Recap by phillip woo

Punted late as usual, Great Son just held off Show Mission after straightening a length on top dictating the run from gate one to return to the winner's circle for a third time in his career. He's not genuine but certainly capable on his day and likely enjoyed the sting out of the ground with a gear change to visors. Show Mission just came up a stride short sticking to the fence following a box-seat run. He rarely produces a bad run. Early favourite Kwai Chung Elite got going settling one off in midfield to fill a placing. He continues to knock on the door in four of his past five following a stable change. Post-time favourite Aurora Steed came up one-paced after stalking the speed. The big weight anchored him yet again. Fox Cheunger finished well after peeling into the open 250m out travelling third last from a wide gate. Fire And Gold made some ground without menacing after making his run fourth back along the fence. He needs a faster pace.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (593) - TULIP HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

SPICY REALLY began awkwardly and then lost ground when crowded for room between ROYAL CHOCOLATE and FIRE AND GOLD which initially shifted out of its own accord and bumped SPICY REALLY and then was taken out further by AURORA STEED.

KWAI CHUNG ELITE shifted in at the start and bumped FORTUNE WAY.

From a wide barrier, FOX CHEUNGER was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

In the early stages, YEE CHEONG LUCKY was ridden along from the outside barrier, however, failed to muster speed and consequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the race.

Throughout the race, E GENERATION also travelled wide and without cover.

Passing the 700 Metres, U W BROTHER and KWAI CHUNG ELITE raced tight as U W BROTHER was taken wider by KWAI CHUNG ELITE which, when improving to the outside of ROYAL CHOCOLATE, was taken out further by that horse which shifted out marginally.

Near the 450 Metres, FOX CHEUNGER raced tight between U W BROTHER and FORTUNE WAY.

Passing the 200 Metres, KWAI CHUNG ELITE was brushed by E GENERATION which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of AURORA STEED which shifted out under pressure.

FOX CHEUNGER, which was following KWAI CHUNG ELITE, was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running to the outside of that horse.

Passing the 150 Metres, KWAI CHUNG ELITE shifted in under pressure, requiring its rider to change his whip over into his right hand.

After this, KWAI CHUNG ELITE continued to lay in under pressure.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether GREAT SON should be declared the winner.

It was found that near the 50 Metres GREAT SON shifted in and brushed SHOW MISSION and then over the concluding stages both horses raced tight.

As the Stewards were satisfied that the contact between the two horses did not have any bearing on their finishing positions at the end of the race, the matter did not proceed to a formal protest/objection and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge.

Although it did not have any bearing on the Stewards' decision, it should be noted that K C Leung, the rider of SHOW MISSION, did not lodge a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of that horse.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that, from barrier 11, he was told if U W BROTHER began very well, he should attempt to obtain a forward position, however, if the horse did not show early speed, he was to obtain cover on U W BROTHER and ride it more quietly.

He said it was felt that U W BROTHER would not show as much early speed as it had in recent starts due to the blinkers being removed for tonight's race.

He said when U W BROTHER began only fairly he steadied his mount in the early stages to obtain a trailing position behind E GENERATION just worse than midfield.

He said he felt that this was a good position for the horse, however, U W BROTHER was taken wider near the 700 Metres which resulted in the horse being very awkwardly placed behind YEE CHEONG LUCKY after the 500 Metres and rounding the Home Turn and causing it to be taken towards the rear of the field.

He added although U W BROTHER finished at the rear of the field, he believed that the circumstances of the race after the 700 Metres did not afford the horse the opportunity to close off the race.

Mr Y S Tsui, the trainer of U W BROTHER, stated that as the horse had over-raced last start after being ridden along in the early stages and subsequently failed to finish off the race, he removed the blinkers from U W BROTHER in the hope that it would settle better and therefore close off its race better than it did on that occasion.

He said with the blinkers removed, he felt it would be in the best interests of U W BROTHER to be ridden off the speed rather than having to be used up from a wide barrier to obtain a forward position and therefore his preference was for the horse to be ridden in about a midfield position.

He said he had also provided Jockey Teetan with the opportunity to go forward if the horse were to begin very well.

He said, in his opinion, the circumstances of the race did not provide a guide as to how U W BROTHER is best ridden and it would be his intention in its future starts to have the horse ridden in about a midfield position if circumstances permit.

A veterinary inspection of U W BROTHER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

AURORA STEED, GREAT SON and SHOW MISSION were sent for sampling.