RACE 5 (566)

Bumped on jumping, raced 2 wide in midfield, 3 wide from 700M, 3-1/2L back turning in, finished off strongly to score, won by a narrow margin.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Jumped with them, raced in midfield on the inside, 2 wide on turn, made some progress early in straight, not enough room 150M to 50M, ran on evenly thereafter.

Incident Report
Approaching the 200 Metres lay out, resulting in its rider L Hewitson having to stop riding and straighten and shortly after changed his whip through to his left hand. Sent for sampling post-race.

Away well, raced 2 wide better than midfield, angled out 450M, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Shifted out at the start and was bumped.

Began well from gate 1, raced slightly better than midfield on the inside, 3 lengths or so back, saved ground on turn, finished off well, just beaten by a narrow margin.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was bumped and became unbalanced.

Taken back to race 2 wide behind midfield, angled out 500M, 6 lengths back turning in, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly, shifted in abruptly and made heavy contact with SUNNY SING SPIRIT.

Clean jump, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, there to turn, peaked on run 450M, weakened early in straight.

Incident Report
Was left racing wide and without cover from the 900 Metres.

Slightly slow out, raced behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, showed limited response early in straight, weakened gradually inside final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Crowded on jumping. After the event, H Bentley stated that whilst his mount was obliged to race three wide it had cover. He said when asked for an effort in the Home Straight FLASH CURRENT lay in and finished the race off only fairly. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Shifted out at start and bumped, raced towards rear on the outside, very wide turning in, weakened early in straight, eased inside final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
K C Leung was required to dismount from the horse on two occasions when LUCKY KING proved reluctant to proceed to the Start. LUCKY KING was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. The Stewards determined that LUCKY KING would be subject to a parade test which would include the horse to be required to be ridden to the starting gates. Shortly after the start was steadied when crowded between FLASH CURRENT and GOLDEN LUCK which shifted out.

Taken back from gate 13, raced at rear on the inside, angled out approaching 500M, 6 lengths back turning in, made minor progress early in straight, peaked 200M, one-paced thereafter.

Incident Report
Shifted out at the start and was bumped. Lay out in the Home Straight and near the 150 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXCELLENT DADDY before shifting to that runner’s inside to continue into clear running.

Began well from the widest draw, unable to slot in, trapped 3 wide, 2 lengths or so back, no cover throughout, kept on well early in straight, peaked 200M, weakened final 50M.

Incident Report
On jumping became unbalanced when crowded between SUNNY SING SPIRIT and AFFIRM which was taken out by LUCKY ARCHANGEL. Lay out making the first turn when racing keenly and made contact with SUNNY SING SPIRIT. EXCELLENT DADDY continued to race keenly for some distance thereafter and was steadied away from LUCKY ARCHANGEL. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on EXCELLENT DADDY at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this 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, EXCELLENT DADDY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Began well, raced 2 wide slightly behind midfield, 3 wide on turn, kept on evenly in straight.

Incident Report
On jumping was bumped by BRAVE OF FRIENDS which shifted out.

Bumped on jumping, positioned 1-1/2L behind the leader on the inside, saved ground on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened final 250M. (See Racing Incidents.) (Blood in trachea.)

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Bumped start and unbalanced, raced at tail, 10 lengths or so back, commenced move 550M, 6 to 7 lengths back turning in, very wide into straight, made very good progress in the run home, nearest on line.

Incident Report
On jumping was badly crowded for room between EXCELLENT DADDY and STAR FIGURE which jumped awkwardly and shifted in abruptly. Near the 900 Metres, when racing keenly, was steadied to avoid AFFIRM and shortly after was then bumped by EXCELLENT DADDY which lay out on the first turn.

Jumped well from a wide draw, sent forward to take the lead, travelled comfortably in the middle stages, led by 1-1/2L turning in, kept on well in straight but unable to hold off the first two close home.

Incident Report
The tongue tie was replaced at the Start. Crowded on jumping. After the event, A Atzeni stated that his instructions were to hold an on-pace position and with the option of leading if circumstances permitted. He said after holding a position behind the leaders AFFIRM travelled only fairly, came under pressure from the 600 Metres and weakened in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of AFFIRM was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts. Before being allowed to race again, AFFIRM will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.