Recap by phillip woo

Villa Fionn came on strongly widest out after a patient ride third from the rear to overhaul Joy Master near the 100m for a maiden win at his 17th start. Joy Master kept on very well for second after a deep run fifth from the back. He's racing well over the 1,600m this term and was suited by the claimer's allowance. Amazing Satchmo came up flat 100m out after hitting the front 250m out following a one-off run behind midfield. He's not far off a bottom. Happy Win Win closed well to nearly place after ducking to the fence near the 200m after straightening three from the outside following a patient ride at the rear of the field. Telecom Rocket kept battling away after going forward from the widest gate to eventually slot one off in fourth. It was another honest effort but he has trouble winning. Sunny Power ran on steadily without menacing after settling three back on the fence from a wide gate. He's more effective on a wet track.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (192) - CHEVALIER E & M ENGINEERING HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1600Meters

STARSHIP, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 22.11.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore).

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

The tongue tie applied to JOY MASTER was refitted in the Parade Ring.

CHIU CHOW KID began only fairly.

SPIRIT PATCH was crowded for room on jumping between VILLA FIONN and SUNNY POWER which shifted out.

After this, VILLA FIONN was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier.

LONDON HALL was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

From a wide barrier, HAPPY WIN WIN was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Passing the 1200 Metres, WINNING ENDEAVOUR got its head up and became unbalanced after momentarily racing tight outside JOY MASTER.

Near the 1150 Metres, SAVVY SEVEN commenced to travel very keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed behind TELECOM ROCKET.

Approaching the 1000 Metres, TELECOM ROCKET got its head up and travelled keenly when being steadied to allow LITTLE GENERAL to cross.

Making the turn near the 900 Metres, SAVVY SEVEN shifted out away from the heels of TELECOM ROCKET and bumped WINNING ENDEAVOUR.

After this, WINNING ENDEAVOUR was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 700 Metres, JOY MASTER, which was racing wide, was taken wider by AMAZING SATCHMO which shifted to the outside of SAVVY SEVEN.

JOY MASTER then travelled wide and without cover.

In the early part of the Straight, JOY MASTER (Apprentice K H Chan) shifted out under pressure and passing the 150 Metres bumped VILLA FIONN.

Apprentice Chan was advised to exercise more care when riding out his mounts.

Passing the 400 Metres, LITTLE GENERAL and TELECOM ROCKET brushed.

Also passing the 400 Metres, SAVVY SEVEN received contact from SUNNY POWER which shifted out.

Approaching the 300 Metres, HAPPY WIN WIN was shifted in away from the heels of SPIRIT PATCH to obtain clear running.

HAPPY WIN WIN was then held up for clear running approaching the 200 Metres.

Near the 150 Metres, SPIRIT PATCH shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of NEW ELEGANCE.

SPIRIT PATCH was then checked when crowded for room between NEW ELEGANCE and LITTLE GENERAL which was taken in by SUNNY POWER which, after improving into tight running inside TELECOM ROCKET (C Schofield), was taken in marginally by that horse.

C Schofield was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course in similar circumstances.

The performance of HAPPY FOREST, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

As this was the second occasion that HAPPY FOREST had finished tailed out in its races, it will be required to undergo a series of consecutive satisfactory barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.

A veterinary inspection of HAPPY FOREST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned, G van Niekerk (LITTLE GENERAL) stated that as it was anticipated that there was a lack of pace in the race, he was instructed to make use of his inside barrier and obtain a forward position with the option of leading the race.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode LITTLE GENERAL along for a considerable distance in the early stages to clear SAVVY SEVEN to his inside.

He said, despite being hard ridden, LITTLE GENERAL did not show any early speed and after the 1500 Metres he attempted to obtain a trailing position behind SAVVY SEVEN.

He said when he did this AMAZING SATCHMO was ridden along to improve its position behind SAVVY SEVEN and for this reason he was not able to obtain cover behind that horse.

He said near the 1300 Metres LITTLE GENERAL was left racing wide and without cover and therefore he had to again ride his mount along to improve his position rather than racing unnecessarily wide.

He added he was required to ride his mount along for some distance to obtain a prominent position and it was not until near the 900 Metres that he was able to shift in to cross into a one-off position in advance of TELECOM ROCKET.

A veterinary inspection of SAVVY SEVEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

LITTLE GENERAL, VILLA FIONN and JOY MASTER were sent for sampling.