mild bid after saving ground in midfield. The big weight took its toll. Righteous Doctrine made ground late near the inside after a patient ride towards the rear. It was not a bad effort on his return to the turf after winning two of five earlier runs on the dirt. Snaffles was short of room for most of the straight. He should have finished closer. Hava Nageela ran on without menacing from behind midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (384) - THE VOLUNTEERS' CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1800Meters

On jumping, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was crowded for room between ROCKET SPADE which shifted in and ENSURED which shifted out.

In this incident, ENSURED became unbalanced and was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

SAMARKAND jumped awkwardly.

TIANCHI MONSTER jumped only fairly.

Near the 1600 Metres, SNAFFLES became awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAVA NAGEELA and then soon after was bumped by ROCKET SPADE which shifted in.

HAVA NAGEELA over-raced in the early stages and for some distance passing the winning post on the first occasion became awkwardly placed close to the heels of PRIME MINISTER.

Rounding the Home Turn, SNAFFLES improved to the outside of TIANCHI MONSTER and approaching the 300 Metres was steadied when TIANCHI MONSTER then shifted out slightly.

Near the 150 Metres, SNAFFLES and HAVA NAGEELA brushed.

HAVA NAGEELA was inclined to lay in under pressure in the Straight and passing the 50 Metres became awkwardly placed close to the heels of PRIME MINISTER which shifted out, resulting in its rider, Z Purton, having to stop riding to avoid the heels of PRIME MINISTER for a short distance.

After the race, S De Sousa (ENSURED) reported that his mount was unsuited by the slow early pace and found it difficult to make up ground from the rear of the field.

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

ESCAPE ROUTE and ROCKET SPADE were sent for sampling.