RACE 4 (117)

Crowded shortly after start, raced 2 wide in midfield early, found rail near 500M, showed very good response in straight, took the lead 150M, kept on well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start. Making the Home Turn was steadied and shifted to the outside of SUPER UNIVERSAL when it endeavoured to improve into a doubtful run between SUPER UNIVERSAL and SUPER PACE which shifted out. Sent for sampling post-race.

Began well, sent forward to take the lead, led by a length turning in, kept on well in straight but unable to hold off the winner final 150M.

Incident Report
When questioned L Hewitson stated that after entering the Home Straight he improved to the inside of SUPER PACE with a view to obtaining clear running inside NEBRASKAN. He stated that as his mount commenced to improve NEBRASKAN shifted in which then resulted in STAR FIGURE being crowded for room between the 200 Metres and the 100 Metres and having to be steadied as a consequence. As the Stewards were satisfied that STAR FIGURE had not established clear running to the inside of NEBRASKAN before NEBRASKAN commenced to shift in no action was taken. Sent for sampling post-race.

Jumped awkwardly, raced 2 wide towards rear, angled out 400M, very wide into straight, made some headway in straight.

Incident Report
Shifted out abruptly at the start and was bumped. Sent for sampling post-race.

Away with them, raced towards rear on outer, very wide into straight, failed to make any progress in the run home.

Incident Report
No report.

Shifted in at start and bumped, raced 3 wide in midfield early, 2 wide from 500M, unable to obtain clear run until final 100M, kept on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped with them, raced at tail, 7-1/2L back turning in, made some headway in straight.

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Raced keenly in the middle stages. When questioned regarding his riding Apprentice E C W Wong stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages and endeavour to obtain runs to the inside in the Home Straight. He said after settling back in the field his mount was positioned behind CALIFORNIA DEEPLY throughout the race and from the 500 Metres he elected to remain racing behind that runner to comply with his instructions to take inside runs. He added that when VON BAER continued to travel well this resulted in it improving to the inside of CALIFORNIA DEEPLY and then being held up behind FLYING TING LOK in the Home Straight. When questioned as to why he did not improve to the outside of CALIFORNIA DEEPLY Apprentice Wong stated that his focus was on complying with his instructions but in retrospect he agreed with the Stewards that his best option would have been to improve to the outside of CALIFORNIA DEEPLY after the 500 Metres. Trainer D A Hayes confirmed the instructions issued and in particular confirmed he had requested Apprentice Wong to endeavour to take runs towards the inside in the Home Straight. After considering his explanation and the instructions issued the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Apprentice Wong were reasonable in the circumstances.

Away well, raced better than midfield on the inside, moved closer on turn, angled out approaching 400M, kept on well in straight to take a place without threatening.

Incident Report
On jumping became unbalanced when bumped by KING OBERON.

Jumped awkwardly and crowded, raced 2 wide better than midfield, carried wider 400M, peaked early in straight, weakened inside final furlong.

Incident Report
On jumping was checked when crowded by NEBRASKAN which shifted out abruptly.

Out with rest, raced 3 wide with no cover, 1 to 2 lengths back, wider turning in, weakened gradually in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
No report.

Began only fairly from gate 1, raced behind midfield on the inside, unbalanced near 600M, saved ground on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened gradually inside final furlong.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Leaving the 300 Metres RISING PHOENIX commenced to improve to the inside of HAPPY BUDDIES (K C Leung). A short distance later RISING PHOENIX was then shifted to the inside to obtain clear running before Jockey Leung corrected his mount. As a consequence RISING PHOENIX was then checked when it was crowded by HAPPY BUDDIES. K C Leung was severely reprimanded and advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to ensure that he is clear before shifting ground. However, the Stewards were satisfied that he had endeavoured to straighten his mount just prior to shifting in into the running of RISING PHOENIX. RISING PHOENIX was then shifted to the outside of HAPPY BUDDIES and SUPER PACE to obtain clear running near the 150 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Taken back from gate 12, raced at rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, made some progress in straight.

Incident Report
H Bowman stated that his instructions were to go forward from his wide barrier. He said when unable to cross runners to his inside this resulted in DENFIELD being obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event. Trainer C S Shum confirmed the instructions and said he issued those instructions as he believed it was advantageous to race in a more forward position having regard to the track pattern tonight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Out with rest, trapped wide in midfield early, found a 2 wide spot near 500M, angled out 350M, very wide into straight, made some progress early in straight, no extra final 100M.

Incident Report
No report.