Recap by phillip woo

The lead changed multiple times in the run but in the end early leader and favourite Penzance got up in the last stride following a prominent run on the fence to edge rank outsider Joy Plus Fun for a maiden win. Joy Plus Fun couldn't lift his feet inside the last 100m after whizzing to the front from near the back at the 600m and had to settle for second in the end in clearly his best run to date. The routes seem to suit him but he'll need to prove this wasn't a one-off effort. Rock The Tree stayed on from midfield to finish a distant third. He's always a chance in this grade. Clement Legend stayed on passed beaten rivals travelling near the back to finish a non-threatening fourth in a career best run. Will need more convincing. Holy Unicorn ran on steadily without menacing after getting shuffled back to last approaching the final bend. Punted late Sweet Bean's move out wide from near the back to lead at the 900m fell apart the at the 300m. He had excuses.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (752) - PO TOI HANDICAP - Class 5 - 2200Meters

SWEET BEAN was slow to begin.

CLEMENT LEGEND shifted out shortly after the start and bumped HALL OF FAME.

JOY PLUS FUN began only fairly and then after travelling a short distance was steadied when crowded for room between THE JOY OF GIVING and CLEMENT LEGEND.

From the outside barrier, DOUBLE POINT was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Making the first turn near the 2000 Metres, SEMPITERNAL and THE JOY OF GIVING bumped due to both horses shifting ground.

After the 2000 Metres, JOY PLUS FUN was awkwardly placed behind BO DUKE.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, BO DUKE raced tight between SWEET BEAN and SEMPITERNAL which improved to be racing outside the heels of ROCK THE TREE.

Passing the 1100 Metres, SEMPITERNAL shifted out and bumped BO DUKE.

For the majority of the race, SWEET BEAN travelled wide and without cover and after the 1100 Metres was allowed to improve its position into the lead.

For a considerable distance after the 800 Metres, HOLY UNICORN was taken back through the field when awkwardly placed behind THE JOY OF GIVING which was giving ground.

WEALTHY FORTUNE, which was following HOLY UNICORN, was also taken back through the field as a consequence.

Then passing the 700 Metres, HOLY UNICORN had to be checked away from the heels of THE JOY OF GIVING.

Approaching and rounding the Home Turn, SEMPITERNAL was awkwardly placed behind BO DUKE.

After the 200 Metres, CLEMENT LEGEND got its head on the side and lay in under pressure, resulting in its rider, Apprentice M F Poon, changing his whip into his right hand.

Then passing the 100 Metres, Apprentice Poon dropped his right rein.

The performance of BO DUKE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

When questioned, A Sanna stated that he was asked to obtain a position in advance of midfield if possible from a wide barrier as HALL OF FAME is somewhat one-paced and it was felt that were the horse to get too far out of its ground in the early stages, this would not provide it with the best opportunity to finish off the race.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a forward position and was left racing very wide.

He said for this reason he elected to continue forward into the lead rather than covering unnecessary ground.

He said after reaching the lead passing the winning post on the first occasion he attempted to steady the tempo approaching the 1000 Metres as he had to make some use of HALL OF FAME to obtain the lead.

He said he did consider allowing SWEET BEAN to improve forward of HALL OF FAME after the 900 Metres, however, as it was explained to him that HALL OF FAME is one-paced, he believed that it was more appropriate to attempt to hold his position rather than being crossed as HALL OF FAME would not be suited if the tempo of the race then steadied.

When questioned, O Doleuze (THE JOY OF GIVING) stated that stepping up to 2200 Metres for the first occasion tonight, he was asked to attempt to obtain a position behind the lead if possible.

He said making the first turn after the 2000 Metres he was left racing in a three wide position without cover and as he saw HALL OF FAME commencing to improve around THE JOY OF GIVING after the 1800 Metres, he elected to allow his mount to stride forward to cross into the lead with the view to handing up to HALL OF FAME and obtaining a trailing position.

He added THE JOY OF GIVING came under heavy pressure after the 800 Metres and, in his opinion, did not feel comfortable in its action as the horse was under heavy pressure so far from the finish of the race.

A veterinary inspection of THE JOY OF GIVING immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained small abrasions over the back of the left hock.

The performance of THE JOY OF GIVING, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, THE JOY OF GIVING 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 BO DUKE and SWEET BEAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

PENZANCE and JOY PLUS FUN were sent for sampling.