Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Sky King was suited by the good early tempo and came from beyond midfield to collar King Genki in the dying stages to remain unbeaten in two runs on this surface. He looks one that can handle a rise in grade off a lightweight over a mile or 1,800m on this track. King Genki was softened for the front by Excel Onself, opened up a decent margin at the 800m and just found one too good. He'll be winning shortly if he remains in the grade over the mile or 1,800m on the dirt. Deja Vu kept on reasonably well following one-out, one-back run. He appears from his past two starts to be near a bottom. Little Dragon came on strongly after travelling second from the rear from a wide gate. He was suited by the tempo but is definitely a winner waiting to happen at this level over a mile on either surface. Super Man was at the back instead of his usual front-running tactics but was getting going late near the inside to go close. He's been in the thick of the finish in his past three starts but is hovering around a rating which may be his peak. Plunged late, Allcash never ran on from behind midfield despite a suitable pace. He's not a dirt horse.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (459)-KESTREL HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Metres

SUPER MAN was slow to begin.

Shortly after the start, ALLCASH became unbalanced after being bumped by RUBY COAST which shifted out away from PACKING GENIUS.

A short distance after this PACKING GENIUS was bumped by KING GENKI which shifted out.

Making the turn near the 1500 Metres, DEJA VU shifted in away from RED MARVEL and made heavy contact with KING GENKI which became badly unbalanced.

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

Approaching and passing the 1400 Metres, SUPER MAN raced with its head on the side, hung out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LITTLE DRAGON.

Throughout the race, CELESTIAL ARROW travelled wide and without cover and near the 700 Metres hung out.

The performance of CELESTIAL ARROW, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, CELESTIAL ARROW will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned, K C Ng stated that as KING GENKI is a long striding horse, he was instructed to ensure that he led from barrier 1 and not restrain the horse so as to ensure that its stride was not broken.

He said KING GENKI does not possess a turn of foot and therefore the connections did not want the horse to be steadied to obtain cover in the early stages and then have to make a second run as this would not be in the best interests of KING GENKI and would suit horses which possess a superior turn of foot.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode KING GENKI along in the early stages to obtain the lead.

He said near the 1200 Metres KING GENKI lay in and brushed the running rail when EXCEL ONESELF was racing to its outside.

He said he was aware that the tempo of the race was faster than he had hoped and as it appeared as though the rider of EXCEL ONESELF was intent on leading, he attempted to steady KING GENKI and was happy to allow that horse to cross as this would provide him with the opportunity to immediately switch to the outside of EXCEL ONESELF.

He said he was not able to steady KING GENKI sufficiently to allow EXCEL ONESELF to cross on entering the Back Straight and then near the 1100 Metres KING GENKI again became unbalanced after being bumped by EXCEL ONESELF.

He said this resulted in KING GENKI travelling more keenly and him being unable to restrain the horse.

He added passing the 800 Metres he was able to gain the outright lead on KING GENKI and in accordance with his instructions he allowed the horse to stride along to ensure that it maintained its momentum.

After viewing the videos of the race and considering the sectional times, the Stewards in the circumstances advised Jockey Ng that they were satisfied with his riding of KING GENKI until the 800 Metres, however, after the 800 Metres, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made more of an attempt to rate KING GENKI when racing in the lead so as to allow that horse to finish off the race as best as it was able.

A veterinary inspection of RED MARVEL and ALLCASH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

SKY KING and KING GENKI were sent for sampling.