Recap by phillip woo

Flying Quest came from last and widest out in a suitably run race to grab victory in the shadows of the post. Universal Go Go was swallowed up late after hitting the front passing the 50m travelling effectively one-out, one-back. He did everything right but get the win. Looking Good kept battling away to hold third after working to a narrow lead 200m out racing handy on the fence. Red Elysees ran on steadily to nearly place after saving ground in midfield. Bear Again stayed on much better travelling one-off behind midfield. He's starting to come around in his past two starts. Arcada came up flat 100m out following a box-seat run. He's likely on or near his mark. Invincible Missile ran on without menacing from near last carrying top weight. Both the well-backed Last Kingdom and Circuit Hassler faded after going too hard in front. Last Kingdom's on his mark after an opening win, while Circuit Hassler will be one to consider shortly in Class Four.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (139) - PYRAMID HILL HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

On arrival at the holding stalls, PRETTY BAUHINIA was found to have sustained a minor laceration to the right hind leg when being transported to the course.

PRETTY BAUHINIA was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

After being mounted, CIRCUIT HASSLER became fractious and reared, resulting in L Hewitson being dislodged without incident.

CIRCUIT HASSLER was crowded for room on jumping between COBY BOY and INVINCIBLE MISSILE, both of which shifted ground.

When bumped on the hindquarters by INVINCIBLE MISSILE, CIRCUIT HASSLER shifted out, resulting in INVINCIBLE MISSILE being steadied away from that horse's heels after travelling a short distance.

Then after this, INVINCIBLE MISSILE was steadied and shifted across behind runners.

Also from wide barriers, COBY BOY and FLYING QUEST were steadied to obtain cover.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, LAST KINGDOM shifted in and bumped CIRCUIT HASSLER, causing both horses to become unbalanced.

For some distance approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, LAST KINGDOM got its head up when travelling keenly in the lead.

COBY BOY was eased out of the race after the 600 Metres.

A veterinary inspection of COBY BOY immediately following the race found that horse to have bled.

As this was the third occasion on which COBY BOY had been found to have bled, that horse will now be compulsorily retired.

When COBY BOY commenced to give ground after the 600 Metres, INVINCIBLE MISSILE, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

Making the turn after the 550 Metres, PRETTY BAUHINIA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAR AGAIN.

Apprentice K H Chan (ARCADA) dropped his whip approaching the 200 Metres.

When questioned, L Hewitson stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on CIRCUIT HASSLER.

He said he was further instructed that if CIRCUIT HASSLER was travelling well in the middle stages, he should allow that horse to continue on and not restrain it as the trainer was of the opinion that when restrained to sit outside the lead at its last start, this had impacted on the horse's turn of foot.

He said in the early stages he was comfortable to race outside LAST KINGDOM and he was reluctant to allow his mount to improve after the 1000 Metres, however, given that CIRCUIT HASSLER was travelling well and the instructions he had been given, he felt that he had no option but to allow CIRCUIT HASSLER to continue forward of LAST KINGDOM after the 900 Metres.

He said when LAST KINGDOM maintained its position to the inside of CIRCUIT HASSLER, this required CIRCUIT HASSLER to continue racing one horse off the rail outside and in advance of LAST KINGDOM.

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

After the race, A Sanna reported that after racing keenly in the lead in the early and middle stages, LAST KINGDOM then did not appreciate having CIRCUIT HASSLER race to its outside and, in his opinion, because of these factors LAST KINGDOM was then not able to finish off the race.

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

Also after the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that ARCADA was lame in its left front leg.

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

FLYING QUEST and UNIVERSAL GO GO were sent for sampling.