Recap by phillip woo

Country Melody finished strongly one off the stands side from behind midfield to get up by a whisker over E-Super for a third course and distance win this term. E-Super settled three off the grandstand side in third from a low berth, worked to the front 120m out and was nipped on the wire. Triumphant Jewel just held off Accepted for third after being hard ridden from a difficult gate to hold a position underneath E-Super in the run. Accepted ran on well after making his run ahead of midfield on the far side from a tough gate. He's caught the eye in both 1,000m runs and will be winning soon. Chater Rock settled fore of midfield one off the outside fence, switched into the open near the center of the course at the 200m and stayed on reasonably well thereafter. Sky Man only held his ground after a prominent run on the stands side.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (697)-AUDEMARS PIGUET HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Metres

CHATER ROCK lost its left hind plate on jumping.

NO MONEY NO TALK, which began awkwardly, was crowded for room on jumping between SPARKLING TALENT and CHATER ROCK which shifted out.

COUNTRY MELODY began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped SKY MAN.

MULTIEXPRESS was slow to begin.

Shortly after the start, SUPER ABUNDANTE lost ground when crowded for room between HARBOUR ALERT and WINFULL PATROL, both of which shifted ground.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, BUDDY BUNDY failed to muster speed.

ACCEPTED lost its right front plate approaching the 600 Metres.

Approaching the 200 Metres, COUNTRY MELODY was awkwardly placed inside SKY MAN and behind WINFULL PATROL.

Near the 150 Metres, SUPER ABUNDANTE was hampered when having to be steadied and shifted in away from the heels of HARBOUR ALERT which was giving ground.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HARBOUR ALERT, D Whyte stated that his mount travelled too keenly in the early and middles stages and would not settle when racing inside WINFULL PATROL.

He said nonetheless HARBOUR ALERT was disappointing in that it came under pressure after the 500 Metres to maintain its position inside WINFULL PATROL when that horse quickened.

He added HARBOUR ALERT did not respond to his riding passing the 300 Metres and was particularly disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race over the final 200 Metres.

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

The performance of HARBOUR ALERT was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, HARBOUR ALERT 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 NO MONEY NO TALK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

HARBOUR ALERT, COUNTRY MELODY and E-SUPER were sent for sampling.