Recap by phillip woo

Fine With Me rallied well after settling one off behind midfield to mow down post-time favourite Victory Follow Me in the final few strides for a second win from 20 starts. The key to victory was a downgrade. Victory Follow Me kept on gamely hitting the front 150m out following a midfield run. The big weight got him in the end but he has been racing well on both surfaces. Celebration closed nicely after travelling third from the rear to snatch third on the wire in clearly his best run to date. Only time well tell if it was a one-off performance. Megatron went forward from a wide gate to sit outside the leader Oriental Fantasia at the 700m, assumed the front 250m out and was on his tippy toes 100m out. He isn't far off a win at this level. Glenealy Prize closed off all right after being asked for an effort from the tail of the field at the 650. He's dangerously rated at this level and his versatility over a range of distances on either surface may see him breakthrough.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (401) - BOWRINGTON HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

GLENEALY PRIZE was slow to begin.

MAGICAL CHAMPION and MEGATRON began awkwardly.

DRAGON DANCE and ORIENTAL FANTASIA bumped at the start.

FINE WITH ME began only fairly and then shortly after the start raced tight inside VICTORY FOLLOW ME when being ridden along.

CELEBRATION was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, THE LEGEND was bumped on two occasions by MEGATRON (Apprentice M F Poon) which shifted in.

Apprentice Poon was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards gave consideration as to whether he should be charged with a breach of the Rules, in the circumstances they were of the belief that the contact between the horses was not as a result of an intentional move from Apprentice Poon to force THE LEGEND in, rather it was a misjudgement on his part which resulted in contact between the horses.

Apprentice Poon was advised to exercise far greater care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Near the 750 Metres, FINE WITH ME, which was being ridden along to improve its position outside CASH COURIER, was momentarily crowded for room between EASTERN PROWESS and CASH COURIER (S Clipperton) which attempted to shift out from behind THE LEGEND to trail VICTORY FOLLOW ME.

CASH COURIER was then shifted back in to relieve the tightening to FINE WITH ME.

In this incident, EASTERN PROWESS became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by FINE WITH ME.

When CASH COURIER shifted back in, MAGICAL CHAMPION, which was following CASH COURIER, was awkwardly placed behind that horse and passing the 600 Metres got its head up when being checked away from the heels of CASH COURIER.

S Clipperton was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear of other runners prior to shifting ground.

Passing the 600 Metres, SPICY DOUBLE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of CELEBRATION.

Near the 450 Metres, FINE WITH ME was checked away from the heels of VICTORY FOLLOW ME.

Throughout the race, EASTERN PROWESS travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned regarding his riding of ORIENTAL FANTASIA in the early and middle stages, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he was asked to ride the horse in the lead, however, if the rider of another runner was intent on leading, it was acceptable for him to either remain racing outside that horse or to take a trailing position.

He said as ORIENTAL FANTASIA generally performs better over a shorter distance, he was reluctant to make too much use of his horse in the early stages to cross, rather he had hoped that it would be able to use its natural speed.

He said after having to push his mount along in the early stages, ORIENTAL FANTASIA soon gathered momentum and in the run to the winning post on the first occasion was positioned outside DRAGON DANCE.

He said he had intended to maintain this position, however, passing the winning post on the first occasion ORIENTAL FANTASIA commenced to race keenly and would not respond to his efforts to have it steady.

He added rather than fight with ORIENTAL FANTASIA, he allowed the horse to slowly improve its way forward of DRAGON DANCE whilst continuing to have the horse steadied as much as possible.

He said although this resulted in the race being run at a faster tempo in the early and middle stages than he had hoped, he had no alternative but to allow ORIENTAL FANTASIA to stride forward given the manner in which it was racing.

After viewing the videos, the Stewards accepted that ORIENTAL FANTASIA was travelling keenly during the relevant stages and therefore no further action was taken.

However, Apprentice Wong was advised that, wherever possible, he should make every endeavour to have his mounts travel in such a manner that they can finish off their race as best as they are able.

When questioned, J Moreira stated that THE LEGEND was disappointing as the horse finished off the race only one-paced.

A veterinary inspection of THE LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that VICTORY FOLLOW ME had blood at its left nostril.

A subsequent endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to have bled.

A veterinary inspection of CASH COURIER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

FINE WITH ME and VICTORY FOLLOW ME were sent for sampling.