Recap by phillip woo

Palepale was ridden along from a wide gate to occupy a spot without much cover in third, straightened three deep and took control 150m out. Happy Goal was ridden along to sit outside the leader Gold Talent, advanced to the front 450m out and found one too good in the end with a tonne of money pouring into him late. Favourite Sledge Hammer was badly inconvenienced to a position second from the rear when Nine Dragons landed on his lap at the 750m, swung the final bend with one deeper out and finished up nicely to land a placing. He's the winner without incident. Fresh Air was caught three deep until landing one off with cover in midfield at the 700m, straightened three deep and kept grinding away to hold down fourth. He'll be one to keep safe with a return to the turf. Mister Marc was caught four deep worse than midfield, obtained some cover passing the 700m and kept on evenly five deep in the drive. Gold Talent was struggling mid-straight after showing gate speed. P J Hall settled midfield along the fence after a sluggish break, stayed near the inside upon straightening and failed to let down when popped the question in a disappointing effort.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (012)-SOUTH BAY HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Metres

IT CAN ONLY BE YOU was slow to begin.

P J HALL began awkwardly.

Shortly after the start, DIAMOND ANGEL and FRESH AIR were crowded for room between PALEPALE and HAPPY GOAL which shifted out after being bumped by GOLD TALENT.

Passing the 800 Metres, SLEDGE HAMMER, which was travelling keenly, became awkwardly placed close to the heels of NINE DRAGONS which was being steadied by its rider to allow HAPPY GOAL to cross.

In this incident, SLEDGE HAMMER struck the heels of NINE DRAGONS, resulting in that horse becoming badly unbalanced and losing ground abruptly, causing SLEDGE HAMMER to be severely checked away from the heels of NINE DRAGONS in consequence and resulting in both NINE DRAGONS and SLEDGE HAMMER losing a considerable amount of ground.

P J HALL, which was racing to the inside of SLEDGE HAMMER, became unbalanced near the 750 Metres when bumped on the hindquarters by SLEDGE HAMMER.

IT CAN ONLY BE YOU, which was following P J HALL, was checked in consequence.

After this, NINE DRAGONS was eased down and finished tailed off.

Although this incident was one of some significance, the Stewards formed the view that there was no rider error involved and accordingly no further action was taken.

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

Before being allowed to race again, NINE DRAGONS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Passing the 600 Metres, FRESH AIR and MISTER MARC raced tight.

Passing the 200 Metres, IT CAN ONLY BE YOU was shifted out away from the heels of P J HALL.

SLEDGE HAMMER lay in under pressure in the Straight.

A veterinary inspection of P J HALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of ALWAYS WONDERFUL, which was found to be coughing after the race, revealed that horse to have a substantial amount of blood in its trachea.

The performance of ALWAYS WONDERFUL, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, ALWAYS WONDERFUL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SLEDGE HAMMER, PALEPALE and HAPPY GOAL were sent for sampling.