Recap by phillip woo

Red Dancer settled midfield along the rails, shifted out four deep at the 350m and rattled home to snatch victory from Ishvara in the final few strides. Favourite Ishvara settled one-out, one-back, advanced to the front three deep at the 200m and went down fighting. Well-punted late, Jun Huo travelled fore of midfield and three deep with cover, rounded the final bend five deep and finished well to make it a blanket finish. So Caffe travelled fourth from the back, had his momentum badly checked three deep at the 150m and kept on evenly thereafter. Laugh Out Loud assumed the front 250m out after stalking the leader Outlawed found a few too smart over the final 100m. Outlawed wasn't too far off the finish after dictating progressively faster fractions. D'Or Wongchoy was making up good ground late without menacing. Kerkeni was never properly tested on the back of the tiring leaders over the final 200m. Winning Instinct had no chance in the drive to the wire after being caught without cover the entire trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (381)-THE MERLION HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1600Metres

SILVER GATSBY, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 5.2.15 by order of the Stewards (stable transfer).

D'OR WONGCHOY began awkwardly.

From wide barriers, SO CAFFE and CRAZY BUDDIES were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 1500 Metres, MEDIC MASTER was crowded for room between D'OR WONGCHOY and SYSTEM OVERLOAD which shifted in.

Passing the 1300 Metres, WHY NOT commenced to prove difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ISHVARA.

Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, MEDIC MASTER proved difficult to settle.

Near the 650 Metres, RED DANCER became unbalanced and shifted out towards the heels of ISHVARA.

After the 300 Metres, KERKENI was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LAUGH OUT LOUD when disappointed for tight running between that horse and OUTLAWED.

KERKENI was then held up for clear running until passing the 200 Metres.

SO CAFFE was unable to obtain clear running until near the 200 Metres and then passing the 200 Metres was steadied when crowded for room between LAUGH OUT LOUD and ISHVARA (Z Purton) which shifted in under pressure.

Z Purton was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Over the concluding stages, OUTLAWED was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LAUGH OUT LOUD.

Throughout the race, ALADDIN and WINNING INSTINCT travelled wide and without cover.

G Mosse (WINNING INSTINCT) was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out all the way to the end of the race at least hands and heels where circumstances permit.

RED DANCER and ISHVARA were sent for sampling.