Recap by phillip woo

Gracious Express just wore down long-time leader Golden Empire in the final few strides for the win after prompting the pace from gate 11. The win was forthcoming after giving a good sight in his first three local starts. Golden Empire produced a cheeky sight after making the lead from gate seven. The return to blinkers nearly worked the oracle. California Deeply worked home nicely with three wider out for third after biding his time three from the rear. He seems to be crying out for a 1,400m trip. Firming favourite Stellar Express couldn't really get a clear crack at them during the straight run following a box seat run. He was clearly unlucky. Amazing Victory ran on steadily after a rails run from midfield to just miss the frame. It was another honest effort despite a step back in distance. Beauty Missile got going late near the outside to finish next best after making his run two from the rear. Prawns Eleven was doing some nice work late without threatening after straightening a clear last. Eighty Light Years never figured after over-racing and peeling three wide without cover 700m out travelling midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten : (665) - AUSTIN HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 EIGHTY LIGHT YEARS (H170) Z Purton Raced keenly when obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

After the race, Z Purton advised that his intention was to lead the event, but his mount, when standing awkwardly in the barriers, jumped awkwardly and then did not show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position.

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

Horse No 2 STELLAR EXPRESS (J186) H Bowman For some distance near the 350 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running.

Near the 150 Metres improved into a narrow run between GOLDEN EMPIRE and GRACIOUS EXPRESS and did not obtain clear running until after the 100 Metres.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 AMAZING VICTORY (G123) K Teetan In the middle stages raced keenly.

Horse No 4 GOLDEN EMPIRE (E490) L Hewitson Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 GUSTOSISIMO (J303) C Y Ho When questioned, C Y Ho stated that at its first race start he had ridden the horse in a rearward position after drawing a wide barrier.

He said today from an inside draw he was instructed to endeavour to hold a forward position and as a consequence he rode his mount along in the early stages to comply with his instructions.

Trainer J Richards confirmed the instructions and stated that such instructions were issued as connections were of the opinion that GUSTOSISIMO had raced well in Australia when ridden in an on-pace position.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea.

Horse No 6 PRAWNS ELEVEN (J140) H Bentley From the outside barrier raced keenly when being shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 550 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from CALIFORNIA DEEPLY.

When questioned, H Bentley stated that he intended to follow CALIFORNIA DEEPLY into the race on entering the Home Straight.

He said when that runner did not initially improve, he then elected to shift to its outside, but then became held up for clear running behind E LEGEND and TELECOM POWER which resulted in PRAWNS ELEVEN not obtaining clear running until approaching the 200 Metres where it finished the race off well.

Horse No 7 GRACIOUS EXPRESS (J188) B Avdulla Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 8 LESLIE (E471) B Thompson Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 10 BEAUTY MISSILE (H123) A Hamelin Jumped awkwardly.

Horse No 11 E LEGEND (G028) K De Melo Approaching the 100 Metres TELECOM POWER shifted in and away from PRAWNS ELEVEN and made contact with E LEGEND.

Was obliged to race very wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 12 TELECOM POWER (J332) H T Mo From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the 100 Metres shifted in and was bumped.

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GENERAL:

1.

After the running of Race 3, the track classification for the turf course was officially changed from "Good" to "Good to Firm" This change in the opinion of the Stewards should be recorded as being retrospective.

As a consequence of this, the official results will show Race 3 being run on a track rated "Good to Firm"

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of KING INVINCIBLE, MODEST GENTLEMAN, CORDYCEPS ONE, SETANTA, BRAVE WITNESS, BIG TWO, DRAGON DELIGHT, MEGA BONUS, DOUBLE BINGO, EMBRACES, LYRICAL MOTION, DIAMOND FLARE, BEAUTY DESTINY, JUMBO LEGEND, KASA PAPA, JOYFUL PROSPERITY, NEVER TOO SOON, COPARTNER PRANCE, KA YING CHEER, YELLOWFIN, SIMPLY MAVERICK, ROMANTIC LAOS, COLOURFUL EMPEROR and SOLAR PARTNER (1.5.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Warnings Race 2 A Atzeni (SO WE JOY) for shifting in after the 1500 Metres Race 5 M Chadwick (URBAN TRIUMPH) for shifting in near the 200 Metres Race 8 Y L Chung (HAPPY DAILY) re the manner in which he rode his mount out over the concluding stages Race 9 H Bentley (RUN RUN TIMING) re his riding between the 350 Metres and the 250 Metres

2.

Bleeder Race 5 STRATHBARRY

3.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 2 M UNICORN

4.

Barrier Trials Race 2 M UNICORN (heart irregularity) Race 5 STRATHBARRY (bleeder) Race 9 RIVER VIEWS (unacceptable performance)

5.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 HERO ICON FORTUNE MASTER Race 2 M UNICORN Race 5 SUPER HIGHWAY STRATHBARRY Race 9 STURDY RUBY RIVER VIEWS

6.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Race 6