Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed late Strathclyde wore down Beekely in the last stride after chasing that one off to remain unbeaten in two outings on this surface. He's lightly-raced and might have improvement to come. Beekely was the beaten favourite on the turf last start but nearly made all here with a switch to the dirt. It's likely his surface of choice. Elite Spirit came on well after a deep run beyond midfield to finish a distant third. He relished a return to Class Four but the big weight did anchor him. Startling Power sustained a steady move from the 600m for fourth despite travelling without cover the entire trip ahead of midfield. Favourite Viva Council made good ground late after switching into the open 250m out following a patient ride third from the rear after a tardy break. He does appear from his three runs to be on the right path this term and can breakthrough at any time. Specked late Giddy Giddy kept on all right after a deep run travelling fore of midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (112) - ZHONGSHAN HAKKA HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

BORN DRAGON shifted out at the start and bumped FLYING GODSPELL.

From the outside barriers, GOAL FOR GOLD and SUPER EURO STAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Then, GOAL FOR GOLD, despite being ridden along in the early and middle stages, became detached from the field.

Making the first turn near the 700 Metres, GIDDY GIDDY became unbalanced when crowded for room between STARTLING POWER and BORN DRAGON which, when travelling keenly, shifted out away from the heels of FLYING GODSPELL.

In this incident, STARTLING POWER, which travelled wide and without cover throughout the race, became badly unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by GIDDY GIDDY.

After this, BORN DRAGON continued to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of STRATHCLYDE.

Near the 350 Metres, STARTLING POWER and STRATHCLYDE brushed, resulting in STARTLING POWER becoming unbalanced.

Near the 150 Metres, GOAL FOR GOLD, which was finishing off the race fairly, was shifted in away from the heels of FANTASTIC FABIO.

When questioned regarding the performance of VIVA COUNCIL, K Teetan stated that it was anticipated that the horse would be able to obtain a trailing position behind the leaders from an inside barrier.

He said VIVA COUNCIL was slow to begin and then, despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, was unable to muster speed.

He said he had to ride VIVA COUNCIL along for a considerable distance in the early stages in order for the horse to maintain its position behind FANTASTIC FABIO.

He said VIVA COUNCIL appeared to be resenting the kickback and for this reason he directed his mount out a number of horses after the 300 Metres to see if it would finish off the race better.

He added whilst the horse did make up some ground, nonetheless VIVA COUNCIL was disappointing in today's race.

Trainer L Ho informed the Stewards that he was disappointed with the run of VIVA COUNCIL as the horse had performed particularly well on the All Weather surface last start and had worked well since.

He said he instructed Jockey Teetan to ride VIVA COUNCIL in a forward position as was the case last start, however, after being slow to begin, the horse was obliged to race back in the field.

He added the only explanation he could offer for the horse's disappointing performance was that the rating of the All Weather Track last start was "Wet Slow??and therefore the horse may have resented the kickback today, particularly given that after being shifted to the outside of runners, it then appeared to close off the race fairly.

A veterinary inspection of VIVA COUNCIL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned regarding the performance of FANTASTIC FABIO, K C Leung stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden in a position just in advance of midfield if possible.

He said, despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, FANTASTIC FABIO settled slightly further back in the field than had been hoped due to the tempo in the early stages which, in his opinion, was good.

He said FANTASTIC FABIO travelled satisfactorily and, up in grade today, then finished off the race one-paced.

A veterinary inspection of FANTASTIC FABIO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned regarding the performance of I'M THE WON FOR U, S Clipperton stated that he had to ride his mount along for a considerable distance in the early stages to obtain a position in about midfield.

He said I'M THE WON FOR U did not stretch out as well as he had hoped and after placing the horse under pressure passing the 500 Metres, I'M THE WON FOR U gave only a limited response but then was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of I'M THE WON FOR U immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of FLYING GODSPELL and GOAL FOR GOLD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

VIVA COUNCIL, STRATHCLYDE and BEEKELY were sent for sampling.