Recap by phillip woo

Bear Again was headed for the lead by Fenrir 800m out, reclaimed the lead 250m out and kept on gamely despite laying out under pressure in deep stretch to just hold favourite Alpha Hedge for a third victory this season. Alpha Hedge ended up second best after copping some interference inside the final 100m from the winner following a one-off run better than midfield. Shamport stayed on a distant third travelling prominent on the fence after jumping alertly. He continues to race well after a three-win campaign. Cinquante Cinq made some ground to fill the frame after travelling worse than midfield on the fence. It was a better effort at his second start following a fetlock injury in May. Best Alliance stayed on all right for a minor cheque after a wide without cover run in midfield. Fenrir wasn't beaten too far in the end after rolling forward to lead 800m out following an awkward start. It was a better effort at his sixth start.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (826) - SHING PING HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

FENRIR was slow to begin.

CHARITY WINGS shifted out at the start and bumped PICKEN which began awkwardly.

CHARITY WINGS then shifted in and made contact with TURIN REDSTAR, resulting in CHARITY WINGS becoming unbalanced, shifting out and bumping PICKEN.

After this, CHARITY WINGS and PICKEN were shifted across behind runners.

Also from the outside barrier, JOYFUL HEART was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Shortly after the start, FENRIR commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked for a considerable distance approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion.

Then after the 1200 Metres, FENRIR, which was continuing to race ungenerously, was checked away from the heels of CINQUANTE CINQ and shifted out, resulting in KASI FARASI being hampered and taken wider.

FENRIR then continued to race ungenerously and shifted out away from the heels of ALPHA HEDGE, resulting in KASI FARASI again being further hampered and forced wider.

FENRIR was then shifted to the outside of BEST ALLIANCE passing the 1000 Metres and allowed to improve its position into the lead after the 800 Metres.

Having regard to FENRIR's racing manners tonight as well as its previous racing history, the Stewards ruled that FENRIR will be required to undertake a series of consecutive satisfactory barrier trials around a bend before being permitted to race again.

After the 1100 Metres, BEST ALLIANCE was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 400 Metres, CHARITY WINGS and JOYFUL HEART bumped.

Near the 250 Metres, RED ELYSEES and KASI FARASI bumped.

When questioned, C Y Ho stated that as there were a number of horses drawn inside SHAMPORT which were expected to maintain their positon in the early stages, it was felt that if SHAMPORT were to be ridden to obtain cover, this would result in the horse getting out of its ground.

He said it was therefore decided to ride the horse positively and clear those runners to its inside and then steady SHAMPORT to obtain cover.

He said he was able to clear runners to his inside and then obtain cover behind BEAR AGAIN near the 1100 Metres.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident occurred passing the 150 Metres which cast doubt on whether BEAR AGAIN (B Shinn) should be declared the winner.

It was found that passing the 150 Metres BEAR AGAIN shifted out under pressure, resulting in ALPHA HEDGE (Z Purton) having to shift out away from the heels of BEAR AGAIN.

However, having regard to the manner in which the two horses finished off the race, the neck margin between the two horses and the fact that Z Purton did not stop riding his mount during this incident, the Stewards were of the opinion that the matter should not proceed to a formal protest/objection hearing and as such weighed in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge.

Subsequently B Shinn was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have corrected his mount sooner than he did on this occasion.

He was told to ensure that he takes corrective measures at the earliest available opportunity.

BEAR AGAIN and ALPHA HEDGE were sent for sampling.