Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Born Dragon enjoyed an uncontested lead after being hustled to lead from gate five and kept up a strong gallop to open his win account at start 10. He struck a weak race and will find it harder with a return to Class Four. Ambitious Speedy stuck on well after a prominent run without cover to finish second with a step back in distance. He's always capable of a big run at this level but isn't genuine. Lucky Sebring made a steady bid from midfield to make it close for second at huge odds in a vastly improved run with a switch to the dirt. He'll need to prove this run was no fluke. No Laughing Matter had done next to nothing in two past runs on this surface but finished well after a deep run travelling third from the rear to run down Planet Giant for a Quartet spot. The switch in gears appeared to help. Planet Giant made some ground after a deep run travelling worse than midfield from a wide gate. He's one to keep safe when drawing a gate. Second favourite Sir John was ridden along to track the leader in second and faded tamely in the drive. He's just not going well at the moment.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (344)-KOWLOON TSAI PARK HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Metres

BE THERE AHEAD was slow to begin.

RISING POWER was checked on jumping when crowded for room between NOVEL START which shifted out after beginning awkwardly and LEAN JOURNEY which was taken in by PLANET GIANT which shifted in,.

LUCKY FRIENDS was crowded for room on jumping between SIR JOHN which shifted out and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which began awkwardly and shifted in.

BORN DRAGON lost its left front plate shortly after the start.

A short distance after the start, LUCKY SEBRING and SIR JOHN bumped.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SNOWHOOVES failed to muster speed.

Passing the 1000 Metres, LUCKY FRIENDS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SIR JOHN.

Making the turn after the 700 Metres, NOVEL START raced tight inside the heels of PLANET GIANT.

At the 400 Metres, LUCKY SEBRING raced tight between AMBITIOUS SPEEDY and SIR JOHN which made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted out.

After the race, B Prebble advised that SIR JOHN, which gave ground noticeably in the Straight, did not feel comfortable in its action.

A veterinary inspection of SIR JOHN immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front and right hind legs.

Before being allowed to race again, SIR JOHN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Near the 50 Metres, SNOWHOOVES was eased away from the heels of NO LAUGHING MATTER which shifted in marginally under pressure.

When questioned, S de Sousa (NOVEL START) stated that he had been asked to obtain cover behind the leaders if circumstances permitted.

He said NOVEL START began very awkwardly and then became unbalanced after bumping with RISING POWER.

He said as horses which were drawn more favourably had been able to show more speed in the early stages as a result of the manner in which NOVEL START began, he was obliged to race further back in the field than had been intended.

A veterinary inspection of BE THERE AHEAD and SNOWHOOVES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

BORN DRAGON and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY were sent for sampling.