Recap by phillip woo

Supreme Witness quickened well to grab a second straight win and first in Class Four 30m out after peeling into the open 250m out following a handy run. He's going well but it wasn't a strong test on paper. Alloy Star found one better on the day after hitting the front 60m out following a midfield run on the fence. It was a good debut effort but he's still inexperienced. Breeze Of Spring kept on gamely for a placing after showing gate speed to eventually settle near the speed one off the leader. Cool Ace kept on all right after hitting the front 300m out following a box-seat run. Interstellar made significant ground late after making his run at the rear of the field. He was suited by a class drop. Newcomer M M Johnny was stopping 200m out after clearing to the lead 800m out. Odds-on choice Wayfoong Star didn't settle travelling three-wide without cover after a sluggish start and was struggling soon after straightening.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (381) - ORCHID HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

ALLOY STAR, which kicked a rail on the way to the Start, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the barriers and passed suitable to race.

GLENEALY PALS began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped READY CONQUEROR.

GLENEALY PALS was then crowded for room between READY CONQUEROR and BRAVERY AND POWER which shifted out.

JOYFUL CHEERS began only fairly and then was crowded for room outside BREEZE OF SPRING which shifted out.

WAYFOONG STAR began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped M M JOHNNY.

From the outside barrier, INTERSTELLAR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, GLENEALY PALS lost ground when crowded for room between BRAVERY AND POWER which shifted out away from SUPREME WITNESS and READY CONQUEROR which was taken in by BREEZE OF SPRING (G van Niekerk).

G van Niekerk was advised that whilst there was some contribution in this incident from BRAVERY AND POWER, nonetheless he was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

After travelling a short distance, JOYFUL CHEERS and M M JOHNNY bumped.

Making the first turn near the 900 Metres, BRAVERY AND POWER was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JOYFUL CHEERS as that horse raced tight inside WAYFOONG STAR.

BRAVERY AND POWER then got its head on the side and lay out, resulting in READY CONQUEROR being taken wider and without cover.

Passing the 700 Metres, BREEZE OF SPRING raced keenly when being steadied to allow M M JOHNNY to cross.

ALLOY STAR had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

Passing the 400 Metres, OLD HAVANA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WAYFOONG STAR.

OLD HAVANA then raced tight between JOYFUL CHEERS and WAYFOONG STAR approaching the 300 Metres when improving into a tight run between those horses.

Passing the 300 Metres, OLD HAVANA was hampered when crowded for room between JOYFUL CHEES and WAYFOONG STAR (K Teetan) which lay out under pressure.

K Teetan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners.

Passing the 300 Metres, M M JOHNNY and BREEZE OF SPRING raced tight.

Approaching the 100 Metres, ALLOY STAR, which was racing greenly, shifted out and bumped BREEZE OF SPRING which became unbalanced, shifted out and inconvenienced SUPREME WITNESS.

After this, ALLOY STAR continued to race greenly and close to the finishing line shifted out, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount.

Also approaching the 100 Metres, T Piccone (READY CONQUEROR) dropped his left rein.

When questioned regarding the performance of WAYFOONG STAR, K Teetan stated that from the wide barrier he was asked to obtain cover if possible as the horse had performed best in its barrier trials leading up to its first race start when ridden in this manner.

He said it was felt that M M JOHNNY, which was drawn immediately to the inside of WAYFOONG STAR, would be ridden along to obtain a forward position and therefore he should follow that horse across in the hope that he would be able to obtain a trialing position.

He said after beginning only fairly he allowed his mount to improve with M M JOHNNY and when BREEZE OF SPRING, which was positioned to the inside of that horse, was being steadied after the 1000 Metres, he felt that there may be an opportunity to shift across to race outside BREEZE OF SPRING one horse off the rail when that horse allowed M M JOHNNY to cross.

He said however that after the 900 Metres BREEZE OF SPRING remained racing in a one-off position after being crossed by M M JOHNNY and this resulted in WAYFOONG STAR being left racing three wide without cover.

He added WAYFOONG STAR was on its wrong leg throughout the race and lay out making the turns when racing without cover.

He said nonetheless he felt that WAYFOONG STAR would still be able to finish off the race well as the horse had shown a good turn of foot when ridden by him previously.

He said however that WAYFOONG STAR came under immediate pressure rounding the Home Turn and then continued to lay out in the Straight and gave ground after the 200 Metres and, in his opinion, was very disappointing.

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

The performance of WAYFOONG STAR, favourite for today's race and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, WAYFOONG STAR 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 M M JOHNNY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

WAYFOONG STAR, SUPREME WITNESS and ALLOY STAR were sent for sampling.