Recap by phillip woo

Sharpmind dashed to the front 120m out after a handy run and just held off the raging favourite Merrygowin to break his maiden at his seventh start. He had put the writing on the wall last time out and might be good for two more wins this term. Merrygowin finished nicely along the inside to make it close on the wire but likely needs a longer trip. Show Mission stuck on gamely for a placing after pressing forward three deep to park outside the leader Ever Strong at the 700m. He's racing well despite a return to Class Four and can breakthrough soon. Specked late Enjoy Life closed off well after travelling second from the rear. He's hit the line well in two of four starts this term and there might be a win in him shortly. It was an eye-catching debut by Better Choice who came on strongly down the outside after covering ground fourth from the rear. He should be effective at a mile and under and go well on the dirt as well when coming into his own.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (148) - ISLAND HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

HERO LOOK, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin.

ENJOY LIFE began only fairly.

MERRYGOWIN and SHARPMIND bumped at the start.

From a wide barrier, ACCESSION YEARS was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

In the early stages, SHOW MISSION raced wide and without cover and then after the 800 Metres was ridden along to obtain a position outside the lead.

Approaching the 600 Metres, ACCESSION YEARS was left racing wide and without cover.

At the entrance to the Straight, LONDON CITY and MULTIMAX raced tight as LONDON CITY attempted to shift to the outside of SHOW MISSION.

Passing the 200 Metres, MERRYGOWIN raced tight inside EVER STRONG when improving inside that horse.

Close to the finishing line, SHOW MISSION was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SHARPMIND.

When questioned, D Whyte (HERO LOOK) stated that prior to the 500 Metres he considered shifting out to follow ENJOY LIFE as CELESTIAL ARROW, the horse he had been following, was under heavy pressure prior to this point.

He said as it appeared as though ENJOY LIFE was going to shift to the outside of PEACE ON EARTH after the 400 Metres, he elected not to shift out to follow that horse, rather to save ground by obtaining inside runs and then improving between CELESTIAL ARROW and ENJOY LIFE should that horse continue to shift out.

He added however that at the entrance to the Straight ENJOY LIFE was directed back to the inside of PEACE ON EARTH which resulted in him having to shift to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running.

He said he placed HERO LOOK under pressure in the early part of the Straight and the horse finished off the race only fairly.

He said approaching the 100 Metres he was momentarily awkwardly placed between ACCESSION YEARS and PEACE ON EARTH which shifted out, however, this only had little impact on the horse's finishing position as he was able to again ride it out in the run to the line.

He added HERO LOOK did not feel comfortable in its action in the race.

A veterinary inspection of HERO LOOK immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in the left front leg and to have a substantial amount of blood in its trachea on endoscopic examination.

Before being allowed to race again, HERO LOOK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

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

SHARPMIND and MERRYGOWIN were sent for sampling.