Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Diamond Brilliant had to sit three-and-four wide behind midfield but still held off Glittering Armour after sweeping to the front 250m out for a maiden win at his fourth start. He's progressed nicely and there's likely more wins to come. Well-punted Glittering Armour finished strongly widest out after settling amongst the backmarkers from a wide gate to make it close on the wire. He's racing in great spirits this campaign and remains one to follow. Royal Chocolate was swamped in deep stretch after getting pestered for the lead to his outside by Hasta Luego. He's racing very well but has trouble saluting. Well-backed Promise Kept stayed on well after angling into the open 250m out following a handy run on the fence to fill a Quartet spot. It was a solid effort in his first run in 531-days following a host of leg problems. Joyful Heart was coming on nicely with a ducking-and-weaving run near the inside from the rear of the field.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (668) - JC A-CONNECT 1200M HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

FOREVER BRIGHT began only fairly.

ONE STEP AHEAD began only fairly and then was bumped by PROMISE KEPT which shifted out.

ALL YOU NEED began very awkwardly and then was bumped by CALIFORNIA LEGEND which shifted out.

From wide barriers, GLITTERING ARMOUR and DIAMOND BRILLIANT were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Approaching the 1000 Metres, ONE STEP AHEAD raced tight inside JOYFUL HEART which lay in.

In this incident, ONE STEP AHEAD lost its left hind plate.

Passing the 1000 Metres, DIAMOND BRILLIANT (Z Purton) shifted to the inside of REGENCY DARLING to improve into tight running which was available between that horse which was shifting in and ALL YOU NEED.

As DIAMOND BRILLIANT then improved to the inside of REGENCY DARLING, DIAMOND BRILLIANT was taken in by that horse which shifted in before the rider of REGENCY DARLING became aware that DIAMOND BRILLIANT had improved to its inside.

After this, M F Poon, the rider of REGENCY DARLING, commenced to shift his mount out to relieve the tightening to DIAMOND BRILLIANT.

When DIAMOND BRILLIANT was then taken in by REGENCY DARLING, this resulted in ALL YOU NEED being hampered and taken in onto JOYFUL HEART which lost ground approaching the 900 Metres when checked due to being unable to maintain its position inside ALL YOU NEED.

Z Purton was advised that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that there was initially room for him to improve inside REGENCY DARLING once that horse continued to shift in as it had been prior to him improving, he should have made more of an effort to prevent DIAMOND BRILLIANT from shifting in and causing crowding to ALL YOU NEED and JOYFUL HEART.

Z Purton was severely reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he must exercise due care when improving into tight running.

Near the 750 Metres, ALL YOU NEED and DIAMOND BRILLIANT raced tight between REGENCY DARLING and ONE STEP AHEAD which shifted out when travelling keenly and very awkwardly placed close to the heels of PROMISE KEPT.

Near the 650 Metres, ALL YOU NEED was steadied away from the heels of CALIFORNIA LEGEND.

Approaching the 600 Metres, HASTA LUEGO shifted out marginally and bumped FOREVER BRIGHT.

DIAMOND BRILLIANT, which was following FOREVER BRIGHT, shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence and inconvenienced REGENCY DARLING.

Rounding the Home Turn, FOREVER BRIGHT shifted out and brushed the hindquarters of DIAMOND BRILLIANT.

Approaching the 400 Metres, JOYFUL HEART was shifted in away from the heels of CALIFORNIA LEGEND.

Approaching the 300 Metres, CALIFORNIA LEGEND was awkwardly placed outside the heels of PROMISE KEPT which shifted out.

Over the last 150 Metres, ONE STEP AHEAD raced tight inside JOYFUL HEART which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROYAL CHOCOLATE when held up behind that horse after being unable to improve inside ROYAL CHOCOLATE due to ONE STEP AHEAD being positioned to its inside.

Then close to the finishing line, ONE STEP AHEAD was bumped by JOYFUL HEART which shifted in away from the heels of ROYAL CHOCOLATE.

This resulted in JOYFUL HEART not being able to be properly tested over the last 150 Metres.

Over the concluding stages, CALIFORNIA LEGEND was unable to obtain clear running and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

Throughout the race, REGENCY DARLING travelled wide and without cover.

Throughout the race, FOREVER BRIGHT also travelled wide and without cover and subsequently finished tailed out.

The performance of FOREVER BRIGHT was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, FOREVER BRIGHT 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 FOREVER BRIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of N Callan (ALL YOU NEED), 8th 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 all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit.

A veterinary inspection of ALL YOU NEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

DIAMOND BRILLIANT and GLITTERING ARMOUR were sent for sampling.