Recap by phillip woo

Premium Champion just held off the late surge of King Bountiful after surging to the lead 50m out following a one-off run travelling behind midfield. He's got room to head higher after taking a plunge in the handicaps last term. King Bountiful came on strongly widest out after a patient ride at the rear of the field from a wide gate to make it close on the wire. He loves this track. Punted late Happy Rocky closed off well to finish a close third after travelling second from the rear. Old-timer's shown natural improvement on his three outings this term and may be near a bottom. Favourite Unique Happiest was on his tippy toes 100m out after being hustled to lead 800m out following a breezepunching run. He's at his best when left alone on the front and should be winning shortly at this level. Crown Avenue stayed on reasonably well following a prominent run. He's gone close in each of his three outings this term but is crying for a return to the dirt.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (85) - SAI WAN HO HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1800Meters

BALAY BALAY and CROWN AVENUE bumped at the start.

KING WINSA began only fairly.

TRENDY WIN shifted in at the start and bumped PREMIUM CHAMPION which became unbalanced.

From wide barriers, HAPPY ROCKY and KING BOUNTIFUL were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Passing the 1100 Metres, BALAY BALAY and CROWN AVENUE raced tight.

Passing the 800 Metres, BALAY BALAY and CROWN AVENUE again raced tight as BALAY BALAY shifted to the outside of HAPPY AND HEALTHY.

Approaching the 100 Metres, CROWN AVENUE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of HAPPY AND HEALTHY.

When questioned, J Moreira stated that as he was having his first race ride on UNIQUE HAPPIEST tonight, he had studied the horse's previous starts and formed the impression that the horse was one-paced.

He added that this was confirmed to him by Trainer K W Lui prior to the race.

He said it was always intended therefore for UNIQUE HAPPIEST to be ridden along earlier than otherwise might be the case so that the horse did not get left flat-footed were any other horses to challenge UNIQUE HAPPIEST mid-race.

He said in the early stages he was able to obtain the position outside the leader HAPPY AND HEALTHY and passing the 800 Metres commenced to ride his mount along with a view to crossing that horse in the hope that UNIQUE HAPPIEST would be able to gain an advantage over the rest of the field given the horse is one-paced.

He said it took some time for UNIQUE HAPPIEST to be able to cross HAPPY AND HEALTHY as that horse maintained its position inside UNIQUE HAPPIEST until approaching the 600 Metres.

He said he felt that the tempo of the race leading up to the 800 Metres had not been strong and therefore it was in the best interests of UNIQUE HAPPIEST to dictate the tempo of the race after the 800 Metres rather than waiting for the horse to be challenged by other runners improving their positions.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BO DUKE, S Clipperton stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden in a forward position from the outside draw.

He said after riding his mount hard in the early stages, the tempo of the race was quicker than he expected and BO DUKE did not have sufficient speed to be able to go forward of UNIQUE HAPPIEST on its inside and therefore after the 1600 Metres he shifted BO DUKE across behind CROWN AVENUE to obtain a position with cover in advance of midfield.

He said whilst this was slightly further back in the field than had been intended, nonetheless BO DUKE travelled very comfortably until near the 800 Metres at which time UNIQUE HAPPIEST was ridden along in the lead.

He said as soon as the pace of the race increased, BO DUKE immediately came off the bridle and, despite being ridden along, would not improve its position.

He added he had to ride BO DUKE vigorously after the 700 Metres in order to have the horse improve to be racing behind CROWN AVENUE, however, BO DUKE would not respond to his riding and gave ground noticeably from rounding the Home Turn.

He said whilst the tempo of the race in the middle stages might not have suited BO DUKE, nonetheless the horse was very disappointing in that it came off the bridle some distance from the finish.

A veterinary inspection of BO DUKE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of BO DUKE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, BO DUKE 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 BALAY BALAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

PREMIUM CHAMPION and KING BOUNTIFUL were sent for sampling.