Recap by phillip woo

Odds-on favourite Country Melody travelled in third three off the stands side, advanced to the front 300m out and edged away to win well despite a step up in class. Disciples Twelve ran on strongly from behind midfield when shifting out for a clear run 150m out to run down outsider Smart Declaration close to home for second. Smart Declaration jumped a lot better to track the leader Dane Patrol one off the stands side and kept on gamely for a placing. Dane Patrol set the pace and was overhauled in the final stages for a placing. Ambitious King held his ground following a handy run near the centre of the course. Sugar was prominent along the stands side and kept on evenly when popped the question. Bleeder Good Treasure made noticeable ground from near the rear on the wrong side of the straight course in his first run of the campaign over an unsuitable trip. Happy Bao Bei made his run underneath Sugar, tight between runners at the 250m and yielding ground 150m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (257)-JOCKEY CLUB ROAD HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Metres

FLYING CAPTAIN, which began only fairly, was crowded for room on jumping between COUNTRY MELODY which shifted in and LUCKY CELEBRITY which was taken out by BORN IN CHINA which then received contact from GOOD TREASURE which shifted out.

MULTIEXPRESS began awkwardly and bumped with SUGAR shortly after the start.

Near the 500 Metres, AMBITIOUS KING shifted out and bumped NO MONEY NO TALK.

At the 400 Metres, HAPPY BAO BEI and DISCIPLES TWELVE (Z Purton) brushed as a result of DISCIPLES TWELVE improving into tight running between SUGAR and HAPPY BAO BEI.

After making contact with HAPPY BAO BEI, DISCIPLES TWELVE then got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider.

This resulted in HAPPY BAO BEI becoming unbalanced for some distance when crowded for room out onto ART OF SUCCESS which was racing tight outside NO MONEY NO TALK which got its head on the side and shifted out.

Z Purton was advised to ensure that he exercises due care when improving into tight running in similar circumstances.

When questioned regarding his riding of GOOD TREASURE, C Reith stated that after beginning awkwardly he shifted his mount towards the outside rail.

He said throughout the early and middle stages, despite being niggled along, GOOD TREASURE struggled with the tempo of the race and was never travelling comfortably.

He said for this reason after the 600 Metres he attempted to have GOOD TREASURE balanced up so that it would be able to finish off the race.

He said he placed the horse under pressure prior to the 400 Metres and it then finished off the race fairly.

C Reith was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he must ensure that he rides his mounts with sufficient purpose and vigour so as to leave no room for query.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LUCKY CELEBRITY, B Prebble stated that after being crowded for room at the start he had to ride his mount along in the early stages to obtain a midfield position.

He said LUCKY CELEBRITY travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages and after being shifted in from behind AMBITIOUS KING into clear running after the 500 Metres, LUCKY CELEBRITY immediately came under pressure and then was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race.

He added LUCKY CELEBRITY appeared to be reluctant to stretch out.

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

After the race, Apprentice K C Ng reported that MULTIEXPRESS did not travel well at any stage of the race and did not appear to be stretching out.

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

A veterinary inspection of BORN IN CHINA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

COUNTRY MELODY and DISCIPLES TWELVE were sent for sampling.