Recap by phillip woo

Outsider Sparkling Dolphin just held on after getting pressured up front by Innoconstruction for a fourth career win over this course. Healthy Healthy made it close on the wire after getting held up from behind midfield from the 400 to 200m. He was able to build on a pleasing sixth on debut with a move to a tongue-tie. Po On Way hit the line well down the stands side to finish a close third after a patient ride two from the rear. It was an eye-catching effort on debut. Happy Horse plugged on reasonably well chasing the speed on the grandstand side to add further value to the Quartet. It was a vastly-improved effort with the blinkers coming off. Innoconstruction grudgingly gave way after crossing from a low draw to vie for the lead. It was another honest effort. Always Awesome came from towards the rear to finish next best. He went OK on debut. Dashing Triumph made some ground without threatening near the far side from near the rear. Newcomer Dan Attack found nothing in the run to the wire settling midfield after a tardy start as the firming favourite. He did plenty wrong.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (599) - MIDDLE GAP HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1000Meters

STAR CLUB jumped only fairly.

DASHING TRIUMPH jumped awkwardly, shifted in and bumped STRONGEST BOY.

SHINKANSEN also jumped awkwardly and lost ground.

HEALTHY HEALTHY was slow to begin and then was crowded between PO ON WAY which shifted in and HAPPY HORSE which knuckled over on jumping, became unbalanced and shifted out.

Near the 900 Metres, INNOCONSTRUCTION (C Y Ho) shifted out despite the efforts of its rider, crowding LIKE THAT.

After the race, C Y Ho reported that INNOCONSTRUCTION hung out in the early stages when being shifted towards the outside rail.

Near the 600 Metres, HAPPY HORSE (M F Poon), which was racing keenly, became awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPARKLING DOLPHIN and then shifted in, resulting in HAPPY HORSE making contact with SPEEDY FORTUNE, causing SPEEDY FORTUNE to becoming unbalanced.

M F Poon was advised to exercise more care.

After this incident, SPEEDY FORTUNE was inclined to lay in and proved difficult to ride out.

Between the 550 Metres and the 250 Metres, HEALTHY HEALTHY was held up for clear running before shifting to the inside of HAPPY HORSE near the 250 Metres.

Near the 300 Metres, SHINKANSEN became held up behind DAN ATTACK and did not obtain clear running until near the 200 Metres when it shifted in and made slight contact with LIKE THAT.

Near the 200 Metres, DAILY TROPHY, which was commencing to finish the race off well, was shifted to the outside of SPEEDY FORTUNE to continue into clear running.

Passing the 150 Metres, DAN ATTACK, which was giving ground, was steadied to avoid HEALTHY HEALTHY (C L Chau) which shifted in whilst being ridden along.

C L Chau was severely reprimanded.

After the race, H Bentley (DASHING TRIUMPH) reported that his mount was making an abnormal breathing noise during the event.

A veterinary inspection of DASHING TRIUMPH immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, DASHING TRIUMPH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned regarding the performance of DAN ATTACK, Z Purton stated that his mount jumped awkwardly and never travelled strongly thereafter.

He added that after the race he had some concerns with the action of his mount.

Trainer J Richards stated that DAN ATTACK had pleased him coming into today's race and advised the connections that the horse was expected to run well.

He said he could offer no explanation immediately after the race for the disappointing performance of DAN ATTACK.

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

The performance of DAN ATTACK, favourite for today's race, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, DAN ATTACK will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination which must include additional diagnostic assessments.

When questioned regarding his riding of ALWAYS AWESOME, L Ferraris stated that in the early stages he elected to follow LIKE THAT.

He added that passing the 600 Metres he was unable to shift to that runner's inside when STAR CLUB was positioned directly to his inside and as a result he remained held up behind LIKE THAT for some distance between the 600 Metres and the 200 Metres.

He said he then shifted to the inside of LIKE THAT to follow STAR CLUB but again became held up behind LIKE THAT and did not obtain clear running until near the 150 Metres where his mount finished the race off well.

A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY FORTUNE immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being allowed to race again, SPEEDY FORTUNE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

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

DAN ATTACK, SPARKLING DOLPHIN and HEALTHY HEALTHY were sent for sampling.