RACE 5 (721)

Began well, raced in 2nd, 1/2L back, challenged the leader turning in, took the lead 400M, kept on well but unable to hold off the winner final 150M, finished 2nd.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped shortly after start, taken back to race at rear, 6-1/2L back turning in, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Made contact at start, taken back to race 2 wide behind midfield, there to turn, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
No report.

Crowded shortly after start, taken back to race at rear on the outside, wide into straight, made no progress in straight.

Incident Report
Made contact with the left side of its barrier on jumping and lost ground. Over the final 200 Metres lay out under pressure and proved difficult to ride out.

Slowly away, raced 2 wide behind midfield, moved a bit closer on turn, hard ridden approaching 300M, closed off well to take a place, no threat to the first two.

Incident Report
No report.

Commenced well, raced 3 wide with cover in midfield, 3 lengths or so back, same margin back on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
When questioned Z Purton confirmed the instructions were to endeavour to go forward. He said despite riding his mount along in the early stages GALLANT EPOCH did not show any early speed and as a result settled further back than what had been intended. Trainer K W Lui confirmed the instructions issued and advised that the horse would be better suited by being stepped up in distance again.

Jumped with them, raced 3 wide better than midfield, no cover throughout, peaked early in straight, weakened inside final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Near the 300 Metres was eased when crowded between DAZZLING FIT and MR COOL, both of which shifted ground slightly. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Moderately away, raced 3 wide with cover behind midfield, 4 lengths or so back, similar position on turn, failed to close off in straight.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Made contact at start, raced towards rear on outer, 6 lengths back turning in, passed some tired runners in straight.

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

Moderately away from gate 1, raced better than midfield on the inside, 1-1/2L back turning in, showed good response in straight, took the lead 150M, kept on well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
No report.

Began only fairly, positioned 3 lengths behind the leader on the inside, saved ground on turn, kept on well in straight to make frame without threatening. (See Racing Incidents.) (Lame left front leg.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that the horse had sustained lacerations to the right hind pastern after the race.

Taken back from the widest draw, raced behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, made minor progress early in straight, peaked 250M, weakened gradually final furlong.

Incident Report
Bounded on jumping. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm after the race. Before being allowed to race again, VON BAER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Shifted in at start and bumped, sent forward to take the lead, challenged by rival 500M, headed early in straight, weakened final 300M.

Incident Report
Near the 1100 Metres was steadied to avoid MR COOL when MR COOL gave ground when being shifted in to obtain cover. The performance of MR JUSTICE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MR JUSTICE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Average to begin, raced 2 wide better than midfield, there to turn, showed limited response early in straight, weakened gradually inside final furlong.

Incident Report
When questioned H Bowman stated that the instructions were to endeavour to find cover. He said with the hood being removed from the horse today it jumped well and when caught wide in the early stages he was obliged to allow his mount to stride forward to cross to the lead. He added, in his opinion, EXCEL WONGCHOY was not suited by being ridden in this manner. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, EXCEL WONGCHOY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.