Recap by phillip woo

Earth Trilogy rolled forward to share the lead outside Beauty Day 1,100m out, shot clear 800m out and kept finding to hold on by a half-length for a first win at his eighth start. It was a perfectly-executed ride by Grant van Niekerk. Specked late Red Elysees stayed on gamely to take second in a blanket finish for the minors after pressing forward without cover to chase the leaders 1,300m out. Well-backed Beauty Day wouldn't go down without a fight after being headed for the lead carrying a feather weight. Favourite Uncle Steve just missed a placing after peaking on his move 50m out following a deep run with cover worse than midfield behind Packing Warrior. It was a good effort carrying more weight following a win. Defining Moment made some headway late after covering a tonne of ground fifth from the back. He'll be hard to beat if he finds his way into Class Four. Sarri ran on late without menacing from the rear of the field.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (759) - EAGLE'S NEST HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1600Meters

MARQULA began very awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in UNCLE STEVE being crowded for room inside BEAUTY DAY which also shifted in.

AMAZING SATCHMO shifted in at the start and bumped DEFINING MOMENT.

VOLPINO began only fairly and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Also from wide barriers, AMAZING SATCHMO and SARRI were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Shortly after the start, VINCY was crowded for room between PACKING WARRIOR and RED ELYSEES which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider.

After travelling a short distance, MARQULA was steadied away from the heels of MORE THAN THIS which shifted out.

After the 1300 Metres, UNCLE STEVE travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain a trailing position behind PACKING WARRIOR.

After the 1000 Metres, PACKING WARRIOR was left racing wide and without cover.

Near the 950 Metres, SMILING PRIDE raced tight inside VINCY which got its head on the side and lay in.

SARRI had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

After the 300 Metres, AMAZING SATCHMO lay in.

After the 200 Metres, VOLPINO was shifted to the inside of SMILING PRIDE.

VINCY had difficulty obtaining clear running from passing the 150 Metres until near the 100 Metres.

Passing the 100 Metres, SMILING PRIDE was steadied when crowded for room between CHAIRMAN LO (J Moreira) which initially shifted in and BEAUTY DAY (Apprentice K H Chan) which shifted out.

Both J Moreira and Apprentice Chan were advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Over the concluding stages, RED ELYSEES raced tight outside EARTH TRILOGY (G van Niekerk) which shifted out under pressure.

G van Niekerk was advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

The performance of MARQULA, a last start winner and which finished in last position, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, MARQULA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of PACKING WARRIOR and MARQULA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

UNCLE STEVE, EARTH TRILOGY and RED ELYSEES were sent for sampling.