Recap by phillip woo

Winning Feeling split rivals to grab victory 100m out after settling on the back of the leader Viva Council from a good gate. Early favourite Master Albert closed well after sitting midfield on the fence to just get the bob down over Victory Power for second. He's racing well without winning. Victory Power ran on well down the outside to make it close after a deep run without cover beyond midfield. Post-time favourite Shouson rushed forward to sit outside the leader 750m out, moved to the front 250m out and kept on evenly over the last 100m. Dollar Reward should have finished closer if not having to steady and pull off the tiring leader Viva Council 250m out following a run near the inside behind midfield. The Show made headway late after making his run one from the back from a wide draw. It was his best run this campaign. Golden Glory ran on without menacing after going back from a wide gate. It was another honest run without threatening.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (220) - FRANCE HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

DRAGON BOLT began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of VICTORY POWER, causing VICTORY POWER to become unbalanced and DRAGON BOLT to lose ground.

From a wide barrier, THE SHOW was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, AFTER ME was bumped by EL JEFE which shifted out when awkwardly placed outside the heels of WINNING FEELING.

This resulted in AFTER ME being hampered when crowded for room inside SHOUSON.

In the early stages, DOLLAR REWARD travelled keenly and near the 1050 Metres got its head on the side and made the turn awkwardly.

VIVA COUNCIL made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, EL JEFE (G van Niekerk) got its head on the side and lay out.

AFTER ME, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EL JEFE in consequence.

After this, EL JEFE continued to lay out and made the Home Turn awkwardly.

After the race, G van Niekerk reported that EL JEFE did not travel comfortably at any stage and was inclined to lay out for the majority of the race.

He said after making the Home Turn wide, he placed EL JEFE under heavy pressure, however, the horse did not finish off the race as anticipated.

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

After the 300 Metres, THE SHOW was shifted out away from the heels of DRAGON BOLT to obtain clear running.

At the 200 Metres, AFTER ME raced tight outside EL JEFE which shifted out marginally.

Passing the 200 Metres, DOLLAR REWARD was directed out away from the heels of VIVA COUNCIL after being disappointed for running inside that horse and then approaching the 100 Metres was shifted in away from the heels of SHOUSON to continue improving.

Passing the 100 Metres, GOLDEN GLORY was bumped by EL JEFE which, when giving ground, shifted in abruptly.

When questioned, A Badel stated that he was given alternative instructions on how to ride VICTORY POWER.

He said he was told that if the horse began well he should attempt to obtain a forward positon, preferably behind the lead.

He said however that if VICTORY POWER did not begin well, he was asked to have the horse racing where it was comfortable and with cover if possible.

He said VICTORY POWER began only fairly and then after being bumped on jumping did not show enough early speed to be able to take up a forward position.

He said he then elected to steady VICTORY POWER and obtain cover behind AFTER ME near the 1000 Metres.

He said when AFTER ME was able to shift in to a two wide position, this resulted in VICTORY POWER being left racing three wide and without cover from the 800 Metres.

When questioned regarding the performance of KHAKI, O Murphy stated that he was asked to ride the horse wherever it was comfortable from the wide barrier.

He said KHAKI did not show any early speed and he shifted the horse across behind runners in the early stage.

He said KHAKI was reluctant to stretch out throughout the race despite being ridden along throughout.

He said when detached from the field in the middle stages, he continued to ride KHAKI in an endeavour to have it improve its position, however, the horse would not respond to his riding and did not make up any ground in the Straight to finish at the rear of the field.

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

The performance of KHAKI, which was detached from the field, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, KHAKI will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SHOUSON, WINNING FEELING and MASTER ALBERT were sent for sampling.