Recap by phillip woo

King Bountiful settled third from the rear, took off 700m out to find the front 100m later, straightened two lengths on top and kept plugging away to just scrape home for a first win at his 14th start. Loyal Craftsman settled one off the fence behind midfield, improved coming to the final bend and finished well five deep to grab second 100m out. Sweet Bean settled four back along the paint, straightened four deep and finished reasonably well to grab a placing 50m out. Percy Jackson came from last and widest out at the 250m to snatch a Quartet spot. Early favourite Island Flyer had his chance following a one-out, one-back run and came up one-paced over the final 150m. Good Fit made only a mild bid following a rails run in midfield. Casa Master made his run outside Sweet Bean, inched forward three deep at the 750m, moved to third 500m out and was onepace over the final 300m. Strike Eagle was gone a long ways out following a box-seat run. Cool Pal opened up by four lengths 800m out, but stopped badly when headed 600m out. Tribal Glory went amiss 500m out after stalking the leader.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (501)-WANG TAK HANDICAP - Class 5 - 2200Metres

STRIKE EAGLE began awkwardly.

SMART GUY was slow to begin.

When being steadied in the early stages, PERCY JACKSON got its head up on a number of occasions and then shortly after the start became unbalanced after being bumped by GLORIOUS VICTORY.

PERCY JACKSON then shifted in and bumped STRIKE EAGLE which became unbalanced and in turn shifted in, hampering GOOD FIT.

Near the 1700 Metres, TRIBAL GLORY shifted in abruptly towards the heels of COOL PAL.

Near the 1000 Metres, ISLAND FLYER was steadied away from the heels of TRIBAL GLORY which, after drifting out making the turn near the 1050 Metres, then shifted back in.

CASA MASTER, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of ISLAND FLYER in consequence.

From the 900 Metres, TRIBAL GLORY gave ground abruptly and finished distanced.

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

The performance of TRIBAL GLORY was considered unacceptable.

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

Passing the 800 Metres, GLORIOUS VICTORY became unbalanced when having to be shifted out abruptly away from the heels of TRIBAL GLORY which shifted out when giving ground abruptly.

For some distance after the 550 Metres, STRIKE EAGLE was taken back through the field by COOL PAL as that horse weakened abruptly.

After the 500 Metres, GOOD FIT and LOYAL CRAFTSMAN raced tight as both horses improved into tight running between COOL PAL which was continuing to give ground abruptly and CASA MASTER.

When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he had been asked to lead on COOL PAL if possible, however, if the horse missed the start as it did at its most recent start, he was instructed to have COOL PAL racing where it was comfortable.

He said COOL PAL began well and he was able to obtain the lead from barrier 1 in the early stages.

He said making the turn approaching the 2000 Metres TRIBAL GLORY commenced to improve its position around COOL PAL and as he did not want COOL PAL to be crossed, he had to ride his mount along to maintain the lead.

He said this resulted in this part of the race being run at a fast tempo.

He said after the 1700 Metres he was able to steady COOL PAL and the horse was then able to travel at a more generous tempo.

He added after the 1200 Metres, being aware that a number of races over the extended distances at Happy Valley had seen horses making mid-race moves, he allowed COOL PAL to continue in the lead at a quicker than normal tempo to ensure that no other runner was enticed to be ridden for the lead.

He said whilst he was not aware that he had opened up a significant margin on the field, he was aware that the race was being run at that time faster than normal, however, he was reluctant to steady the tempo as this may encourage other runners to improve their positions.

He added prior to the 700 Metres COOL PAL came under pressure and although the sections of the race had been run quicker than standard, he believed the manner in which COOL PAL weakened indicated to him that the horse must have been experiencing an internal issue.

Mr A Lee, the trainer of COOL PAL, confirmed the instructions and agreed that COOL PAL had been required to go quicker than hoped, particularly after the 1200 Metres.

M L Yeung was advised that his riding of COOL PAL between the 1200 Metres and the 800 Metres, particularly given the earlier sectionals of the race, had lacked judgement and that as an experienced rider he would be expected to ride his mounts in such a manner in the future so as to ensure that they are afforded every opportunity to finish off their race.

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

The performance of COOL PAL, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

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

COOL PAL, KING BOUNTIFUL and LOYAL CRAFTSMAN were sent for sampling.