Recap by phillip woo

Favourite So Awesome ran down Lucky Quality 10m out for the win after a one-off run in midfield. He did put the writing on the wall two back over this trip after an earlier win in Class Five over the 1,400m. Lucky Quality did everything but get the win after moving to the front 150m out following a rails run tracking the leader Aquila. Heavenly Thought ran on well to just get the better of Spontaneous for third after a one-off run behind midfield. It was his best run in a while but he was stepping out off a career low in the ratings. Spontaneous gradually faded after travelling one-off in second carrying a big weight. It was a better effort at his second run following a downgrade. Stepping up to the mile for the first time, Natural Gold ran on reasonably well after a wide run with cover worse than midfield. He's been naturally coming to hand in his four starts. The wellbacked Aquila lacked stamina yet again after showing his usual gate speed to dictate the running from gate two. He might be a hard one to catch in Class Five next time out. Casa Legend stayed on evenly when popped the question after a rails run in midfield. Wind Speeder faded in the run to the wire after getting posted wide without cover fore of midfield. He had an excuse.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (427) - LARCH HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that VICTORY MORE had blood in the mouth.

VICTORY MORE was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

AQUILA began only fairly and then raced tight for a short distance after the start inside SPONTANEOUS as a result of both horses shifting ground.

AQUILA was then hampered a short distance after this by LUCKY QUALITY which shifted out.

CASA LEGEND began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of WIND SPEEDER which began awkwardly.

CASA LEGEND was then crowded for room a short distance after the start between SO AWESOME and WIND SPEEDER which shifted in after being brushed by HEAVENLY THOUGHT.

From the outside barriers, SHINY TWO and VICTORY MORE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 850 Metres, CASA LEGEND became unbalanced of its own accord and shifted in towards the running rail.

At the entrance to the Straight, NATURAL GOLD was shifted out away from the heels of WIND SPEEDER.

Passing the 250 Metres, AMBITIOUS HEART was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WIND SPEEDER.

AMBITIOUS HEART was then shifted to the inside of HEAVENLY THOUGHT passing the 200 Metres.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of H Bentley (NATURAL GOLD), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse's finishing position having regard to the neck margin between NATURAL GOLD and SPONTANEOUS, 4th placegetter, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit.

After the race, Z Purton stated that after shifting his mount across behind runners from the outside barrier, GRACYLOVE then did not finish the race off.

He said he noted that GRACYLOVE had not been able to be placed at Happy Valley and he was therefore of the opinion that the horse may be better suited in races conducted at Sha Tin.

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

When questioned, C Y Ho stated that after being ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, WIND SPEEDER was left racing wide and without cover after the 900 Metres.

He said WIND SPEEDER came under pressure passing the 600 Metres to hold its position and then he had to ride his mount vigorously approaching the 500 Metres as WIND SPEEDER was not responding to his riding.

He said despite being vigorously ridden, WIND SPEEDER commenced to give ground and rounding the Home Turn the horse's action shortened.

He added that he balanced WIND SPEEDER up at the entrance to the Straight before again commencing to ride his mount along to see if the horse would respond, however, WIND SPEEDER again shortened stride and gave ground noticeably within a short distance after entering the Straight.

He said as he had concerns regarding the manner in which WIND SPEEDER was travelling, he eased it down approaching the 200 Metres.

He said during and after the race WIND SPEEDER did not make any abnormal breathing noise and appeared comfortable in its action after the race, however, he felt that the manner in which the horse shortened stride indicated to him that WIND SPEEDER may have been experiencing an internal issue.

A veterinary inspection of WIND SPEEDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

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

SO AWESOME and LUCKY QUALITY were sent for sampling.