Recap by phillip woo

Well-punted late, Powermax just held off early favourite Perfect Glory after hitting the front 20m out following a handy run with cover to build on a near win earlier this month in Class Four. He's always a chance over this Valley trip. Perfect Glory came on nicely following a midfield run to make it close in the end. The 17-pound swing in the weights was the difference in the end and he remains one to follow. Daring Fit scraped through along the inside following a rail run in midfield to snatch third. He's run well to place once at each track this term. Failing to make use of a good gate, Star Of Joy wouldn't go down without a fight after hitting the front 280m out following a prominent run without cover. Good Beauty ran on well after settling second near last from a tricky gate. He's mixing his form but was suited by the step back in distance. Plunged late California Archer came up one-paced over the final 150m after chasing the leader one off from a wide gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (125) - PERFECT GEAR HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

As the start was effected, HAPPY TIME, which was fractious in the barriers, threw its head to the right, resulting in the starting gate handler, which was assisting HAPPY TIME, maintaining contact with HAPPY TIME's left rein as he was continuing to assist horse and rider.

As the Stewards were satisfied that HAPPY TIME being slow to begin was as a direct result of the horse's barrier manners, no further action was taken in respect of HAPPY TIME not being afforded a fair start.

Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY TIME will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

GOOD BEAUTY began awkwardly and lost ground.

STAR OF JOY began awkwardly and then was inconvenienced by POWERMAX which shifted out.

PERFECT GLORY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Passing the 1100 Metres, STAR OF JOY, which was being steadied to obtain cover behind POWERMAX, commenced to prove very difficult to settle, resulting in STAR OF JOY being awkwardly placed outside the heels of POWERMAX.

STAR OF JOY then continued to prove difficult to settle, resulting in the horse racing three wide and without cover and near the 600 Metres was allowed to improve its position forward of CALIFORNIA ARCHER to race outside the lead.

In the early stages, WINNING WAYS was steadied in an attempt to obtain cover, however, when left racing wide after making the turn near the 1000 Metres then commenced to race ungenerously which resulted in the horse remaining wide and without cover until the 500 Metres.

Making the turn passing the 600 Metres, CHEEKY BEE raced tight inside POWERMAX which shifted in when awkwardly placed behind CALIFORNIA ARCHER.

CHEEKY BEE then make the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly.

Near the 450 Metres, PERFECT GLORY was awkwardly placed behind POWERMAX.

Passing the 250 Metres, CALIFORNIA ARCHER was awkwardly placed inside POWERMAX.

Near the 150 Metres, HAPPY TIME was held up for clear running behind CHEEKY BEE which commenced to give ground.

HAPPY TIME was then shifted to the inside of CHEEKY BEE approaching the 100 Metres as that horse bumped with GOOD BEAUTY.

After being shifted to the inside of CHEEKY BEE, HAPPY TIME then raced tight inside that horse passing the 50 Metres as CHEEKY BEE lay in marginally under pressure.

Over the concluding stages, GOOD BEAUTY was awkwardly placed behind DARING FIT and STAR OF JOY and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

STAR OF JOY, POWERMAX and PERFECT GLORY were sent for sampling.