Recap by phillip woo

Crown Avenue was held up in midfield along the fence but responded nicely to take control 150m out after a gap opened up 250m out. The win was overdue after knocking on the door in a good number of his opening 11 runs. Speed Force dashed well near the outside to grab second in deep stretch after landing a rails run behind midfield. He continues to race well on both surfaces, placing in three of his past four after a win in December. London Luckystar found a couple too good in the end after shooting to the front 250m out after a wide run without cover better than midfield the entire trip. He's always a chance on this surface but has trouble winning. Prime Star stayed on reasonably well for fourth after turning the final bend two from right to fill a top-four spot. He has shown a bit more spark to fill the frame in two of his past four starts on both surfaces. Ruby Stars weakened to finish next best after quickly finding the front from gate four. It was a season-best effort following a move to cheek pieces. Splendid Timing produced a grinding effort following a wide-with-cover performance in midfield. He's limited. Star Of Glory came up one-paced after a box-seat run. He's better suited over a longer trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (540) - CAFETERIA HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

On arrival at the Start, C Y Ho expressed concern regarding the action of HANDSOME REBEL.

HANDSOME REBEL was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that in his opinion the horse was lame in its right front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, HANDSOME REBEL was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

Before being allowed to race again, HANDSOME REBEL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

GIVE WAY PLEASE and SPLENDID TIMING bumped at the start.

From the outside barriers, HOLYSHOWCASING, DAILY BEAUTY and HEROIC CHAMPION were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, GIVE WAY PLEASE raced tight inside SPLENDID TIMING which was momentarily shifted in away from the heels of LONDON LUCKYSTAR.

Making the turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion, GIVE WAY PLEASE commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of PRIME STAR.

In the middle stages, RUBY STARS travelled keenly in the lead.

After riding GIVE WAY PLEASE (A Hamelin) along to maintain its position, A Hamelin's right foot slipped from the stirrup iron after the 800 Metres, resulting in him becoming unbalanced.

For some distance approaching the 500 Metres, PRIME STAR was awkwardly placed behind ILLUSTRIOUS when held up for clear running behind that horse which was giving ground.

Then passing the 500 Metres, PRIME STAR shifted out away from the heels of ILLUSTRIOUS and in doing so bumped SPLENDID TIMING.

When PRIME STAR was initially unable to shift to the outside of ILLUSTRIOUS, this resulted in PRIME STAR being checked away from the heels of that horse after the 500 Metres.

Then passing the 400 Metres, PRIME STAR was shifted to the outside of TURF BRILLIANT to obtain clear running and in doing so inconvenienced DAILY BEAUTY.

STAR OF GLORY had difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 300 Metres and approaching the 200 Metres was shifted to the inside of RUBY STARS to obtain clear running.

Passing the 200 Metres, TURF BRILLIANT was shifted out away from the heels of SPEED FORCE which shifted out marginally under pressure.

Throughout the race, LONDON LUCKYSTAR travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, K Teetan reported that TURF BRILLIANT travelled well in the early and middle stages and rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight responded to his riding in such a manner that he believed the horse was going to finish the race off satisfactorily.

He said however that as soon as SPEED FORCE improved its position inside TURF BRILLIANT passing the 300 Metres, his mount came under immediate pressure and then was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish the race off.

A veterinary inspection of TURF BRILLIANT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

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

CROWN AVENUE and SPEED FORCE were sent for sampling.