Recap by phillip woo

Fay Deep settled fifth and one off the stands side, was badly held up until the leader Diamond Master shifted hung out at the 200m and he then quickened nicely to take control 100m out for back-to-back wins at a good price despite a perfect gate. Diamond Mysterious was handily ridden underneath Fay Deep, briefly hit the front four from the right at the 150m and found one too smart on the day. Rank outsider A Fast One finished off nicely after travelling third from the rear near the outside fence in a much-improved run with blinkers. Top Bonus stayed on reasonably well to add further value to the Quartet after making his run fourth from the rear and two off the stands in an improved run. Diamond Master was pestered for the front while travelling along the grandstand side by The Prince, hung out a bit under pressure and was swallowed up in the final 30m for a placing. Solar Kingdom was up with the leading group near the center of the course and was giving ground 100m out. Plunged late in betting, The Prince was gone 150m out after eyeballing the leader.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (441)-LOTUS BRIDGE HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1000Metres

After being loaded, BETA HEDGE became very fractious and reared on a number of occasions, resulting in its rider, H W Lai, being dislodged.

BETA HEDGE was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse appeared sore behind and as such was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of BETA HEDGE.

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

After the race, H W Lai was examined by the Club's medical officers and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements.

DIAMOND MASTER began awkwardly.

JUST ACE began only fairly.

DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS began only fairly and shortly after the start was momentarily steadied when racing in restricted room between DIAMOND MASTER and FAY DEEP.

SOLAR KINGDOM lost its left hind plate approaching the 900 Metres.

Inside the 400 Metres, DIAMOND MASTER commenced to lay in and then near the 200 Metres hung in, causing THE PRINCE to be momentarily inconvenienced.

After this, DIAMOND MASTER continued to race with its head on the side.

After being held up for a run for some distance after the 400 Metres, TOP BONUS, when being shifted to the inside of LEAN JOURNEY to obtain clear running, clipped the heels of that horse and blundered.

TOP BONUS then shifted in and inconvenienced EXTREMELY FUN which then shifted in away from TOP BONUS, causing ADDOLE to be inconvenienced also.

A veterinary inspection of LEAN JOURNEY immediately following the race revealed the horse to have sustained wounds to the back of its left hind leg.

Near the 250 Metres, SUGAR was shifted in away from the heels of LEAN JOURNEY which was giving ground abruptly.

Near the 50 Metres, EXTREMELY FUN shifted out, resulting in SUGAR being taken out onto LEAN JOURNEY which became unbalanced when continuing to give ground.

When questioned, N Rawiller stated that he had been asked to ride SUGAR in a forward position if the horse began well, otherwise to attempt to obtain cover in the early stages.

He said after being loaded BETA HEDGE proved very fractious in the adjourning stall, causing SUGAR to become stirred up and then as the start was effected SUGAR bumped the outside of its gate and consequently began only fairly.

He said he did not believe it would be in the best interests of the horse to then be ridden into a forward position, therefore he elected to come back and obtain cover in the early stages.

He said this resulted in SUGAR racing much further back in the field than had been intended.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LEAN JOURNEY, B Prebble stated that he had ridden the horse in an official barrier trial since its last start with blinkers on and the horse performed extremely well in this trial.

He said he had also ridden LEAN JOURNEY in a number of pieces of work both prior to and since that barrier trial and all of this work had been good.

He said in its barrier trial and in its work LEAN JOURNEY had travelled fluently and based on this good work the horse was expected to run well today.

He said in the early stages LEAN JOURNEY did not travel comfortably and he became concerned with the manner in which the horse was racing after the 800 Metres.

He said passing the 600 Metres LEAN JOURNEY was inclined to shift ground and the horse came under pressure after the 500 Metres to maintain its position.

He added despite being placed under heavy pressure after the 400 Metres, he was concerned by the abrupt manner in which LEAN JOURNEY gave ground albeit that the horse was galloped on behind after the 400 Metres.

He said the manner in which LEAN JOURNEY raced today was in stark contrast to the manner in which it trialed in the lead up to this race.

Mr C H Yip, the trainer of LEAN JOURNEY, stated that based on the strength of its work since its last run, he advised the owners that he anticipated LEAN JOURNEY would run well today.

He said as LEAN JOURNEY had performed well in its barrier trial in the lead up to this race when ridden in the lead, he asked Jockey Prebble to ride it in the same manner.

He said having in mind the manner in which the horse had raced today, he may decide to have it ridden with cover in future to see if it can perform better.

The performance of LEAN JOURNEY was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, LEAN JOURNEY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of THE PRINCE and EXTREMELY FUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

LEAN JOURNEY, FAY DEEP and DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS were sent for sampling.