Recap by phillip woo

Hot favourite Special Stars cornered three lengths on top leading from gate one and just held off Most Beautiful for a second win from four starts. He's only three years of age and there's more to come. Most Beautiful ran on nicely following a prominent run to finish a clear second. He's been racing well this season. Shining Gem came on nicely travelling third from the rear to add some value to the exotics at only his second local start. He's heading in the right direction and is crying out for a longer trip. Backed down at huge odds, All Best Friends lost third late after staying on all right following a midfield run. Prefer him in Class Four. Forza Angel came up one-paced over the final 100m after making some progress early straight following a one-off run in midfield. He's still acclimatising. Mega Heart made some ground without menacing from near the back. He's still searching for a bottom. Beauty Time was never involved after badly missing the kick.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (325) - CAUSEWAY HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Meters

CALIFORNIA GUNGHO was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (allergic response).

Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA GUNGHO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

The Stewards tonight interviewed Trainer W Y So regarding PRINCE HARMONY (V12) being a pre-declaration withdrawal from this race due to being inadvertently treated.

Also interviewed was Mr C K Chung, assistant trainer allocated to Mr So's stable for the current racing season.

PRINCE HARMONY was withdrawn from this race on Sunday, 6 January 2019.

Mr So was fined the sum of $10,000 for breaching Rule 50(2) in that as the trainer of PRINCE HARMONY, he did fail in his responsibility for all matters pertaining to the running of his stable which resulted in PRINCE HARMONY being inadvertently treated with dexamethasone on Friday, 4 January 2019 which necessitated the withdrawal of the horse from this race.

Mr Chung was advised that a report would be forwarded to Stables Management regarding his role in this matter.

BEAUTY TIME stood flat-footed as the start was effected and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground.

Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY TIME will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.

GOKO began awkwardly, shifted out and hampered SHINING GEM.

FORZA ANGEL shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of E-SUPER.

DEMONS ROCK began very awkwardly, resulting in its rider, C Y Ho, losing the use of his left stirrup iron shortly after the start and causing him to become badly unbalanced.

C Y Ho was able to regain the use of his stirrup iron near the 900 Metres.

Shortly after the start, MOST BEAUTIFUL was bumped by FLYING BONUS which was awkwardly placed outside SPECIAL STARS which shifted out.

Making the turn near the 550 Metres, E-SUPER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING BONUS.

Passing the 100 Metres, K Teetan (MEGA HEART) dropped his whip.

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

When questioned, A Badel stated that he was instructed that he could lead on E-SUPER if he did not have to make too much use of the horse or alternatively it was acceptable for him to take a trailing position behind the leaders if other riders were intent on leading.

He said E-SUPER began well and he commenced to shift across to obtain a prominent position and observed that FLYING BONUS was being aggressively ridden from an inside barrier to obtain a forward position.

He said he had anticipated that that horse would be ridden to lead and that SPECIAL STARS may obtain a trailing position, however, SPECIAL STARS showed more speed than he expected in the early stages which resulted in FLYING BONUS not being able to cross that horse and sharing the lead with SPECIAL STARS.

He said as he would have had to ride his mount along to clear those horses to lead, he elected to obtain a trailing position behind FLYING BONUS.

After the race, FORZA ANGEL was noted to have sustained an overreach wound to the right front leg.

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

SPECIAL STARS and MOST BEAUTIFUL were sent for sampling.