Recap by phillip woo

Natural Eight settled fore of midfield along the fence, took closer order coming into the final bend, straightened three deep and took control 100m out for a second win over this trip from his past three starts. Plunged late, Massive led through steady fractions, cornered near two lengths on top and grudgingly gave way in his first run following lameness in February. He can get away with a race before the end of the season. Winning Boy settled one off the rails behind midfield, angled into the open with two wider out when straightening and finished well for a placing. Optimism was ridden for luck second from the rear from a wide gate, stayed to the inside when straightening and finished with purpose late to snatch a Quartet spot from King On Earth who ran on reasonably well four deep following a rail's run in midfield despite clipping heels 700m out. King Tai Sing only held his ground following a one-out, one-back run. Friends Of Yan Oi stayed on and passed beaten rivals widest out after travelling third from the rear. Charter Victoria was gone coming into the final bend after tracking the speed one off the rails despite a drop in grade in his first Valley run.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (663)-MOUNT BUTLER HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Metres

BLISS CARTEL was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left fore leg transit injury).

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

KING TAI SING was crowded for room on jumping between MASSIVE and CHARTER VICTORIA, both of which shifted ground.

From wide barriers, WINNING ADVANTAGE and OPTIMISM were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the 1000 Metres, KING ON EARTH was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of NATURAL EIGHT after being taken in by WINNING BOY which shifted ground when proving difficult to settle.

For some distance after this, WINNING BOY continued to race keenly.

At the 1000 Metres, OPTIMISM got its head up when racing close to the heels of FRIENDS OF YAN OI.

Near the 700 Metres, KING ON EARTH clipped the heels of NATURAL EIGHT and blundered after improving into tight running inside NATURAL EIGHT which shifted out momentarily away from the heels of MASSIVE.

KING TAI SING was held up and unable to improve rounding the Home Turn.

Passing the winning post, KING ON EARTH was bumped by OPTIMISM which shifted out away from the heels of NATURAL EIGHT when closing off well.

Throughout the race, NOVEL START travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHARTER VICTORIA, N Callan stated that after giving his mount a good warm up behind the barriers, he expected it to show more early speed than it subsequently did.

He said he had to make considerable use of CHARTER VICTORIA to obtain a forward position and it was not until after the 1000 Metres that he was able to stop pushing his mount after shifting in to race outside the leader MASSIVE.

He said CHARTER VICTORIA then travelled only fairly and came under pressure after the 500 Metres.

He added despite being ridden out rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, CHARTER VICTORIA did not close off the race and weakened noticeably.

He said after the race he advised connections to consider stepping the horse up in distance in its future starts as it may be able to obtain a forward position without having too much use made of it and may be able to travel more comfortably than it did in tonight's race.

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

NATURAL EIGHT and MASSIVE were sent for sampling.