Recap by phillip woo

Well-punted late, Archippus settled fourth and one off the rails, advanced to the front five deep at the 150m and edged clear for the win with a key drop in grade. Charter Victoria rolled to the front from a wide gate, cornered a half-length on top and grudgingly gave way with money coming for him late. Odds-on favourite Bear Bop worked into the clear five deep at the 400m after a rails run in midfield and got up for a placing without menacing the top two. Imperial Gallantry travelled third from the rear and finished up nicely along the inside in an eye-catching debut. All Ways Best plugged on one-paced with two wider out after travelling fore of midfield and one off the rails. Gold Precision angled into the clear widest out at the 350m after travelling fourth from the rear and made some ground late without menacing. Firming in the betting, Sparkling Sword settled one off in second from a wide gate, cornered four deep and was one-paced over the final 200m. Raging Bull was a late scratching after acting up in the gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (423)-CITIBANK ULTIMA CARD HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1400Metres

After being loaded, RAGING BULL became fractious and reared, resulting in N Rawiller being dislodged.

After being remounted, RAGING BULL again became fractious and reared abruptly, resulting in the horse being caught up and N Rawiller being dislodged.

RAGING BULL was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of RAGING BULL.

Before being allowed to race again, RAGING BULL will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

After the race, N Rawiller was examined by the Club's medical officers and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements.

ISLAND FLYER was slow to begin.

HAPPY KITCHEN began very awkwardly and consequently lost ground.

IMPERIAL GALLANTRY began only fairly.

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

Despite being aggressively ridden in the early stages, GOLD PRECIOUS failed to muster speed.

Near the 1150 Metres, GOLD PRECIOUS got its head on the side, shifted out and blundered when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ALL WAYS BEST which shifted in marginally.

As the Stewards believed that there was no carelessness exhibited by any rider in this incident, no further action was taken.

Passing the 1100 Metres, ARCHIPPUS commenced to prove difficult to settle when being steadied to allow SPARKLING SWORD to cross.

ARCHIPPUS then continued to prove difficult to restrain and approaching the 1000 Metres got it head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of SPARKLING SWORD (K Teetan) which shifted in before being shifted out abruptly to relieve the pressure to ARCHIPPUS.

K Teetan was severely reprimanded and advised that he was being afforded the benefit of the doubt as to the contribution which the racing manners of ARCHIPPUS had played in this incident.

He was advised to ensure that he is properly clear of other runners when shifting ground.

M Chadwick (CODE STAR) dropped his whip approaching the 400 Metres.

Near the 100 Metres, ALL WAYS BEST shifted in under pressure, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten.

Throughout the race, CODE STAR travelled wide and without cover.

BEAR-POP, ARCHIPPUS and CHARTER VICTORIA were sent for sampling.