Recap by phillip woo

Raging favourite Blizzard settled three back along the fence, took a gap between runners one off the fence to take control 150m out for a fourth win from eight starts. He remains one to follow. Sight Seeing stayed on a clear-cut second three off the fence following a box-seat run but was no match for the winner. Lucky Hammer gave a cheeky sight after clearing from gate 10 and just held Flying Moochi by a whisker for a placing. Flying Moochi settled one-out, one-back, straightened five deep and kept plugging away to just miss a placing. All Win Boy got going without menacing three from the right after travelling third from the rear. Carefree Let Go peaked on his run 100m out after sitting one off in second from a wide gate. Shining Champion was on heels late after making some progress five deep following a one off run worse than midfield. Diamond Mysterious was never on the track in midfield and gave up the chase 100m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (026)-THE CHINESE RECREATION CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

On arrival at the Start, LUCKY HAMMER's right hind plate was adjusted.

LUCKY HAMMER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

SHINING CHAMPION lost its left front plate on jumping.

DUTCH WINDMILL, which was leaning on the inside of its stall as the start was effected, began awkwardly.

SGT ROCK, which began awkwardly, was crowded for room shortly after the start between BLIZZARD and SHINING CHAMPION, both of which shifted ground.

From the outside barrier, ALWAYS WIN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

When being steadied to obtain cover approaching the 1000 Metres, FLYING MOOCHI proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions.

After the 900 Metres, DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 200 Metres, BLIZZARD was struck over the nose by the whip of C Schofield (CAREFREE LET GO) and K C Ng (LUCKY HAMMER) when improving into tight running between those horses.

For some distance over the final 200 Metres, SHINING CHAMPION was awkwardly placed when attempting to improve outside the heels of FLYING MOOCHI (C Y Ho) which gradually shifted out under pressure.

Then close to the finishing line, SHINING CHAMPION was checked and shifted out abruptly away from the heels of FLYING MOOCHI, resulting in DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS, ALWAYS WIN and SHOWING CHARACTER being badly hampered.

C Y Ho was advised that whilst SHINING CHAMPION had not fully established running to the outside of FLYING MOOCHI, nonetheless, in similar circumstances, he would be expected to make every endeavour to prevent his mount from shifting ground.

When questioned, G Mosse stated that he had been asked to obtain cover on DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS behind the leading horses if possible.

He said, from barrier 9, he was unable to obtain a trailing position and consequently was left racing three wide and without cover after the 900 Metres.

He said making the turns DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS was inclined to lay out and in the Straight did not finish off the race as expected.

A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS 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, DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

G Mosse was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels all the way to the finishing line where circumstances permit.

BLIZZARD and SIGHT SEEING were sent for sampling.