Recap by phillip woo

Namjong Blossoms led along the rails from Gallant Rock, cornered nearly a length on top and drew clear over the final 150m as the late-plunged favourite. St Yazin was ridden fourth from the rear from an outside alley, peeled off a struggling Whistle Blower with two wider out at the 300m and finished willingly to grab second 50m out with a drop in grade. Flashing Guy settled three back and one off the rails, straightened five deep and plugged on well to inject some value into the tierce. Gallant Rock gradually gave way after parking outside the leader in his initial run at the Valley. He's still on a learning curve. Newcomer and early favourite Rugby Diamond held his ground following a prominent run along the rails. Well-punted debutant Great Toplight settled behind midfield and one off the rails after jumping away slow, cornered three deep and made some ground without menacing. He'll improve with racing and a step up in distance. China Power made a mild bid without looking a chance after a rails run in midfield. Whistle Blower strode forward without cover from a wide gate to settle three deep on the speed at the 550m and was giving way 150m out three from the outside.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (123)-CYPRESS HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1000Metres

CHINA POWER began awkwardly.

GREAT TOPLIGHT, which was leaning on the inside of its stall, began awkwardly and then shortly after the start became unbalanced after being bumped by BE THERE AHEAD which was taken out by RUGBY DIAMOND.

Shortly after the start, FLASHING GUY and ST YAZIN were both crowded for room inside TRENDIFUL which shifted in.

Approaching the 700 Metres, GREAT TOPLIGHT got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of FLASHING GUY which shifted in after initially being directed in by JOY TOGETHER.

Passing the 650 Metres, FLASHING GUY became unbalanced when awkwardly placed inside the heels of JOY TOGETHER.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, JOY TOGETHER got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in TRENDIFUL being hampered when taken wider.

Passing the 500 Metres, ST YAZIN was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JOY TOGETHER.

Near the 250 Metres, CHINA POWER was shifted to the outside of RUGBY DIAMOND after being disappointed for running inside that horse.

Passing the 200 Metres, TRENDIFUL, which was giving ground, was inconvenienced when crowded for room between BE THERE AHEAD and JOY TOGETHER, both of which shifted ground.

Close to the finishing line, CHINA POWER was awkwardly placed inside the heels of GALLANT ROCK and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

Throughout the race, WHISTLE BLOWER and TRENDIFUL travelled wide and without cover.

The Clerk of the Scales reported that C Y Ho, the rider of first placed, NAMJONG BLOSSOMS, had weighed in 0.9 of a pound underweight.

Acting under the powers of Rule 113(3) which provides that if a jockey cannot draw the correct weight the Clerk of the Scales shall allow him one pound, the Stewards declared weighed-in on the numbers semaphored by the Judge.

After being interviewed regarding this matter, C Y Ho was reminded of his obligation to ensure that he weighs in at the correct weight.

NAMJONG BLOSSOMS and ST YAZIN were sent for sampling.