Recap by phillip woo

Glorious Days was travelling on his own in midfield, rallied five wide upon straightening and took control 200m out for a cosy win. He's certainly a transformed runner since a move to blinkers. Dan Excel slotted fourth and one off the fence after jumping well, worked to the lead at the 300m and kept on gamely for second. California Memory settled behind midfield and three deep with cover from gate 14, swung the final bend widest out and ran on steadily to be a clear-cut third. He'll be hard to beat back over this pet 2,000m distance. Ambitious Dragon bided his time fifth from the back and one off the fence, loomed a threat at the 200m and came up flat over the last 100m. Fay Fay settled at the rear from gate 12, straightened four deep and got going late. Zaidan made his run at the rear after missing the start, rounded the final bend five wide and stayed on well. He'll appreciate a step up in distance. Real Specialist didn't offer much, while Packing Whiz was running on empty over the final 150m with every chance and Leading City knocked up on the lead as expected.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (331)-THE STEWARDS' CUP - Hong Kong Group One - 1600 Metres The start was delayed when ZAIDAN proved very difficult to load.

Having in mind ZAIDANs prior record in respect of its barrier manners, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, the horse will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial.

Then as the start was effected, ZAIDAN lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently lost ground.

PURE CHAMPION began awkwardly.

Near the 1200 Metres, REAL SPECIALIST was steadied away from the heels of GLORIOUS DAYS which shifted out.

AMBITIOUS DRAGON, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence.

After the 600 Metres, AMBITIOUS DRAGON (Z Purton) and PACKING WHIZ raced tight as PACKING WHIZ shifted out to improve to the outside of MILITARY ATTACK.

Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, due to having to ride his mount along at this stage of the race to maintain its position, AMBITIOUS DRAGON did not show the same turn of foot that it had in previous races when it was able to obtain an uninterrupted run.

At the entrance to the Straight, AMBITIOUS DRAGON and REAL SPECIALIST bumped as AMBITIOUS DRAGON shifted out into clear running.

Near the 50 Metres, REAL SPECIALIST was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of CALIFORNIA MEMORY.

Throughout the race, CALIFORNIA MEMORY travelled wide and without cover.

Trainer J Moore was spoken to regarding LEADING CITY being presented in the Parade Ring with protective hoof wraps applied to that horses front feet.

Having in mind the significant number of horses that Mr Moore was required to oversee the saddling and presentation of for this race, no action was taken, however, he must ensure that horses trained by him are properly presented in the Parade Ring.

After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that an endoscopic examination was conducted on PACKING WHIZ at the request of Trainer J Moore.

He said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, PACKING WHIZ will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of AMBITIOUS DRAGON and XTENSION after the race did not show any significant findings.

AMBITIOUS DRAGON, GLORIOUS DAYS and DAN EXCEL were sent for sampling.