Recap by phillip woo

Woodfire Champ chased the speed, worked to the lead 200m out and just scrambled home on top for a first win at his 12th start. He was able to build on a third on his seasonal reappearance and could win again. E Glory ran on nicely to finish a close second after slotting one off the fence and one back. He was able to build on an improved fourth earlier this month at Sha Tin. Favourite Verbier did well to just get the head down for third after settling fourth without cover and three deep. He is close to a win after filling the frame in his past three starts across both tracks. The well-backed Podium ran on steadily but just missed a placing after making his run one off the fence from just worse than midfield. It was a positive showing first up for his new trainer this term. Wind Speeder ran on late near the inside after fading back to last from a wide draw. He has been finding the line well when ridden for luck in his past two starts. Hero Star showed speed but no stamina. He is getting long in the tooth. Speedy Chariot was in traffic for a good part of the straight after settling second last after a tardy start from gate 12.

Racing Incident Report

Race One : (103) - SUCCESS HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

Horse No 2 THE CONCENTRATION (H465) L Ferraris Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 3 FALCON COURT (J056) A Atzeni The Stewards issued a charge of careless riding against C Y Ho, the rider of WOODFIRE CHAMP, the particulars being that near the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in, crowding VERBIER in onto E GLORY, resulting in FALCON COURT having to be checked when unnecessarily crowded.

Jockey Ho pleaded not guilty to the charge and made further submissions in respect of his not guilty plea.

After considering those submissions, the Stewards did not sustain the charge issued against Jockey Ho when they could not be comfortably satisfied that he had shifted in to a position inside four wide at the relevant point.

However, Jockey Ho was advised that in similar circumstances he should ensure that he provides sufficient racing room for runners to his inside.

Horse No 4 GORGEOUS VITALITY (G051) L Hewitson From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 5 SPEEDY CHARIOT (H193) Z Purton When questioned regarding his riding, Z Purton stated that from the outside barrier he was asked if possible to take up a midfield position and that if circumstances permitted he was given the option of making an early move around the field.

He said on jumping SPEEDY CHARIOT blundered, lost ground and as a result he elected to shift his mount across behind runners in the early stages which resulted in SPEEDY CHARIOT racing towards the rear of the field.

He said along the Back Straight he shifted away from the rail to give him the opportunity of complying with his instructions to make a forward move around the field.

He said from the 500 Metres he observed THE CONCENTRATION, which was racing wide and without cover, and SUPER EAGLE, which was positioned behind THE CONCENTRATION, under pressure and when he felt that those runners would be taken out by PODIUM, he elected to shift to the inside to secure clear running.

He added after shifting to the inside, his initial intention was to obtain clear running to the inside of FALCON COURT, but when that runner shifted in slightly and he received a call from A Badel, the rider of WIND SPEEDER, he was unable to proceed into this run when there was insufficient room to do so.

He said as a result he then attempted to obtain clear running between FALCON COURT and GORGEOUS VITALITY near the 250 Metres, however, when both those runners shifted ground, SPEEDY CHARIOT was then held up for the remainder of the Home Straight and could not be ridden out to the finish of the event.

Trainer D J Whyte confirmed the instructions issued and initially expressed dissatisfaction with Jockey Purton's decision not to shift to the outside as instructed.

He added however after further considering the explanation of Jockey Purton, he could understand why he made such a decision to go back to the inside.

After considering his explanation, the Stewards advised Jockey Purton that he had made an error of judgement by not continuing to the outside of SUPER EAGLE making the Home Turn to comply with his instructions and also to allow SPEEDY CHARIOT the opportunity to obtain clear and uninterrupted running in the Home Straight.

However, the Stewards found that his riding was not culpable under the Rules having regard to the explanation he provided for shifting to the inside.

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

Horse No 7 VERBIER (J187) B Avdulla Shortly after the start became unbalanced when crowded between E GLORY and PODIUM which shifted in and away from HERO STAR.

Leaving the 1100 Metres was steadied to avoid HERO STAR (H Bowman) which shifted in when not quite clear.

H Bowman was reprimanded.

Brushed after the 150 Metres.

Over the concluding stages lay in and away from PODIUM and was checked to avoid the heels of E GLORY which was racing tight to the outside of WOODFIRE CHAMP.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 8 WOODFIRE CHAMP (H292) C Y Ho Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 9 E GLORY (H304) M Chadwick After the 150 Metres had some difficulty obtaining clear running when being shifted to the outside of WOODFIRE CHAMP and in this incident made slight contact with VERBIER.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 10 ALLOY KING (D287) H Bentley After the event, H Bentley could offer no explanation for his mount's performance.

A veterinary inspection 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, ALLOY KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 11 PODIUM (H173) M F Poon Bumped shortly after the start and became unbalanced.

Horse No 12 WIND SPEEDER (E281) A Badel From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.