Recap by phillip woo

Fish N' Chips picked up well despite travelling near the far side from a bad gate to get up 50m out for a maiden win at his 14th start. Specked late, Flying Monkey was ridden prominently in the centre of the course and closed off well to make it close in a pleasing debut. Firming late, Gallant Rock made his run underneath the leader Top Bonus three off the stands side, poked his head in front 250m out and grudgingly gave over the last 100m. Free November ran on steadily two off the outside fence following a midfield run to edge out favourite Top Bonus for a Quartet spot. Top Bonus was hustled to the lead on the grandstand side after jumping alertly from a low gate, was under pressure 300m out and was giving ground 150m out. A Fast One travelled worse than midfield on the outside fence, shifted into the open in the centre of the course approaching the 100m and kept on evenly thereafter. Winning Vibe was drawing some late-market action, but was, unfortunately, withdrawn at the gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (328)-CARPENTER HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1000Metres

MY BLESSING was withdrawn on 14.1.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (thickened left front tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GALLANT ROCK.

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

After being loaded, WINNING VIBE kicked out at the back gates, resulting in its left hind leg being caught over the back gate and the horse becoming cast.

WINNING VIBE was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said it had a swollen left hind cannon and accordingly was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, WINNING VIBE was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

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

DOUBLE MASTER began only fairy.

FISH N' CHIPS shifted out at the start and bumped FLYING MONKEY.

Shortly after the start, MAJOR CONNECTION and CLEVER SPIRIT bumped.

Approaching the 800 Metres, GLORY HORSIE was momentarily awkwardly placed outside GALLANT ROCK which shifted out.

In this incident, GLORY HORSIE made contact with FREE NOVEMBER, causing that horse to become unbalanced.

Near the 700 Metres, FREE NOVEMBER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RUMINARE.

Near the 550 Metres, GALLANT ROCK and TOP BONUS raced tight.

Passing the 150 Metres, A FAST ONE was shifted in away from the heels of FREE NOVEMBER to obtain clear running.

At the 50 Metres, VIVACIOUS WINNER was shifted out away from the heels of SPRING WIN.

Over the concluding stages, MAJOR CONNECTION was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLORY HORSIE.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of RUMINARE, G Mosse stated that after being loaded into the barriers his mount became fractious.

He said from barrier 14 it had been intended for the horse to lead if possible, however, if not, to take a trailing position behind the leader.

He said he had to make considerable use of RUMINARE in the early stages to obtain a forward position, but was able to trail the leader of the race TOP BONUS after the 900 Metres.

He said his mount was then inclined to lay in and came under heavy pressure near the 600 Metres to maintain its position.

He said, despite being ridden out, RUMINARE was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out the race.

He added the only possible excuse he could offer for the horse's disappointing performance today was that it may not have handled the "Good to Yielding" track conditions as it appeared to pull up sound after the race.

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

TOP BONUS, FISH N' CHIPS and FLYING MONKEY were sent for sampling.