Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Splendour And Gold came with a bold move near the outside after settling three deep third from the rear to win going away 80m out for a second win from three starts. He's got more upside to come and should handle a longer trip as well. Dashing Dart came on very well from behind midfield to just deny Winning Controller the Quinella spot. He continues to race well without winning. Winning Controller kept on gamely after taking over the lead 500m out following a pace-prompting run from a wide gate. He's naturally returning to form in his past three starts following a nose bleed in October. High Rev was grinding away to finish next best following a box-seat run. He's still learning but has some ability. Circuit Three finished well down the outside to just finish out of the placings despite jumping tardily and getting hampered by the riderless Delight Express 900m out. It was a solid effort in defeat and he'll be winning shortly.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (500) - COLLECTION HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1600Meters

ROMANTIC CHEF was withdrawn on 16.3.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WINNING CONTROLLER.

Before being allowed to race again, ROMANTIC CHEF will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

MANAGEMENT STAR was very slow to begin.

Before being allowed to race again, MANAGEMENT STAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

CIRCUIT THREE was slow to begin.

DELIGHT EXPRESS began only fairly.

SOCCER MASTER lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently began only fairly.

HEALTHY TREASURE began awkwardly.

SPLENDOUR AND GOLD was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

For some distance in the early stages, DASHING DART got its head up when racing keenly.

The Stewards opened and immediately adjourned an inquiry into the reason for DELIGHT EXPRESS stumbling badly approaching the 900 Metres which resulted in its rider, Apprentice C Wong, being dislodged.

When Apprentice Wong was dislodged, SOCCER MASTER was unable to avoid that rider and was severely checked.

CIRCUIT THREE was also checked and shifted out to avoid the incident whilst SPLENDOUR AND GOLD was inconvenienced.

A veterinary inspection of DELIGHT EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of SOCCER MASTER immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained slight abrasions to the right hind cannon and the left hind fetlock.

Rounding the Home Turn, SPLENDOUR AND GOLD was taken wider by DASHING DART which shifted to the outside of FLASH FAMOUS.

Throughout the race, CHAPARRAL STAR travelled wide and without cover.

The performance of HEALTHY TREASURE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, HEALTHY TREASURE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

The Stewards opened an inquiry into W M Lai's riding of WINNING CONTROLLER, particularly from near the 1100 Metres.

W M Lai stated that he was instructed to obtain a forward position on WINNING CONTROLLER as it was believed that there was not much pace in the race.

He said he was instructed to lead if possible, however, if the rider of another horse was intent on leading, he should allow that horse to lead and obtain a position in 2nd or 3rd.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode WINNING CONTROLLER positively in the early stages, however, COOLCELEB showed more early speed than WINNING CONTROLLER and he followed that horse over and positioned himself to the outside of that horse after the 1000 Metres.

He said from this point he raced about a half length behind COOLCELEB.

He said after the 900 Metres he allowed WINNING CONTROLLER to improve its position to be racing on terms with COOLCELEB and when that horse came under pressure passing the 600 Metres, he then allowed WINNING CONTROLLER to improve its position further in advance of COOLCELEB.

Mr C H Yip, the trainer of WINNING CONTROLLER, stated that he was unable to identify a natural leader in the race and he felt that there was an opportunity for WINNING CONTROLLER to be able to take up a forward position as the horse had previously raced well in these circumstances.

He confirmed that he had instructed Jockey Lai to attempt to lead on WINNING CONTROLLER, however, if another horse showed more speed than WINNING CONTROLLER, he should take a sit off that horse.

He said he felt that WINNING CONTROLLER would race well today as he anticipated that the horse would be able to take up a forward position in what he expected to be only a moderately run race.

He said accordingly he advised the owner that he considered the horse to be a good chance of winning or placing in today's race.

Having regard to the fast sectionals between the 1200 Metres and the 400 Metres, the Stewards adjourned the inquiry until a time and date to be fixed to allow them to consider the evidence.

R Bayliss (COOLCELEB) stated that in the early stages COOLCELEB was able to dictate the terms of the race and the race was being run at a reasonable tempo.

He said however that when WINNING CONTROLLER improved its position to race on terms with COOLCELEB near the 900 Metres, the tempo of the race quickened appreciably as COOLCELEB travelled more keenly in the lead due to WINNING CONTROLLER improving its position.

He said these circumstances resulted in the race being run at a very fast tempo in the middle stages.

A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY TREASURE and EMPIRE STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of MARQULA immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg and have sustained cuts into the right and left hind cannons.

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

SPLENDOUR AND GOLD and DASHING DART were sent for sampling.