Recap by phillip woo

Unique Joyful was never better than three deep without cover in midfield, swung the final bend with three wider out and let down nicely to take control 50m out for a maiden win at only his fourth run. All Times Lucky travelled worse than midfield and near the inside, made progress while angling out at the 600m, narrowly hit the front four deep at the 200m and found one too smart in the end. Fujian Spirit lost a bit of ground coming to the final bend following a box-seat run, then was short of room at times four-to-five deep upon straightening before closing well clear at the 150m to just grab a placing. Successful Leader wasn't responding third from the rear when hard ridden to pick up at the 600m, shifted out for clear riding five deep at the 350m and finished nicely 150m out to just miss a placing in a much-improved performance. Late-fancied favourite Ultimate Glory settled fourth and one off the rails, loomed a winning chance at the 200m and peaked on his run 100m out. Jolly Spring was quietly ridden from a wide gate, swung the final bend with two deeper out and ran on without menacing. Firming late, Excel Onself hesitated in going forward and was struggling 150m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (020)-DONGGUAN HANDICAP (Sec2) - Class 4 - 1200Metres

ULTIMATE GLORY began awkwardly.

BLISS CARTEL began only fairly.

From the outside barrier, JOLLY SPRING was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, UNIQUE JOYFUL, which for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover, got its head up and raced greenly.

Passing the 800 Metres, FUJIAN SPIRIT was momentarily hampered when racing tight inside SPEEDY LONGWAH which was racing tight inside EXCEL ONESELF.

Near the 750 Metres, BUNKER SHOT was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY.

ALL TIMES LUCKY, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence.

Approaching and passing the 600 Metres, BUNKER SHOT became very difficult to settle and was severely checked away from the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY.

Approaching the 550 Metres, BLISS CARTEL lost ground and became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of FOUR FOUR FIVE.

FOUR FOUR FIVE lost its left hind plate at the 500 Metres.

For some distance after the 150 Metres, FUJIAN SPIRIT was held up for clear running behind ALL TIMES LUCKY and inside UNIQUE JOYFUL.

When questioned regarding his riding of FUJIAN SPIRIT in the early part of the Straight, C Reith stated that rounding the Home Turn it was his intention to shift out from behind ULTIMATE GLORY and then further to the outside of ALL TIMES LUCKY which at this time was commencing to close off the race strongly.

He said when he did this, he was unaware that ULTIMATE GLORY had lay out rounding the turn which presented a tight run between that horse and EXCEL ONESELF.

He said when he committed to shift to the outside of ULTIMATE GLORY, FUJIAN SPIRIT did not quicken as he had hoped and because of this he was not able to improve between ALL TIMES LUCKY and UNIQUE JOYFUL, resulting in FUJIAN SPIRIT being held up for clear running for some distance after the 150 Metres.

He added whist ULTIMATE GLORY lay out in the early part of the Straight, that horse then shifted back in towards EXCEL ONESELF passing the 350 Metres before shifting out further after the 300 Metres.

A veterinary inspection of BUNKER SHOT immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

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

ULTIMATE GLORY, UNIQUE JOYFUL and ALL TIMES LUCKY were sent for sampling.