Recap by phillip woo

Flying Tourbillon settled midfield along the fence, improved coming to the final bend and finished well with two wider out to get up in the final stride. Hit The Bid settled fourth along the fence, straightened five deep and closed off nicely to make it close on the wire. Happy Cooperation was gunned down in the shadows of the post after dictating a steady pace in a pleasing first run at the Valley. Great Charm made some ground near the inside after travelling one off the fence behind midfield. Excel Onself punched forward from a wide gate to sit one off in second at the 900m, straightened five deep with his chance and peaked on his run 100m out. Looks Like The Cat made some ground without menacing after travelling fourth from the rear. Thumped late in betting Roundabout got going without ever looking a threat after jumping slowly from a wide gate. Early favourite Big Bang Bong did have much to offer in the straight run after sitting one-out, one-back. Da Vinci made no impression after travelling fore of midfield with cover as the lateplunged favourite. He's weak and will need a drop in grade.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (682)-THE CRICKET CLUB VALLEY STAKES (HANDICAP) (Sec1) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

ROUNDABOUT began very awkwardly and got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied in the early stages in order to be shifted across behind runners from the outside barrier.

LOVELY DELOVELY shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of GOLDEN CHOPSTICKS.

From wide barriers, GOLDEN CHOPSTICKS and LOVELY DELOVELY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 600 Metres, FLYING TOURBILLON and DA VINCI bumped.

In the early part of the Straight, BIG BANG BONG got its head on the side and lay in under pressure and passing the 200 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of HIT THE BID which was shifting out when awkwardly placed behind HAPPY COOPERATION (K Teetan) which lay out under pressure.

K Teetan was advised that whilst HIT THE BID had not established running to the outside of HAPPY COOPERATION, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DA VINCI, M Chadwick stated that he was able to obtain a good position on DA VINCI behind the speed and the tempo throughout the race was good which he believed to be advantageous to DA VINCI.

He said his mount travelled satisfactorily in the run and gave him the feel that it may finish off the race well when placed under pressure.

He said however that when ridden along rounding the Home Turn, DA VINCI did not quicken and then after being placed under pressure in the Straight was most disappointing in that it failed to respond to his riding to finish towards the rear of the field.

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

The performance of DA VINCI, which finished last and a favourite for tonight's race, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, DA VINCI will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of BIG BANG BONG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

DA VINCI, FLYING TOURBILLON and HIT THE BID were sent for sampling.