Recap by phillip woo

Early favourite Double Valentine did cop a check 500m out travelling third from the rear but still came on strongly after working into the open at the 200m to overhaul Iron Boy in deep stretch for an overdue win. Iron Boy couldn't hold off the winner after dashing to the lead at the 150m following a deep run in midfield. Post-time favourite Eagle kept on well for third chasing the leaders one off the fence following an alert start. He lived up to a positive trial in blinkers. Harrier Jet kept on all right for a Quartet spot despite copping some interference travelling worse than midfield at the 750m. Flying Quest was getting going late after struggling to stay in touch early on. He's not reliable. Happy Cooperation faltered 100m out after trying to match the speed of the lightweighted and late-fancied Amazing Star travelling on his outside. Outsider Telecom Brothers was twice badly hampered in the run and finish last in the end.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (758) - GRASS ISLAND HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

HAPPY HAPPY STAR began awkwardly and lost ground.

Shortly after the start, ROCKIT shifted in and bumped ORIONIDS.

From the outside barrier, WINNING WAYS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

DOUBLE VALENTINE and IRON BOY made heavy contact at the start.

DOUBLE VALENTINE then shifted in and bumped HARRIER JET which was crowded onto FLYING QUEST.

A short distance later, FLYING QUEST, HARRIER JET, DOUBLE VALENTINE and IRON BOY were further crowded for room inside HAPPY COOPERATION which, after initially being taken in by EAGLE, then shifted in of its own accord despite the efforts of its rider.

Near the 1150 Metres, TELECOM BROTHERS shifted out away from the heels of EAGLE which shifted out.

TELECOM BROTHERS was then crowded for room near the 1100 Metres between EAGLE and ORIONIDS which raced tight inside ROCKIT.

In this incident, ORIONIDS became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by TELECOM BROTHERS.

Near the 850 Metres, TELECOM BROTHERS was severely checked when crowded for room inside ORIONIDS which, despite the efforts of its rider, H N Wong, hung in badly away from ROCKIT.

As the Stewards were satisfied that Jockey Wong had made every endeavour to prevent ORIONIDS from shifting in at this time, no further action was taken.

HARRIET JET, which was following, was hampered in consequence.

After this, ORIONIDS continued to hang in badly and making the turn after the 600 Metres made contact with the rail and became unbalanced.

The racing manners of ORIONIDS were considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, ORIONIDS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend.

A veterinary inspection of ORIONIDS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

After this, HARRIET JET improved into tight running between TELECOM BROTHERS and IRON BOY (D Whyte) which was shifted out after the 800 Metres to alleviate the tightening to HARRIER JET.

Making the turn near the 600 Metres, TELECOM BROTHERS was again severely checked when crowded for room inside HARRIER JET (N Callan) which at this time was racing tight to the inside of IRON BOY (D Whyte) which got its head on the side and shifted in marginally.

Although the interference sustained by TELECOM BROTHERS was significant, the Stewards could not apportion any rider error to N Callan or D Whyte and accordingly no further action was taken.

When TELECOM BROTHERS was severely checked, DOUBLE VALENTINE, which improved to be racing to the outside of TELECOM BROTHERS, was checked in consequence when crowded for room inside HAPPY HAPPY STAR.

Passing the 500 Metres, TELECOM BROTHERS momentarily raced tight inside DOUBLE VALENTINE.

Although TELECOM BROTHERS finished tailed out, having regard to the significant interference sustained by that horse during the race, the Stewards took no further action against the horse.

Passing the 50 Metres, IRON BY and DOUBLE VALENTINE raced tight.

A veterinary inspection of TELECOM BROTHERS and AMAZING STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of ROCKIT immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and also found the horse to have bled from both nostrils.

Before being allowed to race again, ROCKIT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

EAGLE, DOUBLE VALENTINE and IRON BOY were sent for sampling.