Recap by phillip woo

The well-backed Whizz Kid couldn't keep a straight line but found enough to hold off favourite Lightning Storm after finding the front from a wide draw. He relished a switch to the Valley for a second 1,000m win from his past three runs and first in the grade. Lightning Storm ran on well to finish a close second despite being bothered in the drive to the wire by the winner after a speed-tracking role on the fence. It was another fine effort up in grade after winning two of three other starts. Harmony Fire stayed on nicely along the fence to finish a close third after a midfield run. He's always a chance over this Valley trip and had gate one. Run Run Cool ran on reasonably well along the inside from behind midfield for fourth without menacing the top three. He's an honest sprinter but has trouble winning. Like That just held his ground after a prominent run one-off the fence with cover. He's itching for a return to Class Four. Lyrical Motion ran on well down the outside after settling last after a slow start. He's still acclimatising but has made a good impression in both starts and seems to want further. Joyful Win just held his ground after finding a nice spot one-off in midfield from a wide draw. You can forget the run of Special M, who was caught three deep chasing the speed from the outset.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (449) - KING KWONG HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Meters

SEVEN HEAVENS, which was leaning on the inside of its stall as the start was effected, began awkwardly and then was crowded for room at the start between LYRICAL MOTION which was also slow to begin and BIG HAPPINESS which shifted out abruptly on jumping.

HARMONY FIRE began awkwardly.

Passing the 900 Metres, LIKE THAT raced tight inside SPECIAL M which was racing tight inside the heels of LIGHTNING STORM which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the pressure to runners on its inside.

Passing the 700 Metres, BIG HAPPINESS raced in restricted room inside JOYFUL WIN which got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of LIKE THAT.

Passing the 300 Metres, LIKE THAT raced tight inside SPECIAL M which got its head on the side and lay in.

LIKE THAT then momentarily raced in restricted room between SPECIAL M and LIGHTNING STORM which shifted to the outside of WHIZZ KID.

Passing the 200 Metres, LIGHTNING STORM shifted out away from WHIZZ KID which also shifted out under pressure.

SPECIAL M (V Borges), which was following LIGHTNING STORM, got its head on the side and shifted out as LIGHTNING STORM shifted ground, resulting in JOYFUL WIN, which was commencing to improve to the outside of SPECIAL M, being taken out, resulting in BIG HAPPINESS having to shift out away from JOYFUL WIN which caused SEVEN HEAVENS to be checked away from the heels of BIG HAPPINESS.

Whilst the Stewards were of the opinion that a number of horses were shifting ground at this time which resulted in SEVEN HEAVENS being hampered, nonetheless V Borges was told to ensure that he reacts quicker to his mounts shifting ground than he did on this occasion.

After the race, V Borges stated that after being required to race wide and without cover throughout the race, SPECIAL M was then not able to finish the race off over the concluding stages.

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

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

WHIZZ KID and LIGHTNING STORM were sent for sampling.

<24/2/2022 Additional Veterinary Reports>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that LIGHTNING STORM was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing.

Before being allowed to race again, LIGHTNING STORM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.