Recap by phillip woo

Nashashuk assumed the front 130m out following a box-seat run and kept on well for a second win from 10 first-season outings. He did have all favours in the run and might find it a tad harder on a win line carrying more weight near the top of the class when next stepping out. Fox Sunter closed well following a one-out, one-back run to grab second in the dying stages with a tonne of money coming for him late. He's flashed ability in a couple of his five starts and should be winning races next season. Phantom Falcon grudgingly gave way after dictating the run in a promising debut. He'll be winning races but it's only a matter of education and experience with him. Travel Successor grudgingly gave way after jumping swiftly from a wide gate to settle second in the run in an improved second outing in the grade. He's shown ability at times and is clearly in the right class now. Golden Deer had no excuse following a rails run in midfield. He's really lost the will to race. Confucius Spirit never let down after travelling second from the rear. He got too far back in a race favouring speed.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (745)-NINEPIN GROUP HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Metres

JIMSON THE FAMOUS was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners.

Also from wide barriers, SUPER CLAN and APPLAUSE were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Shortly after the start, GOLDEN DEER and COLOURFUL ACHIEVER bumped.

In the Straight, PHANTOM FALCON lay out under pressure.

Throughout the race, APPLAUSE travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, K Teetan (CONFUCIUS SPIRIT) stated that, from barrier 7, he had been asked to have the horse travelling where it was comfortable but not to make use of it in the early stages to do so.

He said it was felt that due to the makeup of the field, the horse would be able to obtain a position in about midfield, where it was ridden at its most recent start.

He said on that occasion CONFUCIUS SPIRIT closed off the race well when not asked to do too much in the early stages.

He said at the start prior to the most recent race he had been asked to make use of CONFUCIUS SPIRIT in the early stages because of the horse having drawn barrier 1 and it was felt that it was in CONFUCIUS SPIRIT's best interests on that occasion to take advantage of the inside draw.

He said in today's race a number of horses which were drawn to the inside of CONFUCIUS SPIRIT began on terms with the horse and he felt that he would have had to ride his mount quite aggressively to clear those runners and obtain a position closer to the rail which would have been contrary to his instructions.

He said he therefore steadied CONFUCIUS SPIRIT in the early stages and shifted across behind THE INVINCIBLE to obtain cover.

He said this resulted in CONFUCIUS SPIRIT racing further back in the field than had been intended.

He said whilst in the middle stages he was unable to make ground due to horses in advance of CONFUCIUS SPIRIT not being able to improve their position, nonetheless CONFUCIUS SPIRIT was disappointing and did not close off the race.

He added, in his opinion, CONFUCIUS SPIRIT did not appear to travel as comfortably in tonight's race as it had been at its previous starts when ridden by him.

A veterinary inspection of LEOWL and CONFUCIUS SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

NASHASHUK and FOX SUNTER were sent for sampling.