RACE 3 (320)

Crowded shortly after start, raced 2 wide behind midfield, 5 to 6 lengths back turning in, finished off strongly to score by a nose.

Incident Report
When questioned, K C Leung stated that his instructions were to endeavour to find cover on his mount as SWORD POINT had raced best when ridden in this manner. He said as a result entering the Back Straight he elected to shift in behind CALL ME GLORIOUS to trail that runner with cover. He said approaching the 700 Metres he observed TELECOM FIGHTERS commence a forward move and as a result he attempted to shift to the outside of CALL ME GLORIOUS to obtain a position one-off. He added that SWORD POINT responded only fairly to his urgings under its top weight of 135 lbs and when CALL ME GLORIOUS lay out slightly and TELECOM FIGHTERS held its line, he was unable to maintain that position and was steadied to avoid CALL ME GLORIOUS. Trainer F C Lor confirmed the instructions were to find cover on the horse. Sent for sampling post-race.

Moderately away from gate 1, raced behind midfield on the inside, 2 wide turning in, no clear run 300M to 250M, made good progress thereafter to take a place, no threat to the first two.

Incident Report
Crowded shortly after the start by SWORD POINT which shifted out slightly. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by A Atzeni, rider of CAPITAL DELIGHT, 2nd placegetter, against SWORD POINT being declared the winner alleging interference approaching the 300 Metres. After considering the evidence, the Stewards determined that near the 400 Metres SWORD POINT commenced to shift out when clear of CAPITAL DELIGHT to do so. As SWORD POINT continued to shift out, CAPITAL DELIGHT improved into a tight run between BUNDLE OF CHARM and SWORD POINT, lay in and a short distance later then blundered when it struck the heels of SWORD POINT. As the Stewards were satisfied that SWORD POINT was clear to shift ground when it commenced to do so and that CAPITAL DELIGHT had contributed to striking heels when it lay in, they overruled the protest/objection and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, the Stewards confirmed their decision in the protest/objection that SWORD POINT was clear to shift ground when it commenced to do so and that CAPITAL DELIGHT had lay in and this was the principal reason for CAPITAL DELIGHT striking heels and blundering. As a result, no action was taken. Sent for sampling post-race.

Began smartly, sent forward to take the lead, led by 1-3/4L turning in, kept on well early in straight, peaked and headed approaching 100M, weakened thereafter.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start. Near the 1100 Metres, when racing keenly, was steadied away from TELECOM FIGHTERS.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced at tail, 11 lengths back, still 9 lengths back turning in, made very good progress in straight to make frame.

Incident Report
Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Shifted in at start and made contact, raced in 2nd, 1-3/4L back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened inside final furlong.

Incident Report
No report.

Crowded start, positioned 2-1/2L behind the leader on the inside, saved ground throughout, peaked early in straight, weakened inside final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
In the early stages lay out and as a result made the first turn wider.

Out in line, raced slightly better than midfield, 3-1/2L back turning in, showed good response in straight, took the lead approaching 100M, kept on well but unable to hold off the winner on line.

Incident Report
After the event, M F Poon could offer no explanation for his mount’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Made contact at start, raced in midfield, 2 wide, angled out 500M, kept on same pace in straight.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start.