Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Kasi Farasi just scraped in after hitting the front 180m out following a perfect run fourth along the fence to make it back-to-back wins. He needed every pound of claimer Victor Wong's allowance. God Of Dragon hit the line strongly when gaining a clear run 200m out travelling behind midfield. He should have won. Young Legend stayed on a non-threatening third after being short of room early straight following a one-out, oneback run. He continues to race well in back-to-back runs following a win. Better Choice closed late near the outside after travelling third from the rear. He's threatening to score in his past three outings at both tracks. Mighty Maverick wasn't beaten far in the end after travelling wide and without cover near the speed from a wide gate. He'll be a force to be reckoned with from a better draw. Newcomer Unicornbaby closed well one from the right after making his run one from the back from a wide gate to just miss a pay slip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (467) - THE MERLION HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

When being restrained from a wide barrier to obtain cover, MANNA FROM HEAVEN got its head up after beginning awkwardly.

Also from a wide barrier, UNICORNBABY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, FARSHAD commenced to prove difficult to settle and lay out towards the heels of MR WEALTH.

At the entrance to the Straight, YOUNG LEGEND was checked away from the heels of LAND GRANT which came under pressure.

After this, despite being ridden along, LAND GRANT gave ground and finished at the rear of the field.

After the race, G van Niekerk said he was concerned with the manner in which LAND GRANT gave ground so quickly in the early part of the Straight and he eased it down over the latter stages as the horse may have gone amiss.

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

Before being allowed to race again, LAND GRANT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

GOD OF DRAGON had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

TRAVEL FIRST was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 200 Metres was bumped by VOYAGE KING which became unbalanced and shifted out after receiving contact from YOUNG LEGEND which, when improving into tight running between VOYAGE KING and MIGHTY MAVERICK, was taken out by MIGHTY MAVERICK which shifted ground marginally.

As there was no rider error attached to this incident, no further action was taken.

TRAVEL FIRST was then unable to obtain clear running for the remainder of the race and consequently was not tested.

Passing the 300 Metres, UNICORNBABY (R Bayliss) shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of BETTER CHOICE (M F Poon) which became unbalanced.

R Bayliss was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

After the 200 Metres, UNICORNBABY and BETTER CHOICE raced tight.

UNICORNBABY and BETTER CHOICE then continued to race tight until near the 50 Metres at which time BETTER CHOICE shifted in.

As M F Poon attempted to use the whip in the right hand, his whip became entangled with UNICORNBABY.

M F Poon was told to ensure that the circumstances are appropriate when attempting to use the whip so that undue contact is not made with other horses or riders.

SPLENDID TIMING had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 200 Metres.

Throughout the race, MIGHTY MAVERICK travelled wide and without cover.

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

KASI FARASI and GOD OF DRAGON were sent for sampling.