Recap by phillip woo

Golden Kid held off favourite Romantic Journey after dashing to the front near the 50m from behind midfield on the fence. He's always a chance in this grade and does love this trip. Romantic Journey took a while to wind up but was really flying in the last 100m after a patient ride fourth from the back to make it close on the wire. Sky Gem got the gaps when needed near the inside after cornering last from a wide gate to fill a placing. He can bob up now and then. Well-backed late Virtus Star finished well after being held up and badly hampered near the 200m travelling third from the rear. Punted late Money Marshal was on his tippy toes 100m out after working to lead 1,600m out. He went a bit too quick. Dragon Warrior came up flat inside the final 150m after taking off 700m out to sit near the speed without cover 500m out. He had an excuse. Lucky Shiny Day found nothing when push came to shove following a one-out, one-back run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (201) - KELSO HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1800Meters

YOUNG GLORY began only fairly.

OUR GREEN was crowded for room on jumping between ROMANTIC JOURNEY and LUCKY SHINY DAY which shifted out.

In this incident, ROMANTIC JOURNEY became unbalanced after being bumped by OUR GREEN and shifted out, inconveniencing GOLDEN KID and VIRTUS STAR.

After this, VIRTUS STAR was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

REGENCY GEM shifted out at the start and bumped SKY GEM.

SKY GEM was then shifted across behind runners to obtain cover from the outside barrier.

Near the 1650 Metres, DRAGON WARRIOR momentarily raced tight between LE PANACHE and STRAPPING BAUHINIA which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to DRAGON WARRIOR.

Near the 1500 Metres, VIRTUS STAR raced tight inside SKY GEM which shifted in.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, STRAPPING BAUHINIA was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY SHINY DAY which got its head on the side and shifted away from the heels of REGENCY GEM (N Callan) as that horse was steadied after shifting in when not quite clear of LUCKY SHINY DAY.

N Callan was reprimanded and advised to be fully clear when shifting ground in future.

For some distance after the 1400 Metres, DRAGON WARRIOR got its head up when awkwardly placed behind STRAPPING BAUHINIA.

Again after the 1200 Metres, DRAGON WARRIOR, which was travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed behind STRAPPING BAUHINIA.

Near the 700 Metres, YOUNG GLORY shifted in and bumped STRAPPING BAUHINIA.

Near the 450 Metres, OUR GREEN and LUCKY SHINY DAY raced tight.

VIRTUS STAR, which was following OUR GREEN, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse approaching the 400 Metres.

Rounding the Home Turn, GOLDEN KID raced tight outside VIRTUS STAR (L Hewitson) which attempted to improve into very tight running between GOLDEN KID and LUCKY SHINY DAY.

This resulted in VIRTUS STAR and GOLDEN KID bumping on a number of occasions and causing GOLDEN KID to become unbalanced and VIRTUS STAR to be hampered when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY SHINY DAY.

L Hewitson was advised to exercise more care when improving his position to ensure that he does not place undue pressure on other horses in order to make room.

VIRTUS STAR then raced tight between LUCKY SHINY DAY and GOLDEN KID until near the 200 Metres at which stage VIRTUS STAR was checked when crowded for room between LUCKY SHINY DAY and GOLDEN KID (A Sanna) which shifted in.

In this incident, VIRTUS STAR bumped the hindquarters of LUCKY SHINY DAY and became unbalanced.

A Sanna was advised that whilst the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that VIRTUS STAR had not properly established running between LUCKY SHINY DAY and GOLDEN KID, nonetheless he was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he reacts to his mounts shifting ground at the earliest opportunity so that other runners are not hampered.

Approaching the 50 Metres, DRAGON WARRIOR raced tight inside SKY GEM which, after initially being directed in by GOLDEN KID, then got its head on the side and shifted in away from that horse.

In this incident, REGENCY GEM, which was racing to the inside of DRAGON WARRIOR, was inconvenienced.

When questioned, A Badel stated that he was asked to settle YOUNG GLORY towards the rear of the field and to commence to improve his position midway through the race if circumstances permitted.

He said it was explained to him that YOUNG GLORY was previously successful when making a mid-race move and it was felt that if similar circumstances existed in this race then it would be to the benefit of YOUNG GLORY if the horse were able to improve its position in a similar fashion.

He said passing the 1300 Metres he improved to be racing outside the heels of SKY GEM and when that horse shifted out to be following ROMANTIC JOURNEY, this resulted in YOUNG GLORY racing in a three wide position.

He said he commenced to ride his mount along from the 1100 Metres in an endeavour to improve his position around SKY GEM.

He said YOUNG GLORY did not travel well and, despite being ridden along for some distance, did not improve its position as quickly as he anticipated and this resulted in YOUNG GLORY having to race wide for the majority of the race.

A Badel was advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they can finish off their races as best as they are able.

He was further told that, if circumstances permit, he must avoid covering unnecessary ground and not set his mounts too big a task.

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

A veterinary inspection of LE PANACHE and STRAPPING BAUHINIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

GOLDEN KID and ROMANTIC JOURNEY were sent for sampling.