RACE 5 (771)

Began smartly, raced in 2nd, a length or so back, took the lead 350M, peaked and headed 150M, kept on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Began only fairly, raced behind midfield, 2 away from the stands' rail, hard ridden from 400M but showed limited response, weakened final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
After the event L Ferraris stated that his mount jumped only fairly and as a result he elected to ride INVINCIBLE IBIS in a conservative manner in the early stages. He added INVINCIBLE IBIS raced greenly throughout the event. Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped start, sent forward to take the lead, led by a length, peaked and headed near 300M, kept on same pace to the line.

Incident Report
Lay in and raced greenly in the Home Straight, resulting in its rider H Bowman having to change his whip through to his right hand approaching the 200 Metres.

Bumped start, raced behind midfield, nearer to the middle track, 4 to 5 lengths back at 400M, weakened final 300M.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start. For a number of strides near the 350 Metres rider M L Yeung dropped his left rein.

Bumped start, raced better than midfield on the middle track, made minor progress after passing 400M, peaked 200M, weakened thereafter.

Incident Report
Near the 500 Metres shifted out to improve and made contact with VOYAGE BOSS. Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped start, raced behind midfield on the stands' side, made no impression final 400M.

Incident Report
No report.

Bumped start, positioned 2 lengths behind the leader on the stands' side, hard ridden after passing 350M but only showed limited response, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Near the 550 Metres was momentarily crowded by JUICY DRAGON which shifted in and away from INVICTUS DRAGON when racing greenly. Between the 400 Metres and the 350 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when being shifted to the outside of FLOWING RICHES.

Began awkwardly and made contact, positioned 2 to 3 lengths behind the leader, nearer to the middle track, hard ridden from 400M but only showed limited response, weakened gradually final furlong.

Incident Report
Despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position.

Out with rest, raced towards rear on the stands' rail, slightly improved in the middle stages, hard ridden after passing 350M, kept on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly. Near the 500 Metres was bumped and taken wider by BLAZING WUKONG which shifted out to improve. After the event K C Leung reported that his mount was disadvantaged by being obliged to race very wide and without cover for the majority of the event. He added this, together with the horse being up in weight today, were the reasons for its disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Blundered on jumping and became unbalanced, raced in midfield on the stands' rail, hard ridden from 300M, made some progress to take a place, no threat to the first two.

Incident Report
Shifted in on jumping, made contact with FLOWING RICHES and became unbalanced. Near the 350 Metres was bumped by BLAZING WIND. After the event M F Poon stated that his mount, which was having its first race start today, raced greenly during the race.

Jumped only fairly, raced at rear throughout, never a factor.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly.

Bumped on the hindquarters soon after the start, raced better than midfield, peaked on run 500M, weakened 300M, eased final 150M.

Incident Report
Made contact with the left side of its barrier on jumping and as a result jumped only fairly.

Commenced well, positioned 1 to 2 lengths behind the leader on the stands' side, hard ridden after passing 300M, showed very good response, took the lead approaching 150M, kept on very well to the line, easily scored.

Incident Report
Raced wide and without cover from the 800 Metres. Near the 350 Metres was steadied to avoid JUICY DRAGON which shifted out after being bumped by BLAZING WIND.

Began well from gate 1, raced towards rear on the middle track, passed some tired runners final 400M.

Incident Report
After the event Z Purton stated that his mount made a respiratory noise during the running of the race and gave ground when under pressure in the Home Straight. Trainer D A Hayes stated that from a wide barrier and with blinkers being applied for the first time he had instructed Jockey Purton to take up a forward position. He added as a result Jockey Purton was obliged to make use of his mount in the early stages to comply with the instructions and as a result the horse was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. As this was the second occasion that TOP THRONE had raced in a disappointing manner, the horse will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.