Recap by phillip woo

Newcomer Lucky Sweynesse took control 200m out after a handy run along the fence for an impressive debut win. He had shown some ability in his trials and there's clearly more to come from him. Favourite Spicy Grill ran on well to grab second near the 100m along the inside after getting impeded by the winner around the 200m following a slow start. He's racing very well over this Valley trip. Specked late, Kokushi Musou closed well to just deny Mercurial for third after a one-off trip in midfield. It was his best performance from four starts. Mercurial plugged on to just miss a placing after easing out of a speed battle to travel one-out, one-back. It's only a matter of time before he steals a race in this grade. Ice Legend ran on well to pick up a cheque after a patient ride at the rear for the most part from a wide gate. It was a pleasing run after a last-start win. Falcon Turbo ran on late without threatening after a wide trip towards the rear from an awkward gate. He didn't get the conditions to suit. Well-backed late, Peak To Peak ran on without menacing after turning the final bend at the back of the field. He hasn't been as sharp in recent runs after a 1,400m win in November. Takingufurther will sleep well after a prominent run without cover.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (412) - PENFOLD PARK HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

SPICY GRILL was hampered on jumping by INESTIMABLE which shifted in.

HANDSOME REBEL (K C Leung) shifted out on jumping and bumped FIRE BALL which in turn shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of ICE LEGEND.

A short distance later, HANDSOME REBEL was crowded for room between FIRE BALL which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider and FALCON TURBO which shifted out away from BALTIC WHISPER.

K C Leung advised that it was intended for HANDSOME REBEL to take up a forward position, but due to the incidents at the start he would have had to make a lot of use of the horse to overcome the ground lost when being hampered.

He said for this reason he elected to shift his mount across behind runners and obtain cover which resulted in HANDSOME REBEL racing much further back in the field than had been intended.

LUCKY SWEYNESSE shifted in shortly after the start and bumped the hindquarters of MERCURIAL which resulted in MERCURIAL becoming unbalanced and LUCKY SWEYNESSE losing ground.

TAKINGUFURTHER and BALTIC WHISPER bumped on two occasions shortly after the start.

From the outside barriers, ICE LEGEND and PEAK TO PEAK were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

BALTIC WHISPER lost its left front plate in the early stages.

Near the 600 Metres, HANDSOME REBEL was awkwardly placed behind KOKUSHI MUSOU.

Passing the 500 Metres, KOKUSHI MUSOU was checked away from the heels of MERCURIAL which was awkwardly placed behind FIRE BALL.

HANDSOME REBEL, which was following KOKUSHI MUSOU, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

PEAK TO PEAK, which was following HANDSOME REBEL, was also hampered in consequence.

Near the 250 Metres, SPICY GRILL was steadied when disappointed for running inside LUCKY SWEYNESSE which, when improving to the inside of INESTIMABLE (D Moor), was taken in by that horse.

As the Stewards were satisfied that SPICY GRILL had not properly established running inside LUCKY SWEYNESSE prior to being crowded for room, no further action was taken other than D Moor was reprimanded and told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Approaching the 200 Metres, HANDSOME REBEL shifted out and brushed FALCON TURBO.

PEAK TO PEAK had some difficulty obtaining clear running after the 200 Metres and when shifted in away from the heels of FIRE BALL near the 150 Metres bumped the hindquarters of INESTIMABLE which became unbalanced.

After this, PEAK TO PEAK continued to have some difficulty obtaining clear running and because of this was not able to be properly tested.

Approaching the 100 Metres, TAKINGUFURTHER was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of KOKUSHI MUSOU which shifted in.

Close to the finishing line, HANDSOME REBEL was steadied away from the heels of FALCON TURBO which shifted in.

In the Straight, ICE LEGEND lay in under pressure and proved difficult to ride.

For the majority of the race, TAKINGUFURTHER travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, D Moor explained that it was not intended for INESTIMABLE to lead tonight's race.

He said from an inside barrier INESTIMABLE was able to take up a forward position in the early stages without having to be made use of and when no other horse was improving forward of his mount, this resulted in INESTIMABLE leading tonight's race.

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

LUCKY SWEYNESSE and SPICY GRILL were sent for sampling.