Recap by phillip woo

Archippus travelled beyond midfield along the rails, cornered near four deep and quickened nicely to take control 180m out for a comfortable win following a switch to the dirt for his new trainer. Silly Buddies settled worse than midfield along the rails, rounded the final with two wider out and finished well to take second 100m out. Elite Spirit had cover three deep behind midfield, swung the final bend with one wider out and closed nicely to give the tierce some value. All The Best went to second with three wider at the 150m following a prominent run along the rails and came up flat 100m out. Tonyboy settled second from the rear and three deep with cover from a wide gate, peeled widest out upon straightening and made some ground prior to peaking on his run 100m out. Sea Ruby quickly recovered after a slow break to sit outside the leader Rumba King, assumed a narrow lead 400m out and didn't have much left in the tank 120m out in a disappointing run following a rise in grade. Rumba King wasn't hard pressed to find the lead, cornered a neck on top and was stopping 300m out in a surprisingly weak performance. Mellifluent never travelled at the back and was eased down.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (648)-VENUS HANDICAP (Sec1) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

When leaving the Parade Ring, SEA RUBY, which was fractious, bumped a rail.

On arrival at the barriers, SEA RUBY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

Shortly after the start, MELLIFLUENT was bumped by ALL THE BEST which shifted in.

From wide barriers, SHANGHAI BOND and TONYBOY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 300 Metres, ARCHIPPUS and ALL THE BEST raced tight as ARCHIPPUS shifted out into clear running.

Near the 50 Metres, SHANGHAI BOND was awkwardly placed outside RUMBA KING which shifted out marginally when giving ground.

Passing the 50 Metres, RUMBA KING got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SEA RUBY, D Whyte stated that the horse was more worked up tonight prior to the race than it was at its last start.

He said after being placed in the barriers, SEA RUBY became fractious and as the start was effected began only fairly.

He said he had to make a limited amount of use of the horse in the early stages to overcome its moderate start, however, was able to improve to be racing outside the lead.

He said after this SEA RUBY travelled strongly outside the leader RUMBA KING and he expected the horse to again close off the race well given that the tempo of the race in the early stages was not fast.

He added at the entrance to the Straight he placed SEA RUBY under pressure, however, the horse did not quicken as it did at its last start and in fact came under pressure far sooner than he expected.

He said SEA RUBY was very disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding and the manner in which it weakened, particularly over the final 200 Metres.

Trainer J Moore stated that, in his opinion, the horse's performance tonight could be attributed to the fact that it became very worked up before the race and then had to be used up in the early stages after beginning poorly.

He said SEA RUBY had done particularly well since its last start and based on that performance he expected the horse to be a strong chance in the race.

A veterinary inspection of SEA RUBY immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination revealed the horse to be a "roarer".

The performance of SEA RUBY, a favourite for tonight's race and a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, SEA RUBY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

After the race, K Teetan (MELLIFLUENT) stated that despite being ridden along in the early stages, MELLIFLUENT was not striding out comfortably and he considered easing the horse out of the race.

He said he persisted in riding MELLIFLUENT when there were no obvious soreness problems, however, the horse remained tailed out throughout the event.

He added after the race MELLIFLUENT appeared to trot back to the unsaddling area sound.

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

The performance of MELLIFLUENT was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, MELLIFLUENT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Also after the race, B Prebble (RUMBA KING) stated that the horse did not feel comfortable in its action.

A veterinary inspection of RUMBA KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

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

Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BUDDY BUNDY had sustained small wounds to the left hind leg and that an endoscopic examination was conducted on TONYBOY at the request of Trainer A T Millard.

The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

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

SEA RUBY, ARCHIPPUS and SILLY BUDDIES were sent for sampling.