Recap by phillip woo

Royal Performer came with a mad dash travelling third from the rear to nail Agree in the final few strides for an overdue win after placing in four of nine other starts. Favourite Agree took the lead from Everest at the 300m sitting one off in second and just failed to hold on. It was a game effort in a race that seemed to favour the backmarkers. Willie Way just out-finished Magnetism from the rear of the field for third. He's having trouble winning off his current mark but is capable of big runs over a mile to 2,000m on either surface. Magnetism finished well down the outside after a patient ride one from the rear from the widest gate. It was a return to form after two poor runs but he doesn't have much upside off his current mark. Fiama was held up until the 200m sitting fourth from the rear following a sluggish break. He should have finished closer. Gold Land was rather one-paced following a midfield run on the fence. He's better suited at the Valley.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (546) - ONCIDIUM HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1600Meters

AGREE shifted out at the start and bumped RAZOR QUEST which in turn shifted out and bumped GOLD LAND.

WILLIE WAY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

From wide barriers, FIAMA and MAGNETISM were steadied in the early stage and shifted across behind runners.

For some distance after the 1400 Metres, DIAMOND DRAGON proved very difficult to settle and got its head up for a considerable distance when being restrained in an attempt to obtain cover.

DIAMOND DRAGON was then able to shift across to obtain cover behind RED MARVEL near the 900 Metres.

However, after the 800 Metres, DIAMOND DRAGON commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of RED MARVEL, resulting in DIAMOND DRAGON travelling wide and without cover for the remainder of the race.

GOLD LAND was held up for clear running from passing the 400 Metres until approaching the 200 Metres.

FIAMA was held up for a run from on straightening until approaching the 200 Metres at which time the horse was shifted to the inside of GOLD LAND to obtain clear running.

Near the 350 Metres, SUPER FORM was steadied when disappointed for running between DIAMOND DRAGON and RED MARVEL, both of which shifted ground.

SUPER FORM was then held up for clear running until after the 300 Metres.

At the 100 Metres, the whip of K C Leung (MAGNETISM) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of Apprentice H N Wong (WILLIE WAY).

For the majority of the race, RED MARVEL travelled wide and without cover.

A veterinary inspection of SUPER FORM immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, SUPER FORM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on WILLIE WAY at the request of Trainer P O'Sullivan.

The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, WILLIE WAY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of EVEREST, Apprentice M F Poon stated that he was able to shift the horse across behind runners in the early stages from the wide barrier to obtain the lead without having to make more use of the horse than he had previously had to obtain a forward position.

He said EVEREST did not travel as strongly in the middle stages as it had that he had previously ridden the horse.

He said after entering the Straight EVEREST came under pressure when AGREE improved its position to the outside of his mount.

He said after this EVEREST came under heavy pressure and then was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race.

Apprentice Poon stated that he had notified the connections that EVEREST raced "flat??today.

Mr C S Shum, the trainer of EVEREST, stated that he would monitor the progress of EVEREST in the days subsequent to the race to decide whether he will give the horse a short break following today's disappointing performance.

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

ROYAL PERFORMER and AGREE were sent for sampling.