Recap by phillip woo

Armor Star out-duelled Circuit Hassler after going to the lead passing the 200m stalking the leader one off the fence from a wide gate to win second-up here after an eye-catching debut 15-days back. Plunged late Circuit Hassler kept on gamely after getting posted three-deep without cover outside the leader from gate 13. He never produces a bad run but has trouble winning. Shanghai Dragon faded to finish third after driving forward to lead at moderate fractions from an inside draw 850m out. It was a good effort after coming out of two January defeats with blood in his trachea. Leap Of Faith kept on onepaced after settling fourth on the fence. He was likely in need of the run following a fourmonth break. Favourite So We Joy left things too late with a move down the outside after being restrained to make his run towards the rear. He needs a faster pace and is crying out for a longer trip. Noble Desire made headway late without menacing from near last. He's making progress in his seven starts. Seaweed Fortune ran on well from near the back in a pleasing debut.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (680) - LIBERATOR HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1400Meters

TELECOM MISSILE lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and was slow to begin.

TAILOR MADE and MOON PEAKS bumped at the start.

TAILOR MADE and LEAP OF FAITH were then crowded for room between MOON PEAKS and SHANGHAI DRAGON which initially shifted out of its own accord and then shifted out further due to contact on the hindquarters from LEAP OF FAITH.

After this, despite being ridden along, MOON PEAKS failed to muster speed and a short distance after the start shifted in away from WITNESS HUNTER, resulting in TAILOR MADE racing in restricted room.

NOBLE DESIRE began only fairly.

From the outside barrier, SPARKY STAR was steadied to obtain cover in the early stages.

When being steadied to obtain cover when racing wide passing the 1200 Metres, NOBLE DESIRE travelled keenly.

ARMOR STAR lost its left front plate passing the 1200 Metres.

WINS ALL travelled keenly approaching the 1100 Metres.

SHANGHAI DRAGON got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn.

At the entrance to the Straight, CIRCUIT HASSLER and ARMOR STAR raced tight as ARMOR STAR lay out away from SHANGHAI DRAGON.

Also at the entrance to the Straight, TAILOR MADE was shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY PUZZLE and then passing the 300 Metres was awkwardly placed outside that horse.

Passing the 400 Metres, the whip of Apprentice C L Chau (NOBLE DESIRE) became entangled in the reins.

Throughout the race, CIRCUIT HASSLER travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, A Hamelin stated that he was instructed to ride SO WE JOY in about 4th or 5th position from barrier

6.

He said on jumping he noticed that WITNESS HUNTER, which was drawn immediately to the inside of SO WE JOY, was being hard ridden and therefore he commenced to shift SO WE JOY across behind that horse as he anticipated that WITNESS HUNTER would take up a forward position.

He said however SO WE JOY was checked away from the heels of WITNESS HUNTER near the 1200 Metres which, despite being vigorously ridden along, was not able to maintain its positon and lay in which resulted in SO WE JOY being very awkwardly placed behind that horse passing the 1200 Metres.

He said after this SO WE JOY commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was again checked away from the heels of WITNESS HUNTER.

He added when WITNESS HUNTER lost its position, SO WE JOY was taken back in the field and for this reason raced further back in the field than had been intended.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SEAWEED FORTUNE had sustained a minor laceration to the right hind coronet.

SO WE JOY, ARMOR STAR and CIRCUIT HASSLER were sent for sampling.