Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite Verbinsky responded nicely when push came to shove following a handy run to get up 50m out for a first win at his ninth start and initial one at the Valley. He's not a world-beater but connections will have endless sprint options at either track to try and notch a second success. Presidentparamount closed off well after landing a spot in midfield from a wide gate to get the bob in for second over Diamond Master with heaps of money coming for him late. He's more effective over the Sha Tin 1,400m. Diamond Master set a slow pace after driving through to lead at the 800m and grudgingly gave way late. His tactical speed will always give him a fighting chance over this course. Enreaching grudgingly giving way late after settling one off in second after leading from the 1,000m to 800m in an improved run at his third start. The summer break appears to have done him a world of good. Golden Chopsticks ran on reasonably well from the back despite unsuitable fractions. Early favourite E-Super had excuses when posted deep after failing to clear for the lead from a wide gate. Early favourite E-Super had the momentum to lead from a wide gate but rider Neil Callan decided to hit the brakes instead at the 1,000m which likely cost him the race cause he was posted without cover.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (078)-KC.

GOOD FUNDS SERVICES HANDICAP (Sec1) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

When being re-saddled at the start, E-SUPER sustained a minor cut to the left hind leg.

E-SUPER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

DIGITAL PIONEER and DIAMOND MASTER began only fairly.

STARTLING POWER shifted out on jumping, resulting in RADIANT STEED and ELITE SPIRIT being hampered.

VERBINSKY shifted in shortly after the start and bumped GOLDEN CHOPSTICKS.

From the outside barrier, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners.

Near the 1000 Metres, ELITE SPIRIT was checked away from the heels of RADIANT STEED which shifted out making the turn.

Near the 850 Metres, WHY WHY momentarily raced in restricted room inside VERBINSKY which got its head on the side and lay in.

Passing the winning post, DIAMOND MASTER jumped a shadow.

Throughout the race, MR RIGHT travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, N Callan stated that he was asked to ride E-SUPER in a similar fashion to when he rode the horse to success towards the end of last season when, from a similar barrier, he rode it along in the early stages to clear runners to his inside and then obtained a trailing position behind the leader.

He said in accordance with his instructions, he rode E-SUPER along in the early stages of tonight's race so as to clear runners to his inside.

He said approaching the 1100 Metres he observed that ENREACHING was also being ridden along and he felt hat that horse was being ridden to cross DIAMOND MASTER which was racing on the rail.

He said he therefore steadied E-SUPER in order to be shifted in to race outside ENREACHING after which he intended to steady E-SUPER and allow MR RIGHT, which was racing to the outside of E-SUPER, to cross his mount, thereby obtaining cover.

He said however that ENREACHING did not cross DIAMOND MASTER and as he steadied E-SUPER, his mount commenced to over-race and would not settle.

He said making the turn after the 1000 Metres E-SUPER, when continuing to travel keenly, shifted out abruptly, resulting in the horse making the turn wide and MR RIGHT also being taken wider.

He added because of this he was not able to take up a trailing positon behind ENREACHING as VERBINSKY had obtained this position and E-SUPER was continuing to travel keenly.

He said therefore he was unable to steady E-SUPER and allow MR RIGHT to improve around his mount which resulted in E-SUPER having to race wide and without cover throughout.

A veterinary inspection of E-SUPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

VERBINSKY and PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT were sent for sampling.