Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Alpha Hedge easily got up 250m out for the win after getting a dream run in the box-seat. He had been knocking on the door and it turned out to be a nice pick-up ride for Zac Purton. Shamport came on from midfield for second after getting briefly held up passing the 300m but was never going to catch the winner. He was able to continue his good campaign despite a step up to a mile. Toycoon ran on well from behind midfield to grab third on the wire without menacing the top pair in a pleasing first run over the course. He tends to mix his form but has shown ability in his six starts. Punted late Methane lost third in the last stride after settling nicely three back on the fence despite being restless in the gate. He doesn't know how to run a bad race over this Valley trip. Best Alliance came on late near the outside to pick up a minor cheque after settling one from the rear from gate 12. He's racing consistently well without winning at this level.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (767) - MOUNT NICHOLSON HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

Shortly after the start, METHANE became unbalanced, shifted in and bumped RICH AND LUCKY.

From the outside barriers, MONEY BACK and BEST ALLIANCE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.

FUN LEGEND was steadied to obtain cover in the early stages.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, DIVINE UNICORN got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHAMPORT which was being steadied to obtain cover.

For some distance after the 1300 Metres, RICH AND LUCKY travelled keenly in the lead.

After the race, H T Mo stated that due to the manner in which RICH AND LUCKY travelled in the middle stages, the horse was then not able to finish off the race.

Approaching the 1200 Metres, FARSHAD got its head up when awkwardly placed behind HAPPY WARRIOR.

After the 600 Metres, ALPHA HEDGE raced tight inside HAPPY WARRIOR which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider.

In this incident, HAPPY WARRIOR became unbalanced after making contact with ALPHA HEDGE.

Also making the turn after the 600 Metres, METHANE momentarily raced in restricted room inside FARSHAD which got its head on the side and lay in.

Passing the 250 Metres, SHAMPORT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of METHANE.

Then approaching the 200 Metres, METHANE got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure, resulting in HAPPY WARRIOR being inconvenienced, TOYCOON was awkwardly placed outside FARSHAD approaching the 200 Metres when that horse shifted out.

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

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

ALPHA HEDGE and SHAMPORT were sent for sampling.