Recap by phillip woo

Eternal Bloom just held off the late surge of Stunning Impact after hitting the front 100m out following a one-off trip in midfield for a second win from six starts. He's a nice sort and should remain competitive up in grade off a light weight. Stunning Impact weaved a run late through the middle to make it close on the wire after making his run five back and one off the fence. He's as honest as the day is long. Blissful Star stayed on well to finish a close third after a prominent run three wide from an outside draw. He keeps promising and can bob up at any moment. Woodfire Bro closed well for fourth after a wide trip behind midfield. It was a good effort first up following a win last start over 1,600m. Favourite Wide Blue Yonder just missed the frame after a box-seat run. He'll come on for the run and may be crying out for a mile trip. Maximize Heart was on his tippy toes 50m out after hitting the front 200m out following a pace-stalking run. Casa Legend produced only a grinding effort after working into the clear 350m out following a rails run in midfield. Prefer him in Class Five.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (8) - MA ON SHAN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1400Meters

On arrival at the barriers, PERFECT TO GREAT, which made contact with a rail on entering the track, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

PERFECT TO GREAT began only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

STUNNING IMPACT began only fairly and then was slow to muster speed in the early stages.

From the outside barriers, RAINBOW LIGHT and KING TOURBILLON were steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover.

LEATHER VANGUARD was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

After the 1200 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle.

Then after the 1000 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was left racing very wide and without cover and after the 900 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead at the 600 Metres.

After the 1200 Metres, EXUBERANT travelled keenly when obtaining cover behind WOODFIRE BRO.

Near the 950 Metres, WOODFIRE BRO was steadied away from the heels of BLISSFUL STAR (S De Sousa) which shifted in when not properly clear.

EXUBERANT, which was following WOODFIRE BRO and continuing to travel keenly, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

S De Sousa was reprimanded and told to ensure that he gives sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

After the 800 Metres, KING TOURBILLON got its head up when awkwardly placed behind EXUBERANT.

In the Straight, WOODFIRE BRO lay in and proved difficult to ride and near the 50 Metres shifted in, resulting in WOODFIRE BRO being awkwardly placed outside the heels of BLISSFUL STAR.

Because of this, WOODFIRE BRO was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race as it normally would be.

Close to the finishing line, MAXIMIZE HEART shifted out and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BLISSFUL STAR.

After the race, C L Chau reported that, in his opinion, LEATHER VANGUARD was not suited by the slow tempo of today's race in the middle stages.

He said LEATHER VANGUARD was not able to quicken when the pace of the race increased near the 600 Metres which resulted in the horse having to be hard ridden rounding the Home Turn.

He added that although LEATHER VANGUARD was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to make up ground in the Straight, he believed the circumstances of today's race was the principal reason for the horse's disappointing performance.

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

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

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE had sustained a cut to the left hock.

WIDE BLUE YONDER, ETERNAL BLOOM and STUNNING IMPACT were sent for sampling.