Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Above overhauled Exceptional Nice 50m out after a lovely run in the box-seat. He got all favours but was reunited with his favourite rider after two luckless runs. Exceptional Nice stayed on well for second after taking off 750m out from midfield to eventually get his head in front 200m out. The step up to 2,200m was not a problem but again he found one too smart for a seventh time from 16 starts. Savvy Kingman boxed on for a placing after dictating the run as expected from gate three. It was a nice effort. Punted late Nordic Sky ran on reasonably well to fill the frame after settling third last along the fence. It was his best run. God Of Dragon ran on without menacing along the inside after a patient ride one from the rear. He does appear from his past two runs to be on his mark following back-to-back wins. King Tourbillon held his ground after two-to-three deep run in midfield. It was a better effort with a rise in trip at his third local start. Vincy ran on without menacing from the rear of the field. He needs a stronger pace. Xiang Bai Qi gradually faded in the run to the wire after getting caught deep early on before slotting one-off in fourth from the 800m. He's found things harder this season.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (274) - MARBLE HANDICAP - Class 3 - 2200Meters

PERFECT TO GREAT was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind).

Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT TO GREAT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

GOD OF DRAGON was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

After the 2100 Metres, NORDIC SKY brushed the running rail of its own accord and became unbalanced.

Passing the 1900 Metres, NORDIC SKY and KING TOURBILLON raced tight inside XIANG BAI QI which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to runners inside.

XIANG BAI QI was then left racing wide and without cover and after the 1700 Metres was allowed to improve its position.

In the early stages, ROYAL PRIDE travelled very wide and without cover and in the Home Straight on the first occasion was allowed to improve its position, however, continued to race wide and without cover until after the 1300 Metres and subsequently finished tailed out.

A veterinary inspection of ROYAL PRIDE, immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of ROYAL PRIDE was considered unacceptable.

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

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, AWE raced tight outside the heels of EXCEPTIONAL NICE when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse.

At the 600 Metres, GOD OF DRAGON was steadied after attempting to improve into tight running which was not fully available inside NORDIC SKY which at this time was racing tight inside AWE.

A veterinary inspection of STIMULATION and AWE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ABOVE and EXCEPTIONAL NICE were sent for sampling.