Recap by phillip woo

In a blanket finish, Victory Machine just held on after hitting the front stalking the leader Most Beautiful at the 280m for the win. He was well rated off an earlier win and had put the writing on the wall two back. Victory Power was a bit flat-footed following a prominent run but eventually got going to snatch second. He appears from this run to want 1,400m. Sunshine Holiday stayed on very well following a deep run with cover around midfield from a wide gate to make it close for second. Flying Lover wouldn't go down without a fight after chasing the leaders three deep without cover the entire trip. It was one of his better efforts and he might not be far off a bottom. Favourite Honest Way ran on steadily to finish just out of the placings following a midfield run. He failed to build on a last-start win but is still only three years of age and open to improvement. Shining On finished nicely one from the right after settling second last in his best run from five outings.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (763) - SERVING THE COMMUNITY 1200M HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Just prior to the start being effected, SUPREME WITNESS became fractious and then as the gates opened lifted its front feet off the ground, began awkwardly and lost ground.

HONEST WAY shifted out at the start and bumped FLYING LOVER.

From a wide barrier, SHINING ON was restrained in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Also from the outside barrier, ABSOLUCOOL was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

A short distance after the start, STAR OF PATCH was steadied to obtain a position with cover closer to the rail.

Approaching the 900 Metres, SUPREME WITNESS was crowded for room inside GRACIOUS RYDER which commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted in when being checked away from the heels of JOY AND POWER.

Throughout the race, FLYING LOVER travelled wide and without cover.

At the entrance to the Straight, ABSOLUCOOL raced close to the heels of STAR OF PATCH and when being shifted to the outside of that horse bumped with HONG KONG'S FOLKS, causing ABSOLUCOOL to become badly unbalanced and HONG KONG'S FOLKS to become unbalanced.

Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, the Stewards viewed the video to establish whether there were grounds for a protest/objection in respect of the 3rd placegetter SUNSHINE HOLIDAY against the 2nd placegetter VICTORY POWER.

It was evident that SUNSHINE HOLIDAY hung in in the early part of the Straight and near the 250 Metres had to be corrected by its rider after shifting in towards the heels of FLYING LOVER.

After being straightened, SUNSHINE HOLIDAY again shifted in and bumped VICTORY POWER near the 150 Metres, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced.

SUNSHINE HOLIDAY and VICTORY POWER continued to race tight for the remainder of the race and close to the finishing line SUNSHINE HOLIDAY was taken out marginally by VICTORY POWER.

As the Stewards were satisfied that SUNSHINE HOLIDAY had initiated the contact between the two horses by laying in, the matter was not proceeded with.

After the race, K Teetan stated that although HONG KONG'S FOLKS was obliged to race three wide for the majority of the race, the horse had partial cover.

He said HONG KONG'S FOLKS commenced to give ground abruptly from the 600 Metres and although bumped at the entrance to the Straight was well beaten at this time.

A veterinary inspection of HONG KONG'S FOLKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of HONG KONG'S FOLKS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, HONG KONG'S FOLKS 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 MOST BEAUTIFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

HONEST WAY, VICTORY MACHINE and VICTORY POWER were sent for sampling.