Recap by phillip woo

Old-timer Ever Laugh caught favourite Loyal Baby in deep stretch for the win after positioning beautifully one-off worse than midfield. He's been a good money spinner for connections and was fitter for two progressive runs. Loyal Baby found one too good after going for home on top 400m out following a pace-stalking run outside leader Shadow Runner. He's close to a win after producing seconds in back-to-back runs. Well-backed Kung Fu Tea ran on steadily to finish third without menacing the top two after a one-one trip. He's building towards a win in his three starts this term. Bulletproof stayed on well to fill the frame after travelling three deep with cover behind midfield from a wide draw. He'll be a force to be reckoned with if he can draw a proper gate. Shadow Runner couldn't maintain his momentum in front near the 100m after rolling to the front from a middle gate. It was one of his better runs. Stay Chill ran on without menacing from towards the rear. He's a Class Five horse. Happy Land was going one-paced when getting squeezed out late following a box-seat run. He's still trying to find his mark. You can forget the run of Jolly Honour who was posted without cover fore of midfield the entire trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (160) - VICTORIA GAP HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

STAR OF GLORY began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between HAPPY LAND which got its head on the side and shifted out and KUNG FU TEA which shifted in.

LOYAL BABY shifted in at the start and bumped PASSING FASHION which then lost ground when crowded for room outside SHADOW RUNNER.

BULLETPROOF shifted in at the start and bumped STAY CHILL.

In this incident, BULLETPROOF became unbalanced, shifted out and inconvenienced NEW FUTURE.

After this, both STAY CHILL and NEW FUTURE were shifted across behind runners.

C Y Ho (BULLETPROOF) reported that his saddle shifted back in the early stages, placing him at a disadvantage.

A A AGILITY was slow to begin and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

After the 250 Metres, HAPPY LAND, which was laying in, was crowded for room between EVER LAUGH which improved into tight running inside KUNG FU TEA and SHADOW RUNNER which shifted out marginally.

Then after the 150 Metres, EVER LAUGH continued to race tight inside KUNG FU TEA which shifted in under pressure.

Throughout the race, JOLLY HONOUR travelled wide and without cover and got its head on the side and lay in passing the 200 Metres.

L Ferraris (EVER LAUGH) was warned against the practice of using the whip down the horse's shoulder.

C L Chau (NEW FUTURE) was spoken to regarding his use of the whip on a horse out of contention.

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

When questioned, Mr W Y So, trainer of STAY CHILL, stated that his initial instructions to M Chadwick, the rider of STAY CHILL, were for the horse to be ridden positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position.

He said however that after discussing the matter further with Jockey Chadwick, it was felt that STAY CHILL may have to do too much work to cross runners to its inside from barrier 8 or in the alternative may be left racing wide and possibly without cover.

He said therefore as STAY CHILL had previously finished off its race when ridden quietly, it was decided to shift STAY CHILL across behind runners in the early stages rather than press forward on the horse tonight.

He added when STAY CHILL had performed well when ridden in a forward position, the horse generally began from inside barriers.

EVER LAUGH and LOYAL BABY were sent for sampling.