Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Deja Vu settled fifth along the fence, angled into the open three deep upon straightening and closed off nicely to get his nose in front where it counted for a third straight win. Full Talent finished off willingly five deep after a patient ride third from the rear to make it a thriller on the wire. Borntoachieve led early on, was headed by Bright Strike 600m out, reclaimed the front 350m out and wouldn't go down without a fight. Lord Sinclair settled second from the rear after a sluggish break, improved to settle just worse than midfield approaching the final bend and kept on well near the inside to fill a Quartet spot. Who Else But You recovered quickly to travel one off the fence in midfield after a tardy break, shifted into the open with three wider out at the 350m and made some ground without menacing. Startling Power only plodded when asked for a response following a one-off run in third. Star Superior ran on well after trailing the field until the 400m in a pleasing debut performance. Extremely Fun never fired after a deep run beyond midfield on the back of Bear Rapper in his first run on this surface.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (762)-THE GUANGDONG-HONG KONG CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

LORD SINCLAIR was slow to begin.

WHO ELSE BUT YOU began awkwardly and lost ground.

STAR SUPERIOR was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

For a considerable distance in the early stages, BEAR RAPPER was ridden along to obtain a forward position, however, throughout the race travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground.

A veterinary inspection of BEAR RAPPER immediately following the race found the horse to be lame in its left front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, BEAR RAPPER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

For the majority of the race, ELITE SPIRIT travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he had been asked to ride STARTLING POWER in a forward position and lead if possible.

He said however as it was felt that BORNTOACHIEVE, which was drawn inside STARTLING POWER, would also be ridden to lead and if he was not able to lead, he should sit outside and behind that horse and not to engage in a speed battle.

He said in accordance with his instructions, he rode STARTLING POWER vigorously in the early stage, however, BORNTOACHIEVE was able to maintain its position to the inside of STARTLING POWER.

He said when it became apparent to him that he would not be able to cross that horse approaching the 1000 Metres, he commenced to steady STARTLING POWER in order to sit about a neck behind BORNTOACHIEVE.

He added STARTLING POWER initially settled well, however, when BRIGHT STRIKE improved its position outside STARTLING POWER near the 700 Metres, STARTLING POWER then commenced to over-race and would not settle and was inclined to get its head up and shift ground which resulted in STARTLING POWER shifting in and bumping BORNTOACHIEVE.

A veterinary inspection of EXTREMELY FUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

TRAVEL NUMBER ONE lost its left front plate after the race.

DEJA VU and FULL TALENT were sent for sampling.