Recap by phillip woo

After settling one off the fence in midfield, Winning Steps responded nicely to take control 150m and record a second win at his 18th start. Specked late, Legion Of Merit found one too smart after weaving for a run near the inside from midfield. It was his best run of the campaign with a step up to 2,000m after an OK run midweek on the dirt. Chateau Le Peche finished very well for third after travelling worse than midfield on the fence following a very awkward start. He appreciated the rise in distance after one positive run from three efforts over a mile. Early favourite Sharpen Bright came from well back and down the outside but just missed a placing. It was another good run ridden cold from a wide draw following a win. Satirical Glory kept on OK after chasing the swift pace of Special Hedge on his first effort over 2,000m. He is racing well without winning yet. Post-time favourite Darci Joy made late headway without threatening after travelling five back on the fence. Escape Route only plodded after a prominent run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two : (560) - POLLOCK HANDICAP - Class 4 - 2000Meters

Horse No 1 ESCAPE ROUTE (E273) A Badel Approaching the 350 Metres was bumped on two occasions by LEGION OF MERIT (B Thompson) when that runner shifted to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY to obtain clear running.

B Thompson was advised to exercise more care.

Horse No 3 DARCI JOY (E161) Z Purton Bumped shortly after the start.

Approaching the 1800 Metres, when being steadied to obtain cover, got its head up when racing keenly.

Near the 500 Metres lay out and then blundered badly when positioned close to SOLAR GOGO, resulting in DARCI JOY losing ground.

After the race, Z Purton stated that his intention was to hold a more forward position, but his mount jumped only fairly, made contact with ME TIME and then when caught wide he was obliged to ride DARCI JOY in a conservative manner in the early stages to obtain cover.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Noted to have lost its left hind plate after the race.

Horse No 5 SHARPEN BRIGHT (H276) K Teetan From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 500 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of FLYING SILVER.

Shifted in inside the 100 Metres and made contact with CHATEAU LE PECHE.

Horse No 6 SPECIAL HEDGE (H354) L Hewitson A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 7 CHATEAU LE PECHE (H471) M L Yeung Bounded on jumping, resulting in its rider M L Yeung becoming unbalanced.

Briefly held up near the 400 Metres.

Inside the 100 Metres was bumped by SHARPEN BRIGHT which shifted in.

Horse No 9 ME TIME (J074) A Atzeni Jumped awkwardly.

Approaching the 1800 Metres was steadied when improving behind WINNING STEPS.

Horse No 10 WINNING STEPS (G420) M F Poon Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 11 FRUITY WARRIOR (J035) H Bentley Jumped awkwardly.

When questioned, H Bentley stated that his instructions were to settle his mount where comfortable, however, the stable was confident that FRUITY WARRIOR would be able to run out a strong 2000 Metres.

He said from an inside barrier he was able to obtain an on-pace position in the early stages behind SATIRICAL GLORY.

He said with the early pace of the event being run inside of standard time, he was concerned that the leader SPECIAL HEDGE may ease the pace in the Back Straight and for this reason he elected to shift his mount to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY to avoid being positioned in amongst horses.

He added that after holding a position to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY near the 1300 Metres, he was reluctant to continue forward as he was concerned that H Bowman, rider of SATIRICAL GLORY, would shift away from the rail, resulting in his mount racing wide and without cover.

He stated that as he remained racing behind and to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY, that runner shifted away from the rail, resulting in FRUITY WARRIOR being taken three wide and without cover.

He said given the pace of the event continuing to be running inside of standard, he elected to remain racing in that position rather than attempting to go forward and cross SATIRICAL GLORY which would have resulted in the pace of the event increasing.

He further stated that from the 500 Metres FRUITY WARRIOR came under pressure and raced in a disappointing manner thereafter.

The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Bentley were reasonable in the circumstances.

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

Horse No 12 SUNNY BABY (E166) M Chadwick From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 500 Metres was steadied to avoid DARCI JOY and shifted to that runner's inside.

Horse No 13 FLYING SILVER (E478) Y L Chung Near the 500 Metres struck the heels of DARCI JOY when that runner gave ground quickly, resulting in FLYING SILVER blundering badly and Apprentice Y L Chung becoming badly unbalanced and losing the use of his left stirrup iron for the remainder of the event.

Horse No 14 LEGION OF MERIT (D419) B Thompson Approaching the 350 Metres was held up behind SATIRICAL GLORY and then shifted to that runner's outside to obtain clear running and made contact with ESCAPE ROUTE on two occasions when being shifted out.

When questioned regarding his riding in the early part of the Home Straight and the reason he elected to shift out, B Thompson stated that due to the early pace of the event being run inside of standard time, he was concerned that had he remained racing to the inside of SATIRICAL GLORY, he may have experienced difficulty obtaining clear running due to SPECIAL HEDGE giving ground.

He said for this reason he elected to come to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY as he felt that runner would provide him with the opportunity to improve into the event.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 8 MANAGEMENT FOLKS (E496) B Avdulla Withdrawn on 5.4.24 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame both fore).

Before being allowed to race again, MANAGEMENT FOLKS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.