Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Smart Rocket held off Perfect Buddy for the win after dashing to the front 200m out following a dream run parked on the back of the leader Winwin Thirtythree. He continues to add to his terrific campaign. Perfect Buddy closed nicely one from the right to make it close on the wire after a one-off run travelling behind midfield. Late-fancied Shanghai Dragon stayed on a non-threatening third travelling midfield on the fence following a tardy break. He's better when allowed to bowl along in front. C P Power closed nicely late to grab fourth after going back from a wide gate. He has been running on without menacing in his past three of four starts. Navas made some ground without menacing from near the back. He's in the right grade but better suited over a sprint trip. Specked late Witness Hunter faded over the final 150m after taking off following a ground-covering run worse than midfield to briefly lead 300m out. He had an excuse.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (783) - TAI MONG TSAI HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

WITNESS HUNTER began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped CONFUCIUS DAY.

SHANGHAI DRAGON and SMART ROCKET bumped at the start.

Shortly after the start, ENJOY LIFE shifted in and bumped C P POWER.

From wide barriers, GARLIC YEAH and C P POWER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SHANGHAI DRAGON was slow to muster speed.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, NAVAS raced tight inside PERFECT BUDDY (C Y Ho) which, when being ridden along, was taken in marginally by HAVE FUN TOGETHER (K Teetan).

Then passing the winning post on the first occasion, PERFECT BUDDY, which continued to be ridden along, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAVE FUN TOGETHER and shifted in, resulting in NAVAS being checked when crowded for room between PERFECT BUDDY and SHANGHAI DRAGON.

As the Stewards found that HAVE FUN TOGETHER shifting in had an influence on this incident, K Teetan was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground.

C Y Ho was advised that whilst PERFECT BUDDY had initially raced tight inside HAVE FUN TOGETHER, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have done more to assist NAVAS and accordingly he was severely reprimanded.

Jockey Ho was told to ensure that he does not place other horses and riders in awkward positions by taking advantage of the situations that are avoidable.

Approaching the 1300 Metres, GARLIC YEAH shifted in of its own accord and brushed the running rail.

CONFUCIUS DAY travelled wide and without cover until approaching the 900 Metres at which stage WITNESS HUNTER was left racing wide and without cover.

WITNESS HUNTER was taken wider still by HAVE FUN TOGETHER which shifted out passing the 900 Metres.

WITNESS HUNTER was then ridden along to obtain a position outside the lead.

Passing the 800 Metres, C P POWER was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ENJOY LIFE which shifted in.

Approaching the 600 Metres, FAIRY FLOSS, which was commencing to give ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of ENJOY LIFE.

After this, FAIRY FLOSS continued to give ground abruptly and finished tailed out.

The performance of FAIRY FLOSS was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, FAIRY FLOSS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

From approaching the 500 Metres until after the 400 Metres, PERFECT BUDDY was awkwardly placed behind CONFUCIUS DAY which came under pressure.

CONFUCIUS DAY then gave ground abruptly in the early part of the Straight and finished tailed out.

The performance of CONFUCIUS DAY was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, CONFUCIUS DAY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Passing the 200 Metres, C P POWER was awkwardly placed when improving between SHANGHAI DRAGON and HAVE FUN TOGETHER, both of which shifted ground.

Near the 175 Metres, GARLIC YEAH was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of WINWIN THIRTYTHREE which was giving ground.

GARLIC YEAH was then awkwardly placed behind WITNESS HUNTER over the final stages of the race.

When questioned, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to be positive on WINWIN THIRTYTHREE which was stepping up in distance tonight.

He said it was anticipated that SHANGHAI DRAGON would also take up a forward position and it was hoped that WINWIN THIRTYTHREE may be able to shift in and race outside that horse and then allow other runners to cross which would provide WINWIN THIRTYTHREE with cover behind the leaders.

He said after riding his mount positively in the early stages in accordance with his instructions in order to cross runners to its inside, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE commenced to travel keenly passing the winning post on the first occasion.

He said when SHANGHAI DRAGON did not show early speed and due to WINWIN THIRTYTHREE racing in a three wide position without cover outside HAVE FUN TOGETHER, he was required to allow his mount to continue forward into the lead so as not to race unnecessarily wide.

He said after the 1300 Metres WINWIN THIRTYTHREE, which was racing keenly, made the turn awkwardly and when leading commenced to prove very difficult to settle approaching the 1200 Metres.

He said he made repeated attempts to have WINWIN THIRTYTHREE relax in the lead as he was aware that the race was being run at a fast tempo.

He said however that, despite his efforts, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE would not relax and again made the turn near the 1000 Metres awkwardly.

He said, despite his efforts, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE continued to over-race along the Back Straight and because of this was then not able to finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of CONFUCIUS DAY, WITNESS HUNTER and FAIRY FLOSS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

SMART ROCKET and PERFECT BUDDY were sent for sampling.