Recap by phillip woo

Thanksgiving enjoyed an easy time on the lead, cornered a length on top and kept finding to just hold them off for a second upset win over this course and distance this term. Apache Spirit settled three deep with cover third from the rear, swung the final bend widest out and finished willingly to snatch second from Baltic Warrior despite an unfavourable pace. It was a much-improved run following a stable and gear change and he will be winning shortly. Baltic Warrior was effectively one-out, one-back in the run, rounded the final bend five deep and kept grinding away to make it a blanket finish on the wire. Early favourite Hang's Decision was caught without cover in midfield, made his move 500m out, drew nearly level at the 300m and grudgingly gave way in a pleasing run despite a rise in trip. Go-Getter settled three back along the fence, peeled out sharply five deep for a clear run at the 220m and was making ground until having to check close to home. Yourthewonforme made some ground near the inside after travelling fourth from the rear. Post-time favourite Kitaya had no excuse following a box-seat run. He requires rating relief. Griffindor was only one-paced over the final 200m.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (447)-MONG KOK HANDICAP (Sec2) - Class 4 - 1650Metres

BALTIC WARRIOR was crowded for room on jumping between GRIFFINDOR and PEARL FURU which shifted out.

From wide barriers, APACHE SPIRIT, RACINGFORPLEASURE and FANTASTICLIFE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 1600 Metres, YOURTHEWONFORME was crowded for room between GO-GETTER which was taken out by KITAYA and WINNING MASCOT.

For some distance after the 1100 Metres, YOURTHEWONFORME proved difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of GO-GETTER.

Also after the 1100 Metres, APACHE SPIRIT got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle.

Near the 550 Metres, YOURTHEWONFORME, which was proving difficult to settle, and WINNING MASCOT were crowded for room inside GRIFFINDOR when YOURTHEWONFORME improved of its own accord between WINNING MASCOT and GO-GETTER where there was insufficient room.

As the Stewards were satisfied that this incident was due to the tempo of the race and the racing manners of YOURTHEWONFORME, no further action was taken.

GO-GETTER lost its left hind plate near the 500 Metres.

Passing the 400 Metres, YOURTHEWONFORME was checked away from the heels of GO-GETTER.

Near the 250 Metres, KITAYA was momentarily crowded for room inside PEARL FURU which was taken in by HANG'S DECISION (B Prebble) which shifted ground when hanging in and being ridden along.

Whilst the Stewards were of the view that B Prebble should have done more than he did on this occasion to correct HANG'S DECISION which was hanging in, nonetheless having regard to the degree of interference caused to KITAYA, it was decided in the circumstances that a severe reprimand was warranted.

B Prebble was reminded of his obligation to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground wherever possible.

Passing the 250 Metres, GO-GETTER was shifted out away from the heels of KITAYA and PEARL FURU to obtain clear running.

Passing the 200 Metres, KITAYA, which got its head on the side and shifted out, was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HANG'S DECISION which shifted in marginally.

KITAYA was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of HANG'S DECISION for the remainder of the race and consequently was not able to be properly tested.

Close to the finishing line, GO-GETTER was checked when crowded for room between HANG'S DECISION which was shifted out by its rider to alleviate pressure to runners on its inside and BALTIC WARRIOR (G Lerena) which shifted in.

G Lerena was reprimanded and advised that whilst the movement from HANG'S DECISION had a significant bearing on this incident, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

When questioned, B Prebble stated that he attempted to find cover in the early stages on HANG'S DECISION as the horse began from barrier 9 and was racing at the distance for the first time.

He said in the early stages he was left in a position four wide outside GRIFFINDOR and was unable to obtain cover on HANG'S DECISION behind that horse.

He said he then allowed HANG'S DECISION to improve its position forward of GRIFFINDOR in the hope that he may be able to obtain a position with cover, however, after the 1300 Metres HANG'S DECISION was left racing three wide and without cover.

He added after the 1000 Metres he considered allowing HANG'S DECISION to improve its position into the lead due to the very slow tempo of the race at this time.

He said however that he was aware THANKSGIVING, which was leading, assumed that position in most of its races and PEARL FURU, which was racing to that horse's outside, was ridden by an apprentice jockey and he felt that had he have allowed HANG'S DECISION to improve its position, the riders of those horses would not have allowed HANG'S DECISION to cross and would have increased the tempo accordingly.

He said he therefore reluctantly decided to remain racing in a three wide position having in mind that HANG'S DECISION was attempting the distance for the first time, was balanced and was racing comfortably.

He said he formed the view that to improve its position at this time would not have had a material advantage given that he anticipated THANKSGIVING and PEARL FURU would maintain their positions in the lead.

KITAYA, THANKSGIVING and APACHE SPIRIT were sent for sampling.