Recap by phillip woo

Favourite The Runner just held on by a whisker after hitting the front 150m out after working hard to sit outside the leader Wild West Wing 600m out from a wide draw. He was able to defy top weight for a second win from his past three starts. Sky Forever appeared to the naked eye to have got up for the win with a big move from towards the rear but lost out in a photo finish. It was a fine effort after putting the writing on the wall with a near win two back in Class Four. Yo Beauty kept on well for a placing after settling one-out, one-back. He relished a return to the course and distance of a placing in November. Punted late, Excellent Chariot had every chance in the box-seat but only plodded over the last 100m. He does appear from his past two runs to be on or near his mark. Namjong Sings stayed on all right after a one-off run better than midfield. He might not be far off his mark again after an opening win in September off a rating of 68. Let's Do It ran on without menacing from towards the rear. He has trouble stringing together two good runs. Rising From Ashes made some ground from the rear of the field. It was a better effort second-up tackling an extra 200m with a switch to the Valley. Royal Bomb made a mild bid after a wide run without cover in midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (428) - CEDAR HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

NAMJONG SINGS was crowded for room on jumping between SIMPLY FLUKE and SKY FOREVER, both of which shifted ground.

This resulted in all three horses becoming unbalanced and SKY FOREVER then shifting out and bumping LET'S DO IT.

After this, LET'S DO IT was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail.

From the outside barrier, ROYAL BOMB was steadied to obtain cover in the early stages.

RISING FROM ASHES was also steadied for some distance in the early stages to obtain cover.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, YO BEAUTY momentarily raced tight inside THE RUNNER which was being ridden along to improve its position.

THE RUNNER travelled wide and without cover until near the 500 Metres at which stage ROYAL BOMB was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 500 Metres, SKY FOREVER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NAMJONG SINGS.

In the Straight, RISING FROM ASHES raced greenly and passing the 150 Metres, when being ridden along, shifted out and then shifted further and hampered ROYAL BOMB approaching the 50 Metres.

At this time, RISING FROM ASHES was also awkwardly placed behind NAMJONG SINGS.

RISING FROM ASHES was then shifted to the inside of NAMJONG SINGS to continue improving over the concluding stages.

A veterinary inspection of SIMPLY FLUKE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

THE RUNNER and SKY FOREVER were sent for sampling.