Recap by phillip woo

Valiant Elegance kept on gamely for the win after cornering four lengths on top leading from gate four. He makes his own luck in front and was able to add to a win on the dirt in December. Stormtrouper was closing with every stride for second after a one-off run better than midfield. He relished a return to the course and distance of a win in October. Perfect Peach ran on steadily to finish third without menacing the quinella pair after a rails run in midfield. He's given a good sight in his past two starts and may be crying out for a further trip. Co-favourite Blissful Star held his ground after a box-seat run. It was another honest effort and he too may be looking forward to a rise in trip. It wasn't a bad run by the 10-year-old Harrier Jet, who made some ground late from behind midfield. Ice Legend ran on without threatening along the inside after a patient ride fourth from the rear. He requires a stronger rider. Punted late, Loriz weakened after chasing the winner one-off from a wide draw. He couldn't repeat carrying four pounds more following a win. Favourite Gallant Waking failed to fire a shot after travelling four from the rear. He couldn't emulate an eye-catching debut win but may not have been suited by the moderate tempo of the race.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (467) - CHATHAM HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

On arrival at the Start, THE GOOD DEAL, which had its right front plate refitted, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

JAZZ ANGEL was slow to begin and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

WINS ALL shifted out at the start and bumped GALLANT WAKING, causing GALLANT WAKING to be crowded for room inside THE GOOD DEAL and WINS ALL to become unbalanced.

After this, WINS ALL and GALLANT WAKING were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, HAPPY PROFIT failed to muster speed and after travelling a short distance was steadied away from the heels of STORMTROUPER as a result of both horses shifting ground.

Then passing the 1150 Metres, HAPPY PROFIT (D Moor) became unbalanced and lost ground when momentarily steadied away from the heels of WINS ALL which shifted in away from the heels of ICE LEGEND.

After this, despite being ridden along, HAPPY PROFIT was ridden to improve its position in the middle stages and passing the 900 Metres became unbalanced of its own accord.

D Moor stated that it had been intended from an inside barrier to obtain as forward a position as possible, however, HAPPY PROFIT was reluctant to improve its position in the early and middle stages despite him riding the horse along.

In the early part of the Straight, THE GOOD DEAL got its head on the side and lay in.

PERFECT PEACH had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 250 Metres was directed to the inside of BLISSFUL STAR to continue improving.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GALLANT WAKING, C Y Ho stated that GALLANT WAKING was more worked up prior to the race tonight than it was at its debut run when successful.

He said after shifting his mount across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages, GALLANT WAKING travelled very keenly in the middle stages and would not relax when racing behind HARRIER JET.

He said this resulted in GALLANT WAKING being awkwardly placed behind that horse after the 800 Metres.

He said GALLANT WAKING came under heavy pressure after the 500 Metres to hold its position and despite being vigorously ridden along rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight did not quicken.

He added that he continued to ride his mount along in the Straight, however, its action deteriorated over the concluding stages and as GALLANT WAKING was already well beaten, he did not ride it out over the concluding stages.

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

The performance of GALLANT WAKING, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, GALLANT WAKING 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 LORIZ immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

GALLANT WAKING, VALIANT ELEGANCE and STORMTROUPER were sent for sampling.