Recap by phillip woo

Excel Onself led off a light weight, cornered three deep a length on top and repelled Turf Sprint by a bob of heads over the final 100m for an upset win. Turf Sprint was prominently ridden along the fence after jumping well, straightened one off the fence and lost out in a ding-dong finish. General Iron settled three back and one off the fence, swung the final bend six deep and was closing with every stride to run down Righteous for a placing. Righteous stalked the leader, straightened five deep with every chance and came up onepaced over the last 100m in his first outing at the Valley. Plunged at the jump, Travel First finished well after switching into the clear with two wider out at the 250m following a patient ride fourth from the rear. Punted late, Brilliant Dream made some ground without menacing four from the right after travelling between runners at the rear. Hella Hedge was only plodding away following a prominent run one off the fence. Favourite Fantastic Feeling never fired a shot after travelling one off the fence beyond midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (433)-BLUE POOL HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Metres

SUPER FORM began only fairly.

After beginning only fairly, FULL TALENT was hampered a short distance after the start when bumped by RAINBOW FIGHTER which was taken out by RIGHTEOUS.

From a wide barrier, RAINBOW FIGHTER was then steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Shortly after the start, TRAVEL FIRST shifted in and bumped TOO FAST.

FULL TALENT lost its left front plate shortly after the start.

Near the 1150 Metres, GENERAL IRON was steadied away from the heels of TURF SPRINT (N Rawiller) which shifted in when not properly clear.

N Rawiller was reprimanded.

In the middle stages, RAINBOW FIGHTER proved difficult to settle.

Near the 650 Metres, SUPER FORM momentarily raced tight inside BRILLIANT DREAM which got its head on the side and shifted in after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of FANTASTIC FEELING.

Shortly after entering the Straight, RIGHTEOUS was shifted out away from the heels of EXCEL ONESELF.

Over the concluding stages, RIGHTEOUS raced with its head on the side and was inclined to lay in.

Throughout the race, FULL TALENT travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FANTASTIC FEELING, R Moore stated that the horse was more stirred up behind the barriers than it was prior to its last start when successful.

He said he had hoped to be slightly closer in the run as he anticipated that GENERAL IRON would shift in towards the rail which would allow him the opportunity to race outside that horse.

He said however that GENERAL IRON remained racing in a one-off position making the first turn and for this reason he steadied FANTASTIC FEELING in order to obtain cover behind that horse.

He said after being able to shift in to race behind GENERAL IRON after the 800 Metres, he then shifted out into a three wide position to follow FULL TALENT.

He added after riding his mount along rounding the Home Turn, FANTASTIC FEELING was disappointing in that it did not quicken as he had hoped.

He said the horse was bumped by TRAVEL FIRST approaching the 100 Metres, however, this was of little significance as FANTASTIC FEELING was already under pressure.

He said whilst FANTASTIC FEELING was not suited by the way that the track was racing tonight in that horses on the speed were advantaged, nonetheless FANTASTIC FEELING was disappointing in that it did not run on once placed under pressure in the Straight.

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

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

FANTASTIC FEELING, EXCEL ONESELF and TURF SPRINT were sent for sampling.