Recap by phillip woo

Naboo Star dashed strongly widest out to win going away 80m out after a patient ride fourth from the rear. He was suited by pace and its light weight with a rise in class but the penny clearly has dropped with him and he remains one to follow. Flying Quest quickened nicely after making his run behind midfield on the fence to fill the Quinella spot. Jolly Honour found a couple too good after taking off coming to the final from behind midfield to lead 200m out. Triumphant Horse ran down favourite Bear Again to add some value to the Quartet after a patient ride second last from a tricky gate. Bear Again was slightly impeded between runners at the 150m following a box-seat run but came up one-paced soon after. Plunged late Magnificent faded 150m out after clearing to the front 1,200m out. He went a bit too quick. Horsesain Bolt was gone 200m out after a one-out, one-back run. He was possibly not on his game mentally after refusing to load.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (397) - RUSSELL HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

PLANET STAR was withdrawn on 4.2.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter EARTH TRILOGY (N Callan).

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

The start of the race was delayed as HORSESAIN BOLT proved difficult to load.

Before being allowed to race again, HORSESAIN BOLT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

NABOO STAR shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of MIGHTY POWER which became unbalanced.

After this, NABOO STAR was crowded for room between MIGHTY POWER and JOYFUL MOMENTS which shifted out.

TRIUMPHANT HORSE began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of SMART LEADER.

TRIUMPHANT HORSE was then crowded for room between SMART LEADER which shifted in and BEAR AGAIN which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by TRIUMPHANT HORSE.

After this, TRIUMPHANT HORSE was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

From the outside barrier, HAR HAR HEART was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 450 Metres, JOLLY HONOUR raced tight outside MIGHTY POWER which shifted out to improve around HORSESAIN BOLT.

At the entrance to the Straight, MIGHTY POWER was crowded for room between JOLLY HONOUR and SMART LEADER which shifted out.

After this, MIGHTY POWER continued to race in restricted room between SMART LEADER and JOLLY HONOUR which shifted in.

Passing the 200 Metres, SMART LEADER was crowded for room between BEAR AGAIN and JOLLY HONOUR (G van Niekerk) which shifted in under pressure.

In this incident, SMART LEADER bumped the hindquarters of BEAR AGAIN which became unbalanced when racing tight outside MAGNIFICENT.

G van Niekerk was severely reprimanded.

Passing the 150 Metres, MIGHTY POWER was awkwardly placed outside SMART LEADER which shifted out under pressure.

When questioned regarding his riding of JOYFUL MOMENTS in the early stages, H T Mo stated that he was instructed to begin positively on the horse and obtain a position in about midfield.

He said JOYFUL MOMENTS began awkwardly and got its head up on a number of occasions and when HORSESAIN BOLT, which was drawn immediately inside JOYFUL MOMENTS, was ridden along, he commenced to shift his mount behind that horse.

He said he was aware that JOLLY HONOUR was being vigorously ridden in the early stages and he felt that he may be left racing wide and without cover if he attempted to obtain a position in front of that horse, therefore he elected to steady his mount and shift in behind JOLLY HONOUR which resulted in the horse racing further back in the field than had been anticipated.

After the race, K Teetan (HORSESAIN BOLT) stated that his mount became particularly stirred up in the Parade Ring and behind the start.

He said after being ridden along to obtain a forward position, HORSESAIN BOLT travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages before coming under pressure after the 500 Metres.

He said he was required to ride his mount vigorously rounding the Home Turn and after initially staying on satisfactorily in the early part of the Straight then gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages.

He added that, in his opinion, the manner in which HORSESAIN BOLT became worked up prior to the start may have contributed to the horse's disappointing performance.

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

Also after the race, Z Purton stated that he had to ride MAGNIFICENT along for some distance in the early stages to clear runners from a wide barrier and obtain a forward position.

He said he was racing outside BEAR AGAIN approaching the 1200 Metres and when that horse was steadied, he elected to allow MAGNIFICENT to improve into the lead.

He said the manner in which MAGNIFICENT did not finish of the race could be attributed to the work that he had to do on the horse to obtain a forward position in the early stages.

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

BEAR AGAIN, NABOO STAR and FLYING QUEST were sent for sampling.