Recap by phillip woo

Good Luck Friend just held off The Golden Scenery after surging to the lead following slotting one-off outside leader Californiadeepshot from a tricky gate for a fifth win from 18 starts. The writing had been on the wall in two prior 1,400m runs. Well-backed The Golden Scenery came from near last to make it close on the wire. It was a return to form after misfiring twice following a win in January. Plunged late Winner Method ran on well down the outside to fill a placing after a patient ride third last in a field of eight. He's itching for a return to the winner's circle. Master Montaro ran on reasonably well to fill the frame after improving to sit three deep with cover third last rounding the final bend. He's close to a bottom. Californiadeepshot yielded ground over the last 100m after rolling to the lead 1,200m out. He's honest and likely needed this run following a two-month break. Hinchinlove just held his ground when asked for more following a one-out, one-back run. He's not the same horse this season. Favourite Ima Single Man found nothing when popped the question after a prominent run on the fence. It was an out-of-character performance.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (646) - CARNATION HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1400Meters

MASTER MONTARO began only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.

Passing the 1000 Metres, THE GOLDEN SCENERY raced tight inside WINNER METHOD which, after racing tight inside SILVER EXPRESS, then got its head on the side and shifted in away from that horse before being corrected by its rider.

WINNER METHOD travelled keenly approaching and passing the 800 Metres.

Rounding the Home Turn, MASTER MONTARO and THE GOLDEN SCENERY raced tight as THE GOLDEN SCENERY improved into restricted room between MASTER MONTARO and HINCHINLOVE.

Then passing the 400 Metres, THE GOLDEN SCENERY raced tight outside HINCHINLOVE which shifted out.

Passing the 150 Metres, HINCHINLOVE was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of THE GOLDEN SCENERY which shifted in.

GOOD LUCK FRIEND shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages, Throughout the race, SILVER EXPRESS travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that as IMA SINGLE MAN did not feel completely comfortable in its action when proceeding to the Start, he trotted the horse up behind the barriers in front of the Veterinary Officer to confirm IMA SINGLE MAN's suitability to race.

He said as he was not able to detect any obvious soreness or lameness with IMA SINGLE MAN and as the Veterinary Officer was similarly not able to identify any issues with IMA SINGLE MAN, he was comfortable for IMA SINGLE MAN to race today.

He added that IMA SINGLE MAN showed good early speed out of the barriers and was able to take up a forward position behind the leaders without being ridden along which indicated to him that the horse was free in its action.

He said IMA SINGLE MAN continued to travel well until near the 500 Metres at which time the pressure of the race increased.

He said as soon as the tempo quickened, IMA SINGLE MAN immediately came off the bridle and despite being ridden along rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight commenced to give ground.

He further stated that he continued to ride IMA SINGLE MAN along until near the 200 Metres and as IMA SINGLE MAN had given ground to be placed at the rear of the field, he did not persist in riding it out over the concluding stages.

Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of IMA SINGLE MAN, said that he was unable to explain the horse's failure to finish the race off.

He said there was nothing in the horse's work leading up to today's race which indicated that it would not perform well.

He added that at this early stage the only reason he could find for the disappointing performance was that IMA SINGLE MAN travelled somewhat keenly in the middle stages and that the horse may have come to the end of its preparation.

He said he would monitor the horse in the days subsequent to today's race with a view to deciding on its immediate preparation.

A veterinary inspection of IMA SINGLE MAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of IMA SINGLE MAN, favourite for today's race and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable.

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

IMA SINGLE MAN, GOOD LUCK FRIEND and THE GOLDEN SCENERY were sent for sampling.