Recap by phillip woo

Multi-Win General had only three beaten coming to the final bend four deep, angled into the clear with four wider out at the 200m and finished willingly to get up in the shadows of the post for the a maiden win at his fourth outing as the late-fancied favourite. Jolly Spring settled three back and one off the rails, quickened to hit the front at the 100m and just held off Collagen for second. Collagen battled on gamely four deep in the drive after a one-out, one-back run. Lucky Scepter worked early on to eventually sit outside the leader Startling Power at the 850m from a wide gate, worked to the front at the 350m and grudgingly gave way to just miss a placing. Easter Promise stayed near the inside upon straightening and ran on steadily to make it a blanket finish for the minors. Heco Rider was ridden cold from a wide gate and was getting going late down the outside. Lovely Naughty made his run outside Eastern Promise, peeled into open with two wider out upon straightening and ran on steadily.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (060)-HAPPINESS HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Metres

FOREVER GENKI and COLLAGEN bumped at the start.

LUCKY SCEPTER began awkwardly.

From the outside barrier, HECO RIDER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Shortly after the start, FOREVER GENKI became unbalanced when crowded for room between COLLAGEN and EASTERN PROMISE which was taken out by MONTE CASTELLO.

Approaching the 900 Metres, BEAR-POP, which was travelling keenly, was steadied away from the heels of STARTLING POWER (C K Tong) which shifted in when not properly clear.

COLLAGEN, which was racing to the inside of BEAR-POP, was momentarily crowded for room in this incident.

C K Tong was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in future.

Making the turn after the 900 Metres, BEAR-POP was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 600 Metres, BEAR-POP was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COLLAGEN which shifted out slightly.

In this incident, COLLAGEN lost its left hind plate.

Rounding the Home Turn, JOY TOGETHER got its head on the side and hung out and passing the 500 Metres was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of LOVELY NAUGHTY which shifted out.

At the entrance to the Straight, BEAR-POP was taken wider by JOLLY SPRING which shifted to the outside of COLLAGEN into clear running.

LOVELY NAUGHTY, which was racing outside BEAR-POP, was initially taken out by that horse and then shifted further of its own accord, resulting in JOY TOGETHER and SOUTHCHINA COMMAND being hampered.

After the 100 Metres, SOUTHCHINA COMMAND was steadied when awkwardly placed outside the heels of LOVELY NAUGHTY.

After the race, C Y Ho (HECO RIDER) reported his saddle shifted back slightly in the Straight, placing him at a disadvantage.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MONTE CASTELLO, D Whyte stated that his mount travelled strongly throughout the early and middle stages.

He said at the entrance to the Straight he was able to shift out to take advantage of a run that had developed between COLLAGEN and LUCKY SCEPTER, however, MONTE CASTELLO immediately came off the bridle and was not able to improve into this run.

He said after this MONTE CASTELLO commenced to give ground and over the final 200 Metres the horse's action deteriorated.

A veterinary inspection of MONTE CASTELLO immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, MONTE CASTELLO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of STARTLING POWER and BEAR-POP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

MULTI-WIN GENERAL and JOLLY SPRING were sent for sampling.