Recap by phillip woo

Mr Aldan quickened nicely to win going away after hitting the front near the 200m following a one-off run in midfield. He's good when right and the booking of Zac Purton worked wonders. Favourite The Rock stayed on well for second after a one-off run in a prominent spot. He's building towards a win in his three starts. Cordyceps came up onepaced over the final 100m after cruising to the lead 300m out following a pace-stalking run. It was a better effort with a return to Class Three. Plunged late Entrusted closed well from behind midfield to fill the frame in fourth. He's naturally improving with each start. Charizard came from last to pick up a pay cheque. He's been a disappointment this season but on the back of this run may be near a bottom. Fantastic Show ran on without menacing after making his run fourth from the back. Decisive Action went amiss after jumping a shadow 700m out following a wide and without cover run better than midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (816) - CONTENTMENT HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1600Meters

ENTRUSTED began only fairly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of THE ROCK.

CHARIZARD and SUPERB DADDY were crowded for room on jumping between CORDYCEPS which shifted out and EVER LAUGH which shifted in.

RACING LUCK and FANTASTIC SHOW bumped at the start.

From the outside barrier, SUPER ELEGANCE was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

In the early stages, DECISIVE ACTION was left racing very wide and without cover and after the 900 Metres was allowed to improve its position.

Then at the 850 Metres, DECISIVE ACTION jumped a shadow on the track, became badly unbalanced and lost ground.

After this, when continuing to race very wide and without cover, DECISIVE ACTION was eased down.

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

Before being allowed to race again, DECISIVE ACTION will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

At the entrance to the Straight, SUPER ELEGANCE raced tight outside EMERALD SPUR which made the Home Turn awkwardly.

EMERALD SPUR then shifted in passing the 400 Metres and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of EVER LAUGH which shifted out marginally.

EMERALD SPUR then shifted out abruptly away from the heels of EVER LAUGH, resulting in SUPER ELEGANCE being checked away from the heels of EMERALD SPUR.

After the 300 Metres, THE ROCK shifted in and brushed CORDYCEPS.

Passing the 100 Metres, CHARIZARD was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ENTRUSTED.

Near the 50 Metres, FANTASTIC SHOW shifted in and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of THE ROCK.

FANTASTIC SHOW was then shifted out away from the heels of THE ROCK and passing the winning post raced tight inside ENTRUSTED.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PRECISE EXPRESS, M Chadwick stated that it was intended for the horse to be ridden more forward than it was last start due to being drawn barrier 1.

He said on jumping PRECISE EXPRESS got its head up and began only fairly and for this reason he had to ride his mount along in the early stages and was able to obtain a midfield position inside THE ROCK.

He said the tempo of the race was quick in the early and middle stages and PRECIOUS EXPRESS, in his opinion, did not seem to be comfortable with the strong tempo of the race.

He said PRECISE EXPRESS was always off the bridle and came under pressure prior to the 600 Metres.

He added PRECISE EXPRESS was not able to quicken with MR ALDAN, the eventual winner, in the early part of the Straight and after coming under heavy pressure after the 400 Metres then gave ground over the concluding stages.

He said in addition to the race being run at a good tempo, he was also of the opinion that PRECISE EXPRESS may not have backed up from its last start success eleven days ago given that today was only the horse's fifth race start in Hong Kong.

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

The performance of PRECISE EXPRESS, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, PRECISE EXPRESS 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 RACING LUCK immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils.

A veterinary inspection of SUPER ELEGANCE immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being allowed to race again, SUPER ELEGANCE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

MR ALDAN and THE ROCK were sent for sampling.