Recap by phillip woo

Punted late Smiling Collector just held off Happy Forever for a debut win after poking his head in front 60m out following a pace-stalking run from a wide draw. He lived up to his good trial form. Happy Forever ran on steadily to finish a close second after a prominent run one off the fence. It was a much-improved effort second up with a step up in distance. Happy Tango was still on top by three lengths at the 300m leading from a wide gate but found a couple too good in the end. It was a return to form after disappointing in his past six starts following back-to-back seconds to start the term. My Ecstatic ran on steadily to fill the frame after a one-off trip in midfield. It was another honest effort. Salutation made some ground without ever looking a threat after a rails run behind midfield. He's not far off a bottom but is still a work in progress. Pleasing Endeavor didn't find much when push came to shove after a box-seat run. He's struggling to recapture top form despite a return to Class Four. Debutant Starry Night made only a mild bid after a rails run in midfield. He needed the run. Both Marado and Sixth Generation ran on without menacing from towards the rear. They weren't suited by the moderate tempo.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (476) - MARIGOLD HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

CALL ME LU began awkwardly and bumped the outside of its gate, resulting in the horse losing ground.

COOLCELEB was crowded for room on jumping between HAPPY FOREVER and PLEASANT ENDEAVOR which shifted in.

MY ECSTATIC began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was tightened for room inside HAPPY FOREVER which shifted in.

Shortly after the start, MARADO raced tight outside the heels of PLEASANT ENDEAVOR.

From a wide barrier, SIXTH GENERATION was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After initially being ridden along in the early stages, MARADO was steadied after the 1100 Metres to obtain cover.

Near the 1050 Metres, STARRY NIGHT was shifted in away from the heels of HAPPY FOREVER (R Maia) which shifted in.

After this, STARRY NIGHT and SALUTATION, which was racing to the inside of that horse, raced tight inside HAPPY FOREVER which got its head on the side and lay in away from PLEASANT ENDEAVOR (K C Leung).

SALUTATION was then checked passing the 1000 Metres when crowded for room inside STARRY NIGHT which continued to race tight inside HAPPY FOREVER which was taken in by PLEASANT ENDEAVOR.

The Stewards were of the opinion that this incident was commenced by HAPPY FOREVER shifting in and hampering STARRY NIGHT and then by HAPPY FOREVER not being able to relieve the crowding due to PLEASANT ENDEAVOR shifting in when not properly clear.

Both R Maia and K C Leung were reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

When being steadied passing the 950 Metres, SMILING COLLECTOR travelled keenly and got its head up on a number of occasions and then made the turn after the 900 Metres awkwardly.

STARRY NIGHT became unbalanced of its own accord making the turn passing the 900 Metres.

SMILING COLLECTOR lay out making the Home Turn.

After being shifted out a number of horses in the early part of the Straight to obtain clear running, SALUTATION (K Teetan) got its head on the side and lay out passing the 250 Metres and was awkwardly placed inside HAPPY FOREVER.

After the race, K Teetan stated that, when laying out, his mount was reluctant to improve to the inside of HAPPY FOREVER into clear running between that horse and SMILING COLLECTOR.

Approaching the 300 Metres, HAPPY FOREVER shifted out and inconvenienced MY ECSTATIC.

A veterinary inspection of MARADO and SIXTH GENERATION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

SALUTATION, SMILING COLLECTOR and HAPPY FOREVER were sent for sampling.