Recap by phillip woo

Mr Right settled three deep fore of midfield with some cover, swung the final bend with two wider out, swept to the front 100m out and just held off the late surge of St Yazin for a second win over this Valley trip this term. St Yazin settled rearward after a slow break, shifted into the open with three wider out at the 250m and finished willingly despite drifting in under pressure to make a thriller on the wire. King Of Household came home strongly widest out after making his run third from the rear to grab a placing. Call Me Achiever settled one off the fence in midfield, rallied four deep upon straightening and kept up a steady gallop to grab a Quartet spot. Top Bonus enjoyed a lovely run on the back of the leader Ocean Roar, was held up until getting a run underneath that one at the 200m and kept on evenly thereafter. Plunged late, Excitable Boy was posted deep near the speed, briefly poked his head in front five deep at the 150m and was swamped inside the final 100m. Ocean Roar was stopping 100m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (241)-LONGINES INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS' CHAMPIONSHIP (HANDICAP)- 3RD LEG - Class 4 - 1000Metres

After being loaded, STRATEGIC ARMY became fractious and reared and consequently got its right front leg into the adjoining stall occupied by OCEAN ROAR for some time.

STRATEGIC ARMY was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that in his opinion it was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of STRATEGIC ARMY.

Before being allowed to race again, STRATEGIC ARMY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

As a precaution, OCEAN ROAR was also removed from the barriers when STRATEGIC ARMY got its leg over.

Shortly after the start, ST YAZIN and KING OF HOUSEHOLD were shifted across behind runners from wide barriers.

After initially being ridden along in the early stages, HIGHLAND DRAGON was shifted across behind runners to avoid racing wide.

Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, CALL ME ACHIEVER failed to muster speed.

Making the turn near the 550 Metres, EXCITABLE BOY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GALLANT ROCK which shifted out.

At the 200 Metres, TOP BONUS was shifted to the inside of OCEAN ROAR after being disappointed for running between that horse and JOLLY POSH.

Passing the 150 Metres, GALLANT ROCK, which was giving ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of EXCITABLE BOY which shifted in.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of JOLLY POSH, B Prebble stated that it had been hoped that CALL ME ACHIEVER and TOP BONUS would show sufficient speed for JOLLY POSH to be able to obtain a position on the rail in the early stages as the horse has an inclination to lay in.

He said when CALL ME ACHIEVER did not show sufficient speed in the early stages, he was obliged to ride his mount forward of that horse rather than JOLLY POSH getting too far out of its ground albeit racing three wide.

He said although JOLLY POSH was inclined to get its head on to the side at various times during the race, the horse travelled tractably and was able to improve its position inside GALLANT ROCK when that horse shifted out rounding the turn.

He said however that JOLLY POSH came off the bridle at the entrance to the Straight and did not quicken at any stage.

He added the manner in which JOLLY POSH failed to run on in the Straight indicated to him that the horse did not appreciate tonight's track conditions.

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

A veterinary inspection of OCEAN ROAR and GALLANT ROCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

JOLLY POSH, MR RIGHT and ST YAZIN were sent for sampling.