Recap by phillip woo

Sunny Boy kept on gamely for the win after emerging with the lead 800m out from the late-fancied Aquila as the post-time favourite. He had been racing well without winning in three other course-and-distance runs this term. Elite Patch closed well to finish a clearcut second from midfield. He has good dirt form at this level. Hall Of Champ ran on well near the inside to add some value to the tierce after a rail run behind midfield. He did have excuses in two prior starts on this surface. Le Terroir came from towards the rear to finish a distant fourth. He's starting to get back on track in his past two starts and might be one to keep safe when next stepping out over his preferred Valley track. Punted late Aquila was stopping 150m out after stalking the eventual winner in the run. He's not reliable. Early favourite California Concord was yielding ground rounding the final bend following a prominent run. He might have had an unforeseen problem.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (796) - VICTORIA HARBOUR HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

C Schofield (LE TERROIR) was fined the sum of $3,000 for failing to declare a probable 2 lb overweight on the horse at the time of declaration.

On arrival at the Start, C Schofield expressed concern regarding the action of LE TERROIR.

After the necessary consultations, LE TERROIR was found to be suitable to race.

MOST BEAUTIFUL was slow to begin.

CALIFORNIA CONCORD shifted in at the start and made contact with PRECIOUS EXPRESS.

GOLFMAN STAR shifted out at the start and bumped AQUILA.

SMART FOLKS stumbled at the start.

Shortly after the start, CORRIENTHES got its head on the side and shifted in away from GOLFMAN STAR, resulting in CORRIENTHES being checked away from the heels of ELITE PATCH.

After travelling a short distance, CALIFORNIA CONCORD shifted out and bumped LE TERROIR which became unbalanced.

The performance of SMART FOLKS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, SMART FOLKS 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 SMART FOLKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of PRECIOUS EXPRESS, which was eased down in the Straight, found that horse to have bled from both nostrils.

A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA CONCORD and AQUILA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

SUNNY BOY and ELITE PATCH were sent for sampling.