Recap by phillip woo

Red Elysees rushed forward at the 1,350m to share the lead with Positively High at the 1,200m mark, moved to the front 350m out and edged clear to score as the post-time favourite. Heroic Guru came through late between runners with a solid move travelling third last to grab second in a blanket finish for the minors. He can bob up now and then and the light weight helped. Full Of Chances came on well one from the right sitting second last to make it close for the quinella spot. He was suited by a return to the distance of an earlier win. Le Panache eventually got going down the outside to just miss a placing by lip after failing to muster speed early on. He's very honest but is having trouble winning in this grade. Smart Baby did have his chance following a prominent run on the fence. He's likely on his mark and more effective at the Valley. Family Leader will sleep well after getting posted with no cover in midfield with a step up in distance.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (394) - PROSPERITY HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1800Meters

LE PANACHE began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between SPARKLING SWORD and HAPPY HOUR which shifted out.

In this incident, SPARKLING SWORD became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by LE PANACHE and at the same time being further crowded for room inside SMART BABY which shifted in after making contact with RED ELYSEES.

FULL OF CHANCES and HEROIC GURU were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

RED ELYSEES lost its left front plate at the 1400 Metres.

FAMILY LEADER and SPARKLING SWORD raced tight rounding the Home Turn as SPARKLING SWORD shifted out.

Passing the 400 Metre, HEROIC GURU was awkwardly placed behind SMART BABY.

FULL OF CHANCES had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 300 Metres was shifted to the outside of runners to obtain clear running.

Passing the 300 Metres, SPARKLING SWORD was awkwardly placed behind HAPPY HOUR which was giving ground.

When questioned, H N Wong stated that he was asked to take up a forward position on SPARKLING SWORD and lead the race if possible.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along for a distance in the early stages after SPARKLING SWORD became unbalanced on jumping.

He said, despite riding his mount along, SPARKLING SWORD did not show as much early speed as HAPPY HOUR, FAMILY LEADER and, in particular, POSITIVELY HIGH from a wide barrier.

He said as SPARKLING SWORD had proved difficult to settle on occasions in its races, he was reluctant to continue riding his mount along given that he had ridden it for the first 50 metres of the race.

He said after initially being crossed by FAMILY LEADER, SPARKLING SWORD then proved very difficult to settle for some distance after the 1500 Metres when required to race in amongst horses.

H N Wong was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have persisted for longer than he did in attempting to obtain a forward position given his instructions and the circumstances of the race in the early stages.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that after being asked to obtain a handy position on FAMILY LEADER, he was able to shift in to race in a one-off position in the early stages.

He said however that when HAPPY HOUR shifted to the outside of POSITIVELY HIGH after the 1400 Metres, FAMILY LEADER was taken into a three wide position without cover.

He said he then steadied FAMILY LEADER to obtain a trailing position behind HAPPY HOUR, however, that horse was then steadied by its rider and this resulted in him having to steady FAMILY LEADER further in an attempt to obtain a trailing position behind that horse.

He said as he did this SPARKLING SWORD, which was travelling keenly, improved its position to be racing inside FAMILY LEADER which resulted in his mount continuing to race three wide and without cover.

He said after the 1200 Metres he rode his mount along in an attempt to take up a more forward position, however, FAMILY LEADER would not improve its position at this time and this resulted in the horse being left racing wide and without cover for the remainder of the race.

He added although FAMILY LEADER was required to cover extra ground, he did not believe the horse had backed up from its race last weekend.

A veterinary inspection of FAMILY LEADER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

After the race, U Rispoli reported that HAPPY HOUR was very disappointing as it failed to close off in the Straight.

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

RED ELYSEES and HEROIC GURU were sent for sampling.