Recap by phillip woo

Imperial Fighter came with a barnstorming run to snatch victory in the final few metres after travelling a distant last after finding the stands side from an inside gate in a much-improved third start with blinkers applied. Lucky Celebrity was badly held up after travelling a prominent fourth along the stands side, hit the front 50m out when a run opened up at the 150m and found one too smart in the end in a promising debut effort. Sugar finished strongly to grab third after travelling near the back on the far side from a difficult inside gate. Sight Believer hit the front 150m out after travelling up with the leaders in the center of the course and was swamped late for a placing. Pure Force made his run in midfield on the far side and ran on steadily to finish level for fourth. Winfull Patrol was up dueling for the lead two off the outside fence with favourite Lovely Delovely and grudgingly gave way over the final 100m. Lovely Delovely was under pressure 400m out and was stopping 100m out. World City made some ground without menacing following a midfield run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (137)-TAILORBIRD HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Metres

IMPERIAL FIGHTER was slow to begin.

Then a short distance after the start, IMPERIAL FIGHTER was steadied away from the heels of SUGAR which shifted in after being bumped by FARM PERFECT.

PAKISTAN BABY began awkwardly and then was crowded for room between SUPER ABUNDANTE which was taken out by FARM PERFECT and ART OF SUCCESS which shifted in.

Shortly after the start, WORLD CITY was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of WINFULL PATROL.

After the 400 Metres, ART OF SUCCESS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER ABUNDANTE.

Also after the 400 Metres, WORLD CITY was shifted in away from the heels of ART OF SUCCESS and bumped FARM PERFECT, causing that horse to be crowded for room outside PURE FORCE.

From after the 400 Metres until near the 150 Metres, LUCKY CELEBRITY was held up for clear running.

Passing the 300 Metres, SMART DECLARATION was shifted in to improve between WINFULL PATROL and SUPER ABUNDANTE.

SMART DECLARATION was then crowded for room between WINFULL PATROL and SUPER ABUNDANTE which, after shifting out slightly, then shifted out further after becoming unbalanced due to making contact with SMART DECLARATION.

Near the 200 Metres, WORLD CITY and ART OF SUCCESS were checked when crowded for room between PURE FORCE (C Y Ho) which shifted out and SUPER ABUNDANTE which, after being taken in by SMART DECLARATION which shifted ground to re-establish its position inside WINFULL PATROL, then shifted in further when giving ground.

In this incident, FARM PERFECT was inconvenienced in consequence.

C Y Ho was advised that whilst there was a significant contribution to this incident by movement from SMART DECLARATION and SUPER ABUNDANTE, nonetheless he had allowed his mount to shift out which also contributed to the interference.

C Y Ho was severely reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he must make every endeavour to prevent his mount from shifting ground.

Near the 250 Metres, SMART DECLARATION was hampered when disappointed for running between WINFULL PATROL and SUPER ABUNDANTE which shifted out marginally.

In this incident, SUPER ABUNDANTE and SMART DECLARATION both became badly unbalanced.

Approaching the 100 Metres, SMART DECLARATION got its head on the side, lay out and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of WINFULL PATROL.

Passing the 100 Metres, LOVELY DELOVELY shifted out and bumped IMPERIAL FIGHTER, causing that horse to become unbalanced and shift in, resulting in LOVELY DELOVELY being hampered when crowded for room between IMPERIAL FIGHTER and LUCKY CELEBRITY.

In this incident, LOVELY DELOVELY made contact with LUCKY CELEBRITY.

Over the concluding stages, SIGHT BELIEVER and PURE FORCE raced tight due to PURE FORCE laying out under pressure.

Also over the concluding stages, SMART DECLARATION raced close to the heels of SIGHT BELIEVER and consequently was not able to be fully tested.

PAKISTAN BABY hung in throughout the race.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LOVELY DELOVELY, N Callan stated that although drawn towards the outside, LOVELY DELOVELY did not travel as well as it did at its most recent start when it had been required to work into the lead from an inside barrier.

He said at its most recent start the horse was able to quicken strongly from the 600 Metres, however, when asked for an effort today after the 500 Metres, LOVELY DELOVELY did not show the same turn of foot and immediately came under pressure.

He added whilst LOVELY DELOVELY did not weaken out of the race in the run to the line prior to being crowded for room close to the finishing line, nonetheless LOVELY DELOVELY was disappointing in that it failed to travel and then close off the race as it did at its most recent start when successful.

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

After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on IMPERIAL FIGHTER at the request of Trainer A T Millard.

The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, IMPERIAL FIGHTER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of SUPER ABUNDANTE and ART OF SUCCESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

LOVELY DELOVELY, IMPERIAL FIGHTER and LUCKY CELEBRITY were sent for sampling.