Recap by phillip woo

Backed late All Best Friends responded nicely to just get up after getting posted deep without cover behind midfield early on to give the old-timer a fifth career win. He was well-rated with a return to the course and distance of a win last season. Run The Table did it tough going forward four deep to eventually sit outside the leader in second 850m out, worked to the front 280m out and only found one too good in the end. Jimmu ran on well after getting shuffled back to have three behind him rounding the final bend to just get the head down for third. He can produce a good run now and then. This Is Charisma was still hitting the line well from towards the rear to just miss a placing after copping a bad check 500m and without a clear run until the final 150m. He should have gone close to winning. Shinealot closed well down the outside to nearly fill the frame after a patient ride one from the rear from gate 12. It was a better effort at his third start this term. Early favourite President Star ran on without menacing after drifting back to be worse than midfield entering the straight. He had an excuse. Righteous Win didn't click after getting dragged back to midfield rounding the final bend by early leader Scholar.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (131) - CHAOZHOU HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

As the start was effected, TOP ACCOLADE stood flat-footed and then began very awkwardly, resulting in TOP ACCOLADE losing a significant amount of ground.

Before being allowed to race again, TOP ACCOLADE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.

From the outside barriers, THIS IS CHARISMA and SHINEALOT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

NITRO EXPRESS was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover.

After the 1300 Metres, GRAND POWER travelled wide and without cover and was then allowed to improve its position to race in the lead near the 1000 Metres.

Near the 1000 Metres, RUN THE TABLE was left racing wide and without cover and was ridden along to obtain a more forward position closer to the rail passing the 700 Metres at which stage ALL BEST FRIENDS was left racing wide and without cover.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SMART HUNTER was crowded for room between ALL BEST FRIENDS and RIGHTEOUS WIN which got its head on the side and shifted out marginally when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SCHOLAR which itself made the turn awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of RUN THE TABLE.

JIMMU, which was following RIGHTEOUS WIN, was eased away from the heels of that horse with THIS IS CHARISMA, which was following JIMMU, being checked away from behind that horse in consequence.

After the 500 Metres, SMART HUNTER was crowded for room between PRESIDENT STAR and RIGHTEOUS WIN (M Chadwick) which shifted out from behind SCHOLAR.

M Chadwick was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Passing the 300 Metres, NITRO EXPRESS raced tight between SHINEALOT and THIS IS CHARISMA which shifted out away from the heels of SMART HUNTER.

THIS IS CHARISMA was then held up for clear running after the 300 Metres and approaching the 200 Metres was directed to the inside of SMART HUNTER.

After the 300 Metres, JIMMU raced in restricted room inside SCHOLAR which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the crowding.

Approaching the 100 Metres, THIS IS CHARISMA raced tight between RIGHTEOUS WIN and SMART HUNTER (C L Chau) which shifted in when awkwardly placed inside PRESIDENT STAR.

In this incident, the whip of C L Chau became momentarily caught behind the head of THIS IS CHARISMA.

Close to the finishing line, PRESIDENT STAR was bumped by SHINEALOT which shifted in.

Also close to the finishing line, THIS IS CHARISMA raced tight outside RUN THE TABLE which shifted out marginally.

Because of this, THIS IS CHARISMA was not able to be fully ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

A veterinary inspection of NITRO EXPRESS immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer??which had previously been reported.

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

A veterinary inspection of RIGHTEOUS WIN 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, RIGHTEOUS WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

RIGHTEOUS WIN, ALL BEST FRIENDS and RUN THE TABLE were sent for sampling.