Mark Your Card
It was one of those nights for long-serving trainer Bruce Hutchison, who could so nearly have had a double, yet walked away without a winner. His Red Zone was beaten by a bob of the head in the last - Ovation's was down when Red Zone's was up - while Giant looked most unlucky not to take the second event.
Giant benefited from the drop into Class Five company, having last season run some solid races in Class Four. He was also suited by the move up to a mile and having had a run under his belt. What didn't help at all was that he was drawn 12 on a night when the inside was the place to be.
Jockey Corey Brown did his best to get across and challenge on the inside, but you need a bit of luck to get a run in the straight and that is exactly what didn't come his or Giant's way.
Brown had to check Giant at least a length and probably more in order to switch out for a run with some 200 metres to go. Once there was daylight, Giant flew to the line, but to no avail as the post came a stride too soon. In the same mile contest, Melrose Star was also noted staying on well. He has benefited from a move to Alex Wong Yu-on and can win over farther, while Success Magic's run in the fifth is best forgotten.
