Recap by phillip woo

Raging Bull eventually cleared to the fence from a wide gate for the lead 900m out, cornered near two lengths on top and kept finding for a second win from 12 starts. Specked late Mellifluent was posted deep early on from a wide gate until finding cover in midfield 800m out, rounded the final bend with one wider out and finished well to grab second 50m out. Danewin Express made ground near the inside following a three back run along the fence to fill a placing. Favourite Bold Stitch stayed on a non-threatening fourth after a handy run with cover behind Snow Slider. Amazing Always made only a mild bid when asked for his effort five deep following a one-off run outside Danewin Express. Imperial Seal made some ground without ever looking a chance following a rails run travelling behind midfield. Snow Slider was stopping 150m out after a deep run without cover near the speed. Well-punted late G-One Leader blew the start by two lengths.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (512)-CYMBIDIUM HANDICAP (Sec1) - Class 4 - 1400Metres

FORZA AVANTI was withdrawn on 25.3.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TEN SPEED (Y T Cheng).

Before being allowed to race again, FORZA AVANTI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that AMAZING ALWAYS had lost its left front plate.

After being replated, AMAZING ALWAYS was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

DANEWIN EXPRESS and FLYING MACHINE began awkwardly.

BOLD STITCH and TEN SPEED were crowded for room on jumping between AMAZING ALWAYS and SNOW SLIDER which shifted in.

In this incident, AMAZING ALWAYS became unbalanced after being bumped by BOLD STITCH.

When being steadied in the early stages, MASTER PINNACLE travelled keenly and got its head up on a number of occasions.

From a wide barrier, PEARL FURU was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After the 600 Metres, MASTER PINNACLE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AMAZING ALWAYS.

IMPERIAL SEAL had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

TEN SPEED was badly held up for clear running until after the 300 Metres.

Close to the finishing line, IMPERIAL SEAL raced close to the heels of DANEWIN EXPRESS and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

When questioned regarding his riding of SNOW SLIDER in the early stages, H W Lai stated that he had been asked to lead on the horse if possible, however, if the circumstances of the race meant that he was unable to do so, he should attempt to obtain a position with cover behind the speed.

He said SNOW SLIDER began well and he initially rode his mount along to take up a forward position.

He said shortly after the start he noted that both BUSINESS AS USUAL and TRENDY WORLD were being hard ridden to obtain forward positions and further that RAGING BULL, which was drawn to the outside of SNOW SLIDER, was also being aggressively ridden.

He said he felt that he would have had to make considerable use of the horse in an attempt to clear runners to his inside and therefore he elected, after the 1300 Metres, to attempt to obtain a trailing position behind TRENDY WORLD which was still being ridden along.

He said due to the circumstances of the race, after the 1300 Metres, he was not able to obtain a position with cover and he was left racing to the outside of TRENDY WORLD.

He added approaching the 1200 Metres he again commenced to ride his mount along in an endeavour to see whether SNOW SLIDER would have sufficient speed to cross TRENDY WORLD, however, it was apparent to him that TRENDY WORLD, BUSINESS AS USUAL and RAGING BULL were all showing more speed than SNOW SLIDER.

He said approaching the 1000 Metres he again rode his mount along in an attempt to obtain a more forward position so as not to travel wide and without cover, however, SNOW SLIDER did not show sufficient speed to do so and consequently was left racing in a position three wide and without cover throughout the middle stages.

Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of SNOW SLIDER, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Lai and after viewing the video was satisfied that the circumstances of the race and the fact that SNOW SLIDER had not shown as much early speed as he anticipated had resulted in the horse travelling wide and without cover.

Mr Yiu further stated that he was satisfied with H W Lai's riding of the horse.

H W Lai was advised that the Stewards were satisfied that he had made some effort to lead on SNOW SLIDER, however, in the circumstances they were of the view that he could have made a more concerted effort to establish whether SNOW SLIDER would have sufficient speed to cross runners to its inside and lead.

He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts, wherever possible, in accordance with his instructions.

When questioned, C Schofield stated that after being placed in the barriers, G-ONE LEADER stood well, however, as the start was effected became fractious and sat back, resulting in the horse being slow to begin.

He said he then pushed G-ONE LEADER along in the early stages to make up lost ground, however, the horse was reluctant to improve its position.

He said this resulted in G-ONE LEADER racing much further back in the field than had been intended.

He added rounding the Home Turn he was reluctant to shift G-ONE LEADER out which would have required the horse to cover more ground given that he had to make use of his horse in the early stages in an attempt to make up lost ground, therefore he elected to ride G-ONE LEADER for luck in the Straight in order to save ground.

He said after being held up for clear running behind IMPERIAL SEAL for some distance after the 300 Metres, his mount then closed off the race strongly over the concluding stages.

A veterinary inspection of G-ONE LEADER immediately following the race found that there was blood at the left nostril of the horse, however, an endoscopic examination conducted on G-ONE LEADER found it not to have bled.

BOLD STITCH, RAGING BULL and MELLIFLUENT were sent for sampling.