Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Lotus Breeze got the nose down at the right time after shouldering into the clear 300m out following a prominent run along the fence to open his win account at his 23rd start and give trainer Chris So Wai-yin a four-timer. He might find things harder following a rating rise. Multimax came within a whisker making it three on the trot after getting to the lead 850m out from a tricky gate. Charity Glory was able to land a handy spot with cover from the widest gate and stayed on well to make it a blanket finish. He's made it close on the wire in both starts this term and it's only a matter of time before he strikes the right race. Aerospeed was hitting the line well after a deep run behind midfield. He continues to knock on the door on turf but does have the pedigree to relish the dirt as well. Winfield really got going from near the back after a sluggish break. He's caught the eye in both local starts but does want a longer trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (054)-SUNNING HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Metres

JADE FORTUNE was slow to begin.

From a wide barrier, SUNNY ORIENT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 1100 Metres, AVELLINO was momentarily crowded for room inside HARD BALL GET which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LOOK ERAS.

After this, AVELLINO proved difficult to settle and got its head up passing the 1000 Metres when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LOTUS BREEZE and tight inside HARD BALL GET.

Making the turn after the 900 Metres, AEROSPEED was bumped and taken wider by AVELLINO which got its head on the side and hung out.

This resulted in AEROSPEED racing wide and without cover.

Near the 850 Metres, HARD BALL GET lost ground when momentarily tightened for room between LOTUS BREEZE an CHARITY GLORY, both of which shifted slight ground.

CHARITY GLORY travelled wide and without cover until near the 600 Metres.

Near the 350 Metres, LOTUS BREEZE and CHARITY GLORY raced tight as LOTUS BREEZE shifted out into clear running.

LOTUS BREEZE and CHARITY GLORY then again raced tight passing the 200 Metres and over the concluding stages made contact on a number of occasions due to CHARITY GLORY laying in under pressure.

Approaching the 200 Metres, SEE ME NOW was awkwardly placed inside the heels of OCEAN ROAR.

SEE ME NOW continued to race tight inside OCEAN ROAR until approaching the 100 Metres due to OCEAN ROAR shifting in when giving ground.

Over the concluding stages, JADE FORTUNE raced tight inside LOOK ERAS which was tiring.

When questioned regarding his riding of WINFIELD, D Whyte stated that he had been instructed to have the horse travelling comfortably in a midfield position if possible.

He said WINFIELD began only fairly and he therefore had to ride the horse along in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a more prominent position.

He said approaching the 1000 Metres AEROSPEED was racing to his outside and in advance of WINFIELD and he was unable to continue improving to the outside of AVELLINO.

He said therefore he positioned WINFIELD behind AVELLINO and then took WINFIELD to the rail to save ground passing the 900 Metres.

He said near the 800 Metres he noticed N Callan, the rider of AVELLINO, hit that horse down the left shoulder with the whip as it was apparent that AVELLINO was hanging out.

He said near the 700 Metres he shifted WINFIELD out to follow AVELLINO and considered following that horse in order to shift to its outside rounding the Home Turn.

He said however that he observed AVELLINO continue to hang out and this was particularly the case rounding the Home Turn.

He said he therefore elected to improve to the inside of AVELLINO and obtain runs to that horse's inside if its continued to hang out as he anticipated.

He added at the entrance to the Straight he rode WINFIELD along to improve between HARD BALL GET and AVELLINO, however, AVELLINO was straightened at that time and as HARD BALL GET was shifting out to improve its position, he had to check WINFIELD when disappointed for running between those horses.

He said he then switched WINFIELD to the inside of HARD BALL GET to follow LOTUS BREEZE, a horse that he considered to be a strong chance in the race.

He said he rode WINFIELD along and near the 200 Metres shifted it to the inside of LOTUS BREEZE as there was clear running available to the inside of that horse due to OCEAN ROAR giving ground.

He said passing the 100 Metres he shifted WINFIELD to the inside of MULTIMAX to obtain clear running, however, he was able to ride his mount along throughout this time of the race.

When questioned as to why he did not improve to the outside of CHARITY GLORY approaching the 200 Metres, D Whyte stated that due to the positioning of HARD BALL GET, he felt that this was a tight run at best and that any shift from either CHARITY GLORY or HARD BALL GET would result in him being hampered and he also felt that it was a better option to obtain inside runs as he was able to ride his mount out at all times and continue its momentum.

D Whyte was advised that his explanation, particularly in respect of his riding near the 200 Metres, would be reported.

He was further advised that whilst he was able to continue to test WINFIELD after electing to shift to the inside on that horse near the 200 Metres, nonetheless it was also available for WINFIELD to improve its position between CHARITY GLORY and HARD BALL GET and accordingly, he should ensure that he is alert to runs as they become available.

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

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

WINFIELD, LOTUS BREEZE and MULTIMAX were sent for sampling.