Recap by phillip woo

Plunged late Clear Choice held off the fast-finishing Holy Heart after hitting the front 60m out settling effectively one-out, one-back in the run for a second straight win on this surface despite a return to Class Three. Holy Heart dashed nicely to just miss after being ridden along under the whip early on to stay in touch two from the back. Volpino just wore down California Argent racing fore of midfield in a blanket finish for third. He's honest but has trouble winning. California Argent gave a cheeky sight after clearing to the front 1,250m out from a wide gate. It was an improved run with a switch to the dirt. Enfolding closed well to nearly placing travelling towards the rear from a wide gate. Favourite Righteous Doctrine wasn't properly tested over the final 100m with his move from beyond midfield on the fence. He should have finished closer. Unite Spirit was making noticeable ground late without menacing from the rear of the field.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (387) - LILY HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

HOLY HEART shifted out at the start and bumped RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE.

HOLY HEART was then crowded for room after travelling a short distance between RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE which was racing tight inside TRAVEL FIRST and ARCATRAZ which shifted out.

From wide barriers UNITE SPIRIT, ENFOLDING and RULE THEE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Making the turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion, TRAVEL FIRST was eased away from the heels of GENERAL DINO which was hampered when taken in by CLEAR CHOICE (G van Niekerk).

G van Niekerk was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances.

Also passing the winning post on the first occasion, HOLY HEART momentarily raced tight inside RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE.

After the 1200 Metres, RULE THEE was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, ARCATRAZ commenced to travel keenly, got its head on the side, shifted in and brushed the running rail.

VOLPINO travelled keenly after the 1100 Metres when awkwardly placed behind CLEAR CHOICE.

Approaching the 700 Metres, HOLY HEART and MONGOLIAN LEGEND raced tight.

Near the 150 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE raced tight between VOLPINO and SMILING CITY which shifted out.

Close to the finishing line, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was checked when disappointed for running between CLEAR CHOICE and VOLPINO (Z Purton) which shifted in.

Z Purton was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE had not properly established running between CLEAR CHOICE and VOLPINO, nonetheless he has an obligation to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

SMILING CITY, which was racing inside RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE, was crowded for room inside that horse and was checked away from the heels of CALIFORNIA ARGENT close to the finishing line.

For these reasons, both RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE and SMILING CITY were not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

Also close to the finishing line, ENFOLDING raced tight inside HOLY HEART which shifted in.

A veterinary inspection of TRAVEL FIRST and GENERAL DINO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE, CLEAR CHOICE and HOLY HEART were sent for sampling.