Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed late Happy Happy Star never looked back after being hard ridden to lead at a good pace from a wide gate 1,000m out to score in quick time. Mi Blanco came on nicely down the outside after travelling third from the rear to grab second in the dying stages in a solid first effort on the surface. He merits attention when reappearing up to 1,650m on the dirt. Elite Spirit closed off nicely after a patient ride fourth from the rear to grab a placing. It was a solid effort after bleeding in October and should be winning shortly at this level. Silly Buddies was out-finished in the last 50m for a placing after a deep run in midfield. It was a better effort but father time is taking its toll. Money Money made a mild bid near the inside following a midfield run. He's shown positive signs in recent runs and isn't far off a bottom. Born Dragon had no excuse following a box-seat run with a return to the dirt after a Valley win. He might be on or near his mark.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (366) - PEACOCK HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

BORN DRAGON shifted out at the start and hampered MONEY MONEY.

FLYING GODSPELL began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between ELITE SPIRIT which shifted out marginally and ROCHFORD which, after beginning awkwardly, raced tight inside SILLY BUDDIES which shifted in.

FLYING GODSPELL consequently raced back in the field and, despite being vigorously ridden in the middle stages, became somewhat detached from the field.

After the 1000 Metres, FLYING FORCE was left racing wide and without cover and then near the 900 Metres was bumped by KIROV which shifted out.

Approaching and rounding the Home Turn, KIROV was held up behind PRIMERO.

Passing the 300 Metres, PRIMERO and KIROV bumped, causing both horses to become unbalanced.

Approaching and passing the 100 Metres, ROCHFORD was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BORN DRAGON.

Over the concluding stages, BORN DRAGON was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SILLY BUDDIES and was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

When questioned, T Berry stated that after riding his mount vigorously in the early stages to obtain a forward position, PRIMERO was crossed initially by HAPPY HAPPY STAR passing the 1000 Metres and then after being crossed by BOND ELEGANCE, which was ridden along to obtain a forward position from a wide barrier, appeared to resent the kickback, came off the bridle and did not travel.

He said when placed under pressure after the 700 Metres PRIMERO did not respond to his riding and gave ground.

A veterinary inspection of PRIMERO immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained superficial abrasions over the inside of the right hock.

When questioned regarding his riding out of ROCHFORD over the final 100 Metres, K C Ng stated that he had a number of looks to his outside earlier in the Straight to establish whether he was clear of PRIMERO to shift to the outside of BORN DRAGON.

He said approaching and passing the 200 Metres PRIMERO was still racing to the outside of ROCHFORD and as he was unsure whether that horse would still be positioned to his outside, he was reluctant to shift out from behind BORN DRAGON after the 100 Metres when awkwardly placed behind that horse.

He said because of this he remained racing behind BORN DRAGON and whilst ROCHFORD was not finding the line strongly, he was unable to ride his mount out fully over the concluding stages.

K C Ng was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, it was apparent that a run was available to the outside of BORN DRAGON approaching the 100 Metres and he should have been alert to the opportunity to shift to that horse's outside.

Having regard to where ROCHFORD finished in the race and that the riding in question was over the concluding stages of the race, the Stewards did not take the matter any further other than to advise Jockey Ng to ensure that he avails himself of opportunities to improve his position, therefore being able to fully test his mounts out all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit.

After the race, J Moreira stated that BOND ELEGANCE did not feel comfortable in its action.

A veterinary inspection of BOND ELEGANCE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, BOND ELEGANCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

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

BOND ELEGANCE, HAPPY HAPPY STAR and MI BLANCO were sent for sampling.