Recap by phillip woo

Rule Thee just held off the favourite Bigwood by a whisker after hitting the front 150 out following a midfield run. He had put the writing on the wall in two prior starts and enjoyed the step up to 1,800m. Bigwood just failed to get up following a handy run. He's proving quite versatile and had more upside to come. Tianchi Monster stuck on well for a placing following a box-seat run in a positive first run over this course and distance. Namjong Plus got going late near the outside after having to avoid the stopping Happy Spirit 700m out travelling fourth from the rear. Helene Charisma was badly held up and never properly tested in the stretch drive with his run from near last. Dynamic Eagle wasn't too far away in the end after being forced to show his cards to test the leaders at the 800m following a deep run early on in midfield. Cheerful Giggles was impeded badly at the 700m by Happy Spirit who was stopping badly and can be forgiven for the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (179) - KYOTO HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1800Meters

DYNAMIC EAGLE and CHEERFUL GIGGLES were crowded for room shortly after the start between HAPPY SPIRIT and TIANCHI MONSTER (M Chadwick) which shifted out.

M Chadwick was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that he had made some effort to straighten TIANCHI MONSTER in this incident, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners.

From the outside barriers, HELENE CHARISMA and HO HO FEEL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, DYNAMIC EAGLE was shifted out away from the heels of RULE THEE after being awkwardly placed behind that horse After this, DYNAMIC EAGLE was left racing wide and without cover and when proving very difficult to settle was consequently allowed to improve its position after the 1000 Metres.

After the 850 Metres, HAPPY SPIRIT commenced to give ground abruptly.

CHEERFUL GIGGLES, which was following HAPPY SPIRIT, was unable to avoid the heels of that horse and blundered badly near the 750 Metres after clipping the heels of HAPPY SPIRIT.

HAPPY SPIRIT then continue to give ground abruptly and after the 600 Metres was retired out of the race.

A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SPIRIT immediately following the race revealed the horse to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

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

When HAPPY SPIRIT was giving ground, NAMJONG PLUS was shifted in away from the heels of that horse after the 700 Metres, resulting in HELENE CHARISMA momentarily racing tight inside that horse.

Shortly after entering the Straight, RULE THEE and SANGRIA bumped.

RULE THEE then shifted in, resulting in SANGRIA being awkwardly placed inside that horse near the 250 Metres at which point BIGWOOD, when improving into running outside of DYNAMIC EAGLE (S de Sousa), was taken out by that horse which shifted abruptly under pressure approaching the 200 Metres.

The Stewards accepted that DYNAMIC EAGLE had shifted out abruptly when being ridden out and after shifting out was momentarily corrected by its rider who stopped riding DYNAMIC EAGLE and straightened the horse.

S de Sousa was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he reacts as quickly as possible to his mounts shifting ground so as to ensure that he does not cause interference to other runners, wherever circumstances permit.

After the 250 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA was shifted to the inside of BIGWOOD after being disappointed for running between that horse and SANGRIA.

HELENE CHARISMA was then shifted to the inside of DYNAMIC EAGLE and for a considerable distance after the 200 Metres was unable to obtain clear running.

Then passing the 100 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA was shifted further to the inside of TIANCHI MONSTER to obtain clear running.

Passing the 100 Metres, BIGWOOD shifted out under pressure and bumped RULE THEE.

BIGWOOD and RULE THEE then raced tight over the concluding stages and bumped again close to the finishing line.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of D Whyte (HELENE CHARISMA), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse's finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit.

Apprentice C Wong (CHEERFUL GIGGLES) was fined the sum of $5,000 for using the whip on the horse when it was out of contention.

Apprentice Wong was advised that this was the second time that he had been penalized for this breach of the Rules and that should he offend again in the near future, the Stewards would give consideration to imposing a more significant penalty.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that LUCKY TIME was lame in its right front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY TIME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of SANGRIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

RULE THEE and BIGWOOD were sent for sampling.