Recap by phillip woo

Zilong just out-finished Willie Way after hitting the front 200m out following a patient ride second from the rear. It's taken a while for him to hit top form but the step up to 1,800m on this surface suited. Willie Way came on nicely after travelling third from the rear to just miss. He's a pretty honest 1,800m performer on either surface. Goldfield stayed on well for a placing despite travelling three and sometimes four-deep in midfield the entire trip. Travel First kept grinding away to hold a Quartet spot after handing up to sit box-seat 1,000m out. He rarely produces a bad run on this surface but the mile suits him better. Rule Thee left things much too late from the rear of the field. It was always going to be a task carrying top weight from a wide gate. Favourite Remarkable came up one-paced after being held up early straight following a one-off run behind midfield. Flying Quest came up flat with every chance at the 150m. The 1,800m's too far.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (270) - KOWLOON PARK HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1800Meters

GRAN MASTER shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of TRAVEL FIRST which became unbalanced.

GRAN MASTER was then crowded for room between TRAVEL FIRST and REMARKABLE which shifted out.

CHEERFUL STAR shifted out at the start and bumped FLYING QUEST.

ZILONG lost its right front plate shortly after the start.

From a wide barrier, RULE THEE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, GREAT TREASURE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAN MASTER which shifted out marginally.

After passing the winning post on the first occasion, GREAT TREASURE was steadied away from the heels of FLYING QUEST (C Schofield) which shifted in when not properly clear.

C Schofield was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

At the 800 Metres, GOLDFIELD was left racing wide and without cover.

Near the 500 Metres, REMARKABLE raced tight between GOLDFIELD and SKY MELODY (C Y Ho) which attempted to shift to the outside of MULTIGOGO.

In this incident, GOLDFIELD became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by REMARKABLE.

C Y Ho was reprimanded and advised that he is not entitled to place undue pressure on other horses in order to improve his position.

When unable to improve to the outside of MULTIGOGO and inside REMARKABLE, SKY MELODY clipped the heels of MULTIGOGO and dipped near the 450 Metres.

SKY MELODY was then held up for clear running and near the 350 Metres was checked away from the heels of MULTIGOGO which commenced to give ground.

This resulted in SKY MELODY losing ground and consequently being shifted out to obtain clear running.

Approaching the 400 Metres, GREAT TREASURE raced tight between ZILONG and WILLIE WAY which shifted to the outside of REMARKABLE to obtain clear running.

REMARKABLE was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight when racing in restricted room between MULTIGOGO and GOLDFIELD.

Passing the 300 Metres, A Badel (GRAN MASTER) dropped his whip.

As this was the third occasion that A Badel had dropped his whip in races during the current season, he was placed on notice that should he offend again in a similar manner prior to the end of the season, further action may be taken.

CHEERFUL STAR had some difficulty obtaining a clear run approaching the 200 Metres and then passing the 200 Metres was shifted to the outside of GRAN MASTER to obtain clear running.

CHEERFUL STAR was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING QUEST near the 50 Metres.

When questioned, A Badel stated that it was hoped, from the horse's inside barrier, that GRAN MASTER would be able to obtain a position behind the leaders with cover.

He said passing the winning post on the first occasion GRAN MASTER commenced to travel keenly and when MULTIGOGO did not cross his mount after passing the winning post on the first occasion, GRAN MASTER then continued to travel keenly.

He said as GRAN MASTER would not relax, he allowed the horse to stride forward after the 1100 Metre into the lead.

He said when obtaining the lead after the 800 Metres, GRAN MASTER then relaxed better, however, in his opinion, the manner in which the horse had over-raced in the early stages resulted in it coming off the bridle rounding the Home Turn and then weakening noticeably in the Straight.

The performance of GRAN MASTER, a last start winner which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, GRAN MASTER 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 GRAN MASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to lead on MULTIGOGO if possible from its wide barrier.

He said he was asked not to ride MULTIGOGO too aggressively to do so as the horse was attempting 1800 Metres for the first time tonight, however, it was felt that MULTIGOGO would possess sufficient speed to be able to cross runners to his inside and either lead or race outside the leader.

He said in accordance with his instructions he allowed MULTIGOGO to improve into a forward position in the early stages and passing the winning post on the first occasion he felt that MULTIGOGO was in a position to clear GRAN MASTER which would allow MULTIGOGO to shift across and race outside the leader TRAVEL FIRST.

He said after passing the winning post on the first occasion he noticed that GRAN MASTER was travelling keenly and because of this remained inside the heels of MULTIGOGO.

He added as he was mindful that the horse was attempting the distance for the first time, he was reluctant to ride MULTIGOGO along to clear GRAN MASTER after the 1500 Metres.

He said this resulted in MULTIGOGO racing three wide and without cover until near the 800 Metres at which time the horse was able to cross FLYING QUEST to race outside the leader.

M F Poon agreed with the Stewards in retrospect that he had erred in his judgement by not crossing on MULTIGOGO passing the winning post on the first occasion when there was an opportunity to do so prior to GRAN MASTER commencing to travel keenly.

He was advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner that they are able to obtain advantageous positions and do not cover unnecessary ground.

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

REMARKABLE, ZILONG and WILLIE WAY were sent for sampling.