Recap by phillip woo

California Bounty took the sit in second behind Harbour Alert, came three deep upon straightening, hit the front 80m out and just held General Iron for the win. General Iron was a handy fifth in the run one off the fence, straightened five deep and closed well to make it tight on the wire. He's ready to win. Smart Declaration straightened one off the fence following a rail's run in fourth and kept up a reasonable gallop to wear down leader Harbour Alert for a placing. Early favourite Harbour Alert cornered a length on top after finding the front widest out at the 800m and was stopping 100m out. Red Kylin was getting going with one wider out after travelling third from the rear in an improved effort. Free November made some ground from the tail of the field in a better performance. Lucky Celebrity never ran on widest out after settling second from the rear. Post-time favourite Super Abundante settled one-out, one-back, was left without cover at the 800m and faded over the final 150m.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (013)-CHUNG HOM KOK HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Metres

SMART DECLARATION shifted in at the start and bumped CALIFORNIA BOUNTY.

From a wide barrier, LUCKY CELEBRITY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

SMART DECLARATION lost its right front plate after the line.

When questioned, C Schofield stated that he had been instructed to ride FREE NOVEMBER more conservatively as the horse had not been finishing off its races last season when being ridden along to obtain a forward position.

He said with CALIFORNIA BOUNTY and SMART DECLARATION being drawn to the inside of FREE NOVEMBER, it was anticipated that he would be able to allow those horses to improve forward of FREE NOVEMBER in order to obtain a trailing position behind them.

He said in accordance with his instructions, he steadied FREE NOVEMBER in the early stages and commenced to shift across behind SMART DECLARATION, however, FREE NOVEMBER dropped the bit more than he had anticipated and, despite then being niggled along, got further out of its ground than had been intended.

He added he was aware that the rider of STINGER, which was positioned to the outside of FREE NOVEMBER, was riding his mount along and he did not believe it was in the best interests of FREE NOVEMBER to ride it aggressively at this time to prevent STINGER from shifting in as it had been explained to him that the horse had over-raced on occasions during its racing career.

He said therefore he elected to obtain a trailing positon behind STINGER.

He said he continued to follow STINGER throughout the middle stages and when it shifted out approaching the Home Turn, he improved to the inside of STINGER and commenced to ride his mount along after which the horse closed off the race well.

C Schofield was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, there was an opportunity for him to maintain his position inside STINGER along the Back Straight without having to ride his mount aggressively to do so.

The Stewards also advised C Schofield that, in their opinion, he should have commenced to ride his mount sooner to improve into the race.

C Schofield was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they do not get too far out of their ground.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUPER ABUNDANTE, Y T Cheng stated that he was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages after which the horse travelled very well.

He said although SUPER ABUNDANTE was taken into a three wide position near the 450 Metres when CALIFORNIA BOUNTY shifted away from the rail, he was not concerned by this as SUPER ABUNDANTE was still travelling well.

He added however that after he placed the horse under pressure passing the 400 Metres, SUPER ABUNDANTE did not quicken as he expected and he had to ride it along rounding the Home Turn.

He said shortly after entering the Straight SUPER ABUNDANTE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CALIFORNIA BOUNTY which shifted out, however, SUPER ABUNDANTE was under pressure at this time.

He said, despite being fully tested in the Straight, SUPER ABUNDANTE was disappointing in its failure to close off the race.

A veterinary inspection of SUPER ABUNDANTE 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, SUPER ABUNDANTE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SUPER ABUNDANTE, CALIFORNIA BOUNTY and GENERAL IRON were sent for sampling.