Recap by phillip woo

Trendiful was given a treat of a ride to land a spot one off in fourth from an awkward gate, rounded the final bend with three wider out, hit the front at the 200m mark and drew clear for an easy maiden win at his 14th start. Favourite Idyllic Wind settled third along the rails, straightened five deep and finished nicely for a clear-cut second. Chans Delight settled fifth along the paint, cornered four deep and stayed on well for a placing in an improved performance. Optimism got going late with one wider out after making his run fourth from the rear to grab a Quartet spot. Joyful Luck stayed to the inside after travelling behind midfield and made some ground late without menacing. Namjong Surprise travelled without cover in midfield, swung the final bend with two wider out and kept on evenly with a tendency to lay in under pressure over the final 200m. Always Wonderful went forward from a wide gate to lead one off the rails outside Dark Core, cornered narrowly on top and was stopping 100m out. Winning Advantage had his chances stopped in his tracks when checked between runners five deep at the 150m after a one-off run behind midfield. Bornfree only got by a few from near the back. California Rock was never involved after fading back from a wide gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (611)-LAM TSUEN RIVER HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1000Metres

At declaration time, J Moreira was declared as the rider of both TRENDIFUL and CALIFORNIA ROCK.

It was established that J Moreira had a firm commitment to ride TRENDIFUL.

As such, the Stewards permitted Apprentice K C Ng to be substituted as the rider of CALIFORNIA ROCK.

For this declaration error, Trainer A S Cruz was fined $2,000.

On arrival at the Start, J Moreira expressed some concern over the action of TRENDIFUL when proceeding to the Start.

TRENDIFUL was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed fit to race.

LUCKY PIONEER was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of DARK CORE which shifted in after bumping with WINNING ADVANTAGE on jumping.

OPTIMISM was slow to begin.

JOYFUL LUCK began only fairly.

Near the 950 Metres, BORNFREE momentarily raced in restricted room between TRENDIFUL and WINNING ADVANTAGE, both of which shifted ground.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, CALIFORNIA ROCK failed to muster early speed.

CALIFORNIA ROCK was then steadied in order to shift across behind runners near the 900 Metres, however, travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race.

After the 800 Metres, JOYFUL LUCK was steadied when crowded for room inside CHANS DELIGHT which got its head on the side and momentarily shifted in away from IDYLLIC WIND.

After the 700 Metres, CHANS DELIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of IDYLLIC WIND.

Making the turn approaching the 600 Metres, JOYFUL LUCK got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of CHANS DELIGHT.

Then making the turn after the 600 Metres, JOYFUL LUCK got its head on the side and was checked after shifting out onto the heels of WINNING ADVANTAGE.

LUCKY PIONEER, which was following, was hampered in consequence.

At the 300 Metres, IDYLLIC WIND raced tight inside TRENDIFUL which shifted in.

Near the 150 Metres, WINNING ADVANTAGE was steadied when crowded for room between CHANS DELIGHT which shifted out marginally and NAMJONG SURPRISE which shifted in.

Near the 50 Metres, O Doleuze (JOYFUL LUCK) dropped his whip.

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

TRENDIFUL and IDYLLIC WIND were sent for sampling.