RACE 8 (550)

Moderately away, raced 2 wide towards rear, 7 lengths back, same margin back turning in, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
Trainer F C Lor advised that the instructions were to hold a midfield position but SOUTH STAR began well and was able to hold an on-pace position without having to make too much use of the horse to do so. Sent for sampling post-race.

Away well, raced better than midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened 200M, eased final 100M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Stood flat-footed as the start was effected and lost ground, raced towards rear on the inside, 6 lengths back turning in, finished off strongly to take 2nd.

Incident Report
After the event, A Badel confirmed that his instructions were to lead the event, similar to the manner in which it barrier trialed on 21 March 2025 where it led and won.

Began well from gate 1, took the lead, travelled keenly in the early and middle stages, shared lead on turn, kept on well early in straight, peaked and headed 100M, weakened final 50M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced towards rear on the outside, moved a bit closer after passing 1100M, 3 wide behind midfield on turn, kept on same pace in straight.

Incident Report
No report.

Taken back from gate 13, raced at rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, 10 lengths back turning in, showed no response early in straight, eased final furlong. (Blood in trachea.)

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was bumped by ENDUED which shifted in and away from HE WAS YOU. Bumped approaching the 1300 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres rider C L Chau fumbled his whip and after his whip accidentally made contact with K C Leung, rider of ONLY U, he was able to regather it a short distance after.

Bumped start and unbalanced, positioned 2 wide, 2 to 3 lengths back, similar position on turn, kept on well in straight to take a place. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
No report.

Shifted out at start and bumped, raced prominently, 2 wide, allowed rival to cross near 800M, hard ridden approaching 500M, 3 wide turning in, kept on well early in straight, led briefly 100M, peaked and headed 50M, ran on evenly.

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped well, raced 2 wide behind midfield, angled out after passing 500M, 5 lengths or so back turning in, made minor progress in the run home.

Incident Report
Bumped shortly after the start. Approaching the 1300 Metres shifted in, made contact with WROTE A NEW PAGE and got its head up when being steadied by its rider. ENDUED then continued to race keenly in the early and middle stages.

Taken back from the widest draw, raced at tail, 10 lengths or so back in the middle stages, moved a bit closer on turn, 8 to 9 lengths back turning in, made some progress in straight.

Incident Report
Approaching the 100 Metres was eased when momentarily crowded between CALIFORNIA BLITZ and BLING BLING GENIUS (K Teetan) which shifted in before being corrected by its rider. K Teetan was reprimanded. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight and the reason he elected to take a run to the inside of HAPPY UNIVERSE, H Bowman stated that after being taken wider near the 600 Metres when HAPPY UNIVERSE commenced to improve, CAPITAL LEGEND came under pressure and was responding only fairly to his riding at that point. He said after following HAPPY UNIVERSE into the Home Straight he elected to improve to that runner’s inside to avoid having to make more use of CAPITAL LEGEND to continue to shift out. He added CAPITAL LEGEND commenced to finish the race off reasonably well approaching the 100 Metres before being briefly crowded and its momentum haltered for a short distance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Jumped only fairly, raced in midfield on the inside, 3 lengths or so back turning in, angled out early in straight, finished off evenly. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly. In the early stages got its head up and raced keenly when being shifted behind runners from the outside barrier. After the event, L Ferraris stated that from the outside barrier he was obliged to settle back in the field. He said when the pace in the early stages of the race was run inside of standard time his mount did not travel well and did not finish off when placed under pressure in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Bumped start, positioned 2 wide, 4 lengths back, wider 500M, same margin back turning in, showed limited response early in straight, weakened final 100M.

Incident Report
Briefly crowded approaching the 100 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Bumped start, raced slightly behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, no clear run early in straight, cleared near 200M, finished off very strongly, won by 3/4L.

Incident Report
Near the 900 Metres was steadied to avoid THE AUSPICIOUS when racing keenly.

Jumped with them, in touch in midfield, sent forward 1200M, shared lead on turn, peaked and headed early in straight, weakened final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. After the event, D McDonogh advised that in the Home Straight he was concerned with the action of the horse in front and as a result near the 150 Metres he eased it down from the race. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, VIRTUOUS PHANTOM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.