Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed Nextmodel never looked back after leading from a wide gate for a maiden win after showing some progress in five prior starts. He won the race at the start when favourite and likely leader We The South missed the kick. Ardenode stayed on very well to just edge Forza Angel for second after a wide without cover run in midfield from an awkward gate. He's come into his own in in his past two starts and may be crying out for the 1,200m over this course. Forza Angel kept on gamely for a placing after working hard from a wide gate to get to second 500m out. He can bob up at any moment off his current mark. Winner's Heart plugged on to just miss a placing after settling one-out, one-back from a wide draw. He's capable of big runs over this Valley trip but is not reliable. Excellent Chariot wasn't beaten far in the end after a one-off run fore of midfield. He hasn't disgraced in any of his three start but is still a work in progress.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (804) - HATTON HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1000Meters

WE THE SOUTH reared as the start was effected, shifted in and bumped DR EQ, causing both horses to become unbalanced and lose ground.

SEVENTH SEA and UNIVERSAL RECORD were crowded for room on jumping between BEAUT BEAUT which shifted out and ARDENODE which was taken in by FORZA ANGEL.

UNIVERSAL RECORD and BEAUT BEAUT then bumped near the 950 Metres as BEAUT BEAUT continued to shift out and ARDENODE was taken in by FORZA ANGEL which was racing tight inside WINNER'S HEART.

Near the 900 Metres, WE THE SOUTH was crowded for room between DR EQ which got its head on the side and shifted out and NOBLE BIRTH which shifted in.

After this, NOBLE BIRTH raced greenly and hung in near the 850 Metres, resulting in WE THE SOUTH being crowded for room and DR EQ, which was racing to the inside of WE THE SOUTH, being hampered.

NOBLE BIRTH was then directed out to relieve the tightening to WE THE SOUTH and shifted out towards EXCELLENT CHARIOT which at this stage was commencing to receive crowding from WINNER'S HEART which, after initially being directed in by NEXTMODEL (Z Purton) passing the 850 Metres, then got its head on the side and shifted in of its own accord.

After being directed out towards EXCELLENT CHARIOT, NOBLE BIRTH then shifted in abruptly away from that horse near the 800 Metres, resulting in WE THE SOUTH and DR EQ being checked.

As the Stewards were satisfied that the racing manners of NOBLE BIRTH had largely caused the crowding to WE THE SOUTH and DR EQ, no further action was taken other than Z Purton was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in passing the 850 Metres when not clear of WINNER'S HEART, resulting in that horse being initially directed in.

Passing the 900 Metres, ARDENODE raced tight inside the heels of FORZA ANGEL which was eased away from the heels of WINNER'S HEART which shifted in marginally.

After the 600 Metres, ARDENODE was left racing wide and without cover.

EXCELLENT CHARIOT made the turn near the 550 Metres awkwardly.

DR EQ got its head on the side and lay out making the turn near the 550 Metres.

Near the 500 Metres, BEAUT BEAUT was checked away from the heels of UNIVERSAL RECORD.

DR EQ, which was following BEAUT BEAUT, was inconvenienced in consequence.

Passing the 400 Metres, WE THE SOUTH got its head up when awkwardly placed behind NOBLE BIRTH and inside EXCELLENT CHARIOT.

At the 300 Metres, BEAUT BEAUT was steadied away from the heels of WE THE SOUTH.

After the 100 Metres, EXCELLENT CHARIOT was shifted to the inside of FORZA ANGEL and then raced tight inside that horse when improving into tight running between FORZA ANGEL and NOBLE BIRTH.

WE THE SOUTH, NEXTMODEL and ARDENODE were sent for sampling.