Recap by phillip woo

Sergeant Titanium settled three deep in midfield, worked to fourth three deep without cover at the 800m, advanced to the lead 400m out and kept finding to score a fourth win this season. Ishvara was niggled along from a wide gate to eventually find the front on the fence at the 1,200m, straightened a length on top and grudgingly gave way in the run to the wire. Basic Trilogy was handy in the run one off the fence, straightened near four deep and kept plugging away to edge Merion by a bob of heads to finish a distant third. Early favourite Merion was travelling deep behind midfield, rushed forward four deep at the 600m, got within a length of the leaders at the 400m and came up one-paced over the final 150m. Berlini was posted deep travelling third from the rear, rolled forward with Merion at the 600m, swung the final bend six deep and stayed on reasonably well. Sichuan Dar was shuffled back to behind midfield along the fence coming to the final bend, peeled into the open with three wider at the 400m and ran on steadily without menacing as the post-time favourite. Jun Hu drove forward after travelling deep from a wide gate to sit second at the 1,000m, stayed near the inside upon straightening and came up one-paced over the last 150m. Joyful Trinity made some ground .

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (443)-CITI MORTGAGE SERVICES HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1600Metres

Shortly after the start, GENERAL SHERMAN, when being ridden along, became unbalanced after being bumped by DYNAMISM.

GENERAL SHERMAN then got its head on the side and shifted in, resulting in AMAZING AGILITY being crowded for room outside SICHUAN DAR.

Approaching the 1500 Metres, DYNAMISM was steadied away from the heels of RACING HERO (G Lerena) which shifted in when not properly clear.

G Lerena was advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future.

Passing the 1400 Metres, MERION proved difficult to settle and raced keenly when awkwardly placed close to heels.

Approaching the 1300 Metres, JOYFUL TRINITY got its head up when being steadied.

After the 1100 Metres, BERLINI, when racing without cover, travelled keenly.

After the 1000 Metres, DYNAMISM was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BASIC TRILOGY.

For some distance passing the 700 Metres, GENERAL SHERMAN got its head up when being checked away from the heels of SICHUAN DAR.

Passing the 700 Metres, MERION commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of SERGEANT TITANIUM, resulting in BERLINI, which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover, being forced wider.

Then near the 600 Metres, MERION shifted out and bumped BERLINI.

After the race, G Lerena stated that his mount was making an abnormal breathing noise.

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

When questioned, J Moreira stated that it had been intended for SICHUAN DAR to be ridden handier to the lead, however, he was unable to prevent RACING HERO from crossing SICHUAN DAR.

He said when RACING HERO subsequently handed up to ISHVARA and then FANTASTIC KAKA, this resulted in SICHUAN DAR racing further back in the field than had been intended.

He added SICHUAN DAR did not quicken with the field after the 600 Metres and came under pressure rounding the Home Turn.

He said in the Straight there was room for SICHUAN DAR to improve between BERLINI and JOYFUL TRINITY, however, SICHUAN DAR was reluctant to improve into this run and this resulted in SICHUAN DAR racing tight outside BERLINI.

He said over the concluding stages SICHUAN DAR then finished off the race fairly.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FANTASTIC KAKA, R Moore stated that he rode his mount along in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a forward position.

He said when it was apparent that the rider of ISHVARA was intent on leading the race, he allowed that horse to cross FANTASTIC KAKA and hoped to sit to its outside.

He said then after the 1100 Metres JUN HUO was allowed to improve its position and rather than ride his mount along to prevent that horse from shifting in, he elected to allow JUN HUO to cross FANTASTIC KAKA which resulted in his mount being able to take a trailing position behind ISHVARA.

He added when the tempo of the race quickened after the 600 Metres, FANTASTIC KAKA was left flat-footed and, despite being placed under pressure, did not quicken and over the remainder of the race was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off.

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

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

SICHUAN DAR, SERGEANT TITANIUM and ISHVARA were sent for sampling.