RACE 3 (149)

Shifted out at start and bumped, raced 3 wide at rear, angled out after passing 550M, very wide into straight, peaked early in straight, weakened final 150M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced. Sent for sampling post-race.

Out with rest, raced behind midfield on the outside, very wide turning in, passed some tired runners in straight.

Incident Report
Raced keenly in the early stages. Approaching the 600 Metres was brushed by CHATER GOLD which shifted out slightly. Sent for sampling post-race.

Slowly away, raced 2 wide at rear, 4 lengths or so back turning in, passed some tired runners in straight.

Incident Report
For some distance approaching the 100 Metres was held up for clear running between CORLEONE and CALIFORNIATOTALITY and near the 100 Metres was steadied when disappointed for clear running. SOARING BRONCO was then shifted to the outside of CALIFORNIATOTALITY for a short distance later to obtain clear running. Sent for sampling post-race.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. When the pace steadied after the 700 Metres commenced to race keenly and was checked to avoid CORLEONE.

Moderately away, raced towards rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, failed to close off in straight.

Incident Report
When questioned regarding his riding from the 800 Metres and the reason the pace slackening noticeably from that point, M F Poon stated that after being challenged in the lead by CALIFORNIATOTALITY, his mount relaxed making the first turn. He said whilst he did not excessively restrain his mount, he encouraged it to settle during the middle stages to allow it to have a finishing effort in the Home Straight. He added he was of the opinion that when he allowed his mount to relax, it did ease the tempo more than he would have liked. After considering his explanation, the Stewards advised Jockey Poon that he should ensure, whenever possible, that he does not reduce the tempo too quickly so as to avoid disadvantaging other runners positioned behind his mount.

Began well from gate 9, raced 2 wide slightly better than midfield, 3 wide from 500M, finished off well to take 2nd, no threat to the winner.

Incident Report
Between the 300 Metres and the 100 Metres raced tight between DRAGON FOUR SEAS and SOARING BRONCO (C Y Ho) which endeavoured to improve into a narrow run between CORLEONE and CALIFORNIATOTALITY. Near the 100 Metres CALIFORNIATOTALITY (B Avdulla) then shifted in, crowding SOARING BRONCO and contributing to CORLEONE being steadied. Both C Y Ho and B Avdulla were reprimanded. When questioned, H Bowman stated that with his mount stepping up in distance, he was asked to take up a more forward position than at its first race start. He added after being steadied to avoid DRAGON FOUR SEAS when the pace of the event slackened after the 700 Metres, CORLEONE then hung in when placed under pressure in the Home Straight and raced tight from the 300 Metres to the 100 Metres between DRAGON FOUR SEAS and SOARING BRONCO. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have a small abrasion to the right front fetlock.

Crowded on jumping, raced 3 wide better than midfield, no cover throughout, peaked 450M, weakened early in straight.

Incident Report
Raced keenly in the early stages. Was left racing wide and without cover from the 1100 Metres. Near the 100 Metres was steadied when crowded between JUMBO FORTUNE and SOARING BRONCO (C Y Ho) which shifted out. C Y Ho was advised to exercise more care.

Clean jump, sent forward to take the lead, travelled comfortably in the middle stages, kept on very well in straight and scored.

Incident Report
After travelling a short distance H Bentley was obliged to re-position his foot in the stirrup iron. After the event, H Bentley reported that when placed under pressure in the Home Straight CHATER GOLD responded only fairly to his riding. 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, CHATER GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Jumped only fairly, raced behind midfield on the inside, angled out 600M, 3 lengths back turning in, made no impression in straight. (Lame right front leg next day morning.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Due to the pace steadying after the 700 Metres was shifted to the outside of TRIPLE BLISS and then raced tight between CALIFORNIA BANNER and TRIPLE BLISS when that runner shifted out whilst racing keenly.

Jumped with them, raced 2 wide in midfield, 4 lengths back, angled out 600M, wide into straight, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Bumped shortly after the start and from a wide barrier was then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When the pace steadied after the 700 Metres commenced to race keenly and was crowded near the 650 Metres. Approaching the 500 Metres was tightened between MISTER DAPPER and SMASHING EXPRESS which was taken out by TRIPLE BLISS (K C Leung). K C Leung was advised to exercise more care.

Made contact with the left side of its barrier on jumping, raced better than midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, kept on well early in straight, peaked on run 200M, weakened gradually final 150M.

Incident Report
Despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position and when caught wide was then shifted across to obtain cover behind SPECIAL HEDGE near the 1200 Metres. MISTER DAPPER raced keenly for some distance thereafter.

Began only fairly, positioned 2 wide, 5 lengths or so back, commenced move after passing 750M, very wide into straight, kept on well in straight to take a place without threatening the first two.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was crowded between CALIFORNIATOTALITY and CALIFORNIA BANNER which shifted out and away from CORLEONE. From a wide barrier was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When the pace of the event steadied approaching the 650 Metres was checked when crowded between MISTER DAPPER and CALIFORNIA BANNER which, after improving to the outside of SMASHING EXPRESS, was then taken out when SMASHING EXPRESS was checked and shifted to the outside of TRIPLE BLISS. As the Stewards found the incident was attributable to the pace of the event steadying, no action was taken.

Incident Report
Near the 1400 Metres was steadied when crowded by SOARING BRONCO which shifted in and away from CORLEONE (H Bowman) after being taken in by that horse. H Bowman was advised to exercise more care. When the pace steadied after the 700 Metres commenced to race keenly and was checked to avoid ALP’S AFFECTION.

Moderately away from gate 12, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, same position on turn, peaked early in straight, ran on evenly to the line. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
As the start was effected stood flat-footed and as a consequence was slow to begin. BEER PALACE then reared shortly after and lost further ground. The barrier manners of BEER PALACE were considered unacceptable. The Stewards ruled that BEER PALACE will be required to attend barrier practice to the satisfaction of the Starter prior to performing satisfactorily in a barrier trial before being allowed to race again. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.