Recap by phillip woo

Blazing Partners just ran down post-time favourite Victorious Leader for the win after switching off heels for a clear run at the 300m following a patient ride for the most part at the rear of the field. Victorious Leader surged to the lead 100m out after railing in midfield following a slow start. It was his best run to date. Everyone's Elite ran on well after being short of room behind runners until the 200m to grab a placing 50m out following a rail hugging ride from behind midfield. Blooming Spirit peaked on his run 100m out after hitting the front at the 250m following a perfect run one-off in fourth. He'll find his mark in this grade. Big Bully ran on well after a deep run with cover from behind midfield. It was another honest effort. Kwai Chung Elite ran on steadily without menacing from behind midfield. He might be worth a try at a mile. Flying Noble faded after a hard run tracking the leader Majestic Endeavour from a wide gate. He had an excuse.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (105) - PIAGET EXCELLENT HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1400Meters

DIVINE POWER was withdrawn on 18.10.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter RED BRICK FIGHTER (C Y Ho).

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

VICTORIOUS LEADER began only fairly.

EVERYONE'S ELITE was bumped on jumping by RED BRICK FIGHTER which shifted in.

EVERYONE'S ELITE was then crowded for room between RED BRICK FIGHTER and KING MORTAR which got its head on the side and shifted out when being ridden along.

After this, KING MORTAR was ridden along for some distance, however, failed to muster speed.

From wide barriers, HARBOUR CENTURY and BLAZING PARTNERS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.

BIG BULLY travelled keenly in the early and middle stages.

Approaching the 1000 Metres, I'M THE CONQUIST was left racing wide and without cover.

Making the first turn near the 850 Metres, RED BRICK FIGHTER was tightened for room inside MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR (A Domeyer) which shifted in.

A Domeyer was reprimanded and advise to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances.

Making the turn after the 800 Metres, IRON BRAVO got its head on the side and hung out.

Near the 650 Metres, RED BRICK FIGHTER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR.

Approaching the 500 Metres, BLOOMING SPIRIT and I'M THE CONQUIST raced tight.

EVERYONE'S ELITE was unable to obtain clear running from passing the 400 Metres until after the 300 Metres at which time it was shifted to the inside of VICTORIOUS LEADER which was also held up for clear running until approaching the 300 Metres.

At the 50 Metres, EVERYONE'S ELITE shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the hindquarters of VICTORIOUS LEADER, resulting in the rider of EVERYONE'S ELITE having to stop riding and shift his mount in away from the heels of VICTORIOUS LEADER.

When questioned, A Domeyer stated that he was instructed to ride MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR in a forward position but with cover.

He said after being positive on MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR in the early stages to obtain a forward position, his mount was left racing to the outside of BLOOMING SPIRIT.

He said he attempted to obtain a position with cover behind that horse, however, as he did so, he was aware that there were a number of runners positioned directly behind the leaders including BLOOMING SPIRIT and therefore he was not able to shift in behind BLOOMING SPIRIT to obtain cover.

He said rather than travel wide and without cover and as BLOOMING SPIRIT was being steadied by its rider, he elected to allow MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR to improve its position into the lead.

He added the circumstances of the race resulted in MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR being ridden in a more forward position than had been intended.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that in pre-race discussions with Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of SUPREME WITNESS, it was felt that, from the outside barrier, too much use of the horse would have to be made in order to obtain a forward position.

He said it was felt that if SUPREME WITNESS was required to be ridden for some distance in the early stages the horse would not be able to finish off the race and therefore it was decided to steady SUPREME WITNESS in the early stages and endeavour to obtain a position with cover.

He said it was hoped that SUPREME WITNESS would be able to obtain cover even if it was wide with the horse being able to race in about midfield or slightly in front of midfield.

He said in accordance with his instructions he commenced to shift SUPREME WITNESS across behind runners in the early stages, however, due to the makeup of the field, he was left racing very wide passing the 1200 Metres and therefore he elected to steady his mount further to obtain a position with cover behind IRON BRAVO.

He said this placed SUPREME WITNESS further back in the field than had been intended.

He added when IRON BRAVO had difficulty maintaining its positon after the 800 Metres, this resulted in SUPREME WITNESS having to race at the rear of the field in the middle stages.

He said SUPREME WITNESS then did not finish off the race in the Straight.

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

A veterinary inspection of FLYING NOBLE immediately following the race found that horse to have blood at its left nostril.

A subsequent endoscopic examination of FLYING NOBLE confirmed the horse to have bled.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HARBOUR CENTURY had bled from both nostrils.

BLAZING PARTNERS and VICTORIOUS LEADER were sent for sampling.