Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite Rapper Dragon was too good after bursting to the front 230m out following a prominent run to remain unbeaten in three mile outings. He was a ratings certainty and looks a strong chance of sweeping the Derby series. Seasons Bloom was held up until pulling out for a clear run at the 300m and finished strongly from behind midfield to finish a clear-cut second in a moderately run race. He ran huge in defeat despite giving the winner 31 points and looks a real smart miler in the making. Beauty Generation closed off well after travelling behind midfield. He will get better over further. Winner's Way punched the breeze the entire way tracking the leader from a wide gate and kept on well for fourth. He's yet to run a bad race in four starts and can climb much higher in the handicaps. Pakistan Star produced a grinding effort after jumping surprisingly well to travel fore of midfield from a tricky gate. He's crying out for a longer trip. Eagle Way finished off well after a patient ride third from the rear. He wasn't suited by the tempo and clearly wants a further trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (360)-THE HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE - Restricted - 1600Metres

WINNER'S WAY began only fairly and shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between PEOPLE'S KNIGHT which shifted out marginally and CIRCUIT HASSLER which shifted in abruptly.

In this incident, CIRCUIT HASSLER became unbalanced after making heavy contact with WINNER'S WAY.

BABA MAMA shifted in at the stat and bumped PAKISTAN STAR.

When being steadied away from the heels of PAKISTAN STAR at the 1500 Metres, WESTERN EXPRESS shifted in, resulting in EAGLE WAY being hampered when taken in across the heels of BEAUTY GENERATION.

Passing the 1300 Metres, BEAUTY GENERATION got its head up when being checked away from the heels of RAPPER DRAGON.

EAGLE WAY and SUPER CHIC, which were following, were both checked in consequence.

Passing the 1100 Metres, PAKISTAN STAR got its head up and raced ungenerously for some distance when being steadied away from the heels of WINNER'S WAY.

BEAUTY GENERATION, which was racing to the inside of PAKISTAN STAR, was again hampered as were EAGLE WAY and SUPER CHIC.

After the 1000 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA commenced to prove difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of BABA MAMA which was awkwardly placed behind WESTERN EXPRESS.

After passing the 900 Metres, PAKISTAN STAR was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 800 Metres, BEAUTY GENERATION shifted out, resulting in WESTERN EXPRESS being taken out into a four wide position without cover.

At the entrance to the Straight, PAKISTAN STAR shifted out and bumped BEAUTY GENERATION, resulting in PAKISTAN STAR becoming unbalanced.

Approaching the 100 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA, after racing tight outside BABA MAMA for some distance, was hampered when BABA MAMA shifted out under pressure.

When questioned regarding the performance of WESTERN EXPRESS, R Moore stated that prior to the race he was confident that WESTERN EXPRESS would perform well as the horse travelled strongly to the barriers.

He said the tempo of the race did not suit WESTERN EXPRESS but more particularly BEAUTY GENERATION was shifting out to its inside in the middle stages and WESTERN EXPRESS at this time, being immature, had to be ridden along to maintain its position.

He said because he had to commence to ride WESTERN EXPRESS along so far from the finish in order for the horse to maintain its position, WESTERN EXPRESS was then not able to finish off the race.

He added, in his opinion, the circumstances of the race resulted in the horse being unable to close off rather than it performing disappointingly.

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

RAPPER DRAGON and SEASONS BLOOM were sent for sampling.