Recap by phillip woo

Punted late, veteran Hearts Keeper came on nicely after a deep run fore of midfield from a wide gate to win going away 50m out for an eighth career win and seventh on this surface. Dashing Gainer nearly made all despite being quite restless before the start. He's a winner waiting to happen on either surface even in a higher grade off a light weight. Bond Elegance stuck on well after a very deep run without cover worse than midfield to nearly grab second. He rarely produces a bad run on either surface. Early favourite Gallant Return grudgingly gave way after stalking the leader one off. He's still learning but is more effective on the turf and the big weight did not help. Starlot ran on all right after a deep run beyond midfield. It wasn't a bad effort but he's trying to find his mark after a Valley win in November. Lotus Breeze only plodded following a one-out, one-back run. Veteran isn't far off a bottom but seems to act better on the Valley turf.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (617) - REPULSE BAY HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

After being loaded into the barriers, DASHING GAINER became fractious and reared.

DASHING GAINER was removed from the barrier stalls and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

After being reloaded, DASHING GAINER again became fractious, reared and momentarily rested its front feet on the front gates.

Before being allowed to race again, DASHING GAINER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

TRAVEL AMBASSADOR and TRIUMPH began only fairly and then from wide barriers were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

DASHING GAINER shifted in abruptly at the start and bumped LETSGOFREE which lost ground.

Despite being hard ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, STARTLING POWER (M L Yeung) failed to muster speed.

After the race, M L Yeung stated that STARTLING POWER raced "flat??in tonight's race.

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

After being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, GOLDEN EFFORT was steadied passing the 1100 Metres and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover after racing very wide.

Passing the 1100 Metres, STARTLING POWER and STARLOT bumped.

Then near the 750 Metres, STARLOT became unbalanced when racing tight between HEARTS KEEPER and STARTLING POWER which shifted out marginally.

BOND ELEGANCE, which was racing outside STARLOT, was inconvenienced in consequence.

Making the turn near the 750 Metres, BOND ELEGANCE shifted out away from the heels of HEARTS KEEPER after being awkwardly placed behind that horse.

After this, BOND ELEGANCE travelled wide and without cover.

Passing the 400 Metres, LETSGOFREE was shifted to the outside of the heels of SEA PEARL to improve into tight running between that horse and STARTLING POWER.

Then at the entrance to the Straight, LETSGOFREE, which was continuing to attempt to improve to the outside of SEA PEARL, was crowded for room between STARTLING POWER and SEA PEARL which shifted out marginally.

In this incident, STARTLING POWER and LETSGOFREE bumped on a number of occasions.

As the Stewards were satisfied that LETSGOFREE had not established running to the outside of SEA PEARL prior to that horse shifting out, no further action was taken.

In the Straight, HEARTS KEEPER lay in under pressure and near the 75 Metres shifted in and inconvenienced GALLANT RETURN.

Throughout the race, HEARTS KEEPER travelled wide and without cover.

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

BOND ELEGANCE, HEARTS KEEPER and DASHING GAINER were sent for sampling.