Recap by phillip woo

Hinchinlove cleared from a wide gate to take the trail behind Winning Method, angled into the open 300m out and just held off favourite Lucky Express after working to the front 80m out for a third win from eight starts this term. He's in brilliant form and should remain competitive in the grade. Lucky Express made it close on the wire after failing to gain a clear run until the last 100m after improving along the inside following a one-off run behind midfield. He's had a productive campaign and ran very well fresh off a break here. E Star came from midfield to fill a placing. He continues to step up in back-to-back runs following a Class Three win. Master Montaro came from last to fill the frame. He ran on well but has found things harder in his past three starts at this level. Congratulation ran on reasonably well after a wide without cover run behind midfield. He's still acclimatising but it was a better run on his past couple. Winning Method lost a placing 60m out after clearing to the front 750m out rushing forward three deep 950m out from midfield. He's had many chances at this level.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (766) - ALEXANDRITE HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1400Meters

SEA OF LIFE was withdrawn on 17.6.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (bled after finishing track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUNNY BOY.

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that AMAZING ONE PLUS had blood in the mouth.

AMAZING ONE PLUS was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

LOBO'S LEGEND shifted out at the start and bumped SUNNY BOY.

HINCHINLOVE shifted in at the start and inconvenienced MASTER MONTARO.

After this, from a wide barrier, MASTER MONTARO was steadied to obtain cover.

When being ridden along shortly after the start, LUCKY EXPRESS shifted out towards the heels of SUPER OASIS.

From a wide barrier, THE CROWN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the 800 Metres, AMAZING ONE PLUS was crowded for room inside SUNNY BOY which was bumped and taken in by BEAUTY SMILE which raced tight inside the heels of WINNING METHOD which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to the inside.

In the early part of the Straight, BEAUTY SMILE lay out under pressure.

Near the 350 Metres, the whip of H Bentley (E STAR) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of K Teetan (SUNNY BOY).

Near the 250 Metres, AMAZING ONE PLUS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of BEAUTY SMILE which continued to lay out.

SUNNY BOY, which was following AMAZING ONE PLUS, was directed out away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

LUCKY EXPRESS had difficulty obtaining clear running from passing the 200 Metres until approaching the 100 Metres.

After the race, M F Poon explained that he was asked to obtain a midfield position on WINNING METHOD if possible.

He said after shifting WINNING METHOD across with a view to obtaining a position behind the speed, the horse was left racing very wide and without cover after the 1200 Metres and for this reason he allowed his mount to improve after the 1000 Metres to obtain a position closer to the rail and avoid covering unnecessary ground.

A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY SMILE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of THE CROWN immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg.

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

HINCHINLOVE and LUCKY EXPRESS were sent for sampling.