Recap by phillip woo

Beluga quickened nicely when a gap appeared 200m out to overhaul long-time leader Ima Single Man passing the 100m after a prominent run on the fence for a deserving win after three straight placings. Ima Single Man found one too good after getting away with slow fractions in a surprise lead role. He's racing well after winning two of three prior starts over the 1,400m. The Irishman came from last and widest out after a tardy start from the widest draw to fill a placing. It was an eye-catching performance on the back of a slow pace and he looks one of the leading chances in the up-and-coming four-year-old Derby series. Favourite Master Delight only plodded in the run to the wire after getting revved up for an effort 450m out following a one-out, one-back run. He failed to live up to expectations after a win and close second in his past two starts. Specked late Master Montaro weakened in the run to the wire after a pace-stalking run. He didn't quite get the mile trip. Conqueror made some ground without ever looking a threat after a one-off trip in midfield. The pace didn't suit. Rocket Spade never got into the act from towards the rear. He was another not suited by the dawdling fractions.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (324) - CHEK KENG HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1600Meters

As the start was effected, THE IRISHMAN became fractious and leant up against the inside of its gate, resulting in the horse being slow to begin.

After this, THE IRISHMAN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Before being allowed to race again, THE IRISHMAN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

S J TOURBILLON began only fairly.

For a considerable distance in the early and middle stages, ROCKET SPADE proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when initially being steadied to obtain cover and then travelling keenly after obtaining cover behind CONQUEROR near the 1400 Metres.

ROCKET SPADE then made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly and shifted out when continuing to over-race.

After being shifted back in behind CONQUEROR, ROCKET SPADE was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse approaching and passing the 800 Metres.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, BELUGA was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MASTER MONTARO.

When questioned, J Moreira (MASTER DELIGHT) stated that after being able to obtain cover behind MASTER MONTARO making the turn near the 900 Metres, he shifted his mount to the outside of that horse and commenced to ride his mount along approaching the 600 Metres as he did not want MASTER DELIGHT to be left flat-footed when the tempo of the race increased after it was run at a slow tempo to that point of the race.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CONQUEROR was a "roarer?? A veterinary inspection of S J TOURBILLON and ROCKET SPADE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

MASTER DELIGHT, BELUGA and IMA SINGLE MAN were sent for sampling.