Recap by phillip woo

Emperor Victory was hard pressed out wide from a wide gate to sit one off in second outside the leader Glory Horsie at the 800m, poked his head in front at the 100m and just held off favourite Craig's Fortune for an upset win in a blanket finish of five. Craig's Fortune finished soundly with three wider out after travelling one off in midfield. Specked late, Xinjiang Yarn was patiently ridden fourth from the rear, swung the final bend widest out and finished willingly to make it a tight on the wire. Mr Kool was caught deep without cover fore of midfield, straightened five deep and stayed on well to miss a placing by a bob of heads. Excellent Fortune travelled one off the fence behind midfield, angled into the open with two wider out at the 150m and finished well to make it a thriller on the wire. Plunged late, Glory Horsie found the front 1,000m out from a middle gate, cornered a length on top and was swamped inside the final 50m. Ambitious Speedy made some ground three deep following a handy run one off the fence. Sea Warrior made only a mild bid along the inside following a rails run travelling fore of midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (466)-LOCKHART HANDICAP (Sec2) - Class 4 - 1200Metres

On arrival at the Start, N Callan expressed concern regarding the action of TRAVEL NUMBER ONE.

TRAVEL NUMBER ONE was examined by the Veterinary Officer wo said after the necessary consultations that the horse was suitable to race.

EXCELLENT FORTUNE began awkwardly.

MANHATTAN STRIKER began only fairly.

Shortly after the start, AMBITIOUS SPEEDY shifted out after being bumped by TRAVEL NUMBER ONE and bumped the hindquarters of MR KOOL which became unbalanced.

Approaching the first turn, AMBITIOUS SPEEDY shifted in and bumped XINJIANG YARN.

Passing the 900 Metres, CRAIG'S FORTUNE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TRAVEL NUMBER ONE.

Also passing the 900 Metres, AMBITIOUS SPEEDY was momentarily awkwardly placed inside MR KOOL which shifted in away from the heels of EMPEROR VICTORY.

Passing the 450 Metres, MR KOOL became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which attempted to improve between MR KOOL and EMPEROR VICTORY.

A short distance after this, CRAIG'S FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY after that horse lost ground when disappointed for running between MR COOL and EMPEROR VICTORY.

Rounding the Home Turn, SEA WARRIOR, which was badly held up for clear running behind TRAVEL NUMBER ONE, endeavoured to improve between TRAVEL NUMBER ONE and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY where there was insufficient room, resulting in SEA WARRIOR bumping the hindquarters of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which became unbalanced.

Then passing the 300 Metres, SEA WARRIOR was shifted to the inside of TRAVEL NUMBER ONE after being steadied when disappointed for running between that horse which shifted out and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which was racing tight inside MR KOOL.

As the Stewards were satisfied that SEA WARRIOR had not properly established running between TRAVEL NUMBER ONE and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY, no further action was taken.

Passing the 250 Metres, EXCELLENT FORTUNE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY.

Then passing the 200 Metres, EXCELLENT FORTUNE was steadied in order to be shifted to the outside of CRAIG'S FORTUNE.

EXCELLENT FORTUNE subsequently became awkwardly placed close to the heels of CRAIG'S FORTUNE passing the 100 Metres when that horse shifted out under pressure.

Close to the finishing line, TRAVEL NUMBER ONE was checked when crowded for room between SEA WARRIOR which shifted out marginally and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY (H W Lai) which shifted in under pressure.

H W Lai was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he exercises more care in future.

When questioned, N Rawiller stated that it had been envisaged that SEA WARRIOR, from its good draw, would be able to settle in about 5th or 6th position.

He said SEA WARRIOR showed good early speed and making the turn into the Back Straight was able to obtain a trailing position behind the leader GLORY HORSIE.

He said he had intended to hold this position inside TRAVEL NUMBER ONE and behind GLORY HORSIE, however, when making the turn after the 700 Metres SEA WARRIOR came off the bridle and appeared to him not to be completely comfortable in the conditions.

He said he slapped the horse down the shoulder with the whip in the right hand near the 650 Metres in an endeavour for SEA WARRIOR to hold its positon and prevent TRAVEL NUMBER ONE from shifting in.

He said he felt that to hold its position behind GLORY HORSIE, he would have had to ride SEA WARRIOR aggressively at this time as the horse was not maintaining its position despite being given a slap down the shoulder.

He added he did not believe it was in the best interests for the horse to be aggressively ridden at this time and therefore he elected to allow TRAVEL NUMBER ONE to cross SEA WARRIOR near the 500 Metres.

He said he felt that SEA WARRIOR's best opportunity to finish off the race would be for not having it off the bridle mid race.

The Stewards advised N Rawiller that whilst they accepted he had slapped the horse down the shoulder near the 650 Metres, in their opinion, he should have made more of an effort to maintain his position given that it was at a critical stage of the race.

N Rawiller was advised that, wherever circumstances permit, he rides his mounts in such a manner so as to ensure that they are able to hold advantageous positions.

A veterinary inspection of FILL POWER immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small cut to the right hind pastern.

The performance of FILL POWER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

When questioned regarding the improved performance of EMPEROR VICTORY, Trainer Y S Tsui stated that at its last start he formed the opinion that EMPEROR VICTORY was somewhat timid when racing amongst other horses and for this reason, with Apprentice H N Wong engaged, he believed that there was an opportunity for the horse with a light weight to be ridden for speed.

He said he anticipated that were EMPEROR VICTORY able to obtain the lead in this race, it would perform better.

EMPEROR VICTORY and CRAIG'S FORTUNE were sent for sampling.