Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed All For St Paul's repelled a challenge from favourite Money Catcher over the last 200m leading from gate nine to ring up a seventh win, two on the trot, from 31 starts. He's tough as nails and continues to rise up the ratings. Money Catcher had his chance but couldn't get by the winner after a prominent run on the fence. He's as honest as the day is long without winning. Celestial Power ran on well from behind midfield to fill a placing despite being short of room mid-straight. It was a return to form on his past few starts and he prefers 1,800m. Charity Grace took the short route home from last to fill the frame. He's run well both times this season and can bob up at any moment. Enjoying gradually faded after a prominent run. He usual takes a run or two to get going. Specked late Charity Go ran on late without menacing from near the back. He's crying out for a longer trip. California Ten just held his ground after a midfield run. He needs a faster pace. Mr Ascendency never figured after covering a tonne of ground towards the rear from a wide draw. He had an excuse.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (63) - BEIJING HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1600Meters

CELESTIAL POWER and SO WE JOY bumped at the start, resulting in CELESTIAL POWER losing ground.

COPARTNER ELITES, which was fractious in the barriers, was brushed on jumping by ALL FOR ST PAUL'S which shifted in.

MR ASCENDENCY was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 900 Metres, COPARTNER ELITES was left racing wide and without cover.

Near the 750 Metres, CHARITY GO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SO WE JOY which itself was steadied behind CALIFORNIA TEN.

CELESTIAL POWER was unable to obtain clear running from on straightening until near the 150 Metres.

Approaching the 200 Metres, BOURBONAIRE, which was commencing to give ground, was crowded for room between CELESTIAL POWER which attempted to shift to the outside of MONEY CATCHER to obtain clear running before shifting back in behind that horse and ENJOYING (C L Chau) which shifted in under pressure.

C L Chau was told that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he should have made more effort than he did on this occasion to correct his mount and therefore he was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Over the concluding stages, COPARTNER ELITES raced tight outside CALIFORNIA TEN which shifted out marginally.

When questioned, A Badel stated that he was able to obtain a forward position along the Back Straight without having to make any use of the horse.

He said after shifting across to race outside the lead making the first turn, BOURBONAIRE then travelled comfortably in the middle stages.

He said however that BOURBONAIRE came off the bridle in the early part of the Straight and then weakened noticeably over the latter stages.

He added that, in his opinion, BOURBONAIRE may be better suited in races longer than 1600 Metres and may also improve with racing.

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

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MR ASCENDENCY, V Borges stated that, in his opinion, the horse, which was racing at the rear of the field, was not suited when the tempo of the race backed off after the 800 Metres.

He said he shifted MR ASCENDENCY out to commence improving rounding the Home Turn and after initially quickening satisfactorily in the early part of the Straight MR ASCENDENCY was disappointing in its failure to sustain its run over the latter stages albeit he believed that there were some pace-related circumstances in the middle stages which contributed to the horse's disappointing performance.

A veterinary inspection of MR ASCENDENCY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ALL FOR ST PAUL'S and MONEY CATCHER were sent for sampling.