Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed Soleil Fighter was given a perfectly judged ride in front from gate one and kept finding for a fourth win at his 29th start. The step up to 1,800m worked the oracle after earning minor cheques in nine other starts across both tracks this term. Huge Wave just held on for second after a box-seat run. He continues to race well with placings in four of his past five starts since a win in November. Favourite Sky Heart got going late down the outside to nearly grab second after fading back to near last coming to the final bend in a small field. He was able to brush off a dull run three days ago over 1,400m. Jumbo Legend ran on nicely along the inside to just miss a placing by a head bob after a rails run from midfield. It was his best effort from seven runs this term. Californiatotality only got by a pair of beaten rivals from the rear of the field. He needed the run after a left foreleg injury in November. Awesome Fluke weakened to beat one runner after working forward three wide to eventually chase the leader 1,000m out. Sword Point didn't find much and was eased down 200m out following a one-out, one-back run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three : (468) - MAGAZINE GAP HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1800Meters

Horse No 1 CALIFORNIATOTALITY (H418) B Avdulla When questioned B Avdulla stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed to hold a handy position if possible.

He said CALIFORNIATOTALITY jumped only fairly and when SOLEIL FIGHTER and SKY HEART showed good speed in the early stages and he was positioned to the outside of AWESOME FLUKE and SWORD POINT, which he had expected would go forward, he elected to shift CALIFORNIATOTALITY behind runners in the early stages to avoid covering additional ground.

He added his tactics were also influenced by the fact that CALIFORNIATOTALITY was racing first up from a break and was carrying top weight of 135 lbs.

Trainer A S Cruz confirmed the instructions issued and expressed satisfaction with Jockey Avdulla's decision to ride the horse in a conservative manner in the early stages, particularly having regard to the way it commenced the race and the fact that it was carrying top weight in the event.

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

Horse No 2 HUGE WAVE (J197) A Badel Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 SWORD POINT (G448) K C Leung Shifted in at the start and was bumped.

Horse No 4 AWESOME FLUKE (J050) A Atzeni On jumping was bumped by SWORD POINT which shifted in.

Raced wide and without cover in the early stages and was ridden forward where it obtained a position outside the lead near the 1000 Metres.

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

Horse No 5 SOLEIL FIGHTER (J127) H Bowman When questioned H Bowman stated that the intention was to lead the event if circumstances permitted.

He said after SOLEIL FIGHTER commenced well he rode his mount in a positive manner in the early stages to show intent to lead and was able to hold the front as instructed.

Trainer D A Hayes confirmed the instructions issued and stated that at the horse's most recent start on 19 February 2026 SOLEIL FIGHTER raced keenly when behind runners and this was the main reason that he had requested Jockey Bowman to endeavour to hold the lead.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 SKY HEART (J092) E C W Wong When questioned E C W Wong stated that the instructions were to lead the event but if the pace was too strong he was given the option of taking a position with cover.

He said after SKY HEART commenced well and was positioned to the outside of SOLEIL FIGHTER he elected to take a position with cover and allow SWORD POINT and AWESOME FLUKE to cross his mount in the early stages.

He added as a consequence SKY HEART settled further back in the field than intended.

He said from the 700 Metres he placed SKY HEART under pressure, however, the horse lay in from that point, particularly in the Home Straight, and proved difficult to ride out.

He said he was further placed in some difficulty as he was riding the horse on a long rein which did not provide him with the necessary leverage to properly straighten the horse in the Home Straight.

Trainer C Fownes confirmed that the instructions were to lead and indicated that, in his view, Jockey Wong had made the decision to ride the horse with cover too prematurely.

After considering the evidence the matter was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 JUMBO LEGEND (G266) K Teetan Jumped awkwardly.

Over the concluding stages had difficulty obtaining clear running when improving into a tight run between SOLEIL FIGHTER and HUGE WAVE.