Recap by phillip woo

The crowd was shocked and on their feet after raging favourite Pakistan Star jumped slowly and didn't want to travel a yard despite the persuasion of jockey Joao Moreira. He's talented but is a quirky type. As such, the late-punted Horse Of Fortune, who got the gaps along the inside rail when required following a box-seat run got up 150m out for the win. He had put the writing on the wall last start over the 1,400m and the 1,800m is his preferred distance. Romantic Touch led and wouldn't go down without a fight despite Douglas Whyte losing his whip in the drive. He can mix his form but is certainly capable of big runs over various distances up to 1,800m. Well-fancied late, Harbour Master made his move 600m out around the field after sitting one off in fourth to share the lead coming to the final bend but found a couple too good in the end. He doesn't have many points in hand but is clearly best over the 1,800m at either track. Eastern Express was disappointing after stalking the speed. He's just a shade below group level.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (753)-THE PREMIER PLATE (HANDICAP) - Group Three - 1800Metres

ANTICIPATION was withdrawn on 24.6.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore).

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

ROMANTIC TOUCH lay out rounding the Home Turn.

D Whyte (ROMANTIC TOUCH) dropped his whip approaching the 200 Metres.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in to establish the circumstances for PAKISTAN STAR failing to take any active part in the race from near the 1600 Metres.

After viewing the videos, it was established that no circumstances existed which would result in PAKISTAN STAR being removed from the field and accordingly weighed-in was declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge.

J Moreira stated that after assuming a position at the rear of the small field he had to ride his mount along in the early stages to ensure that it did not become detached from the field.

He said approaching the 1700 Metres he was required to commence riding the horse along vigorously as PAKISTAN STAR would not stretch out and appeared to him as though the horse was going to pull up.

He said when he commenced to ride the horse along, PAKISTAN STAR continued to give ground and he slapped the horse down the shoulder with the whip at about the 1650 Metres on a number of occasions.

He said, despite riding the horse vigorously, PAKISTAN STAR became unbalanced in its action and refused to race.

He said, despite this, he continued to ride PAKISTAN STAR aggressively passing the 1600 Metres, however, the more he rode the horse, the more it refused to race and passing the 1600 Metres was many lengths detached from the main body of the field.

He added near the 1550 Metres PAKISTAN STAR, despite him continuing to ride the horse along, pulled up of its own accord.

He said in an attempt to ensure that PAKISTAN STAR did not perform in the same manner in the future, he attempted to have the horse recommence galloping as he felt that this would be in the horse's best interests in respect of its future racing.

He said it took a considerable amount of time and urging for PAKISTAN STAR to recommence galloping and even then was inclined to pull up on a number of occasions before stretching out properly.

The Stewards ruled that PAKISTAN STAR must barrier trial satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.

The Stewards also ruled that at least one of these trials must be over 1600 Metres on the turf at Sha Tin.

A veterinary inspection of PAKISTAN STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings other that the horse was noted to have weal marks at its right flank and quarters.

In the circumstances, J Moreira was fined the sum of $10,000 for improper use of the whip.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of EASTERN EXPRESS, C Schofield stated that he was able to obtain a good run in the race outside the leader ROMANTIC TOUCH and the tempo of the race was such that EASTERN EXPRESS was given the opportunity to finish off the race strongly.

He said however when HARBOUR MASTER improved around EASTERN EXPRESS after the 600 Metres, EASTERN EXPRESS initially responded to his riding, however, then came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and in the Straight raced like a "tired' horse PAKISTAN STAR, HORSE OF FORTUNE and ROMANTIC TOUCH were sent for sampling.