Recap by phillip woo

In a leader's dominated race, Very Rich Man kept on gamely after straightening two lengths on top following a loose-on-the-lead run. He's dangerous when left alone. Firming top pick Dollar Reward had every chance but couldn't reel in the winner following a box-seat run. He keeps promising but just can't seem to salute. Super Euro Star finished a distant third after tracking the leader one off without cover. It wasn't a bad run but he's got limited upside. Super Lucky ran on late to fill a Quartet spot after settling fourth from the back. The big weight didn't help and he's better suited on a firm track. Brave Command stayed on all right travelling midfield on the fence following a sluggish break. It was a better effort second-up but he'll need more time and longer trip. My Family made some headway down the outside after settling third from the back. Back In Black made some ground late from near the back without ever looking a threat.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (471) - JOHNSTON HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

BRAVE COMMAND began only fairly.

HERO TIME was crowded for room on jumping between SUPER EURO STAR and SUPER LUCKY which shifted out.

FORTUNE BUDDY and MY FAMILY bumped at the start.

From a wide barrier, BACK IN BLACK was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

MY FAMILY made the turn near the 1000 Metres awkwardly.

Passing the 600 Metres, LUNAR ZEPHYR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HERO TIME (M Chadwick) which, when being ridden along, got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of SUPER EURO STAR.

As this occurred, SUPER EURO STAR made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in HERO TIME, which was racing close to the heels of SUPER EURO STAR, shifting out in consequence and making significant contact with ALL BEST FRIENDS which caused HERO TIME to stumble and ALL BEST FRIENDS to become badly unbalanced.

In this incident, LUNAR ZEPHYR, which was following HERO TIME, was inconvenienced.

M Chadwick was advised that whilst in the opinion of the Stewards SUPER EURO STAR's movement outwards had played a significant part in this incident, nonetheless he should have made more endeavour than he did to prevent his mount from shifting in and crowding the room of LUNAR ZEPHYR.

M Chadwick was therefore severely reprimanded and advised to take appropriate measures to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

S de Sousa stated that after becoming badly unbalanced as a result of the significant contact from HERO TIME, ALL BEST FRIENDS, which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover, lost its action and as he was concerned regarding the horse's welfare, he eased it down given the severity of the incident passing the 600 Metres.

A veterinary inspection of ALL BEST FRIENDS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

LUNAR ZEPHYR lost its left front plate near the 550 Metres.

Near the 450 Metres, LUNAR ZEPHYR raced tight outside BRAVE COMMAND which got its head on the side and lay out.

Approaching the 400 Metres, SUPER LUCKY was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of HERO TIME.

When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he was asked to ride HERO TIME in a handy position which he interpreted to be behind the leaders.

He said after riding his mount along for some distance in the early stages to take up a forward position, HERO TIME was left racing wide and without cover for the majority of the race as he was not able to shift in behind another runner to obtain cover.

Mr R Gibson, the trainer of HERO TIME, stated that four starts ago HERO TIME was found to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm after the race.

He said at its subsequent start HERO TIME got back in the field and did not race competitively.

He said at its subsequent start HERO TIME last start the horse was drawn wide and therefore the decision was made to shift it across behind runners to obtain cover rather than ride it aggressively to obtain a forward position.

He said in tonight's race HERO TIME had drawn better and he felt that there was an opportunity for the horse to be able to obtain a more forward position than had recently been the case.

Mr Gibson was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he was reminded of the requirement of having horses ridden in a consistent manner where appropriate circumstances exist.

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

The performance of HERO TIME, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Having regard that this was the second occasion in the horse's last three runs where it had performed unsatisfactorily, the Stewards ruled that HERO TIME must perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a series of consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.

After the race, it was noted that SHARPMIND had blood at its left nostril.

The Veterinary Officer reported that an endoscopic examination conducted on SHARPMIND confirmed that horse to be a bleeder.

VERY RICH MAN and DOLLAR REWARD were sent for sampling.