Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite So Awesome took control near the 200m for an easy win after peeling into the clear five deep rounding the final bend following a perfect ride one-off better than midfield from a wide draw. He was a Class Four horse in Class Five. Zacian just held on for second after racing to the lead 300m out following a pace-stalking run from a wide draw. He's close to a win. Victorious Leader ran on well from behind midfield to just miss second prize money. He relished a return to the course and distance of a win two starts back following a flat Valley effort. Brave Power ran on steadily to finish just out of the placings after settling three deep with cover behind midfield. He needed a faster tempo. Punted late Little Player ran on steadily to finish next best after biding his time five back on the fence. He's not far off a bottom. Kwai Chung Elite kept on all right after a rails run better than midfield. It was a better effort second-up but isn't reliable. Regency Gem made some ground without menacing after biding his time one from the rear. He seems to go better on the dirt nowadays. Soccer Master was a non-factor after jumping slowly. He couldn't back-up a last start win.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (115) - HERON HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1400Meters

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that UNIVERSAL CROWN had blood in its mouth.

UNIVERSAL CROWN was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

REGENCY GEM was slow to begin.

As the start was effected, SOCCER MASTER lifted its front feet off the ground and got its head behind the barrier partition which resulted in SOCCER MASTER beginning very awkwardly and losing ground.

Before being allowed to race again, SOCCER MASTER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

From wide barriers, BIG BANG BONG and EVEN KEEL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

LITTLE PLAYER and BRAVE POWER were both steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail.

After the 800 Metres, LITTLE PLAYER travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind SUPER FLAMES.

Passing the 600 Metres, EVEN KEEL was bumped and taken wider by REGENCY GEM which attempted to improve to the outside of SOCCER MASTER.

Passing the 650 Metres, SOCCER MASTER became unbalanced when attempting to improve between VICTORIOUS LEADER and BRAVE POWER where there was not quite enough room.

In this incident, SOCCER MASTER bumped BRAVE POWER.

REGENCY GEM had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 400 Metres.

At the 100 Metres, A Badel (REGENCY GEM) dropped his whip.

Throughout the race, UNIVERSAL CROWN travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, M Chadwick was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of SOCCER MASTER other than the horse was required to race at the rear of the field as a result of missing the start.

He said after the incident on jumping, SOCCER MASTER did not travel strongly at any stage of the race and then did not finish off the race.

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

SO AWESOME and ZACIAN were sent for sampling.