Recap by phillip woo

Stand-by starter Little Dragon settled three deep with cover worse than midfield, rounded the final bend five deep and quickened well to get up 100m out for only a second win at his 22nd start. Early favourite Young Ranger ran on reasonably well three deep to edge rank outsider Happy Contender for second following a box-seat run. Happy Contender was posted deep without cover in a prominent spot, rushed forward to share the lead with Northern Falls at the 700m, pressed to the front 200m out and grudgingly gave way in a surprisingly positive effort with a switch to the dirt. Industrialist Way travelled near five deep fourth from the rear, swung the final bend with one wider out and closed well to cap a long-priced Quartet. Thumped at the jump to start favourite, Sure Peace bided his time second from the rear from a wide gate, swung the final bend widest out and was closing the gap late in his first run at this level.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (462)-TAIPA HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1800Metres

CARTOON FAY FAY was withdrawn on 5.3.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter LITTLE DRAGON (J Moreira).

EASY HEDGE was also withdrawn on 5.3.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter INDUSTRIALIST WAY (B Prebble).

BISHOP'S LEAP was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever).

Before being allowed to race again, CARTOON FAY FAY, EASY HEDGE and BISHOP'S LEAP will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

EXECUTIVE MANDATE was crowded for room on jumping between LITTLE DRAGON and CHINA DELIGHT which began awkwardly and shifted out.

VANILLA raced tight shortly after the start between YOUNG RANGER which shifted out and WIN IT which began awkwardly and shifted in.

From wide barriers, INDUSTRIALIST WAY and SURE PEACE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, EXECUTIVE MANDATE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE DRAGON.

Making the turn after the winning post on the first occasion, CHINA DELIGHT commenced to prove difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of VANILLA.

After racing wide and without cover in the early and middle stages, HAPPY CONTENDER was allowed to improve its position after the 700 Metres to race outside the lead.

CHINA DELIGHT travelled keenly along the Back Straight.

Making the turn near the 700 Metres, EXECUTIVE MANDATE raced tight between EAGLE POWER and VANILLA, both of which shifted ground.

EXECUTIVE MANDATE then got its head up when being checked away from the heels of WIN IT.

Also making the turn near the 700 Metres, CHINA DELIGHT shifted in of its own accord, bumped the running rail and became unbalanced.

Passing the 150 Metres, YOUNG RANGER raced tight inside LITTLE DRAGON due to both horses shifting ground marginally.

Throughout the race, SPINNING DANCER travelled wide and without cover.

N Callan reported that, as is customary, VANILLA settled near the rear of the field, however, due to the inside draw he was unable to shift out in the middle stages in order to make a sustained run around the field.

He added that the slow tempo of the race in the middle stages did not suit VANILLA.

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

When questioned, M L Yeung stated that as DASHING SUPER was racing over 1800 Metres, he was asked to obtain a forward position, but if possible not to ride his mount too aggressively to do so.

He said it was anticipated that NORTHERN FALLS would lead which would afford DASHING SUPER the opportunity to race outside that horse.

He said he was able to fulfil his instructions passing the 1400 Metres as DASHING SUPER was able to obtain a position outside of NORTHERN FALLS which was leading the race.

He added after this the pace of the race slackened appreciably and he gave consideration to allowing DASHING SUPER to improve its position into the lead, however, he formed the opinion that NORTHERN FALLS would not surrender the lead and the effect of him allowing DASHING SUPER to improve around NORTHERN FALLS would increase the tempo of the race.

He said therefore he elected to remain racing to the outside of NORTHERN FALLS and then after the 700 Metres permitted HAPPY CONTENDER to cross NORTHERN FALLS as this then increased the tempo of the race.

He said when the tempo of the race was slow, DASHING SUPER travelled on the bridle, however, at no stage over-raced and therefore he was content to remain racing outside NORTHERN FALLS.

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

SURE PEACE, LITTLE DRAGON and YOUNG RANGER were sent for sampling.