Recap by phillip woo

Great Harvest was hustled to lead 1,000m out by Zac Purton and kept finding when asked for more to score well. He's been in a good patch of form all season long. Jade Theatre out-duelled Alloy King for second after a pace-stalking run. It was a strong performance following a stable change. Plunged late, Alloy King just lost second after handing up the front to travel box-seat. It was clearly his best run to date with a return to the Valley off a career low in the ratings. Favourite Wonder Brahma came from towards to the rear to fill the frame. He's a winner waiting to happen after two positive runs for his new trainer. After Me held his ground following a prominent run. He has only been able to produce an odd good run now and then. Smiling Face made some ground travelling behind midfield after a sluggish start. It wasn't a bad effort dropping into Class Five for the first time. Punted late, Tigerlad came up flat after a wide without cover run travelling behind midfield from a wide gate. He had an excuse. Winner's Heart faded to finish among the backmarkers after a one-off trip in midfield. He's not easy to get right.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (606) - DUDDELL HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

On arrival at the Start, C Y Ho expressed concern regarding the action of WINNER'S HEART.

WINNER'S HEART was examined by the Veterinary Officer who, after the necessary consolations, said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

SMILING FACE began only fairly.

YEE CHEONG LUCKY began awkwardly.

ALLOY KING shifted out abruptly at the start despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in WINNER'S HEART and HAPPY WINNER being hampered and HAPPY WINNER losing ground.

After this, despite being ridden along, WINNER'S HEART failed to muster speed.

WONDER BRAHMA began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped STAR SUPERIOR.

ALLOY STAR lost its right front plate shortly after the start.

VICTORIOUS LEADER was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Despite being vigorously ridden along for some distance in the early stages, TIGERLAD was slow to muster speed and then throughout the race travelled wide and without cover.

When being steadied approaching and passing the 1000 Metres to obtain cover, ALLOY KING got its head up on a number of occasions and travelled keenly.

ALLOY KING continued to travel keenly in the middle stages.

Near the 550 Metres, WONDER BRAHMA was steadied away from the heels of WINNER'S HEART.

Near the 450 Metres, TIGERLAD became unbalanced after being bumped by WINNER'S HEART which was taken out by YEE CHEONG LUCKY.

M Chadwick (TIGERLAD) dropped his whip at the 200 Metres.

When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he was instructed to try and lead on TIGERLAD, however, if the race was run at a fast tempo, it was acceptable for him to take a trailing position rather than continue to make use of his mount so as to ensure that TIGERLAD was able to finish off the race.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode TIGERLAD positively for some distance in the early stages, however, both GREAT HARVEST and JADE THEATRE, which were drawn directly inside TIGERLAD, were ridden aggressively to take up a forward position.

He said making the turn near the 1050 Metres, given that JADE THEATRE was still being vigorously ridden along at this stage, he felt that he would have had to make too much use of TIGERLAD to continue forward of that horse and therefore he attempted to obtain a trailing position behind JADE THEATRE.

He added when JADE THEATRE shifted across to race outside the lead after the 800 Metres, this resulted in TIGERLAD being left racing wide and without cover.

He said he did consider after the 800 Metres improving his position, however, he was concerned that if he did this AFTER ME would be shifted out from behind JADE THEATRE which would result in TIGERLAD being taken wider and not being able to finish off its race due to more use having to be made of the horse in the middle stages.

When questioned, J Moreira (WONDER BRAHMA) stated that it was anticipated that tonight's race would be run at a good tempo given that there were a number of horses engaged in the race which had previously been ridden in a forward position.

He said he was therefore instructed to obtain a position in about midfield or worse in the anticipation that this would allow the horse to finish off the race by sitting off a good speed.

He said after steadying WONDER BRAHMA in the early stages to obtain cover behind WINNER'S HEART, the race was not run as quickly as anticipated which resulted in the horse not being able to finish off the race as strongly as had been hoped.

A veterinary inspection of WINNER'S HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

WONDER BRAHMA, GREAT HARVEST and JADE THEATRE were sent for sampling.