Recap by phillip woo

Short-priced favourite Glorious Days settled worse than midfield and two deep, rounded the final bend six deep and finished off willingly to get up in the final few strides to remain unbeaten in four starts. Specked late, Bullish Champion assumed the lead from Aashiq at the 1,100m, straightened a length on top, opened up two lengths at the 200m and was pipped on the line, but a clear second. Well-punted late, Noble Alpha was never better than four deep in search of cover from gate 14 until slotting in two-off with cover third from the rear at the 800m, swung the final bend widest out and got going to be a clear third. Kyara settled behind midfield and two deep, rounded the final bend five wide and ran on well. Aashiq settled second in the run after handing up the lead at the 1,100m, straightened two deep and kept plugging away without threatening. Amigo settled behind midfield and three deep, rounded the final bend with one wider out and made some ground. Fat Choy Oohlala settled fourth from the rear and on the rails, was making headway upon straightening, before hitting the brakes 150m out and kept on evenly thereafter. Open Sesame settled ahead of midfield and just off the rails, straightened five wide and wasn't a factor. He didn't click on the shifting surface.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (351) - THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 1 - 1400 Meters CHATER WAY was withdrawn on 24.1.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen right fore tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CHEF (G Cheyne).

Before being allowed to race again, CHATER WAY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

FAT CHOY OOHLALA, CHEF and MARK UP were all crowded for room shortly after the start between JUST FANTASTIC and CERISE CHERRY which shifted in.

KYARA and BULLISH CHAMPION bumped at the start.

From the outside barrier, NOBLE ALPHA was taken across behind runners shortly after the start.

In the early stages, CHEF proved very difficult to settle and over-raced for some distance.

After the 400 Metres, OPEN SESAME was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of GLORIOUS DAYS which shifted in.

Approaching the 200 Metres, FAY CHOY OOHLALA was shifted in in an attempt to obtain clear running.

After this, FAT CHOY OOHLALA had some difficulty obtaining clear running until after the 100 Metres.

Over the concluding stages, HELENE FUN STAR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AASHIQ.

Because of this, HELENE FUN STAR was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race.

For the majority of the race, AMIGO travelled wide and without cover.

Apprentice K C Ng (FAT CHOY OOHLALA) reported that his saddle shifted forward after the 800 Metres which he was able to rectify rounding the Home Turn.

A veterinary inspection of OPEN SESAME after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, OPEN SESAME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

GLORIOUS DAYS and BULLISH CHAMPION were sent for sampling.