Recap by phillip woo

Well-punted late Star Superior finally cleared the final hurdle with a bold move one from the right after a patient ride third from the rear to take control 150m out. Zero Hedge was closing with every stride to finish a close second after being held up until the tiring leader Golden Effort until the 230m travelling better than midfield on the fence. It was his best run in a while with a switch to the dirt but he is well rated. Gracious Ryder closed well to fill a placing from near the back after peeling out behind a wall of horses for a clear run at the 250m. Foodie Princess ran on well to add some value to the Quartet after making his run fourth from the back in his dirt debut. Goldie Flanker got going late near the inside after making his run at the back as usual. He still needed the run but can bob up at any moment in this grade. Golden Effort assumed the front 350m out after keeping Elite Boy posted in a battle for the front but had no more to offer 100m out. He had an excuse.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (128) - SHENZHEN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

THE CREATETH was withdrawn on 26.10.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter COOLCELEB (M L Yeung).

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

GOLDEN EFFORT shifted out at the start and bumped U W BROTHER.

VIVA COUNCIL and STAR SUPERIOR bumped at the start.

FOODIE PRINCESS was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Also from a wide barrier, GRACIOUS RYDER was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Making the turn approaching and passing the 600 Metres, JIMSON THE DRAGON got its head on the side and lay out.

ZERO HEDGE was held up for clear running from on straightening until near the 250 Metres at which time the horse improved into tight running between ELITE BOY and GOLDEN EFFORT.

ZERO HEDGE then shifted out further, resulting in ELITE BOY being taken out and U W BROTHER being hampered when awkwardly placed behind VIVA COUNCIL which was giving ground.

FOODIE PRINCESS was held up for clear running from passing the 300 Metres until after the 200 Metres.

Approaching the 250 Metres, JIMSON THE DRAGON was momentarily steadied away from the heels of STAR SUPERIOR which shifted in.

Throughout the race, VIVA COUNCIL travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ELITE BOY, M F Poon stated that at its most recent start ELITE BOY was able to lead without having too much use made of it.

He said today he had to make considerable use of the horse throughout the early stages to clear runners to his inside.

He said it was not until making the turn near the 700 Metres that ELITE BOY was able to cross U W BROTHER to race outside the leader GOLDEN EFFORT.

He said throughout this time he was required to continually ride the horse along and it was not until near the 650 Metres that he was able to attempt to steady ELITE BOY in order to have it finish off the race as best as it was able.

He said ELITE BOY came under heavy pressure passing the 400 Metres and then did not finish off the race.

He added, in his opinion, the disappointing performance of ELITE BOY could be attributed to him having to make considerable use of the horse in the early and middle stages.

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

The performance of ELITE BOY, a last start winner and which finished towards the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable.

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

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PROMISE KEPT, J Moreira stated that the horse did not begin well and then became unbalanced after being checked away from the heels of ZERO HEDGE which shifted out.

He said after this he had to ride his mount along in an attempt to have it improve its position which included slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip.

He said, despite being ridden along, PROMISE KEPT was reluctant to improve its position, however, he was able to obtain a position just worse than midfield making the turn near the 700 Metres.

He said PROMISE KEPT then immediately came under heavy pressure and he had to ride the horse vigorously after the 600 Metres in an attempt to obtain a more forward position.

He added PROMISE KEPT, despite being vigorously ridden, did not respond to his riding and commenced to give ground rounding the Home Turn.

He said he continued to ride PROMISE KEPT along in the early part of the Straight, however, when the horse continued to give ground, he did not persist in riding it over the final 200 Metres.

A veterinary inspection of PROMISE KEPT immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

The performance of PROMISE KEPT, favourite for today's race, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, PROMISE KEPT 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 COOLCELEB immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

PROMISE KEPT, STAR SUPERIOR and ZERO HEDGE were sent for sampling.