Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Happy Tango kept on gamely for the win after setting a strong tempo when pressured for the front to his outside by Striking Mr C. He might have the tools to win again after coming right with placings in two prior starts. Seven Heavens closed well to grab second 30m out after a wide run with cover travelling midfield. He's well rated and relished a return to the dirt. Mercurial ran on steadily to just edge Striking Mr C for third after a prominent run on the fence. He's run all right once on each surface after winning over the Valley 1,200m. Zacian ran on without menacing after a rails run worse than midfield. It was a slightly better effort with a switch to the dirt but he's still a work in progress. Demons Rock ran on without threatening from behind midfield. He has been given no favours from the handicapper despite misfiring three times after winning in December. Dollar Reward was gassed 100m out after working hard from a wide gate to settle in the one-one. Blotting Paper never landed a blow travelling one-off better than midfield. The return to the level of a course and distance win in September failed to help.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (551) - ROBIN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

GOLDIE FLANKER began only fairly and then was crowded for room between ZACIAN and STRIKING MR C which shifted out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider.

In this incident, STRIKING MR C bumped ZACIAN which became badly unbalanced, shifted out and bumped DEMON ROCKS which also became unbalanced.

This resulted in GOLDIE FLANKER and ZACIAN losing ground.

From wide barriers, SMART HUNTER and MAGIC BONUS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the 800 Metres, ZACIAN became unbalanced in its action of its own accord.

After the race, C Wong stated that he was unable to offer a reason why ZACIAN became unbalanced at this stage of the race.

He said after this incident ZACIAN travelled only fairly and was not comfortable in its action.

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

Close to the finishing line, ZACIAN was awkwardly placed behind STRIKING MR C and MERCURIAL and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

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

Before being allowed to race again, ZACIAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Throughout the race, HAPPILY FRIENDS travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on STRIKING MR C at the request of Trainer T P Yung.

The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, STRIKING MR C will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of BLOTTING PAPER and HAPPILY FRIENDS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

HAPPY TANGO and SEVEN HEAVENS were sent for sampling.