Recap by phillip woo

Post-time favourite Zebrowski kept coming to catch Savaquin in the shadows of the post despite getting left without cover in a prominent spot from the 700m to open his win account after showing good progress in his opening three starts. He looks a nice stayer in the making. Savaquin nearly stole the race with a mid-race move from just worse than midfield to lead 700m out. It was a cracking effort in defeat. Savvy Nine ran on steadily from midfield to edge Sunny Star for third. He loves this trip but the weight anchored him. Sunny Star was caught deep early on, then had to duck inside for a clear run 200m from towards the rear to just miss a placing. It was a good effort up in grade over a longer trip. All For St Paul's was yielding ground 100m out after leading from an outside draw 1,500m out. The rise in class and trip took its toll in the end. Looking Great was retreating 150m out after a pace-prompting run. He was always going to be set a task first-up over the 1,800m. Early favourite Berlin Tango didn't fire after a rails run fore of midfield. He's not genuine. Delightful Laos peaked on his run 200m out after coming from a detached spot following a very slow start. He needed the outing first-up this season.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (145) - THE AMERICAN CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 2 - 1800Meters

BEAUTY FIT, which was fractious when being transported to Happy Valley, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion the horse was lame in the right hind leg and accordingly was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, BEAUTY FIT was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY FIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

DELIGHTFUL LAOS stood flat-footed as the start was effected and lost a significant amount of ground.

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

ZEBROWSKI shifted out at the start and bumped SAVAQUIN which was taken out onto LOOKING GREAT.

SAVVY NINE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SUNNY STAR failed to muster speed and was steadied to obtain cover.

SUNNY STAR was then left racing wide and without cover passing the winning post on the first occasion and was steadied further after the 1300 Metres to obtain cover behind SAVAQUIN at the rear of the field.

When the pace of the race slackened appreciably after the 1000 Metres, ZEBROWSKI got its head up when racing close to the heels of LOOKING GREAT whilst BERLIN TANGO was awkwardly placed behind ALL FOR ST PAUL'S.

Passing the 900 Metres, SAVAQUIN was shifted out to improve its position and passing the 800 Metres was bumped by ZEBROWSKI which shifted out from behind LOOKING GREAT to also improve.

After this, ZEBROWSKI was left racing wide and without cover.

After the race, K Teetan reported that when the pace of the race quickened after the 800 Metres, BERLIN TANGO was able to respond to the change of tempo satisfactorily and after shifting to the outside of ALL FOR ST PAUL'S near the 500 Metres, he felt that the horse was travelling well enough to finish off the race.

He said after momentarily having some difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn, BERLIN TANGO was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race after obtaining clear running at the 300 Metres.

A veterinary inspection of BERLIN TANGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned, M F Poon stated that he was asked to lead on ALL FOR ST PAUL'S if possible, however, if another horse was intent on leading, it was acceptable for him to sit outside that horse.

He said after beginning positively on ALL FOR ST PAUL'S, he was able to shift across to race in the lead passing the winning post on the first occasion.

He added after the 1100 Metres he did not place any undue pressure on ALL FOR ST PAUL'S to steady the tempo of the race, rather ALL FOR ST PAUL'S relaxed too well in the lead which resulted in the margin between ALL FOR ST PAUL'S and LOOKING GREAT, which was racing outside and behind ALL FOR ST PAUL'S, decreasing after the 1000 Metres.

He said he was unaware that the tempo of the race had slackened to the extent that it had at this stage of the race.

He said passing the 800 Metres SAVAQUIN, LOOKING GREAT and ZEBROWSKI all commenced to improve their position and despite him riding ALL FOR ST PAUL'S along, the horse was not able to quicken and consequently was crossed by SAVAQUIN after the 700 Metres.

ZEBROWSKI, which was in a three wide position, was then able to obtain a margin over ALL FOR ST PAUL'S with LOOKING GREAT improving its position forward of ALL FOR ST PAUL'S after the 600 Metres.

Mr F C Lor, the trainer of ALL FOR ST PAUL'S, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Poon.

Mr Lor stated that he was of the opinion that M F Poon had allowed ALL FOR ST PAUL'S to relax too much in the lead near the 1000 Metres which resulted in horses being able to improve their position after this and placing ALL FOR ST PAUL'S under pressure much earlier in the race than had been anticipated.

M F Poon was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, whilst he did not unduly restrain his mount after the 1100 Metres, he had erred in failing to maintain a more genuine tempo which resulted in other horses being able to improve their position around ALL FOR ST PAUL'S and for ALL FOR ST PAUL'S not being able to quicken with those horses and losing the advantage of leading.

A veterinary inspection of DELIGHTFUL LAOS and LOOKING GREAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ZEBROWSKI and SAVAQUIN were sent for sampling.