Recap by phillip woo

A Beautiful rolled to the front 250m out after travelling one off in midfield for the win despite carrying top weight. He appreciated the drop in class after being unlucky in a couple of close Class Three performances. Great Treasure rallied well after travelling deep with cover beyond midfield to inject some value into the Quinella. He proved the win two back over this trip was no fluke and might have more to come. Meisterstueck had a deep run in midfield from the widest gate and still stayed on well after twice copping a bump in the drive by Ambitious Heart. He should have gone closer and it would pay to follow up on him. Ambitious Heart still showed his inexperience when wandering under pressure following a rails run in midfield but kept on well to just miss a placing. A maiden success is fast approaching over this trip or possibly with a step to a mile. Right Call had his chance after dictating the run. He's capable of a big run but isn't anything special.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (303)-YI TUNG SHAN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1400Metres

SNOW SLIDER was withdrawn on 31.12.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter RIGHT CALL (Apprentice K K Chiong).

Before being allowed to race again, SNOW SLIDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

As the start was effected, HAPPY BEAUTY lifted its front feet off the ground, resulting in the horse losing ground.

GOLDEN ACHIEVER began only fairly and shortly after the start was hampered by GREAT TREASURE which shifted out.

GOLDIE FLANKER began awkwardly.

From wide barriers, SWEET HOME and TEAM SWEET were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After the 1000 Metres, AMBITIOUS HEART got its head up when proving difficult to settle.

After initially being taken out by AMBITIOUS HEART approaching the 400 Metres, SMILING CHARM shifted out away from that horse, resulting in TEAM SWEET being hampered and directed out onto GOLDIE FLANKER which became unbalanced when crowded for room inside GOLDEN ACHIEVER.

Then passing the 350 Metres, GOLDIE FLANKER was again crowded for room between GOLDEN ACHIEVER and TEAM SWEET which continued to race in restricted room outside SMILING CHARM.

In the early part of the Straight, SWEET HOME hung in and proved reluctant to shift to the outside of GOLDEN ACHIEVER.

Passing the 300 Metres, MEISTERSTUECK was bumped by AMBITIOUS HEART which shifted out to obtain clear running.

Throughout the race, MEISTERSTUECK travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, O Murphy stated that he was instructed to ride SWEET HOME quietly from a wide barrier.

He said in the early part of the race SWEET HOME proved difficult to settle and was inclined to get its head up on a number of occasions.

He said rounding the Home Turn he attempted to shift SWEET HOME to the outside of GOLDEN ACHIEVER, however, the horse hung in and proved reluctant to shift to the outside of that horse.

He said he was able to shift SWEET HOME out after the 400 Metres and immediately placed the horse under pressure, however, SWEET HOME continued to hang in in the Straight and proved difficult to ride.

A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN ACHIEVER and SMILING CHARM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

TEAM SWEET, A BEAUTIFUL and GREAT TREASURE were sent for sampling.