Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed late, Family Folks produced a perfectly timed run to just deny Rhapsody after a deep ride fourth last from an awkward gate. He continues to raise his game with a third win at both tracks from nine starts. Rhapsody was collared late after hitting the front 50m out travelling deep beyond midfield from a tricky gate. It was an improved start at his third run. Utopia Life kept on gamely to just snare third despite getting cast three to four deep chasing the speed without cover the entire trip. It was his best run in a while. Telecom Smart eventually got going after a one-off run behind midfield to just miss a placing. It was another honest effort. Favourite Hong Kong Bet just held his ground after a prominent run with cover. He couldn't back up a runner-up performance last start carrying a big weight yet again. Goodluck Goodluck stopped badly 50m out after looking a winning chance 200m out in his usual lead role. He was set a harder task after winning two of his past three starts. Invincible Missile ran on without menacing from the rear of the field. He's a Sha Tin horse. Transcendent had nothing left 150m out after rushing forward from midfield to sit third 750m out. He likely needed the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (814) - HAWTHORN HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

TELECOM SMART began only fairly.

TRANSCENDENT and STANLEY PARK bumped at the start.

RHAPSODY and THE MULTIPLIER began awkwardly.

FAMILY FOLKS shifted out at the start and bumped INVINCIBLE MISSILE.

After this, INVINCIBLE MISSILE was shifted across behind runners.

From the outside barrier, BRILLIANT LIFE was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Near the 1000 Metres, HONG KONG BET was momentarily steadied away from the heels of STANLEY PARK which was racing tight inside GOODLUCK GOODLUCK which got its head on the side and lay in.

Near the 700 Metres, YOUNG PASSION was awkwardly placed behind THE MULTIPLIER.

Passing the 400 Metres, THE MULTIPLIER was awkwardly placed behind STANLEY PARK which was giving ground.

Throughout the race, UTOPIA LIFE travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of STANLEY PARK, Apprentice C L Chau stated that STANLEY PARK is well-known to him as he had previously ridden the horse on a number of occasions.

He said STANLEY PARK travelled satisfactorily until approaching the 600 Metres at which stage the horse came under heavy pressure to maintain its position behind GOODLUCK GOODLUCK.

He said despite being ridden along, STANLEY PARK was not able to maintain its position and then making the turn after the 600 Metres became unbalanced in its action.

He said he continued to ride STANLEY PARK along for some distance, however, it would not respond to his riding and gave ground noticeably prior to the Home Turn.

He added as STANLEY PARK remained unbalanced in its action and was not responding to his riding, he felt that the horse may have gone amiss and therefore he eased it down in the early part of the Straight.

A veterinary inspection of STANLEY PARK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of STANLEY PARK, which finished last in tonight's race, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, STANLEY PARK 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 TRANSCENDENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

HONG KONG BET, FAMILY FOLKS and RHAPSODY were sent for sampling.