Recap by phillip woo

Good Choice loves it when a stronger rider hops on board. Zac Purton had him switched off nicely second from the rear and finished strongly when peeling out at the 300m to mow down Diamond Legend 50m out for a third win this season. Diamond Legend was no match for the winner after hitting the front 100m out following a midfield run but it was a much-improved performance on his opening nine starts. He might be getting the hang of things now. Amazing Always closed well down the outside to grab a placing late after travelling fourth from the rear. He's gone well in his past few but doesn't have many points in hand. Polymer Luck briefly hit the front 200m out following a one-out, oneback run but found a few too good in the end. He's limited and the rise in weight for a laststart win appeared to take its toll. Torney stayed on all right following a midfield run but is still learning. Trendy Win ran on steadily without ever looking a factor travelling third from the rear. He's in the right grade but is not genuine. Clever Spirit weakened tamely following a box-seat run. He might have had issues. Little Fantasy gave up when badly hampered 280m out following a handy run. Leowl was vetted and red flagged at the gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (763)-TAI MONG TSAI HANDICAP (Sec2) - Class 4 - 1650Metres

CITY WINNER was withdrawn on 27.6.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LEOWL (Apprentice H N Wong).

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

On arrival at the Start, Apprentice H N Wong expressed concern regarding the action of LEOWL.

LEOWL was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion the horse was lame in the right front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, LEOWL was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

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

On jumping, the blindfold was taken from the hand of the starting gate handler by the whip of C Schofield (POLYMER LUCK), the blindfold coming free shortly after the start.

TRENDY WIN, which had been steadied to obtain cover in the early stages, was crowded for room shortly after the start between AMAZING ALWAYS and POLYMER LUCK which shifted out.

In this incident, TRENDY WIN and AMAZING ALWAYS became unbalanced after making contact.

AGIAAL and GOOD CHOICE were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 1600 Metres, TORNEY got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to obtain a positon closer to the rail.

LITTLE FANTASY travelled wide and without cover until near the 800 Metres at which time the horse was ridden forward to race outside the lead.

At the entrance to the Straight, LITTLE FANTASY was bumped by CLEVER SPIRIT which shifted out, resulting in both CLEVER SPIRIT and LITTLE FANTASY becoming unbalanced.

A short distance later, LITTLE FANTASY was crowded for room between CLEVER SPIRIT and POLYMER LUCK (C Schofield) which shifted in.

C Schofield was advised that whilst there were some circumstances associated with this incident, namely both CLEVER SPIRIT and LITTLE FANTASY being badly unbalanced as a result of contact between those horses, nonetheless he was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he reacts more promptly to his mount shifting ground than he did on this occasion.

During this incident, LITTLE FANTASY lost its right hind plate.

SUNNY ORIENT, which was following LITTLE FANTASY and CLEVER SPIRIT, was hampered when held up for clear running in consequence.

TRENDY WIN, which was following SUNNY ORIENT, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse near the 300 Metres.

TRENDY WIN was then held up for clear running until passing the 250 Metres.

Passing the 250 Metres, TORNEY was bumped by DIAMOND LEGEND (S Clipperton) when racing tight inside that horse which shifted in under pressure.

Whilst DIAMOND LEGEND was inclined to lay in at this time, nonetheless S Clipperton was reprimanded and advised that he should have made a far greater effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mount form shifting ground.

When questioned, C Schofield stated that it had been intended to lead on POLYMER LUCK if possible.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount positively in the early stages, however, POLYMER LUCK did not show as much early speed as he anticipated.

He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he was able to shift in to race outside the leader CLEVER SPIRIT and having regard to the amount of use he had made of POLYMER LUCK to get to this position, he did not believe it was reasonable to continue pushing his mount to cross CLEVER SPIRIT.

He said for this reason he elected to remain racing to the outside of that horse and he was able to obtain cover behind CAREFREE LET GO near the 1100 Metres and further into the race behind LITTLE FANTASY.

He added POLYMER LUCK travelled well behind the speed and then in the Straight finished off the race satisfactorily.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CLEVER SPIRIT, J Moreira stated that his mount was very unsettled prior to the race which was in contrast to its last start when successful.

He said CLEVER SPIRIT travelled keenly to the Start and he had to walk the horse for some time before being loaded into the barriers so as to have it settle better.

He said after beginning well, he rode his mount along in the early stages to cross runners to his inside and he was able to obtain the rail passing the winning post on the first occasion.

He said CLEVER SPIRIT travelled comfortably in the early and middle stages, however, when crossed by CAREFREE LET GO near the 800 Metres, CLEVER SPIRIT immediately came off the bridle and he had to niggle at the horse in an endeavour to have it maintain its position.

He said CLEVER SPIRIT came under heavy pressure prior to the 400 Metres and after becoming unbalanced at the entrance to the Straight then gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages.

He added it was particularly concerning the manner in which CLEVER SPIRIT gave ground over the final 200 Metres.

Mr C Fownes, the trainer of CLEVER SPIRIT, stated that the horse had done well since its last start success and accordingly he expected it to race well.

He said CLEVER SPIRIT has some issues and for this reason he adopted a similar track work schedule to that prior to its last start success.

He said he was unable to offer any explanation for the horse??s disappointing performance at this time.

A veterinary inspection of CLEVER SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of CLEVER SPIRIT, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

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

A veterinary inspection of TRENDY WIN and SUNNY ORIENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

CLEVER SPIRIT, GOOD CHOICE and DIAMOND LEGEND were sent for sampling.