Recap by phillip woo

Merrygowin held off Naboo Star after being hustled at the 450m tracking the leader to hit the front 220m out for a third win from 21 starts. Favourite Naboo Star finished well sitting one off worse than midfield to make it close on the wire with a step up to the mile. He's caught the eye with placings in his past two of four starts and will be winning races shortly. Punted late Universal Go Go stayed on well to just take third after travelling wide and without cover in midfield from a wide gate to continue his fine form this term. Champion Supreme closed off nicely two from the right after settling fourth from the back to just miss a placing. He's shown some ability in three of his five starts and it's only a matter of time before he salutes. Cinquante Cinq was doing some nice work late after being held up behind the tiring Joyful Family until the 200m travelling on the fence behind midfield following a tardy break. He had had excuses.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (439) - THE ROTARY CENTENARY CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 4 - 1650Meters

HAPPY SPIRIT was withdrawn on 19.2.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore right fore fetlock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter JOYFUL FAMILY (C Schofield).

Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

CINQUANTE CINQ began only fairly.

Shortly after the start, NABOO STAR raced tight outside GLORY STAR which shifted out when being ridden along.

From wide barriers, C P POWER and GENERAL DINO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

CROWN AVENUE was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, CHARITY WINGS was slow to muster speed.

Near the 800 Metres, C Y Ho, the rider of UNIVERSAL GO GO, adjusted his right foot in the stirrup iron.

Rounding the Home Turn, CINQUANTE CINQ bumped the running rail and became badly unbalanced and when unbalanced shifted out towards the heels of JOYFUL FAMILY and stumbled.

CROWN AVENUE, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

NABOO STAR was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn behind MULTIGOGO.

At the 250 Metres, CINQUANTE CINQ was shifted to the outside of JOYFUL FAMILY to continue improving.

Throughout the race, UNIVERSAL GO GO travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of C P POWER, M Harley stated that whilst he did not ride the horse at its most recent start when successful, he had ridden C P POWER in a barrier trial in the lead up to tonight's race and in that trial the horse had travelled comfortably.

He said it was hoped, from the horse's wide barrier, that C P POWER would be able to obtain a position in about midfield, however, the horse did not travel comfortably at any stage of the race.

He said he rode his mount along in the early stages in an endeavour to have it in a closer position, however, C P POWER would not pick up for him and consequently raced further back in the field than had been anticipated.

He added at no stage of the race did the horse travel well and then, despite being shifted to the outside of runners in the Straight, did not finish off the race.

He said the only reason he could offer for the horse not travelling well in tonight's race was that the track was rated "Good to Firm??which it may not have appreciated.

A veterinary inspection of C P POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of C P POWER, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

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

MERRYGOWIN and NABOO STAR were sent for sampling.