Recap by phillip woo

A Smile Like Yours quickened nicely to take control 100m out after making his run three back on the fence. He had made a good impression in two other starts this season and can score again. Yee Cheong Warrior rattled home three from the right to just deny Destin second prize money after a patient ride fourth from the back. It was a good effort first-up here for his new trainer after flashing ability in two of five outings last term. Old-timer Destin got the gaps when required to get up for a placing after settling towards the rear from a wide draw. He's been hitting the line very well in his three starts this term and can bob up at any moment. Firming favourite Good Shot came up one-paced after a one-out, one-back run for his new trainer. He needed the outing. Aurora Pegasus made some ground without menacing after biding his time five back on the fence. He might require a stronger rider. Jade Theatre ran on steadily without threatening after a one-off run behind midfield. It was another honest effort from another outside draw following two positive runs on the dirt. Flaming Passion didn't have much left in the run to the wire after turning the final bend a length on top dictating the run from gate one. He's not reliable.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (79) - JOHNSTON HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

NORDIC WARRIOR and DESTIN were slow to begin.

Then from the outside barrier, DESTIN was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

From a wide barrier, COURAGEOUS DRAGON was also steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail.

DIVINE ERA began awkwardly and then was bumped by AURORA PEGASUS which shifted out.

YEE CHEONG WARRIOR began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of GOOD SHOT.

Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, JADE THEATRE was slow to muster speed and after being inconvenienced by WINMORE STAR approaching the 1100 Metres was steadied to obtain cover when racing very wide.

Near the 850 Metres, WINMORE STAR raced greenly, got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly, resulting in A SMILE LIKE YOURS being hampered when bumped by WINMORE STAR.

DIVINE ERA had some difficulty obtaining clear running after the 150 Metres and raced tight inside HAPPY TIME passing the 50 Metres when improving into restricted room between that horse and FLAMING PASSION.

At the 100 Metres, WINMORE STAR was steadied away from the heels of DESTIN (M L Yeung) which shifted out when not properly clear.

M L Yeung was reprimanded and told he must ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

After the 100 Metres, AURORA PEGASUS was shifted in away from the heels of GOOD SHOT.

Close to the finishing line, DIVINE ERA raced tight outside the hindquarters of FLAMING PASSION.

When questioned, M Chadwick stated that in pre-race discussions, it was noted by connections that there appeared to be a lack of genuine pace engaged in the race and as HAPPY TIME had previously raced well when ridden in a forward position, it was decided that if HAPPY TIME began well and the circumstances of the race in the early stages permitted, the horse should be ridden in a more forward position than it was at its last start when successful.

He said it was felt that HAPPY TIME may be able to obtain a position behind the leaders which it was envisaged may be FLAMING PASSION, GOOD SHOT and A SMILE LIKE YOURS.

He said after beginning well he rode his mount positively in the early stages to obtain a forward position and at the 1100 Metres he felt as though A SMILE LIKE YOURS was being ridden to cross GOOD SHOT to its inside.

He said he therefore commenced to steady HAPPY TIME with a view to taking a trailing position behind A SMILE LIKE YOURS, however, after the 1100 Metres A SMILE LIKE YOURS was steadied to obtain a trailing positon behind GOOD SHOT and as he believed at this stage to obtain a forward position he was left with no option other than to allow HAPPY TIME to improve its position forward of GOOD SHOT and to race outside the lead after the 900 Metres.

He said HAPPY TIME travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages, however, after coming under pressure rounding the Home Turn finished off the race only fairly over the latter stages.

He added, based on the manner in which the horse did not finish off the race as well as last start, he was of the opinion that HAPPY TIME may be best suited when able to obtain cover.

A veterinary inspection of HAPPY TIME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of WINMORE STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

GOOD SHOT, A SMILE LIKE YOURS and YEE CHEONG WARRIOR were sent for sampling.