Recap by phillip woo

Plunged late, Gallant Legacy kept on gamely for a comfortable win after driving to the lead 600m out following a prominent run on the fence. He appreciated the switch in surfaces after showing little in his opening three runs this term. Favourite Jade Phoenix just got up for second after a handy run. He keeps promising but has trouble delivering. Handsome Rebel lost second late after chasing the speed following a good start from gate nine. He's always a chance on this surface and lived up to a nice trial following a break. The Best Hero came from midfield to fill the frame without menacing the placegetters. He proved a closing fourth over this same course and distance last start was not a fluke. Thou Shall Sing stayed on without menacing after a one-off run better than midfield. He's having trouble recapturing his best form. Coolceleb failed to have a say in the finish but did make up heaps of ground late after struggling to stay in touch at the rear. It was a better effort. Colonel was gone a long way out after circling the field to briefly lead 1,000m out trying the dirt for the first time.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (548) - ROBIN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

MELBOURNE HALL stumbled at the start.

GALLANT LEGACY shifted out at the start and bumped JADE PHOENIX.

SEA MONARCH was steadied from a wide barrier in the early stages and passing the 1000 Metres commenced to hang out.

SEA MONARCH continued to hang out badly making the turns after the 700 Metres and proved very difficult to ride.

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

The racing manners of SEA MONARCH were considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, SEA MONARCH will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend.

Near the 900 Metres, THOU SHALL SING was awkwardly placed outside the heels of JADE PHOENIX.

Passing the 700 Metres, JADE PHOENIX was eased away from the heels of HANDSOME REBEL which was taken in by COLONEL (Apprentice K H Chan) which shifted in.

Apprentice Chan was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances.

When being shifted to the outside of PICHU passing the 500 Metres, MELBOURNE HALL became badly unbalanced in its action when being checked away from the heels of that horse.

Passing the 400 Metres, SPEEDY OPTIMIST went amiss and was immediately eased down.

Throughout the race, COLONEL travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that after beginning well, COOLCELEB would not hold its position in the early stages despite being vigorously ridden along.

He said his mount appeared timid amongst other horses and he had to ride it aggressively passing the 1000 Metres in an endeavour to try and have the horse maintain its position.

He said despite continuing to be ridden along, COOLCELEB gave ground and was detached from the field in the middle stages.

He said it was not until the early part of the Straight that COOLCELEB commenced to finish off the race, however, when doing so near the 200 Metres got its head on the side and commenced to lay in.

He said he continued to ride COOLCELEB along and the horse then finished off the race satisfactorily.

He added having in mind the manner in which COOLCELEB appeared reluctant to race amongst horses, he recommended to connections that they consider stepping the horse up in distance to allow it the opportunity to possibly take up a forward position.

A veterinary inspection of COLONEL and PICHU immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

GALLANT LEGACY and JADE PHOENIX were sent for sampling.

Samples were also taken from SPEEDY OPTIMIST.