Recap by phillip woo

The late-fancied Free Foal won a spirited battle over the heavily-backed Charge On. Free Foal put his head in front 300m out after chasing a slow pace three deep without cover until settling a position closer outside the leader Dandy Years 800m out. Charge On kept on very well despite sitting no closer than four deep without cover the entire trip after settling in a prominent spot from a wide draw. He's ready for a return to the winner's circle. El Jefe dashed well to grab a placing late after settling four back and one off the fence. He keeps promising without delivering but relished a step back in distance here. Early favourite Robot Warrior ran on steadily to just miss a placing after settling four deep with cover worse than midfield. He can break through at any moment. Brave King closed off reasonably well to just miss the frame after a deep run five back with cover. He's not genuine. New Future made up heaps of ground late down the outside settling last from gate 14. It was a good run in defeat carrying top weight with a return to Class Four.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (694) - BLAZING SPEED HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1600Meters

NEW FUTURE, which kicked a rail whilst parading behind the barriers, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

COPARTNER ERA was slow to begin.

SUPER FAST began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped RUN RUN GOOD.

BRAVE KING began only fairly.

From wide barriers, LEADING FORTUNE and NEW FUTURE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.

Passing the 1400 Metres, SUPER FAST got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind RED IMPACT.

SUPER ELEGANCE travelled keenly approaching and passing the 1300 Metres.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, FIGURES TWO was awkwardly placed outside the heels of BRAVE KING when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse.

Making the turn near the 850 Metres, CHARGE ON shifted in and bumped SUPER ELEGANCE.

For some distance after the 300 Metres, COPARTNER ERA had difficulty obtaining clear running and then near the 100 Metres raced in restricted room between RED IMPACT and SUPER FAST.

Passing the 200 Metres, RED IMPACT was held up for clear running behind FREE FOAL.

When questioned, K C Leung stated that he was asked to obtain a position in about midfield on CHARGE ON with cover if possible from a wide barrier.

He said it was felt that today's race would not be run at a strong tempo and therefore were the horse to be ridden from back in the field, CHARGE ON may be left with too much to do.

He said he was also told that CHARGE ON had not finished off its race when ridden in a forward position at Happy Valley on 10 March 2021 and therefore he was asked not to use the horse up in the early stages to obtain a forward position.

He said after shifting across with runners in the early stages, CHARGE ON was left racing very wide and without cover in the early and middle stages.

He said he did give consideration to allowing the horse to improve its position approaching and passing the 1000 Metres in an endeavour to save ground, however, he was mindful of the specific instruction not to make use of his horse to obtain a forward position.

He added as such although the race was being run at a sedate tempo, he felt that it was in CHARGE ON's best interests to have the horse remain balanced and travelling well even though it was still required to race very wide throughout.

Mr D J Hall, the trainer of CHARGE ON, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Leung.

He said from a wide barrier and due to the anticipated slow pace of the race, he was aware that CHARGE ON may not be able to obtain a position with cover, however, he was of the view that being taken back in the field would not allow the horse the best opportunity to finish off the race strongly whilst he was disappointed with CHARGE ON'S previous finishing effort when ridden to obtain a forward position.

He added given the circumstances of the race, he was satisfied with Jockey Leung's decision to remain racing wide and without cover rather than press on to obtain a forward position closer to the rail.

A veterinary inspection of SUPER ELEGANCE, LEADING FORTUNE and COPARTNER ERA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

DANDY YEARS, FREE FOAL and CHARGE ON were sent for sampling.