Recap by phillip woo

Crown Avenue won going away at the 120m following a midfield run to go back-to-back. He's got more points in hand on this surface. Five Stars Agent led at a good pace and still kept on nicely to finish a clear second despite a rise in trip. He makes his own luck up front and is always going to be a chance on this surface. Both Sure Peace and Imperial Concorde finished well down the outside to fill the final two spots in the Quartet following patient rides. They're always a chance on the dirt but did get the pace to suit on this occasion. Punted late, Best Tango kept grinding away after a deep run in midfield. He'll be hard to beat on this surface in Class Five. Balay Balay kept on all right after punching the breeze on the speed. On the back of his past two starts, he may be near a bottom. A move to blinkers backfired on favourite Gran Master who over-raced following a handy run and couldn't produce in the drive. He can be forgiven for this run. Forever Posh was still coasting in the box-seat 350m out but quickly blew up when asked for an effort. There might have been unforeseen issues.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (774)-WORLD CITY HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1800Metres

CROWN AVENUE and SURE PEACE began only fairly.

WINASWEWISH shifted out at the start and bumped RUBY COAST.

GRAN MASTER and IMPERIAL CONCORDE bumped at the start.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, SPICY KAKA, which was travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAN MASTER which got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied.

Passing the 1600 Metres, WINASWEWISH was steadied away from the heels of BEST TANGO (Apprentice M F Poon) which, after initially shifting into the running of WINASWEWISH, was then taken in further by J Moreira (GRAN MASTER) which shifted in.

Apprentice Poon was reprimanded for initially shifting in and crowding WINASWEWISH whilst J Moreira was advised to exercise more care in respect of his contribution to this incident.

CLOUD NINE travelled wide and without cover until passing the 800 Metres at which time BEST TANGO was left racing wide and without cover.

After being crossed by CLOUD NINE passing the 700 Metres, BALAY BALAY momentarily shifted out away from the heels of that horse.

GRAN MASTER, which was following, improved of its own accord to be racing close to the heels of BALAY BALAY and in doing so struck the heels of that horse, became badly unbalanced and lost ground.

J Moreira stated that in this incident GRAN MASTER appeared to strike itself and he was concerned for a number of strides that the horse may have broken down.

He said a short distance after this he was able to establish that the horse had not gone amiss and therefore he continued to ride it out, however, GRAN MASTER finished off the race only one-paced.

A veterinary inspection of GRAN MASTER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and also found the horse to be a "roarer'.

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

After the 600 Metres, BEST TANGO raced tight outside BALAY BALAY due to that horse shifting out to improve around CLOUD NINE.

Near the 150 Metres, SPICY KAKA was shifted away from the heels of BEST TANGO which, after initially being directed out by BALAY BALAY, then shifted out and away from that horse.

Passing the 150 Metres, HAPPY ROCKY was momentarily steadied when improving into tight running between NAMJONG INVINCIBLE and GRAN MASTER which shifted out.

Over the concluding stages, IMPERIAL CONCORDE was awkwardly placed outside SURE PEACE.

After the race, O Doleuze reported that NAMJONG INVINCIBLE seemed to him to race "flat'.

A veterinary inspection of NAMJONG INVINCIBLE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

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

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FOREVER POSH, Z Purton stated that, from an inside barrier, he was able to obtain a good position behind the leader FIVE STARS AGENT without having to make use of the horse.

He said whilst the tempo of the race at times were quicker than what he had hoped, FOREVER POSH was unable to maintain its position behind FIVE STARS AGENT when that horse quickened passing the 500 Metres.

He said he placed FOREVER POSH under heavy pressure, however, the horse did not quicken at any stage and over the concluding stages gave ground and finished at the rear of the field.

A veterinary inspection of FOREVER POSH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of RUBY COAST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of RUBY COAST, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

GRAN MASTER, CROWN AVENUE and FIVE STARS AGENT were sent for sampling.