Recap by phillip woo

Sea Ruby was hustled to the lead from a tricky gate, cornered a half-length on top and kept up a good gallop under a claimer's allowance to pick up a second win from seven outings on the surface. Fight Hero showed rare gate speed to park second in the run from a wide gate, straightened three deep and kept plugging away to hold down a Quinella spot carrying a big weight. Favourite Hit The Bid was posted three deep without cover travelling fore of midfield following a sluggish break, straightened near five deep and kept plugging away without menacing the top two. Tango Fire was still last coming to the final bend and finished up nicely five deep to grab a Quartet spot in a pleasing first run on the surface. Archippus made only a mild bid four deep following a rail's run in midfield. Dr Race made some ground until peaking on his run widest out at the 100m following a patient ride second from the rear. Giant Stars only stayed on, passing beaten rivals after travelling third from the rear following a tardy break. Hidden Value never ran on four from the right after travelling one off the fence worse than midfield. Multimax was yielding ground 200m out after a box-seat run. Hasta La Vista was gone a long ways out following a handy run. He didn't handle the surface.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (334)-SA PO HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Metres

BORNTOACHIEVE was withdrawn on 16.1.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HIT THE BID (J Moreira).

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

GIANT STARS began only fairly.

HASTA LA VISTA shifted out at the start and hampered SALSA BROTHERS.

DR RACE and SALSA BROTHERS were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Approaching the 1000 Metres, HIDDEN VALUE momentarily raced in restricted room between HIT THE BID an MULTIMAX which shifted out marginally.

Making the first turn, ARCHIPPUS was crowded for room inside HIDDEN VALUE which got its head on the side and lay in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HASTA LA VISTA.

After the 600 Metres, ARCHIPPUS, which was proving difficult to settle, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MULTIMAX.

Then near the 500 Metre, ARCHIPPUS was steadied away from the heels of MULTIMAX.

Near the 450 Metres, SALSA BROTHERS shifted out and bumped DR RACE.

Passing the 200 Metres, TANGO FIRE raced in restricted room between HIDDEN VALUE and ARCHIPPUS which shifted out under pressure.

Passing the 100 Metres, ARCHIPPUS shifted out and bumped TANGO FIRE.

Close to the finishing line, DR RACE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TANGO FIRE.

For the majority of the race, SECRET AGENT travelled wide and without cover.

SEA RUBY lost its left front plate during the running of the race.

After the race, D Whyte stated that HASTA LA VISTA did not appreciate racing on the All Weather Track for the first time today particularly under the "Wet Slow" conditions.

A veterinary inspection of HASTA LA VISTA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Also after the race, R Fourie (DR RACE) stated that in the early stages his mount was reluctant to stretch out due to the kickback.

He said because of this DR RACE got its head on the side and shifted out making the first turn and consequently raced wide.

He said as DR RACE had cover in the middle stages, he attempted to balance the horse up in the early part of the Straight and hold it for a final sprint so that it would be able to finish off the race as best as it could.

He added however that, despite being placed under pressure after the 300 Metres, DR RACE finished off the race only one-paced.

A veterinary inspection of HIDDEN VALUE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea.

HIT THE BID, SEA RUBY and FIGHT HERO were sent for sampling.