Recap by phillip woo

Post-time favourite, Bear-Pop was given a dream ride to land a spot worse than midfield along the rails from a wide gate 1,300m out, steadied coming to the final bend, came one off at the 400m and out-duelled Short Squeeze after hitting the front 200m out for a second straight win. Short Squeeze settled in second behind the leader All Times Lucky, straightened four deep and kept on well to live up to a good trial. Gold Dragon settled fore of midfield and one off the rails, rounded the final bend four deep and stayed on reasonably well to be a non-threatening third. City Power ran on nicely five deep after travelling one off behind midfield to grab Master Mind in the final 20m. Master Mind only held his ground following a box-seat run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (640)-ON LAN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1400Metres

GOLDEN PARTNERS was slow to begin and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed.

BEAUTY JOURNEY was also vigorously ridden along in the early stages, but failed to muster speed.

After initially being bumped by CITY POWER shortly after the start, BEAUTY JOURNEY shifted out away from that horse, resulting in NEW SPEED AHEAD being hampered.

Also shortly after the start, ELEGANCE KLAMMER were badly hampered when crowded for room between FLAGSHIP FLY which shifted out marginally and LIGHTNING PEGASUS (G Mosse) which shifted in.

G Mosse was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

Shortly after the start, GOLD DRAGON was bumped by MASTER MIND which shifted in.

Approaching the 800 Metres, LIGHTNING PEGASUS was left racing wide and without cover.

For some distance approaching and passing the 700 Metres, FLAGSHIP FLY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUTY JOURNEY.

Near the 500 Metres, BEAR-POP was checked when attempting to improve inside the heels of MASTER MIND (D Whyte) which, after initially shifting out marginally, then shifted back in to resume its position.

As the Stewards were satisfied that BEAR-POP had not properly established running to the inside of MASTER MIND, no further action was taken other than D Whyte was reminded of his obligation to prevent his mounts from shifting ground wherever possible.

Over the concluding stages, GOLD DRAGON was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SHORT SQUEEZE which shifted out under pressure.

Consequently GOLD DRAGON was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

Throughout the race, NEVER BETTER travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, A Suborics, the rider of FLAGSHIP FLY, which finished tailed out, reported that the horse was making an abnormal breathing noise during the race.

The Veterinary Officer reported that an endoscopic examination found the horse to be a "roarer".

The performance of FLAGSHIP FLY was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, FLAGSHIP FLY 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 ELEGANCE KLAMMER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of NEVER BETTER immediately following the race revealed the horse to be lame in its left front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, NEVER BETTER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

BEAR-POP and SHORT SQUEEZE were sent for sampling.