Recap by phillip woo

A tactics change to lead from a wide gate at the 950m on a biased for speed track paid off for Pakistan Baby who just held off Clear Choice by a whisker with a return to his favourite course and distance. He's always a chance in this grade at the Valley. Clear Choice was another ridden positively to sit one off in second and just missed by a bob of heads. Firming favourite Golden Glory got going travelling midfield on the fence to make it close in the end. He continues to knock on the door in three of four runs at this level. Junzi kept on evenly following a box-seat run after travelling closer to the pace than usual. He doesn't have many points in hand. Dr Race closed late after travelling third from the rear from an outside gate. He did win first-up off a similar mark but the 1,000m seems to suit him better nowadays. Rookie Star ran on without menacing travelling midfield. He's shown some ability in his eight starts but may need more time to fill out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (515) - FINANCE STREET HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

NOBLE DE BOY shifted out at the start and bumped ROOKIE STAR which in turn shifted out, resulting in NATURAL FLARE being crowded for room inside JUNZI.

Shortly after the start, TRIUMPHAL TRUMPET was steadied away from the heels of MASSIVE MOVE which shifted out when being vigorously ridden in an attempt to obtain a forward position.

From a wide barrier, COUR VALANT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

When being steadied to obtain cover, COUR VALANT got its head on the side and lay in approaching and rounding the first turn near the 1000 Metres and then passing the 900 Metres was left racing wide and without cover.

Passing the 500 Metres, COUR VALANT was taken wider by ROOKIE STAR which shifted out abruptly away from the heels of MASSIVE MOVE.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that he was asked from the outside barrier to shift DR RACE across behind runners in the early stages and obtain a positon on the rail if possible towards the rear of the field.

He said DR RACE began well and it took him some time to steady the horse to be able to shift across behind runners which resulted in him being unable to obtain the rail due to NOBLE DE BOY holding the position on the rail towards the rear of the field.

He said he felt it was not reasonable to continue to steady DR RACE just to obtain the rail and therefore he remained racing in a one-off position to the outside of NOBLE DE BOY and behind NATURAL FLARE.

He said near the 500 Metres ROOKIE STAR shifted out in advance of NATURAL FLARE which resulted in COUR VALANT, which he was aware had raced wide and without cover throughout the race, being taken out.

He said he did consider shifting to the outside of NATURAL FLARE and improving his position behind ROOKIE STAR, however, he felt that COUR VALANT would give ground which may result in DR RACE being held up for clear running behind ROOKIE STAR and inside COUR VALANT and therefore he believed the best option was to continue to follow NATURAL FLARE and hoped that runs would become available in the Straight and that he would be able to save ground.

He added rounding the Home Turn he shifted away from the heels of NATURAL FLARE as that horse was only travelling fairly and commenced to improve to its outside.

He said when COUR VALANT made the Home Turn awkwardly, he commenced to shift his mount out from behind ROOKIE STAR to improve into the running which had become available between ROOKIE STAR and COUR VALANT as a result of COUR VALANT shifting out rather than pursue a tight run between NATURAL FLARE and ROOKIE STAR.

He said he was able to shift DR RACE to the outside of ROOKIE STAR near the 200 Metres and then rode his mount vigorously to improve between those horses.

He said his whip became momentarily entangled in his reins passing the 150 Metres and therefore he changed his whip into his over into his right hand near the 100 Metres and rode the horse out vigorously to the end of the race.

K Teetan was advised that his riding of DR RACE from the 500 Metres had come under notice and, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have improved his position to the outside of NATURAL FLARE to follow ROOKIE STAR.

He was told to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner that he avails himself of the opportunity to take up more advantageous positions so that his horses are not left with too much to do.

He was also advised to ensure that he obtains clear running at the earliest available opportunity to ensure that his horses are able to be properly tested.

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

GOLDEN GLORY, PAKISTAN BABY and CLEAR CHOICE were sent for sampling.