Recap by phillip woo

Invisible came on strongly down the outside after travelling third from the rear to get up in the last few strides. He's unpredictable but has popped up three times from nine runs in this grade. Early favourite Laughing Lord worked to the lead 100m out after switching inside for a run mid-straight following a patient ride second from the rear off a light weight. He'll be scoring shortly. Ambitious Speedy was half-carting two-to-three deep behind midfield and stayed on very well after peeling out coming to the final bend to make it a blanket finish. He's always a chance in this grade. Snowhooves had trouble lifting his hooves over the last 150m. He'll come on for the run and is more effective on the dirt. Rock The Tree made some ground from the back but clearly needs a longer trip. Post-time favourite Dynamic Lions found nothing following a prominent run. Foxbat didn't live up to a pleasing trial on the dirt when failing to fire following a midfield run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (40) - MAGPIE HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1400Meters

GOOD METHOD was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left front infection).

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

N Rawiller (AMBITIOUS SPEEDY) and K Teetan (FOXBAT) were each fined the sum of $2,000 for failing to present themselves in the Parade Ring by the required time.

LAUGHING LORD lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently lost ground.

VICTORY MUSIC began awkwardly.

From wide barriers, INVISIBLE and EXPONENTS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the 300 Metres, GREAT SKY was steadied and shifted out across the heels of DYNAMIC LIONS to obtain clear running.

At the 200 Metres, LAUGHING LORD was shifted in away from the heels of SNOWHOOVES to obtain clear running.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of K C Ng (GREAT SKY), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse's finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit.

When questioned, Apprentice H T Mo stated that as SNOWHOOVES was racing over 1400 Metres today after racing at the back end of last season over 1200 Metres and in a race where it was anticipated that there would not be a lot of speed, he was asked to ride SNOWHOOVES positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position.

He said it was preferable for SNOWHOOVES to lead the race if possible, however, it was noted that KIM GLORY had previously gone forward in races over a lesser distance of today's event and that horse may also be ridden to lead.

He said in accordance with his instructions he began positively on SNOWHOOVES, however, the horse took longer than expected to muster sufficient speed to cross VICTORY MUSIC and DYNAMIC LIONS to its inside.

He said he had to continually push SNOWHOOVES to clear those horses and it was not until after the 1000 Metres that he was able to shift in to race on the rail.

He said at this time KIM GLORY had a slight margin over SNOWHOOVES and it was apparent that the rider of that horse was riding KIM GLORY to lead the race if possible.

He said having regard to the amount of work he had to do on SNOWHOOVES in the early stages, he elected after the 900 Metres to steady SNOWHOOVES and allow KIM GLORY to cross.

He said however that after being ridden along for such a sustained period of the race SNOWHOOVES then proved reluctant to steady despite him attempting to do so and this resulted in SNOWHOOVES maintaining its position inside KIM GLORY.

He added that he was aware that the tempo of the race had been quick, however, he felt that having regard to how SNOWHOOVES was travelling at this time of the race, he believed that he would have had to restrain the horse more severely to allow KIM GLORY to cross and he did not believe this was in the horse's best interests.

Apprentice Mo was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, the video did not support his evidence that he had made a sufficient attempt to steady SNOWHOOVES and he should have made a far greater endeavour to do so which would not have required him having to check the horse.

Apprentice Mo was also advised he had previously been spoken to regarding making too much use of his mounts in the early stages and that he must ride in such a manner so that they can finish off their race as best as they are able.

The Stewards also questioned Apprentice H N Wong regarding his riding of KIM GLORY during the same period of the race.

Apprentice Wong stated that as KIM GLORY had led races over distances of 1200 Metres, it was felt that, from the outside barrier, the horse would have sufficient early speed to be able to cross runners to its inside and dictate the tempo of the race.

He said after beginning well he rode his mount along in the early stages as KIM GLORY showed sufficient early speed to be able to take up a forward positon without having too much use to be made of it.

He said he noted SNOWHOOVES was being ridden along to his inside for some distance in the early stages to cross runners to its inside, however, he felt that having regard to KIM GLORY's normal racing pattern that the rider of SNOWHOOVES would steady and allow KIM GLORY to lead the race.

He said after the 900 Metres he became concerned that KIM GLORY had established only about a neck margin on SNOWHOOVES, however, at all stages he felt that that horse would be steadied and that he would be able to progress forward and then steady the tempo.

He added however that SNOWHOOVES continued to hold its position to the inside of KIM GLORY and although the race was run at a quick tempo during this period of the race, at no stage did he have to ride his mount along to maintain its position.

He said he was reluctant to break the horse's stride making the first turn in an endeavour to have it come back and race on terms with SNOWHOOVES and therefore he allowed the horse to remain in the position just in advance of SNOWHOOVES.

Apprentice Wong was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made a more significant effort to steady KIM GLORY to race outside SNOWHOOVES when it became apparent to him that that horse was going to maintain its position inside KIM GLORY.

Apprentice Wong was also advised that he had been spoken to on a number of occasions regarding the tempo that he sets in races and that as a relatively senior apprentice, he would be expected to show better judgement, particularly in circumstances where the race is not unfolding as anticipated.

When questioned regarding the performance of DYNAMIC LIONS, B Prebble stated that he was not able to offer any legitimate excuse for the manner in which the horse finished off the race.

He said DYNAMIC LIONS travelled comfortably behind a strong speed, however, came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then did not close off the race.

A veterinary inspection of DYNAMIC LIONS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, K Teetan was not able to offer any explanation for the performance of FOXBAT.

He said after trialing satisfactorily, it was felt that FOXBAT would race competitively today, however, FOXBAT did not close off the race as anticipated.

A veterinary inspection of FOXBAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

DYNAMIC LIONS, INVISIBLE and LAUGHING LORD were sent for sampling.