Recap by phillip woo

Early favourite Gallant Waking ran down Hero Star in the dying stages after getting a lovely run better than midfield on the fence. He relished a return to the course and distance of his lone win after his good effort on opening day at Sha Tin. Post-time favourite Hero Star was just touched off after turning the final bend two lengths on top, leading easily from gate one. He is in a purple patch of form. Momentum Galaxy kept on one paced to just hold a placing after his box-seat run. It was a better performance second up this season. Spicy Grill made good ground towards the inside, travelling near last after copping a check at the jump. He should have finished closer. Island Shine ran on well to nearly fill the frame after making his run four back on the fence. It was a better effort than his past couple of runs following a win. Shining Fortune came up one paced over the final 150m after his handy run wide without cover from an outside draw. He had an excuse. Veteran Smart Leader made some ground late near the inside without menacing travelling last from the widest draw. He is a better prospect in Class Five.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (51) - CENTRAL HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

KOKUSHI MUSOU was withdrawn on 27.9.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SMART LEADER (M Chadwick).

Before being allowed to race again, KOKUSHI MUSOU will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SPICY GRILL began only fairly, shifted out and bumped heavily with GALLANT WAKING.

SPICY GRILL then lost a considerable amount of ground as a result of being checked when crowded for room between GALLANT WAKING and SIX BEST FRIENDS which shifted out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider.

SIX BEST FRIENDS then continued to shift out, resulting in GALLANT WAKING being hampered when crowded for room inside AMBITIOUS HEART.

ISLAND SHINE began only fairly and a short distance after the start was shifted across behind runners.

From wide barriers, COMMON ROOM and TAKE WHAT YOU NEED were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Also from the outside barrier, SMART LEADER was steadied on jumping to obtain a position closer to the rail.

After the 900 Metres, SMART LEADER lay out and was reluctant to shift across to race behind COMMON ROOM with cover.

SMART LEADER was then awkwardly placed behind COMMON ROOM after the 800 Metres.

In the early part of the Straight, GALLANT WAKING lay in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of MOMENTUM GALAXY.

ISLAND SHINE had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 200 Metres.

Throughout the race, SHINING FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, L Hewitson stated that TAKE WHAT YOU NEED came under heavy pressure near the 500 Metres and at this time had difficulty maintaining its position behind AMBITIOUS HEART.

He said when AMBITIOUS HEART shifted out and then was taken wider rounding the Home Turn, he rode his mount along to improve underneath that horse with a view to taking a run which had become available at the entrance to the Straight between SIX BEST FRIENDS and AMBITIOUS HEART.

He said AMBITIOUS HEART then shifted in passing the 300 Metres which resulted in TAKE WHAT YOU NEED not being able to improve into the run.

He said that as he had ridden his mount along to improve into this run, TAKE WHAT YOU NEED was awkwardly placed inside the heels of AMBITIOUS HEART and he felt that to immediately shift to the outside of that horse near the 250 Metres would have resulted in him having to steady his mount which would have caused TAKE WHAT YOU NEED to lose momentum.

He added that it was not until after the 200 Metres that he was able to clear the heels of AMBITIOUS HEART at which time TAKE WHAT YOU NEED obtained clear running.

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

GALLANT WAKING and HERO STAR were sent for sampling.