Recap by phillip woo

In blanket finish, Iron Boy showed a good turn of foot to get up in the final few strides despite being held up until the 200m travelling behind midfield on the fence. He was suited by the downgrade in his first start back in the Francis Lui Kin-wai yard. Favourite Seventy Seventy just failed to hold on after hitting the front 60m out despite being held up for a run until peeling out at the 250m sitting handy on the fence. It was a solid debut and he'll be winning shortly. Newcomer Charming Bachelor came on very well from the rear after jumping slowly to make it a thriller on the wire. He appears to have a bright future and is bred to appreciate a longer trip. Eighty Eighty closed off reasonably well travelling fourth from the rear to fill a Quartet spot. It wasn't a bad effort carrying top weight at only his fourth starts and there's more improvement to come. Goko gave way 100m out after surging to the lead at the 200 following a pace-stalking run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (469) - KINGFISHER HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

When being saddled, it was noted that GOKO had dislodged a tooth.

On arrival at the Start, GOKO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

CHARMING BACHELOR was slow to begin.

OUR HONOUR shifted out at the start and bumped IRON BOY.

FOREVER KINDNESS shifted in at the start and bumped EIGHTY EIGHTY.

Shortly after the start, FOREVER KINDNESS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY LUCKY due to both horses shifting ground.

In the early stages, HOT HOT PEPPER got its head on the side and lay out away from the inside running rail.

Passing the 1100 Metres, OUR HONOUR was steadied away from the heels of JUMBO BUS which shifted out after being brushed by SEVENTY SEVENTY.

Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, EIGHTY EIGHTY got its head on the side and shifted out away from the heels of FOREVER KINDNESS.

After the 800 Metres, FOREVER KINDNESS was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 500 Metres, FOREVER KINDNESS was bumped and taken wider by EIGHTY EIGHTY which shifted out to obtain clear running.

IRON BOY was unable to obtain clear running from on straightening until approaching the 250 Metres.

Passing the 300 Metres, HOT HOT PEPPER and GOKO bumped on a number of occasions when HOT HOT PEPPER shifted into clear running between GOKO and LUCKY LUCKY.

Near the 50 Metres, HOT HOT PEPPER shifted out towards GOKO, resulting in HOT HOT PEPPER being momentarily steadied away from the heels of that horse.

In the Straight, CHARMING BACHELOR raced greenly, got its head on the side and lay out under pressure, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten his mount on a number of occasions and changing his whip into his left hand passing the 250 Metres.

When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on EIGHTY EIGHTY and whilst it was felt that there were a number of horses which had previously shown pace in their races, it was also felt that EIGHTY EIGHT possessed sufficient speed to be able to take a trailing position behind the speed with cover.

He said EIGHTY EIGHTY began only fairly and he rode his mount along for a number of strides in the early stages, however, he did not believe that the horse would possess sufficient speed to take up a forward position without having to race wide and without cover and therefore he elected to shift EIGHT EIGHTY across behind runners.

He said this resulted in EIGHTY EIGHTY racing further back in the field than had been intended, nonetheless the horse enjoyed a trouble-free run.

When questioned, Z Purton (SEVENTY SEVENTY) stated that after pressuring his mount, which was having its first race start today, rounding the Home Turn, it quickened well to be following GOKO at the entrance to the Straight.

He said passing the 400 Metres when being ridden along and racing inside JUMBO BUS, SEVENTY SEVENTY got its head on the side and lay in and, despite being ridden along, was reluctant to improve to the outside of GOKO.

He said prior to the 300 Metres he changed his whip over into his right hand due to SEVENTY SEVENTY's reluctance to shift out and it was not until near the 250 Metres that he was able to position his mount to the outside of GOKO.

He said at this time SEVENTY SEVENTY shifted out further and as JUMBO BUS was still positioned to his outside, he had to stop riding and straighten his mount to prevent causing interference.

He added after being able to balance up SEVENTY SEVENTY, GOKO, which was racing in advance of SEVENTY SEVENTY, shifted out which required him to shift out accordingly.

He said near the 150 Metres, after being directed out by GOKO, he was about to use the whip in the right hand, however, at this time SEVENTY SEVENTY shifted out away from GOKO which required him to again straighten his mount.

He said he was able to do this prior to the 100 Metres and then rode the horse out vigorously to the end of the race.

IRON BOY and SEVENTY SEVENTY were sent for sampling.