Recap by phillip woo

Sacred Ibis quickened nicely down the outside to win going away 30m out after a patient ride five back on the fence. It's been a while between drinks for the eight-year-old but he was well rated and appreciated the step up to 1,800m off a seven-day break. Winning Volatility ran on well to edge favourite Red Impact for second after saving ground behind midfield. He was able to show his true colours after failing with excuses in back-toback runs. Red Impact ended up third after working to the lead 100m out following a wide with cover run from the halfway point in midfield. He didn't enjoy the best of runs and isn't one to give up on yet. Free Foal just missed a placing after getting a lovely run in the box seat. He's more effective at Sha Tin. Shanghai Dragon weakened in the run to the wire after dictating the run as expected from gate eight. Like the latter, he's better suited bowling along in front at Sha Tin. Methane never got into the act after making his run just outside the eventual winner towards the rear. He's disappointed in his past three starts. Dionysus Collin lost every chance after copping a bad check 100m out following a midfield run. He'll be a force to be reckoned with shortly in Class Five.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (257) - URANUS HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1800Meters

SACRED IBIS was slow to begin.

FREE FOAL and RED IMPACT bumped on jumping as a result of both horses shifting ground.

DIONYSUS COLLIN and WINNING VOLATILITY bumped at the start.

FORTUNE WINNER shifted in on jumping and hampered NUNCHUKS.

After this, NUNCHUKS was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

From the outside barriers, PASSING FASHION and COPARTNER ERA were also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

When being shifted across behind runners, PASSING FASHION got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of METHANE which shifted out after being bumped by WINNING VOLATILITY which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DIONYSUS COLLIN.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SACRED IBIS raced in restricted room between NUNCHUKS and METHANE which lay in away from the heels of RED IMPACT.

Approaching the 400 Metres, NUNCHUKS was awkwardly placed behind WINNING VOLATILITY.

Near the 250 Metres, PASSING FASHION was shifted to the inside of FORTUNE WINNER which was giving ground.

Approaching the 150 Metres, DIONYSUS COLLIN got its head on the side, lay out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of PLIKCLONE.

DIONYSUS COLLIN then shifted in marginally passing the 150 Metres and was steadied away from the heels of WINNING VOLATILITY (J Moreira) which also shifted out marginally before being corrected.

This resulted in DIONYSUS COLLIN becoming unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of WINNING VOLATILITY.

Whilst the Stewards accepted that J Moreira attempted to straighten his mount at this time, nonetheless he was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

Close to the finishing line, SHANGHAI DRAGON raced tight between FREE FOAL and WINNING VOLATILITY which shifted in.

When questioned, L Ferraris stated that as METHANE had not finished a recent race off when ridden in a forward position after becoming unbalanced during the race, it was decided to ride METHANE more conservatively tonight as it was anticipated that the race would be run at an average tempo which may encourage horses to improve their positions earlier in the race than may otherwise be the case.

He said it was felt that if these circumstances were to occur, METHANE may again become unbalanced and not finish off the race whereas if the horse was ridden more conservatively, it may be able to follow other runners through as they improved their positions in the middle stages.

He said for this reason on jumping he steadied METHANE and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position behind midfield outside SACRED IBIS in the early and middle stages.

When questioned regarding his riding of PASSING FASHION in the Straight, R Maia stated that he shifted PASSING FASHION out at the entrance to the Straight in an attempt to obtain clear running.

He said as there were a number of horses positioned in advance of PASSING FASHION, he directed his mount to the inside of FORTUNE WINNER passing the 250 Metres as that horse was giving ground.

He said after shifting PASSING FASHION in, he commenced to ride his mount along and continued to ride it along including using the whip until after passing the 100 Metres.

He said over the concluding stages he did not feel PASSING FASHION was closing off the race strongly and after the 50 Metres was shifted to the inside of SHANGHAI DRAGON.

He added as this occurred over the concluding stages and given his proximity to the placed horses, he did not believe that PASSING FASHION could improve its position and therefore he did not persist in riding the horse out close to the finishing line after having shifted to the inside of SHANGHAI DRAGON.

R Maia was told that his riding of PASSING FASHION over the final 100 Metres had come under notice.

He was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have directed his mount to the inside of FREE FOAL approaching the 100 Metres as clear and uninterrupted running existed to the inside of that horse.

He was further told to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so as to leave no room for query as to his intentions to obtain the best possible placing.

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

RED IMPACT, SACRED IBIS and WINNING VOLATILITY were sent for sampling.