Recap by phillip woo

California Rad emerged between runners for the lead 1,000m and kept bowling along for an overdue win at his eighth start. The writing had been on the wall and he has the tools to win another. Super Lucky ran on well one from the right after a patient ride third from the rear to grab second 50m out. He's racing very well. The Abraxas stuck on gamely for a placing after a box-seat run. It was a good effort after a near win last start in Class Five but he did get all favours in the run. All You Know got going from near the back along the inside to fill the frame. He can bob up now and then and is crying out for the 1,400m. Smart Of Youth stayed on OK following a midfield run on the fence. He's still learning. Favourite Super Winner didn't let down one-off the fence in midfield after getting steadied approaching the 1,000m. King's Race never looked likely after a deep run without cover behind midfield from a tricky gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (578) - LARCH HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

TOP MILITARY shifted out at the start and bumped THE ABRAXAS which in turn shifted out and bumped CALIFORNIA RAD.

SUPER WINNER shifted out at the start and bumped EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE which lost ground when crowded for room inside MAGIC SUPREME.

From the outside barriers, ALL YOU KNOW, SUPER LUCKY and SNORLAX were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After being ridden along in the early stages, SUPER WINNER was steadied approaching the 1100 Metres to obtain cover behind SMART OF YOUTH when racing wide.

Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, KING'S RACE failed to muster speed and then for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover.

Near the 1050 Metres, THE ABRAXAS and CALIFORNIA RAD made contact.

Near the 850 Metres, SMART OF YOUTH was bumped by MAGIC SUPREME.

MAGIC SUPREME lost its right hind plate approaching the 800 Metres.

In the early part of the Straight, SUPER WINNER lay in under pressure and passing the 200 Metres raced tight outside EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE due to SUPER WINNER shifting in as J Moreira, the rider of that horse, experienced difficulty when changing his whip into his right hand.

Passing the 300 Metres, ALL YOU KNOW raced tight inside TOP MILITARY which shifted to the inside of SMART OF YOUTH.

TOP MILITARY was then awkwardly placed inside the heels of SMART OF YOUTH passing the 250 Metres when that horse shifted in under pressure.

Near the 50 Metres, SNORLAX and KING'S RACE raced tight as SNORLAX improved into tight running between KING'S RACE and SUPER WINNER.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered whether STAR OF THEHARBOUR (B Shinn) had been afforded a fair start.

After viewing the videos of the start, in the company of B Shinn and Mr D J Hall, the trainer of STAR OF THEHARBOUR, it was established that as the start was effected STAR OF THEHARBOUR put its head down and to the left, resulting in B Shinn becoming badly unbalanced and STAR OF THEHARBOUR losing a substantial amount of ground.

STAR OF THEHARBOUR consequently took no active part in the race.

As the Stewards were satisfied that STAR OF THEHARBOUR had caused its own difficulties by putting its head down as the start was effected, the horse was deemed to have been afforded a fair start and consequently was ruled to be a runner.

Before being allowed to race again, STAR OF THEHARBOUR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE, Apprentice K H Chan stated that after being crowded for room on jumping between SUPER WINNER and MAGIC SUPREME, he then rode his mount along to take up a forward position as instructed.

He said EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE was able to improve its position in the early stages without having too much use made of it but was left racing in a three wide position without cover along the Back Straight.

He said when CALIFORNIA RAD improved forward of THE ABRAXAS approaching the 600 Metres, he was able to follow that horse across and race one horse off the rail.

He said he placed EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE under pressure rounding the Home Turn, however, the horse did not quicken as he anticipated and came under heavy pressure after the 300 Metres.

He added, despite being ridden out, EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE commenced to give ground passing the 200 Metres and then weakened over the concluding stages.

A veterinary inspection of EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

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

After the race, J Moreira (SUPER WINNER) stated that he was instructed to obtain a trailing position behind the leaders if possible.

He said after riding his mount along from the start he was left racing wide outside SMART OF YOUTH which showed more speed than SUPER WINNER.

He said he therefore elected to steady his mount and obtain a trailing position behind that horse.

He said whilst this resulted in SUPER WINNER being slightly further back in the field than had been intended, he was still of the belief that SUPER WINNER had a good position and should have been able to finish off the race.

He added after laying in in the Straight SUPER WINNER was then slightly disappointing in that it failed to finish off the race over the concluding stages.

A veterinary inspection of MAGIC SUPREME immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small wound to the inside of the left front coronet.

SUPER WINNER, CALIFORNIA RAD and SUPER LUCKY were sent for sampling.