Recap by phillip woo

In a thrilling finish, favourite Navas just got up by a whisker to edge Dollar Reward with a move near the inside travelling fourth from the rear to ring up a third career win over this trip. Dollar Reward did everything but get the win following a one-off run in midfield. He continues to knock on the door over this Valley trip. Jolly Bountiful was a nose behind the top pair with a sweeping move down the far outside travelling second from the back from a wide gate. Phantom Falcon was swamped close to home after hitting the front 300m out stalking the leader Super Euro Star. Gouten Of Garo stayed on well following a prominent run on the fence to finish a close fifth. He's racing well without winning over the 1,200m at both tracks. Pakistan Baby ran on without menacing from near the back. He's not trustworthy and appears to be on his mark following a win in early November. Roman Odyssey was a late scratching.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (344) - THE CRAIGENGOWER CRICKET CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 4 - 1200Meters

CHACHAUP was withdrawn on 15.1.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MANFUL STAR.

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

On arrival at the Start, C Y Ho expressed concern regarding the action of ROMAN ODYSSEY.

ROMAN ODYSSEY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its left front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, ROMAN ODYSSEY was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

Before being allowed to race again, ROMAN ODYSSEY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

FLYING MONKEY began awkwardly.

BACK IN BLACK was crowded for room on jumping between GOUTEN OF GARO and SUPER EURO STAR, both of which shifted ground.

NAVAS shifted out at the start and bumped DOLLAR REWARD.

From wide barriers, MANFUL STAR and JOLLY BOUNTIFUL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

DOLLAR REWARD travelled keenly and made the turn after the 1000 Metres awkwardly.

Rounding the Home Turn, when under pressure, DRAGON DANCE got its head on the side, lay out and made the turn awkwardly.

FLYING MONKEY, which was following DRAGON DANCE, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence and then shifted out further of its own accord, resulting in JOLLY BOUNTIFUL being taken very wide at the entrance to the Straight.

In the Straight, SUPER EURO STAR raced with its head on the side and lay in.

Close to the finishing line, the whip of N Callan (DOLLAR REWARD) became caught under the whip of J Moreira (JOLLY BOUNTIFUL), resulting in N Callan being momentarily impeded in his use of the whip passing the winning post.

When questioned, M L Yeung (DRAGON DANCE) stated that after beginning very well he rode his mount along for a considerable distance in the early stages in an attempt to obtain the lead as instructed.

He said, despite riding his mount hard, SUPER EURO STAR showed more early speed and when PHANTOM FALCON was also hard ridden to obtain a forward position, DRAGON DANCE was not able to show sufficient speed to cross those horses and therefore was left racing wide and without cover.

He said when the horse had been successful when ridden by him, DRAGON DANCE had been able to dictate the tempo of the race and travelled strongly.

He said however when DRAGON DANCE was not able to be ridden in this way tonight, the horse came under heavy pressure after the 500 Metres and then gave ground in the Straight.

A veterinary inspection of SUPER EURO STAR and DRAGON DANCE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the trachea of both horses.

Before being allowed to race again, SUPER EURO STAR and DRAGON DANCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

NAVAS and DOLLAR REWARD were sent for sampling.