RACE 7 (568)

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
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
Sent for sampling post-race.

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

Incident Report
When questioned, B Avdulla stated that his instructions were to ride the horse in a conservative manner in the early stages and to endeavour to improve along the rail. He said in accordance with his instructions he allowed WINNING DRAGON to settle towards the rear of the field in the early stages but when positioned to the outside of SNOWFIELD he elected to restrain his mount to obtain a position on the rail. He added that in the Home Straight he initially improved to the inside of THE GOLDEN SCENERY with a view to then improving to the inside of WOODFIRE BRO which had shifted out slightly entering the Home Straight. He said when WOODFIRE BRO shifted back in WINNING DRAGON was briefly held up before being shifted to the outside of WOODFIRE BRO approaching the 350 Metres. He further stated that approaching the 250 Metres the intention was to improve between C P BRAVE and HELENE FEELING but when those two runners shifted ground slightly he was obliged to continue to shift to the outside of HELENE FEELING where he secured clear running after the 150 Metres and his mount found the line well. Trainer A S Cruz confirmed the instructions issued and stated that with WINNING DRAGON dropping back in distance to 1600 Metres he did not believe the horse would have sufficient pace to hold a more favourable position from its awkward barrier. He added that he was satisfied with the tactics adopted by Jockey Avdulla in endeavouring to improve along the inside as, in his opinion, the racing pattern of today had favoured runners being ridden in this manner. Mr Cruz said as WINNING DRAGON steps up in distance it will be the intention to hold a more forward position if the pace of the event allows it to do so.

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
Jumped awkwardly.

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

Incident Report
A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

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

Incident Report
No report.

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
Jumped only fairly. After the event, H Bowman stated that his mount was not suited by the early and middle stage of the event being run outside of standard time. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.