Recap by phillip woo

Kwai Chung Elite got up in the last stride to deny Golden Mission after a perfectly executed ride in the box-seat from gate one for a maiden win at his 24th start. He was able to strike at his second start for his new trainer. Golden Mission did everything right but get the win after surging to the lead 250m out stalking the leader Viva Mama from an awkward gate. He keeps promising without delivering. Early favourite Alloy Star couldn't gain a run until the last 100m following a rails run behind midfield after a tardy start. Likely winner with uninterrupted running. Viva Mama just held onto fourth following a frontrunning effort. He makes his own luck in front but has trouble winning. One Step Ahead was all dressed up with nowhere to go along the inside after a patient ride second last from a middle draw. He should have finished a lot closer. Universal Crown ran on late down the outside after settling last and widest out from an outside draw. He requires a stronger tempo. Specked late Regency Poet wasn't beaten too far in the end after chasing the speed wide without cover. Late-fancied favourite Wonder Brahma never landed a blow from towards the rear. It was a disappointing effort.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (653) - JASMINE HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that UNIVERSAL CROWN had blood in its mouth.

UNIVERSAL CROWN was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race.

ALLOY STAR shifted out at the start and bumped SHANGHAI POWER which itself was crowded for room inside WONDER BRAHMA which shifted in after bumping SHANGHAI POWER.

ALLOY STAR was then checked and lost ground when crowded for room between SHANGHAI POWER which shifted in when unbalanced and KWAI CHUNG ELITE which shifted out.

ANONYMA shifted out at the start and hampered ONE STEP AHEAD which was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

From the outside barrier, UNIVERSAL CROWN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.

Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, FOX CHEUNGER lost ground as a result of being crowded for room between ONE HAPPY STAR and WONDER BRAHMA which got its head on the side and lay out.

Passing the 400 Metres, ALLOY STAR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KWAI CHUNG ELITE.

ONE STEP AHEAD, which was following, was directed to the inside of ALLOY STAR at the same point.

Approaching the 300 Metres, ONE STEP AHEAD momentarily raced tight inside ALLOY STAR which got its head on the side and lay in when improving to the inside of KWAI CHUNG ELITE.

ONE STEP AHEAD was badly held up for clear running from approaching the 200 Metres until near the 100 Metres at which stage the horse was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of VIVA MAMA and ALLOY STAR in an attempt to obtain clear running.

ONE STEP AHEAD then continued to be held up for clear running until the concluding stages.

Because of this, ONE STEP AHEAD was not able to be properly tested.

ALLOY STAR was held up for clear running passing the 200 Metres and when unable to obtain clear running was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOLDEN MISSION near the 150 Metres after racing tight outside VIVA MAMA.

ALLOY STAR was then shifted to the outside of GOLDEN MISSION near the 100 Metres and then raced tight between GOLDEN MISSION and KWAI CHUNG ELITE passing the 100 Metres.

This resulted in ALLOY STAR bumping KWAI CHUNG ELITE.

ALLOY STAR then continued to race in restricted room between GOLDEN MISSION and KWAI CHUNG ELITE until near the 50 Metres.

Because of this, ALLOY STAR was not able to be properly tested.

After racing tight with ALLOY STAR near the 150 Metres, VIVA MAMA became unbalanced, shifted out and was momentarily steadied away from the heels of GOLDEN MISSION.

Throughout the race, REGENCY POET and ONE HAPPY STAR travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WONDER BRAHMA, K Teetan stated that he was asked to ride the horse where it was comfortable.

He said in the early stages he was able to obtain a good trailing position behind SHANGHAI POWER and WONDER BRAHMA initially travelled well.

He said when the pace slackened after the 1000 Metres WONDER BRAHMA commenced to travel keenly and then lay out making the turn near the 900 Metres.

He said after this WONDER BRAHMA continued to travel keenly until about the 600 Metres at which stage the tempo of the race commenced to increase.

He said he was able to improve his position after the 500 Metres when riding WONDER BRAHMA along, however, at the entrance to the Straight the horse came under heavy pressure and then did not respond to his riding and, in his opinion, was disappointing.

He added however that the manner in which WONDER BRAHMA travelled too keenly in the middle stages may have accounted for the horse's failure to finish off the race.

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

Before being allowed to race again, WONDER BRAHMA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

After the race, C Y Ho, the rider of SHANGHAI POWER, was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of the horse.

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

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

WONDER BRAHMA, KWAI CHUNG ELITE and GOLDEN MISSION were sent for sampling.