Recap by phillip woo

Post-time favourite Hidden Spirit responded well following a midfield run to take control 100m out to make it three straight and four wins on the dirt this season. He might be able to hold his own up in grade off a light weight. Early favourite Curling Luxury did everything right but get the win after leading from gate five. The early pressure from Rockage possibly took its toll on Curling Luxury in the end. Keep Winning kept plugging away to fill a placing following a prominent run on the fence. He can produce an odd good run now and then. Dr Lucky Star finished very well to spice up the Quartet after making his run five back on the fence. It was his best run to date with a switch to the dirt. Specked late The Full Bloom came up one-paced over the final 100m settling one off better than midfield after getting caught deep early on from a wide gate. Virtus Star will be sticking to the turf after only running on without menacing from behind midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (691) - SWAN HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1800Meters

The Veterinary Officer reported that DR LUCKY STAR, which became fractious in the Parade Ring, pulled back and momentarily got down, was found to be suitable to race.

HAPPY ICHIBAN stumbled at the start.

ROCKAGE shifted out at the start and bumped SKY GEM.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, WICKER failed to muster speed.

From wide barriers, OLD HAVANA and BREAK RECORD were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, CAMFORD MAGIC was steadied away from the heels of CURLING LUXURY.

Passing the 700 Metres, SKY GEM was shifted out away from the heels of CAMFORD MAGIC after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse which came under pressure.

Passing the 500 Metres, OLD HAVANA went amiss and was retired from the race.

After the race, OLD HAVANA was found to have sustained an injury to the left knee.

After the race, C Schofield (HAPPY ICHIBAN) reported that after being left racing three wide and without cover after passing the winning post on the first occasion, he attempted to improve his position forward of ROCKAGE near the 1300 Metres, however, when that horse, which was travelling strongly, maintained its position to the inside of HAPPY ICHIBAN, he believed he would have had to do too much work to attempt to cross that horse and this resulted in HAPPY ICHIBAN remaining in a three wide position and without cover throughout the race.

He added HAPPY ICHIBAN never travelled well at any stage of the race and came under pressure passing the 700 Metres.

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

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

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

When questioned regarding the performance of HAY RUN, A Hamelin stated that his mount did not travel well at any stage of the race.

He said, despite continually riding his mount along, HAY RUN was reluctant to stretch out and then did not take the turns well.

He said, despite being vigorously ridden along after the 600 Metres, HAY RUN gave ground noticeably and finished at the rear of the field.

A veterinary inspection of HAY RUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of HAY RUN was considered unacceptable.

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

A veterinary inspection of CAMFORD MAGIC immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

The performance of CAMFORD MAGIC, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

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

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

Before being allowed to race again, WICKER 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, an endoscopic examination was conducted on BREAK RECORD at the request of Trainer C S Shum.

The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

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

HIDDEN SPIRIT and CURLING LUXURY were sent for sampling.