Recap by phillip woo

Daring Heart responded well when popped the question following a midfield run to take control 200m out for a maiden win at his 13th start. He's always promised and should remain competitive in the grade. Early favourite Never Better wasn't going to catch the winner but finished well travelling behind midfield on the fence to grab second 150m out. He's as honest as the day is long but has trouble winning. Mr Kool stuck on well following a prominent run to place. It was a positive effort on the back of a last-start win but there isn't too much upside to come. Specked late Balay Balay stuck on all right following a box-seat run from a tricky gate in one of his better performances. He might still need to drop further in the handicaps. Amazing Gold closed off well after travelling second from the rear from a wide gate. He appears from his three outings this term to be near a bottom. Happy And Healthy kept on okay following a midfield run. He might be near his mark following a last-start win. Post-time favourite Letsgofree never came on travelling third from the rear in a disappointing effort. He is another who might be on or near his mark following a win in September.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (194) - HANSHIN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

OUR HERO was withdrawn on 14.11.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MR KOOL.

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

MIGHTY BOY and LETSGOFREE were crowded for room shortly after the start between HAPPY AND HEALTHY which shifted in marginally after bumping with DARING HEART and NEVER BETTER which got its head on the side and shifted out despite the efforts of its rider.

After being hampered in the early stages, MIGHTY BOY became detached from the field and then finished tailed out.

A veterinary inspection of MIGHTY BOY immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being allowed to race again, MIGHTY BOY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

From the outside barrier, AMAZING GOLD began awkwardly and after initially being ridden along in the early stages was then shifted across behind runners.

After travelling a short distance, PERFECT CHOICE was bumped by MR KOOL which got its head on the side and shifted in away from BALAY BALAY.

After the 1300 Metres, DARING HEART got its head up when proving difficult to settle.

NEVER BETTER and LETSGOFREE, which were following DARING HEART, were hampered in consequence passing the 1200 Metres.

Rounding the Home Turn, MR KOOL was bumped by DARING HEART which shifted out to obtain clear running.

Throughout the race, SPINNING DANCER travelled wide and without cover.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of U Rispoli (MR KOOL), 3rd 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 to the end of the race where circumstances permit.

In assessing this matter, the Stewards had regard to the fact that Jockey Rispoli stopped riding very close to the line and also the neck margin between MR KOOL and NEVER BETTER, 2nd placegetter.

When questioned, W M Lai (GENEROUS BOBO) stated that he was asked to ride the horse behind the speed in about 3rd, 4th or 5th position.

He said he was also asked not to be aggressively on the horse to obtain this position as it was felt that, from the horse's barrier, it was able to obtain this position without too much use having to be made of the horse.

He said in the early stages a number of runners to his inside were ridden to obtain a forward position and he believed that he would have had to ride GENEROUS BOBO aggressively in the early stages, therefore he elected to shift across and obtain a position closer to the rail which resulted in the horse racing further back in the field than had been anticipated.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LETSGOFREE, S Clipperton stated that as a result of being hampered at the start, his mount raced further back in the field than had been anticipated from an inside barrier.

He said he rode LETSGOFREE along in the early stages to be as handy as possible, however, he was obliged to obtain a position behind NEVER BETTER which resulted in LETSGOFREE racing behind midfield.

He said LETSGOFREE travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages and he felt that after the 500 Metres LETSGOFREE was improving into the race sufficiently that it would finish near the placings.

He added however that at the entrance to the Straight LETSGOFREE came under heavy pressure and then was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the final 200 Metres.

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

The performance of LETSGOFREE was considered unacceptable.

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

LETSGOFREE, DARING HEART and NEVER BETTER were sent for sampling.