Recap by phillip woo

Red Majesty just held off Villa Fionn to steal the race by a lip after getting a very easy time in front. He was winning for the sixth time from 12 starts over this course and distance and for the first time in Class Three at his fourth run in the grade. Punted late, Villa Fionn made it close on the wire after a box-seat run. He continues to race well after ringing up a second Class Four success last month. It was a long way back to Horsesain Bolt, who just got the head down for third after a one-out, one-back run. He's as honest as the day is long. Sunshine Warrior just failed to place after making his run at the rear following a slow start. He requires a faster pace but is clearly in the right grade now. Storm Legend was stopping 100m out after a pace-stalking run. He failed to build on a runner-up result last month in his first go over the Valley 1,650m. Amazing One Plus just held his ground after making his run one-off in midfield from a wide draw. He was at the mercy of a slow pace. Incanto Prepared was never a threat making his run behind midfield. Favourite Presence was asked for an effort travelling midfield 550m out but had nothing left 200m out. He was a false favourite.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (463) - BULKELEY HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

SUNSHINE WARRIOR was slow to begin.

PRESENCE and INCANTO PREPARED were crowded for room on jumping between HORSESAIN BOLT which shifted in marginally and VILLA FIONN which shifted out away from RED MAJESTY.

After this, PRESENCE and INCANTO PREPARED raced tight for some distance as PRESENCE attempted to maintain a position outside VILLA FIONN.

PRESENCE was then shifted across behind VILLA FIONN near the 1550 Metres as INCANTO PREPARED was shifted in away from the heels of AMAZING ONE PLUS.

After the 1200 Metres, AMAZING ONE PLUS commenced to travel keenly and near the 1050 Metres shifted out away from the heels of HORSESAIN BOLT.

When AMAZING ONE PLUS shifted out, INCANTO PREPARED, which was following, was shifted out in consequence to avoid the heels of AMAZING ONE PLUS.

INCANTO PREPARED then travelled wide and without cover until after the 800 Metres.

When racing tight between PRESENCE and INCANTO PREPARED at the 700 Metres, AMAZING ONE PLUS was steadied to avoid the heels of PRESENCE as a result of both horses shifting ground.

Near the 25 Metres, A Hamelin (VILLA FIONN) dropped his whip.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, PRESENCE's failure to finish the race off was attributable to the slow tempo of the race in the early and middle stages.

He said PRESENCE travelled too keenly and for some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres got its head up when being checked away from behind VILLA FIONN due to the slow tempo.

He said PRESENCE continued to travel keenly until the tempo of the race increased after the 800 Metres.

He said when placed under pressure after the 600 Metres PRESENCE gave him only a limited response and commenced to give ground in the early part of the Straight.

He added that after the race PRESENCE was making an abnormal breathing noise which indicated to him that the horse may have "chocked down??due to the tempo of the race in the early and middle stages.

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

The performance of PRESENCE, which finished at the rear of the field as favourite for tonight's race, was considered unacceptable.

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

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

PRESENCE, RED MAJESTY and VILLA FIONN were sent for sampling.