Recap by phillip woo

After assuming the lead 900m out following a pace-prompting role along the inside from gate two, Spangle Fortune kept up a strong gallop for a second all-weather win at his 23rd local start. Precision Goal plugged on nicely for second after pressing forward from gate 12 to lead from the 1,200m until the 900m. He's not easy to get right but was a runner-up from four past course and distance runs. Joyful Champion ran on well down the outside for third after making his run three from the rear. He has honest dirt form. Favourite Colourful Baron had his chance after a rails run from better than midfield. It was an OK effort carrying more weight following a last-start win over 1,800m. Vulcanus just failed to get up for fourth after a one-off trip from midfield. He is a winner waiting to happen. Not A Few ran on late without threatening after settling fourth from the rear. He is better suited on the turf. Fairy Horse didn't appreciate the switch in surfaces and never got in on the act.

Racing Incident Report

Race One : (166) - PANASHOP HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 FAIRY HORSE (J144) A Atzeni FAIRY HORSE, which was fractious in the barriers, was removed from the starting gates, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to start.

Before being allowed to race again, FAIRY HORSE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

Jumped only fairly.

After the event, A Atzeni reported that his mount was fractious in the gates, over-raced during the early and middle stages of the event and as a consequence did not finish the race off when under pressure in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 2 SMART ZIPANG (J165) M L Yeung Shifted out abruptly on jumping and was bumped.

Horse No 3 NOT A FEW (J109) H Bowman Jumped only fairly.

H Bowman was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 1400 Metres (see BEAU GOSSE).

H Bowman, rider of the 7th placegetter, was fined the sum of $10,000 for failing to ride his mount out to the finish of the event to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

Horse No 4 SPANGLE FORTUNE (G427) P N Wong Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 COLOURFUL BARON (G301) L Hewitson Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 WINNING TURN (J163) K C Leung The performance of WINNING TURN, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, WINNING TURN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 7 VULCANUS (J150) Y L Chung Held up making the Home Turn and for some distance after the 400 Metres was steadied when disappointed for clear running between TELECOM BULLET and SUPERB MOVE.

When questioned, Y L Chung stated that his instructions were to hold a midfield position from a wide barrier.

He said from the 1000 Metres he felt the pace of the event increased which resulted in VULCANUS losing touch with the leading division.

He said he was reluctant to place too much pressure on his mount at that point as VULCANUS was stepping up in distance for today's event and this may have impacted upon its ability to run out a strong 1650 Metres.

He added after being held up for clear running in the early part of the Home Straight VULCANUS was able to finish the race off well.

After considering his explanation and the sectional times of the event, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Chung were reasonable in the circumstances.

Horse No 8 TELECOM BULLET (J097) H T Mo After the event, H T Mo confirmed that from the outside barrier he was instructed to take up a forward position.

He added when unable to cross runners to his inside in the early stages TELECOM BULLET raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Trainer Y S Tsui confirmed the instructions and said such instructions were issued as TELECOM BULLET had not been performing well when being ridden in a conservative manner in the early stages at its previous race starts.

Horse No 9 PRECISION GOAL (H016) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 10 SUPER JOY (G251) M Chadwick Prior to declaring weighed-in, the Stewards viewed the patrol films to ascertain if the horse had been denied a fair start.

When the Stewards were satisfied that SUPER JOY reared simultaneously as the start was effected, they were of the opinion that SUPER JOY should be declared a runner.

The barrier manners and performance of SUPER JOY, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable.

The Stewards ruled that SUPER JOY will be required to attend barrier practice to the satisfaction of the Starter prior to performing satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials and being subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.

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

Horse No 11 BEAU GOSSE (G389) B Avdulla Jumped awkwardly and shortly after was checked when crowded by SMART ZIPANG which shifted out abruptly.

H Bowman (NOT A FEW) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1400 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of BEAU GOSSE, resulting in BEAU GOSSE losing its rightful running and being checked.

In assessing the carelessness as grade 1, the Stewards determined that NOT A FEW initially raced tight inside JOYFUL CHAMPION and that BEAU GOSSE had reacted adversely to the crowding.

Having regard to this finding and the consequences being grade 2 and his excellent race riding record, the Stewards determined the appropriate penalty to be a reprimand.

Horse No 12 SUPERB MOVE (G304) C L Chau On jumping was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced.

After the event, C L Chau reported that after obtaining a midfield position behind VULCANUS, he was obliged to make a forward move on his mount near the 900 Metres when VULCANUS lost its position behind the leading division.

He added as a result of making a forward move in the middle stages, SUPERB MOVE did not finish the race off when under pressure in the Home Straight and would derive benefit from today's first up performance.

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