Recap by phillip woo

Specked late, Hella Hedge easily cleared to lead from gate 11, had a two-length advantage upon straightening and kept up a good gallop for an upset win. Andnowurmine finished nicely after box-seating to be a clear-cut second. He's ready to win. Early favourite Regency Ho Ho was posted without cover near the speed, straightened four deep and stayed on for a placing without menacing. Strong Foundation travelled deep with cover fore of midfield, swung the final bend with two wider out and ran on reasonably well to just edge outsider Caga Force for a Quartet spot. Caga Force was tippy-toeing over the final 100m after making his run one off the rails in second. He was in need of the run following an injury break. Smart Declaration ran on steadily from beyond midfield to make it a blanket finish for the final Quartet spot in his initial run at the Valley. Ruby Coast made some ground widest out after settling next to last from the widest gate in an encouraging debut effort. Post-time favourite Monte Castello was struggling 200m out after travelling somewhat keenly in a one-off position fore of midfield. He wasn't up to the task with a return to Class Three.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (369)-HIP WO HANDICAP (Sec2) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

IMPERIAL FIGHTER was withdrawn on 3.2.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SMART DECLARATION (M Chadwick).

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

After being loaded, both EASTERN DRAGON and RUBY COAST became fractious and reared.

Before being allowed to race again, EASTERN DRAGON and RUBY COAST will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

MONTE CASTELLO and SMART DECLARATION were crowded for room on jumping between EASTERN DRAGON and ATACX, both of which shifted ground.

Shortly after the start, MULTIEXPRESS was checked when crowded for room between REGENCY HO HO which shifted in marginally and STRONG FOUNDATION which was taken out by CAGA FORCE.

A short distance later, STRONG FOUNDATION and REGENCY HO HO bumped due to STRONG FOUNDATION being taken out by CAGA FORCE.

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

Near the 900 Metres, SMART DECLARATION was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MONTE CASTELLO.

After the 900 Metres, MONTE CASTELLO proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed behind CAGA FORCE.

When questioned, D Whyte stated that he had been asked to ride REGENCY HO HO positively in the early stages from a wide barrier as it was anticipated that the race would not be run at a fast tempo and it was also felt that horses racing in forward positions had been more advantaged in the races conducted to this point of the programme.

He said after beginning well, REGENCY HO HO raced tight outside STRONG FOUNDATION in the early stages after which he was able to commence riding the horse along in order to improve his position.

He said making the first turn he was left racing in a three wide position outside CAGA FORCE and he felt that he would have had to make too much use of REGENCY HO HO to endeavour to clear that horse and consequently REGENCY HO HO was left racing in a position three wide and without cover throughout the race.

A veterinary inspection of MONTE CASTELLO immediately following the race revealed the horse to have bled from both nostrils.

MONTE CASTELLO, HELLA LEDGE and ANDNOWURMINE were sent for sampling.