Recap by phillip woo

Long-time leader Metro Warrior found a second wind when headed for the lead to make it close on the wire with money coming for him late but was promoted to the win spot after an inquiry and objection for interference 25m out. He doesn't know how to produce a bad run. Favourite Alcari just edged a stubborn Metro Warrior after moving to the front 200m out pressing the pace but was demoted after brushing his opponent 25m out. He's raced very well. Run Run Cool ran on steadily along the stands side to place without menacing the top two travelling better than midfield. He's shown improvement to place in two of four starts. Gold Chest got up from towards the rear for fourth but never really looked a threat. It was a better run with a return to the straight 1,000m but the big weight took its toll. Punted late Like That just held his ground after a handy run in the centre of the track. He never produces a bad run but is clearly on his mark. Lockheed weakened in the run to the wire after chasing the speed. He's better suited over the 1,200m. Wild West Wing only plodded after a handy run. He's a Valley horse. Striking Mr C was a non-factor after slow start.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (319) - LONG KE HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Meters

STRIKING MR C, which was fractious in the barriers, got its head up on jumping and consequently was slow to begin.

WILD WEST WING shifted out at the start and bumped ALCARI which in turn shifted out and bumped GOLD CHEST.

METRO WARRIOR began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped RUN RUN COOL.

Passing the 400 Metres, WILD WEST WING became unbalanced when crowded for room between LIKE THAT and FLYING GENIUS which shifted in marginally.

Approaching the 150 Metres, GOLD CHEST was shifted in away from the heels of LIKE THAT.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred over the concluding stages of the race which cast sufficient doubt on whether ALCARI (J Moreira) should be declared the winner of the race.

Subsequently, C Y Ho, the rider of METRO WARRIOR, second placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against ALCARI being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount over the latter stages.

After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that after the 300 Metres ALCARI commenced to lay out under pressure and passing the 150 Metres and again close to the 100 Metres, METRO WARRIOR was struck over the nose by the whip of J Moreira.

The Stewards ascertained that at about the 150 Metres METRO WARRIOR was racing in the vicinity of a long neck behind ALCARI.

The Stewards further found that passing the 100 Metres ALCARI shifted out and inconvenienced METRO WARRIOR.

ALCARI then again shifted out and near the 30 Metres bumped METRO WARRIOR which became unbalanced.

Having regard to the manner in which the two horses were finishing the race off and the short head margin between ALCARI and METRO WARRIOR at the end of the race, the Stewards were satisfied that if not for METRO WARRIOR becoming unbalanced when bumped by ALCARI, METRO WARRIOR would have finished in front of ALCARI.

Accordingly, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No.

2, METRO WARRIOR, 1st; No.

5, ALCARI, 2nd; No.

8, RUN RUN COOL, 3rd, and No.

1, GOLD CHEST, 4th.

At a subsequent inquiry, J Moreira was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.

After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on STRIKING MR C at the request of Trainer T P Yung.

The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, STRIKING MR C will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of GOLD CHEST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

METRO WARRIOR and ALCARI were sent for sampling.