Recap by phillip woo

Ares easily found the front from a wide gate, straightened two lengths on top and kept finding to score a nice win. He's shown ability to win two of five starts. Namjong Sings finished well to grab second 30m out after a one-off run behind midfield following a sluggish start. Harrier Jet got up late for a placing after executing well to find a one-out, oneback spot from a wide gate. He rarely produces a bad run over this trip. Favourite Jazz Steed came up flat over the last 100m with every chance following a midfield run. He wasn't able to back-up on a dead-heat win carrying only two pounds more on this occasion. Punted late, Authentic Champ was doing some nice work late down the outside after settling last from a tricky gate. It was a better effort after an unlucky performance last start. Super Alliances ran on without menacing after making his run second from the rear. He's found things harder in his past three starts.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (88) - SHEK LEI PUI HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

AUTHENTIC CHAMP began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped HARRIER JET, causing AUTHENTIC CHAMP to become unbalanced.

AUTHENTIC CHAMP then became further unbalanced and lost ground when crowded for room between HARRIET JET and SUPER ALLIANCES which shifted out.

NAMJONG SINGS began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between JAZZ STEED and DEMONS ROCK which shifted in when being steadied away from the heels of RUN THE TABLE which shifted in abruptly on jumping, despite the efforts of its rider.

After being steadied in the early stages from the outside barrier, SPLIT OF A SECOND travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race.

For a considerable distance after the 1000 Metres, HARRIER JET proved very difficult to settle when being steadied to obtain cover behind WINNING FEELING.

HARRIET JET continued to travel keenly until approaching the 800 Metres.

RUN THE TABLE, which was following HARRIER JET, got its head up when awkwardly placed behind that horse passing the 900 Metres.

Passing the 900 Metres, DEMONS ROCK commenced to travel keenly and was shifted out away from the heels of SPLIT OF A SECOND.

In the early part of the Straight, RUN THE TABLE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HARRIER JET when held up for clear running behind that horse.

RUN THE TABLE was then directed to the inside of WINNING FEELING (N Callan) which, after shifting out, then commenced to shift in under pressure.

RUN THE TABLE, which had not properly established running to the inside of WINNING FEELING, was then steadied after racing tight inside the heels of WINNING FEELING for some distance approaching and passing the 100 Metres as WINNING FEELING lay in further under pressure.

WINNING FEELING was then directed in by JAZZ STEED (C Schofield) over the concluding stages which resulted in RUN THE TABLE being further steadied and stumbling after passing the winning post.

Whilst the Stewards found that RUN THE TABLE had not properly established running to the inside of WINNING FEELING prior to that horse shifting in, nonetheless N Callan was reprimanded and advised that after shifting out to provide room for a horse to improve to the inside of WINNING FEELING, he should have done more in the circumstances to prevent his mount from shifting back in.

C Schofield was also advised to exercise more care and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

Passing the 250 Metres, RUN THE TABLE was directed to the inside of JAZZ STEED in an attempt to obtain clear running.

When questioned, M Chadwick stated that it was anticipated that STAR PRESENT, NAMJONG SINGS, DEMONS ROCK and ALL BEST FRIENDS would obtain a forward position in the early stages having drawn inside SUPER ALLIANCES.

He said it was therefore felt that an opportunity may present itself to obtain a position behind those horses which would place SUPER ALLIANCES in advance of midfield.

He said when only ALL BEST FRIENDS was able to take up an anticipated forward position, this resulted in SUPER ALLIANCES being left racing wide outside DEMONS ROCK and NAMJONG SINGS shortly after the start and therefore he had to steady his mount further back in the field to obtain cover behind those horses and closer to the rail so as to prevent having to cover unnecessary ground.

He said this resulted in SUPER ALLIANCES racing further back in the field than had been intended.

JAZZ STEED, ARES and NAMJONG SINGS were sent for sampling.