Recap by phillip woo

Superbella kept on gamely after wearing down Blastoise for the lead 150m out after a wide run without cover travelling worse than midfield for a second win after blowing them away two back at the Valley. Well-backed late, Entrusted came from near last to grab second in deep stretch. Chalk up his improved run to the wet ground. Blastoise grudgingly gave way after working to the lead 400m out going forward three deep to eventually settle one out in second 1,400m out. He can produce a good run now and then. Murray's Partners ran on to fill the frame without menacing the top three following a wide run with cover behind midfield. He has been racing all right of late. Tashidelek just held his ground to finish a distant fifth after a rails run in midfield. He's more effective at the Valley. Early favourite Above ran on without menacing after biding his time fifth from the rear. He didn't appear to enjoy the wet conditions. Vincy came up one-paced over the last 100m after a deep run towards the rear. He had an excuse. Post-time favourite Arrogant was disappointing after handing up the lead to travel box seat. It was a flat effort after lameness in mid-May.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (781) - NEEDLE HILL HANDICAP - Class 3 - 2000Meters

ARROGANT shifted out at the start and bumped AI ONE which resulted in AI ONE being taken out onto the hindquarters of TASHIDELEK which became unbalanced.

GOD OF DRAGON got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly on jumping, resulting in ENZEMBLE being crowded for room inside SMILING TIME.

After this, ENZEMBLE was ridden along for a considerable distance to obtain a forward position.

After the race, M F Poon reported that ENZEMBLE's failure to finish off the race was as a result of him having to make too much use of the horse for a considerable distance in the early stages to obtain a forward position.

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

Shortly after the start, LONDON HALL and VINCY bumped as VINCY raced tight inside the heels of ENTRUSTED.

This resulted in both LONDON HALL and VINCY becoming unbalanced and VINCY shifting out, resulting in ENTRUSTED being inconvenienced.

ENTRUSTED was then shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, LONDON HALL was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MURRAY'S PARTNERS when being steadied to obtain cover.

Passing the 1600 Metres, ENZEMBLE was shifted out away from the heels of BLASTOISE which also shifted out after being awkwardly placed outside the heels of SMILING TIME.

After the 1200 Metres, SUPERBELLA was left racing wide and without cover.

Near the 1150 Metres, TASHIDELEK shifted in and brushed the running rail.

Approaching the 700 Metres, LONDON HALL was steadied when crowded for room between VINCY and ABOVE (A Hamelin) which shifted out away from the heels of AI ONE as that horse also shifted out.

A Hamelin was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners.

Passing the 600 Metres, GOD OF DRAGON, which was reluctant to maintain its position and racing awkwardly, got its head up and became unbalanced when momentarily racing in restricted room inside ENTRUSTED which shifted in marginally before being directed out.

Passing the 500 Metres, ABOVE raced tight between VINCY and AI ONE which shifted out away from the heels of SMILING TIME as that horse commenced to give ground.

This resulted in AI ONE being awkwardly placed behind SMILING TIME rounding the Home Turn.

Then passing the 400 Metres, AI ONE was steadied and shifted to the outside of ABOVE to obtain clear running as a result of SMILING TIME shifting out and continuing to give ground.

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

The performance of SMILING TIME, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

For some distance rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, NATURAL STORM was taken back through the field when very awkwardly placed close to the heels of ARROGANT as that horse gave ground abruptly.

After this, ARROGANT continued to give ground and was eased down passing the 400 Metres.

A veterinary inspection of ARROGANT immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being allowed to race again, ARROGANT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of NATURAL STORM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ARROGANT, SUPERBELLA and ENTRUSTED were sent for sampling.