Recap by phillip woo

Sensationally-backed to start equal favourite, the lightly-raced Wonderful Journey lived up to a solid run on opening day with blinkers to take control 120m out following a one-out, one-back position from a wide gate. He's above average in ability and can head higher. Grand Harbour, who is usually a mile specialist, had enough left in the tank after getting away with a pedestrian pace to just hold onto second. He's a winner waiting to happen in this grade or off a light weight in Class Three. Robust Momentum was a firstup trip winner last season off a higher mark, so there was no surprise in seeing him charging home from midfield. Winning Talent finished full of run down the outside to claim fourth prize after travelling second from the rear. He didn't get the pace to suit. Arm Runda was caught flat-footed behind the tiring Bundy Bundy 200m out following a prominent run. He was in need of the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (043)-LAM TIN HANDICAP (Sec1) - Class 4 - 1200Metres

The Stewards tonight inquired into the reason for the withdrawal of SIR JOHN from this race.

Evidence was taken from Mr W Y So, the trainer of SIR JOHN, Mr C K Chung, assistant trainer allocated to Mr So's stable, Dr P Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation, and Dr A Sidhu, clinical veterinary intern.

Mr So pleaded guilty to a charge of Rule 50(2) in that as the trainer of SIR JOHN, he did fail in his responsibility for all matters pertaining to the running of his stable by permitting SIR JOHN to be administered dexamethasone on Monday, 19 September 2016 which is within the prescribed clear day withdrawal period and which resulted in the horse having to be withdrawn from this race.

For this breach, Mr So was fined the sum of $20,000.

Mr Chung was advised that a report in respect of this matter would be forwarded to the Club's Stables Management for their consideration.

The Stewards advised Dr Sidhu that they found no fault with his actions in relation to this matter and that he had fulfilled all the obligations required of a treating veterinarian.

EMPEROR VICTORY and HAPPY GAINS were crowded for room on jumping between ROBUST MOMENTUM which began awkwardly and shifted out and WINNING TALENT which shifted in.

After making contact with EMPEROR VICTORY, WINNING TALENT shifted out and bumped FOREVER ACCURATE which was checked away from the heels of BUDDY BUNDY which also shifted in.

After this, FOREVER ACCURATE was steadied and shifted across behind runners.

WINNING TALENT was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, ROBUST MOMENTUM, which improved quickly to be racing to the inside of ARM RUNDA (B Prebble) was checked when ARM RUNDA shifted in after initially shifting out and bumping YOURTHEWONFORME.

In the circumstances, the Stewards advised B Prebble that there was not sufficient evidence to support a charge of careless riding, nonetheless he was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners.

Near the 750 Metres, EMPEROR VICTORY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAYMAKER when racing tight outside HAPPY GAINS.

Approaching the 700 Metres, YOURTHEWONFORME commenced to travel very keenly and shifted in when being checked away from the heels of WONDERFUL JOURNEY for some distance, resulting in ROBUST MOMENTUM being badly crowded for room for some distance and YOURTHEWONFORME having to be checked away from the heels of WONDERFUL JOURNEY also for some distance.

Approaching the 600 Metres, HAPPY GAINS was crowded for room between EMPEROR VICTORY and YOURTHEWONFORME which continued to be awkwardly placed behind WONDERFUL JOURNEY.

WINNING TALENT, which was following, was hampered in consequence.

ARM RUNDA had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

Near the 150 Metres, ROBUST MOMENTUM shifted out and bumped YOURTHEWONFORME.

When questioned, M L Yeung stated that although HAYMAKER generally races in midfield or just in advance of midfield, due to the horse's good barrier, he was asked to have it racing in about 4th or 5th position if possible.

He said prior to the race he expected GRANT HARBOUR and ARM RUNDA to take up forward positions and for YOURTHEONEFORME, which was drawn immediately to the inside of HAYMAKER, to take a trailing position behind those horses.

He said therefore he felt that he would be able to cross with YOURTHEONEFORME and assume a position one horse off the rail which would have in accordance with his instructions.

He said after initially being ridden along, both ARM RUNDA and YOURTHEONEFORME did not continue forward as he anticipated and when he observed YOURTHEONEFORME being steadied in an attempt to obtain a trailing position behind ARM RUNDA passing the 1100 Metres, he elected to remain racing outside that horse in order to be shifted in when YOURTHEONEFORME was taken in behind ARM RUNDA.

He said however YOURTHEONEFORME was not able to be sufficiently steadied to obtain the position behind ARM RUNDA and as a consequence HAYMAKER was left racing in a three wide position outside that horse making the first turn.

He added HAYMAKER was then left racing without cover near the 900 Metres.

M L Yeung was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, his riding of HAYMAKER, particularly approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, when it was apparent that both ARM RUNDA and YOURTHEWONFORME were not being ridden to obtain forward positions, lacked judgement and initiative.

He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so as to comply to instructions wherever possible and moreover, to avoid covering unnecessary ground.

When questioned regarding his riding of OUR HONOUR in the early stages, C Schofield stated that as OUR HONOUR was resuming after an injury and forced lay-off, he was asked to ride the horse where it was comfortable so as to ensure that it was able to finish off the race.

He said OUR HONOUR began very well and he did consider going forward, however, he noticed that a number of runners to the inside of OUR HONOUR were being hard ridden in the early stages and he formed the view that he would have had to make some use of OUR HONOUR to cross those runners to his inside and given that OUR HONOUR had not started since January, he did not believe that this would be in the best interests of the horse as it would not have provided OUR HONOUR with the best opportunity to finish off the race.

He said for this reason he elected to steady his mount in an attempt to obtain a position with cover.

He said after viewing the video and having regard to how well OUR HONOUR began, he felt that in retrospect it may have been more advantageous to press forward given that, after initially being ridden along, ARM RUNDA and YOURTHEONEFORME did not continue on which would have provided OUR HONOUR the opportunity to obtain a forward position without having to be unduly pressured.

The Stewards advised C Schofield to always be alert to the circumstances of the race so that horses are able to take up advantageous positions.

A veterinary inspection of OUR HONOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

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

WONDERFUL JOURNEY and GRAND HARBOUR were sent for sampling.