Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed Sauvestre held off outsider Ka Ying Excellent after hitting the front near the 200m following a pace-stalking run for a well-deserved second win from 10 starts. He should remain competitive up in grade off a light weight. Ka Ying Excellent ran on well to grab second 100m out after a wide with cover trip in midfield. He had run well to fill the frame in two prior starts. Mr Ascendency finished well three from the right after a patient ride one-off behind midfield to overhaul Beauty Glory in the last few strides for a placing. He's run well in back-to-back runs after misfiring in two legs of the 4YO Series. Beauty Glory gradually faded after dictating the run from gate one. It was another genuine front-running effort despite switching to Sha Tin for this run. Triple Triple ran on steadily after a one-off trip in midfield. He didn't disgrace stepping up to 1,400m but do prefer him in Class Four. Odds-on favourite Erimo came up flat when asked for a response following a prominent run along the fence. It was a rare poor effort following a near win last start. Punted late Super Ten ran on without menacing after being restrained to travel third last from a wide draw. The change in tactics backfired.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (759) - SAPPHIRE HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

SETANTA began only fairly and shifted out towards the heels of GRACYLOVE.

ERIMO shifted out at the start and bumped EN POINTE.

EN POINT lost its right front plate on jumping.

TRIPLE TRIPLE began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in MR ASCENDENCY being crowded for room inside COMPASSION SPIRIT.

From wide barriers, WEALTHY DELIGHT and COLOURFUL BARON were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 350 Metres, GRACYLOVE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SAUVESTRE which shifted out.

Approaching the 250 Metres, K Teetan (MR ASCENDENCY) dropped his whip.

As this was the 6th occasion this season that K Teetan has been reported to have dropped his whip in races, he was fined the sum of $10,000.

When questioned, L Hewitson stated that it was intended for SUPER TEN to be ridden in a forward position today and possibly sit outside the anticipated leader BEAUTY GLORY.

He said after beginning only fairly he rode his mount along in the early stages, however, SUPER TEN did not show early speed as it did at its most recent start and as he believed that it was no longer available to him to obtain as forward a position as possible, he elected, passing the 1300 Metres, to steady his mount and obtain cover so as not to cover unnecessary ground.

After the race, M Chadwick stated that GRACYLOVE was required to race wide and without cover after the 900 Metres and, up in grade, was then not able to finish the race off in the Straight.

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

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ERIMO, J Moreira stated that, from barrier 2, he was able to obtain a good position in the early stages behind the speed.

He said ERIMO travelled well in the early and middle stages and he anticipated that the horse would finish the race off well in the Straight.

He said that after ERIMO obtained clear running passing the 400 Metres when BEAUTY GLORY shifted away from the rail, his mount did not quicken into the gap as he anticipated and despite being placed under pressure for the remainder of the race was very disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close the race off.

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

A veterinary inspection of EN POINTE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ERIMO, SAUVESTRE and KA YING EXCELLENT were sent for sampling.