RACE 3 (747)

Jumped with the field, settled slightly worse than midfield, improved around the field 450M out, stayed on well to score.

Incident Report
Shifted out shortly after the start and made contact with LEADING AGILITY. Near the 50 Metres made contact with SAME TO YOU due to both runners shifting ground. Sent for sampling post-race.

Out fast, stranded 3 wide no cover throughout, stuck on gamely despite a tough run.

Incident Report
Near the 50 Metres made contact with FORERUNNER due to both runners shifting ground. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. Sent for sampling post-race.

From a wide draw shifted across behind runners to the rail, raced ungenerously early stages, badly held up rounding the home bend, flashed home once clear.

Incident Report
Crowded shortly after the start. Throughout the early stages raced ungenerously and got its head up when being eased and shifted in to obtain a position closer to the rail. Badly held up for clear running making the Home Turn. For some distance near the 400 Metres got its head up when being checked to avoid YOUNG ARROW.

Shortly after the start was tight for galloping room and was then ridden conservatively, responded well under reminders in the home straight.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was steadied when crowded between GOLDEN EMPIRE which shifted in slightly and LEADING AGILITY which was taken out by FORERUNNER. Approaching the 400 Metres was hampered when taken wider by LEADING AGILITY which shifted out when being checked. Passing the 300 Metres K C Leung dropped his left rein for a number of strides when racing tight between GOLDEN EMPIRE and LEADING AGILITY.

Away only fairly from the middle of the line, recovered to be midfield one off, held up briefly at the home turn, travelled to the line ok (See Incident Report).

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Bumped leaving the 600 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding from the 600 Metres and as to whether there was an opportunity to follow SAME TO YOU into the race E Brown stated that his instructions were to obtain cover and he had expected to take a handy position where his mount ultimately settled. He said after following CAPTAIN LINK during the race he was reluctant to shift out and follow SAME TO YOU as he felt that runner had a tough run with the race being run inside of standard time and he was of the opinion that horse would not provide him with the opportunity to improve into the event. He said for this reason he remained racing behind CAPTAIN LINIK, however, when FORERUNNER improved quickly to his outside near the 500 Metres and CAPTAIN LINK did not improve, this resulted in YOUNG ARROW being held up for clear running making the Home Turn before finishing the race off reasonably well in the Home Straight. Trainer D J Whyte confirmed the instructions were to obtain cover but expressed disappointment with Jockey Brown’s decision not to shift out to follow SAME TO YOU after the 600 Metres. Jockey Brown agreed with the Stewards that he had made an error of judgement by not shifting to the outside of CAPTAIN LINK after the 600 Metres which would have resulted in his mount obtaining clear running on the Home Turn and into the Home Straight. Jockey Brown was advised that in future he would be expected to show better judgement than he did on this occasion. Sent for sampling post-race.

From a wide barrier quickest away from the machine, gradually eased back towards the rear, swung widest turning for home, made up good ground late.

Incident Report
Approaching the 400 Metres was hampered when taken wider. Near the 250 Metres shifted in and made contact with FORZA LEADER on two occasions. C L Chau stated that he was instructed not to make use of the horse in the early stages. He said whilst GOLDEN EMPIRE commenced well he allowed it to settle towards the rear of the field as instructed. Trainer B Crawford confirmed the instructions and said he issued those instructions as GOLDEN EMPIRE had not been finishing its races off at it most recent starts when being ridden in a forward position.

Broke fairly and settled midfield the rail, stayed at the same pace to the finish.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Leaving the 600 Metres shifted out when being steadied to avoid FREE PONY and made contact with YOUNG ARROW. Held up for clear running on the Home Turn.

Pumped along early stages to obtain the lead, gave ground and faded in the last 200M.

Incident Report
Y L Chung stated that his mount was disadvantaged by being pressured in the lead by WINALOT and as a consequence gave ground in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Settled on the rail just off the speed, threw his head about in the middle stages, lacked a finish effort over the final stages.

Incident Report
Shifted out on jumping and made contact with CAPTAIN LINK. In the middle stages raced keenly and near the 600 Metres shifted in, made contact with the running rail and became unbalanced. K Teetan stated that his mount would be better suited by being ridden in a more conservative manner than what it was tonight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

From an inside draw ridden along to settle 4th one off the fence, weakened significantly in the last 150M.

Incident Report
Bumped on jumping. J Moreira could offer no excuse for the horse’s disappointing performance. Trainer C Fownes advised the horse had pleased him since its last start and the only explanation he could offer was that the horse may not have been suited by the early stages of the event being run slightly inside of standard time. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. The performance of CAPTAIN LINK was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts. Before being allowed to race again, CAPTAIN LINK will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Jumped well, elected to shift to the tail of the field with the speed underneath, failed to play a part in any stages of the race.

Incident Report
No report.

Pressed on to sit outside the leader from gate 7, run peaked at 250M and dropped off quickly.

Incident Report
L Ferraris confirmed that the instructions were to go forward. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.