Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite Cruise Control tracked the slow pace of Dark Secret one to two off the fence, shifted out and made his move four deep entering the straight and quickened well to take control 150m out for the win. He took full advantage of a rare good gate. Specked late, Dark Secret rolled forward from gate 10 to lead passing the 1,600m, straightened a length on top and grudgingly gave way. Enjoy The Game was caught without cover three deep in fourth, took off 1,000m out to sit outside the leader, cornered three deep and kept on nicely to just edge out Mister Marc for a placing. Mister Marc enjoyed the box-seat run, stayed near the inside upon straightening and kept plugging away to just miss a placing despite a sharp rise in trip. Humongus travelled second from the rear from a wide gate and was getting going late near the inside to snatch a minor cheque. Telecom Supremo took off mid-race from a position fourth from the rear and three deep with cover at the 1,000m to settle deep without cover in third at the 700m, turned the final bend four deep and peaked on his run 250m out. Mizzen Grey swung the final bend widest out and made some ground without menacing.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (030)-WO CHE HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1800Metres

MIZZEN GREY was hampered shortly after the start when crowded for room between TELECOM SUPREMO and IT CAN ONLY BE YOU (M L Yeung) which shifted in.

M L Yeung was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting in and causing interference to other horses.

After this, MIZZEN GREY was ridden along in an attempt to recover lost ground.

On jumping, BAMBOO DANCE was steadied away from the heels of MISTER MARC which shifted in.

From the outside barrier, HUMONGUS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

In the early part of the Straight, MISTER MARC was disappointed for running between DARK SECRET and ENJOY THE GAME.

IT CAN ONLY BE YOU was found to have lost its right front plate during the running of the race.

When questioned regarding DARK SECRET being ridden in the lead, C Reith stated that in discussions with Mr D E Ferraris, the trainer of DARK SECRET, it was agreed that there appeared to be a lack of pace in the race.

He said whilst it would have been preferable for DARK SECRET to obtain cover in a forward position, this was not available to him due to the horse having drawn barrier 10 and the composition of the field in the early stages.

He said nonetheless DARK SECRET was able to dictate the tempo of the race and was then able to respond well when placed under pressure.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that THE ONLY KID travelled strongly until near the 500 Metres and he felt that at this time THE ONLY KID would finish off the race well.

He said however that THE ONLY KID came under pressure after this and then did not stretch out for the remainder of the race.

A veterinary inspection of THE ONLY KID immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of THE ONLY KID was considered unacceptable.

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

A veterinary inspection of IT CAN ONLY BE YOU immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of IT CAN ONLY BE YOU, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, IT CAN ONLY BE YOU will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

CRUISE CONTROL and DARK SECRET were sent for sampling.