Recap by phillip woo

Commandant eased back to enjoy the box-seat run, rallied five deep upon straightening and stayed on nicely to collar Dark Secret close to home for an upset win. Plunged late to jump a clear-cut second pick, Dark Secret settled fore of midfield along the rails, shifted out four deep at the 300m, quickened to lead at the 100m and found one too good in the end. King Haradasun travelled deep near the back, rolled forward at the 1,000m to challenge for the front four deep coming to the final bend, hit the front 250m out and peaked on his run 100m out. Croatia made his run one off in midfield, pushed into the clear with three wider out and ran on without menacing. Mizzen Grey settled three deep, rolled up to vie for the front at the 600m, led 400m out and was yielding ground 150m out. Shantaraam recovered from an awkward break to travel behind midfield along the rails, swung the final bend with one wider out and made some ground without threatening. P J Hall was stopping 250m out. Specked at odds , Tai Po Fortune had cover behind midfield and was flat when popped the question.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (087)-DALLAS HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Metres

As the start was effected, SHANTARAAM turned its head to the right, began awkwardly and consequently lost ground.

TELECOM TOP STAR was hampered when crowded for room at the start between FIERY PATROL which was taken in by MIZZEN GREY and KING HARADASUN which shifted out.

A short distance after this, KING HARADASUN was awkwardly placed inside the heels of FIERY PATROL.

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

Approaching the 1000 Metres, KING HARADASUN commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TAI PO FORTUNE.

Passing the 1000 Metres, KING HARADASUN was shifted away from the heels of TAI PO FORTUNE and allowed to improve its position, resulting in KING HARADASUN travelling wide and without cover for the remainder of the race.

ALL MY BENEFIT travelled wide and without cover until approaching the 900 Metres at which point MIZZEN GREY was left racing without cover.

Passing the 700 Metres, TELECOM TOP STAR was hampered after improving into tight running inside ALLEY-OOP which then shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHANTARAAM.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FIERY PATROL, N Rawiller stated that, from barrier 10, he was able to obtain a good position one horse off the fence in about a midfield position.

He said FIERY PATROL travelled well in the early and middle stages and approaching the turn near the 700 Metres he shifted FIERY PATROL out with a view to improving its position.

He said as he did this FIERY PATROL immediately came off the bridle and he was required to ride the horse along vigorously in an endeavour to have it improve its position.

He added although FIERY PATROL was taken wider by runners making the Home Turn, the horse was well beaten at this time and he was disappointed with the manner in which the horse had failed to run on given that it had travelled well in the run.

He said he was not able to detect any noticeable abnormalities with FIERY PATROL after the race as the horse returned to the unplaced saddling area free in its action.

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

The performance of FIERY PATROL, which was successful at its most recent start, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, FIERY PATROL 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 SHANTARAAM immediately following the race revealed the horse was lame in the right front leg.

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

SHANTARAAM, COMMANDANT and DARK SECRET were sent for sampling.