Recap by phillip woo

Newcomer Flying Ace really motored in the last 150m to nab Xponential on the wire after a patient ride fourth last from a wide draw. He did it stylishly and the future does look very bright. Xponential was just collared late working to the front 250m out despite a very tough chasing the speed three deep without cover for the most part from a tricky gate. It was a yet another huge run to find one better for a fourth straight time. Sight Hero ran on well near the outside to finish a close third after biding his time one from the rear from the widest draw. He clearly has another win coming. Rewarding Together only succumbed 50m out after working hard to share the lead two and three deep without cover the entire trip. It was a very good run first-up in nearly a year. Spartan Missile ran on late near the inside after a patient ride fourth last from an awkward gate. He proved a runner-up result last start was not a fluke and a victory isn't far off. Punted late Regency Star ran on without threatening after a deep with cover run behind midfield. He couldn't step up carrying more weight following a win. Cordyceps One did not fire after a rails run in midfield. It was a disappointing effort after getting going for thirds in two prior starts.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (239) - NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

HAPPY GOOD GUYS and REWARDING TOGETHER brushed at the start.

From wide barriers, SPARTAN MISSILE, FLYING ACE, AURORA PEGASUS and SIGHT HERO were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, SIGHT HERO was checked when crowded for room between FLYING ACE and REGENCY STAR (A Badel) which, when being steadied to obtain cover behind HIN YUEN BIS, shifted in marginally when racing outside the heels of that horse.

Whilst the Stewards were not satisfied to the requisite degree that REGENCY STAR had shifted to the inside of HIN YUEN BIS and that REGENCY STAR was still racing to the outside of the heels of HIN YUEN BIS, nonetheless they were of the opinion that REGENCY STAR had shifted in marginally which resulted in the crowding to SIGHT HERO.

A Badel was reprimanded and told to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room to his fellow riders in similar circumstances.

Passing the 500 Metres, BEAUTY CHEERS shifted out and brushed REWARDING TOGETHER, resulting in those two horses racing tight.

Rounding the Home Turn, SIGHT HERO and FLYING ACE raced tight as FLYING ACE shifted out to obtain clear running.

Passing the 300 Metres, FLYING ACE was shifted in away from the heels of HIN YUEN BIS and brushed HAPPY GOOD GUYS.

Near the 250 Metres, SIGHT HERO and REGENCY STAR raced tight as SIGHT HERO improved into tight running between that horse and HIN YUEN BIS.

Passing the 150 Metres, REWARDING TOGETHER shifted out and raced tight inside XPONENTIAL and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of XPONENTIAL.

Throughout the race, XPONTENTIAL travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, C Y Ho stated that after being able to obtain a good position in about midfield, CORDYCEPS ONE travelled satisfactorily throughout the early and middle stages.

He said CORDYCEPS ONE came under heavy pressure prior to the 500 Metres and, despite being vigorously ridden along, did not quicken as anticipated rounding the Home Turn.

He added after initially staying on one-paced in the early part of the Straight, CORDYCEPS ONE then weakened over the concluding stages.

He said over the latter stages of the race CORDYCEPS ONE's action deteriorated.

He added when not finishing off the race as anticipated, CORDYCEPS ONE did not feel comfortable in its action on pulling up after the race.

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

Before being allowed to race again, CORDYCEPS ONE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Also after the race, V Borges stated that BEAUTY CHEERS raced disappointingly tonight.

He said the horse travelled well on the speed, however, did not respond to his riding in the Straight and failed to finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY CHEERS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

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

A veterinary inspection of HIN YUEN BIS immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in its trachea.

HIN YUEN BIS was also found to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

CORDYCEPS ONE, FLYING ACE and XPONTENTIAL were sent for sampling.