Recap by phillip woo

City Legend quickened nicely to get up in the last strides after he was held up for a run until switching out at the 300m travelling behind midfield following a slow start. He has enjoyed a stellar campaign. Awe did everything but get the win after hitting the front near the 100m following a rails run worse than midfield. He was suited by the step back to the distance of a win last season. Free Foal found a couple just too good after hitting the front 200m out chasing the speed one off in third. He was able to build on a last-start win over the 1,600m. Firming favourite Plikclone had every chance after a one-off run better than midfield but came up one-paced over the last 100m. He's likely on or near his mark. Viva Popcorn closed well to finish a non-threatening fifth after coming off the fence 300m out settling second last for the most part from a wide gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (752) - SILVERSTRAND HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1400Meters

CITY LEGEND began only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

JUDY'S STAR shifted out at the start, resulting in PASSING FASHION being taken out onto GOLDEN FOUR which was hampered and in turn shifted out and bumped VIVA POPCORN.

After this, from wide barriers, JUDY'S STAR and GOLDEN FOUR were shifted across behind runners.

Shortly after the start, COPARTNER ERA shifted in and bumped SALUTATION.

Passing the 1100 Metres, SALUTATION got its head on the side, shifted out and brushed COPARTNER ERA.

SALUTATION then became unbalanced and shifted out further, resulting in COPARTNER ERA being hampered.

Passing the 900 Metres, PLIKCLONE got its head up when racing close to the heels of FREE FOAL which shifted in when just clear.

SALUTATION, which was racing behind PLIKCLONE, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

CITY LEGEND had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 300 Metres was directed to the outside of PLIKCLONE to obtain clear running.

Passing the 300 Metres, SALUTATION momentarily raced in restricted room between DECISIVE ACTION and VIVA POPCORN which, when shifting to the outside of CITY LEGEND, was awkwardly placed behind that horse.

Passing the 100 Metres, PLIKCLONE and CITY LEGEND (Apprentice C L Chau) bumped.

Apprentice Chau was warned against the practice of using his whip down the shoulder.

Throughout the race, PASSING FASHION travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground.

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

The performance of PASSING FASHION, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, PASSING FASHION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that he was asked to be positive on DECISIVE ACTION in the early stages to overcome the horse's wide barrier and if possible obtain a position in about midfield with cover.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages and it appeared likely that he would be able to obtain a position in about midfield as a number of horses were being ridden to obtain a forward position which created an opening between those horses and those which were placed towards the rear of the field.

He said however that PASSING FASHION maintained its position to the inside of DECISIVE ACTION and as that horse had a number of runners to its inside, he was not able to immediately shift across to take advantage of the space which had opened up.

He said as PASSING FASHION continued to maintain its position inside DECISIVE ACTION passing the 1200 Metres, he had to ride his mount along to clear that horse approaching and passing the 1100 Metres which resulted in the space between runners no longer being available and DECISIVE ACTION being left racing wide and without cover after the 900 Metres.

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

A veterinary inspection of SALUTATION and SUPER MISSION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

PLIKCLONE, CITY LEGEND and AWE were sent for sampling.