Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed late, Spicy Grill came from last to just get up in the shadows of the post over Lucky Maryknoll for a first win at his 15th start. He had been in the thick of the finish in his past three starts and likely appreciated the rain-cushioned course. Lucky Maryknoll was given a lovely run one-off worse than midfield but found one just too good in the run to the wire. It was her best effort to date after arriving on a mark of 70 and she likely appreciated the softer track conditions. Viva Mama grudgingly gave way after quickly finding the front from gate two. He was able to build on a front-running success last start. Favourite Shanghai Power ran on steadily to fill the frame after settling just off the fence in midfield. His career is in dire straits off a mark of 24 but he has shown improvement in his past two starts with a return to the Valley 1,200m. After firming late in betting, Regency Poet stayed on reasonably well after a wide run without cover behind midfield from a wide gate. He's clearly got the ability to get away with a race shortly in this grade but will need to draw better. Punted late, Wonder Brahma made some ground without menacing after biding his time deep towards the rear from the widest draw.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (769) - STUBBS HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

VECTOR began only fairly.

ARDENODE shifted in at the start and bumped VIVA MAMA.

ARDENODE then became unbalanced, shifted out and bumped DAY DAY RICH which itself shifted in after being bumped by SHANGHAI POWER on jumping.

This resulted in ARDENODE losing ground and DAY DAY RICH becoming badly unbalanced.

From wide barriers, AFTER ME and SPICY GRILL were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Approaching the 1000 Metres, SHANGHAI POWER was steadied when crowded for room between LUCKY MARYKNOLL which shifted in and DAY DAY RICH which shifted out away from the heels of VIVA MAMA which made the turn awkwardly.

WONDER BRAHMA, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence and shifted in, resulting in OURGOLDENRULES being taken in onto ARDENODE which became unbalanced when crowded for room inside OURGOLDENRULES.

Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, REGENCY POET was slow to muster speed.

Passing the 800 Metres, DAY DAY RICH was crowded for room between VIVA MAMA and SUNNY AND GOLD (Z Purton) which shifted in.

Z Purton was reprimanded.

When DAY DAY RICH was crowded for room, LUCKY MARYKNOLL, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse and shifted in, resulting in SHANGHAI POWER being inconvenienced.

Approaching the 700 Metres, REGENCY POET shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LUCKY MARYKNOLL.

Then passing the 700 Metres, REGENCY POET shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY MARYKNOLL which continued to race tight outside the heels of DAY DAY RICH.

LUCKY MARYKNOLL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DAY DAY RICH making the turn after the 600 Metres and shifted out, resulting in REGENCY POET being inconvenienced when taken wider.

After this, REGENCY POET travelled wide and without cover.

Rounding the Home Turn, SPICY GRILL and ARDENODE raced very tight as both horses improved into tight running between OURGOLDENRULES and WONDER BRAHMA.

This resulted in ARDENODE and SPICY GRILL becoming unbalanced.

ARDENODE was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 250 Metres attempted to shift to the outside of SHANGHAI POWER as that horse itself shifted out.

This resulted in ARDENODE being disappointed for running outside SHANGHAI POWER and bumping SPICY GRILL which then shifted out of its own accord and bumped WONDER BRAHMA which became badly unbalanced when crowded for room inside REGENCY POET.

After this, ARDENODE had some difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 100 Metres.

Also in the early part of the Straight, DAY DAY RICH got its head on the side and lay in under pressure.

Over the final 200 Metres, LUCKY MARYKNOLL shifted in under pressure, requiring its rider to stop riding and correct his mount on a number of occasions.

Near the 150 Metres, DAY DAY RICH and SHANGHAI POWER raced tight, resulting in DAY DAY RICH and SHANGHAI POWER making contact which then became unbalanced, shifted out and bumped DAY DAY RICH which also became unbalanced.

Near the 75 Metres, DAY DAY RICH was steadied away from the heels of ARDENODE which shifted to the outside of SHANGHAI POWER.

A veterinary inspection of SUNNY AND GOLD immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, SUNNY AND GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

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

SHANGHAI POWER, SPICY GRILL and LUCKY MARYKNOLL were sent for sampling.