Recap by phillip woo

Play Wise just got up in the dying stages to deny Starlit Knight following a prominent run on the fence for a first win at his 20th start. He's always shown the potential to win a race and was given a lovely ride by Matthew Poon Ming-fai. Starlit Knight wouldn't go down without a fight after moving to the front passing the 600m following a one-out one-back. He relished a return to his favourite Valley 1,650m. Early favourite Touch Of Luck had his chance following a handy run with cover. It was another effort in his first try at the Valley but the big weight's proving a tough hurdle to clear. Charity Wings stayed on reasonably well following a midfield run on the fence. He rarely produces a bad run over this Valley trip. C P Power got going late without menacing from near the back. Post-time choice Dream Warriors made some ground without threatening settling behind midfield after another slow break. He's got ability but needs to get his antics right at the start.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (801) - MAVERICK STAR HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

After being loaded into the barriers, DREAM WARRIORS became fractious and as the start was effected lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was very slow to begin.

Having regard to DREAM WARRIORS' record of having performed similarly in its previous race, the Stewards ruled that that horse must barrier trial satisfactorily prior to being permitted to race again.

STARLIT KNIGHT began awkwardly.

JOYFUL HEART began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped TOUCH OF LUCK.

From the outside barriers, GODSPEED, GOLDEN GLORY and NITRO EXPRESS were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 900 Metres, STARLIT KNIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROMAN ODYSSEY.

For some distance after the 900 Metres, DREAM WARRIORS travelled keenly and had to be steadied away from the heels of CHARITY WINGS.

Also after the 900 Metres, due to the tempo of the race, TOUCH OF LUCK got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind STARLIT KNIGHT.

JOYFUL HEART then raced close to the heels of TOUCH OF LUCK in consequence, resulting in GODSPEED, which was following JOYFUL HEART, being shifted out away from the heels of that horse near the 850 Metres.

After shifting out to a position without cover, GODSPEED was then allowed to improve its position after the 800 Metres and passing the 700 Metres was bumped by STARLIT KNIGHT which shifted to the outside of ROMAN ODYSSEY.

Approaching the 600 Metres, DREAM WARRIORS improved into tight running between JOYFUL HEART and CHARITY WINGS.

This resulted in DREAM WARRIORS and CHARITY WINGS bumping approaching the 550 Metres.

DREAM WARRIORS then raced very tight between JOYFUL HEART and CHARITY WINGS for some distance approaching and passing the 500 Metres as CHARITY WINGS was taken out by PLAY WISE which shifted to the outside of CORRE RAPIDO as that horse commence to give ground.

In this incident, JOYFUL HEART became unbalanced after being bumped by DREAM WARRIORS.

CORRE RAPIDO subsequently finished tailed out.

Before being allowed to race again, CORRE RAPIDO 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 CORRE RAPIDO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

A veterinary inspection of DREAM WARRIORS immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained minor lacerations to the left hind fetlock and pastern.

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

DREAM WARRIORS, PLAY WISE and STARLIT KNIGHT were sent for sampling.