RACE 3 (517)

Began well, raced better than midfield on the inside, easy run to turn, finished off strongly to take 2nd, just beaten by a narrow margin.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped shortly after start, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, challenged the leader from 400M, made contact early in straight, peaked 200M, weakened final 50M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly, shifted out and made contact with EXCELLENT PEERS. Sent for sampling post-race.

Incident Report
No report.

Crowded shortly after start, raced towards rear on the inside, 2 wide turning in, finished off very strongly to score.

Incident Report
Approaching the 300 Metres was held up when it lay in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of MY DAY MY WAY. As a result, GOOD PROSPECT was held up for clear running between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres. GOOD PROSPECT continued to lay in when placed under pressure over the final 200 Metres. After the event, K C Leung reported that his mount shifted in on jumping, made contact with the right side of its barrier and lost ground. He added that this resulted in his foot shifting in his right stirrup and near the 150 Metres he was obliged to reposition his foot in his stirrup using his right hand.

Bumped shortly after start, raced 2 wide towards rear, 3 wide on turn, made little progress in straight.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly and made contact with VIGOR ELLEEGANT. Near the 250 Metres was briefly held up when obtaining a tight run between MY INTELLIGENT and VIGOR ELLEEGANT which shifted in and away from LUCKY BLESSING. Leaving the 150 Metres was steadied when crowded between MY INTELLIGENT and LUCKY BLESSING which, after being taken in by MY DAY MY WAY (C L Chau), then shifted in and away from that runner slightly. C L Chau was reprimanded and advised he must stop riding and straighten his mounts sooner than what he did on this occasion.

Jumped awkwardly from gate 1, raced behind midfield on the inside, peaked on turn, weakened early in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Bumped at the start.

Jumped with them, sent forward to take the lead, challenged by rival from 400M, made contact early in straight, kept on well but unable to hold off the first two final 50M.

Incident Report
Leaving the 150 Metres was crowded by MY DAY MY WAY. Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when racing tight to the inside of GOOD PROSPECT which shifted in.

Crowded shortly after start, positioned 2 wide in midfield early, raced behind midfield after passing 700M, 5 to 6 lengths back on turn, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Near the 1000 Metres was eased when momentarily crowded by BRAVE JOY which shifted in slightly.

Out in line, raced behind midfield on the outside, a bit closer on turn, 4 lengths or so back turning in, made some progress in straight.

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

Taken back from a wide draw, raced at rear on the outside, 7 lengths back turning in, made little progress in straight.

Incident Report
On jumping was bumped by GOOD PROSPECT. When questioned, Apprentice E C W Wong stated that from a wide barrier his instructions were to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages. He said when complying with his instructions approaching the 1000 Metres YOUNG HORIZON got its head up and was eased when racing in restricted room to the inside of GOOD PROSPECT. When questioned regarding his riding making the Home Turn and in the early part of the Home Straight Apprentice Wong stated that when he observed NEVER TOO SOON shift out on the Home Turn he then immediately elected to shift to that runner’s inside to obtain clear running. He said as he was improving to the inside of NEVER TOO SOON that runner shifted in, resulting in YOUNG HORIZON being taken in and being held up for clear running between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres. He added near the 200 Metres his mount then became held up behind MY INTELLIGENT and after being crowded by NEVER TOO SOON near the 100 Metres did not obtain clear running thereafter. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Apprentice Wong were reasonable in the circumstances.

Bumped shortly after start, raced in midfield on the outside early, moved a bit closer after passing 950M, found a 2 wide spot 650M, peaked on turn, weakened gradually final furlong.

Incident Report
Near the 600 Metres was eased to avoid BEAUTY THUNDER (A Hamelin) which shifted in when not clear. A Hamelin was reprimanded.

Incident Report
On jumping made contact with NEVER TOO SOON and became unbalanced. After the event, M F Poon reported that from a wide barrier he was obliged to make use of his mount in the early stages to lead and as a result VIGOR ELLEEGANT did not respond to his riding in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea and also found the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. Before being allowed to race again, VIGOR ELLEEGANT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.