Recap by phillip woo

Sempiternal rolled forward from a wide gate to lead at the 1,000m through moderate fractions, was headed by Star Majestic at the 700m, reclaimed the front 200m out and kept on gamely for an upset win. Star Majestic was no closer than four deep fore of midfield from a wide gate, rolled forward to hit the front mid-race and grudgingly gave way when headed. Tom's Charm tracked the speed one off the rails, straightened four deep and kept plugging away to just miss a placing in an encouraging debut effort. Firming favourite Ascension settled midfield and one off the rails, straightened four deep and ran on steadily without menacing the placegetters. Fire Starter settled box-seat after leading early on, straightened three deep and plugged on one-paced over the final 150m. Unique Joyful was handy in the run, swung the final bend five deep and kept grinding away to just miss a spot in the First-4.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (115)-PARMIGIANI EXCELLENT HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1400Metres

SOUL ACHIEVER was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right front foot).

Before being allowed to race again, SOUL ACHIEVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

After being loaded, TONES became fractious and reared.

TONES was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its right hind leg and as such was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of TONES.

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

Shortly after the start, HECO RIDER and SEMPITERNAL bumped.

Also shortly after the start, UNIQUE JOYFUL raced in restricted room between MEGA CHAMPION and BEST JADE TRIUMPH, both of which shifted ground.

From the outside barrier, MR VANILLA was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

In the early stages, STAR MAJESTIC was caught very wide and without cover and prior to the 800 Metres was allowed to improve into a more forward position closer to the rail.

Approaching the 900 Metres, ON THE WAY commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted out when being checked away from the heels of FIRE STARTER.

MAGICAL BEAM, which was following, was hampered in consequence and improved of its own accord into tight running inside ON THE WAY.

BEST JADE TRIUMPH was also hampered in this incident.

Then near the 800 Metres, MAGICAL BEAM was tight for some distance inside ON THE WAY which, when racing tight inside ASCENSION, continued to be very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions.

Near the 700 Metres, HECO RIDER was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 600 Metres, MAGICAL BEAM was again momentarily crowded for room inside ON THE WAY when continuing to race tight inside that horse which got its head on the side and became unbalanced after bumping MAGICAL BEAM.

Rounding the Home Turn, BEST JADE TRIUMPH was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MEGA CHAMPION.

For the majority of the race, UNIQUE JOYFUL travelled wide and without cover.

During the race, BEST JADE TRIUMPH lost its left front and left hind plates.

When questioned regarding the improved performance of SEMPITERNAL, Trainer W Y So stated that at its final run last season the horse had performed well when able to be ridden in a about a midfield position.

He said due to the make-up of the field at its first up run this season, it was hoped that the horse may be able to take up a similar position, however, on jumping SEMPITERNAL, which was fractious in the barriers, reared as the start was effected and lost ground which resulted in it having to race further back in the field than had been anticipated.

He said because he was disappointed with the manner in which SEMPITERNAL began that race, he barrier trialed the horse afterwards and prior to today's race with the primary objective being to get it to begin well.

He said as it was anticipated that today's race would be run at a slow tempo, he instructed C K Tong, the rider of SEMPITERNAL, to ensure, as best as he could, that the horse began well and to take up a forward position if possible.

He added, in his opinion, today's improved performance could be attributed to the fact that the horse was able to begin its race well which had the result of it being able to race in a forward position.

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

ASCENSION, SEMPITERNAL and STAR MAJESTIC were sent for sampling.