Recap by phillip woo

Red Adventure was given a well-executed ride to land a spot just off the fence in fourth from a wide gate, rounded the final bend four deep and quickened well to get up 80m out to land a betting move. Lucky Ball enjoyed a lovely run in the box-seat, moved to the front 130m out and found one too good on the day in a career-best effort with a drop in grade. Mr Vanilla settled four back along the fence, worked his way to the middle of the track at the 200m and closed off well to make it close for a Quinella spot. Bernard's Choice came on nicely three deep after travelling third from the rear and one off the fence to inject some value into the Quartet. Favourite Yeung Sing made some ground late near the inside without menacing after recovering from a slow start to travel behind midfield along the fence. Race leader Choice Exchequer faltered 150m out despite cornering two lengths on top. Old-timer Viva Guy got going late down the outside without threatening after travelling one off the fence beyond midfield. Class dropper Good Fit made some late progress from the rear of the field. Southchina Command only got by a few after travelling second from the rear from a wide gate. Oxford Charley faded following a midfield run to finish at the tail of the field in another disappointing performance.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (323)-RUSSELL HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Metres

CIRCUIT STAR, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 11.1.16 by order of the Stewards (stable transfer).

YEUNG SING began awkwardly and lost ground.

GOOD FIT was crowded for room on jumping between OWNERS' GLORY which shifted out and RED ADVENTURE which was taken in by SOUTHCHINA COMMAND.

After this, from wide barriers, GOOD FIT and SOUTHCHINA COMMAND were shifted across behind runners.

Shortly after the start, LE PEGASE shifted out and bumped MR VANILLA.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, RED ADVENTURE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY BALL.

Approaching the 1000 Metres, VIVA GUY, BERNARD'S CHOICE, GOOD FIT and SOUTHCHINA COMMAND all proved difficult to settle due to the slackening tempo of the race.

G Benoist (SOUTHCHINA COMMAND) stated that tonight's race was run at a much slower tempo than that of its last start when the horse was successful.

He said because of the tempo of the race SOUTHCHINA COMMAND was not able to make up ground after having to be ridden from back in the field from its wide barrier.

A veterinary inspection of SOUTHCHINA COMMAND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of OXFORD CHARLEY immediately following the race found the horse to have bled from both nostrils and also to be lame in its left front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, OXFORD CHARLEY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

YEUNG SING, RED ADVENTURE and LUCKY BALL were sent for sampling.