Recap by phillip woo

Aztec Empire quickened well after angling out five deep at the 200m following a rail's run fore of midfield to grab a third straight victory 100m out despite a return to Class Four as the late-fancied favourite. Beauty Love eventually landed a prominent spot with cover from a wide gate, raced to the front four deep at the 200m and grudgingly gave way in the run to the wire. He's on the right path and will be winning shortly. Early favourite Easy Hedge travelled midfield along the fence, pushed into the clear with three wider out at the 400m and finished well to just miss second in a blanket finish for the minors. Happy Journey was ridden quietly fourth from the rear and three deep from a wide gate, swung the final bend with one wider out and finished well to just miss a placing.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (361)-ARMADA HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1600Metres

On arrival at the Start, G Mosse expressed concern regarding the action of GALLANT TRIUMPH.

GALLANT TRIUMPH was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion the horse was lame in the left front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of GALLANT TRIUMPH.

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

UNIQUE JOYOUS was slow to begin.

GLORY STAR shifted in abruptly at the start and bumped the hindquarters of EASY HEDGE which became unbalanced.

Shortly after the start, KERKENI raced in restricted room between SPARKLING TALENT and GLORY STAR which was taken out by EASY HEDGE.

From the outside barrier, GOOD GOOD VIEW was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 900 Metres, SPARKLING TALENT commenced to over-race and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLORY STAR.

SPARKLING TALENT continued to prove very difficult to settle and passing the 800 Metres got its head up when having to be checked away from the heels of GLORY STAR.

SUPER SWEET ORANGE, which was following, was hampered in consequence.

Near the 800 Metres, HAPPY JOURNEY was taken out into a position three wide and without cover by SUPER SWEET ORANGE.

At the entrance to the Straight, SUPER SWEET ORANGE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EASY HEDGE which was racing close to the heels of GLORY STAR.

KERKENI had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

Passing the 350 Metres, EASY HEDGE shifted out and brushed SPARKLING TALENT.

Passing the 300 Metres, GLORY STAR was checked away from the heels of AZTEC EMPIRE which, after shifting to the outside of BEAUTY LOVE into clear running, was then taken out marginally by that horse which was corrected after shifting in towards GOLD PRECIOUS.

As there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken.

S de Sousa, the rider of the second placed, BEAUTY LOVE, was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit.

A veterinary inspection of GOOD GOOD VIEW and SPARKLING TALENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

AZTEC EMPIRE and BEAUTY LOVE were sent for sampling.