Recap by phillip woo

Speed Vision went straight to the front and never looked back for an easy win. He was the most experienced of the 11 starters but the move to blinkers really sharpened him up. Debutant Nordic Warrior ran on to grab second 50m out travelling one-off in midfield with money for him late. It was a nice effort and he appears to have some raw ability. Ruletheroost came on well travelling one-off behind Nordic Warrior. He's made a good impression in both starts and will appreciate a longer trip. Witness Hunter kept on all right after being caught three-deep without cover chasing the leader in an encouraging debut. Newcomer Le Terroir was getting going late after a patient ride near the back. He'll be winning races when coming into his own and will appreciate a longer trip in time. Favourite Romantic Bonanza found nothing in the drive after a prominent run with cover three deep. It was a disappointing run on face value.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (778) - YUNG SHUE O PLATE - Class GRIFFIN - 1200Meters

THANKS FOREVER was withdrawn on 5.7.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind).

Before being allowed to race again, THANKS FOREVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

LE TERROIR began only fairly and then was hampered when bumped by BELLA BABY which became badly unbalanced after being taken out by KING KANALOA.

As a result of this incident, KING KANALOA, BELLA BABY and LE TERROIR all lost ground.

ROCKAGE began awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

ROMANTIC BONANZA lost its left hind plate passing the 1100 Metres.

Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, PACIFIC MASTER got its head on the side, shifted out and brushed WITNESS HUNTER which became unbalanced and shifted out, resulting in ROMANTIC BONANZA being inconvenienced.

NORDIC WARRIOR, which was following WITNESS HUNTER, was steadied away from that horse in consequence.

After the 700 Metres, PACIFIC MASTER and WITNESS HUNTER, which lay out, raced tight as PACIFIC MASTER shifted to the outside of SPEED VISION.

This resulted in WITNESS HUNTER racing wide and without cover.

At the 200 Metres, LE TERROIR was hampered when having to be shifted in away from the heels of ROMANTIC BONANZA which, when giving ground, got its head on the side and lay in.

PACIFIC MASTER lay out rounding the Home Turn.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ROMANTIC BONANZA, T Berry stated that his mount felt "flat??throughout the race.

He said ROMANTIC BONANZA had to be ridden along for some distance in the early stages to obtain a forward position and then was not travelling well enough to prevent WITNESS HUNTER from shifting out passing the 1000 Metres which resulted in ROMANTIC BONANZA initially having to race three wide and without cover.

He said he was able to obtain cover behind WITNESS HUNTER after the 700 Metres and when placed under pressure in the early part of the Straight did not quicken as it did when he had ridden it in its previous starts.

He added after this ROMANTIC BONANZA weakened noticeably in the Straight which led him to form the view that the horse had come to the end of its preparation.

The performance of ROMANTIC BONANZA, a last start winner and favourite for today's race, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, ROMANTIC BONANZA 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 ROMANTIC BONANZA immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained an overreach wound to the outside of the left hind heel, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

ROMANTIC BONANZA, SPEED VISION and NORDIC WARRIOR were sent for sampling.