Recap by phillip woo

Hong Kong Fat saved ground in midfield, stayed near the inside upon straightening and got up 50m out for the win with smart money for him late. Keen Tactics travelled fore of midfield and one off the fence, rounded the final bend five deep and finished nicely to snatch second from Bornfree in the final few strides. Bornfree made a steady bid after enjoying a lovely run in the box-seat. Favourite Oxford Charley got going with two wider out after travelling third from the rear and one off the fence to secure a Quartet spot. Viva Guy made a good bid with three wider out after travelling at the tail of the field to make it close for a Quartet spot. Choice Exchequer reclaimed the lead from Little Rainforest at the 250m and was stopping 100m out. Glorious Victory only plodded five deep over the final 150m following a one-off run in third. Island Flyer made some ground without menacing with one wider out after making his run second from the rear. Sweet Bean never got into the race after travelling behind midfield along the paint. Thumped in betting, Zachary was eased down mid-straight after a deep run without cover in midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (201)-FIFE HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1800Metres

MR VANILLA began only fairly and shortly after the start was momentarily steadied away from the heels of GLORIOUS VICTORY.

On jumping, ZACHARY stumbled after beginning very awkwardly.

Then in the early stages, despite being ridden along, ZACHARY failed to muster speed.

ZACHARY then travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and in the Straight tailed out.

A veterinary inspection of ZACHARY immediately following the race revealed the horse to have sustained superficial overreach wounds to both heels of the right front foot.

The performance of ZACHARY was considered unacceptable.

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

From wide barriers, OXFORD CHARLEY, VIVA GUY and ISLAND FLYER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 200 Metres, VIVA GUY was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of KEEN TACTICS.

Approaching the 100 Metres, HONG KONG FAT became unbalanced.

Near the 50 Metres, BORNFREE and CHOICE EXCHEQUER raced tight.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SWEET BEAN, G Mosse stated that it had been hoped that SWEET BEAN would be able to obtain a position in about midfield from the horse's favourable draw.

He said after beginning only fairly SWEET BEAN lost ground when crowded for room between HONG KONG FAT and KEEN TACTICS, both of which shifted ground.

He said after this he rode his mount along in an endeavour to make up lost ground, however, SWEET BEAN did not show any early speed and consequently was obliged to race further back in the field than had been intended.

He added SWEET BEAN travelled satisfactorily throughout the race, however, was unable to quicken after the 500 Metres when placed under pressure He said SWEET BEAN initially commenced to finish off the race one-paced, however, was disappointing in that over the final 100 Metres the horse, despite being ridden out, lost ground.

He stated that he had ridden SWEET BEAN in a piece of work in the lead up to tonight's race and based on that work he expected that it would perform well.

Trainer C Fownes was unable to offer any explanation for the horse's disappointing performance other than he had been disappointed that the horse was unable to utilize its favourable barrier and race in a more forward position.

He said when successful at its last start SWEET BEAN was able to obtain inside runs and on that occasion it finished off the race well.

He said he agreed with Jockey Mosse that SWEET BEAN's work leading up to the race had indicated to him that it had not shown any regression since its last start win.

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

The performance of SWEET BEAN was considered unacceptable.

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

OXFORD CHARLEY, HONG KONG FAT and KEEN TACTICS were sent for sampling.