Recap by phillip woo

Cigar Buddies never looked backed after turning the final bend two lengths on top after a flying start from gate two to up his record over the Valley 1,200m this term to two wins and two seconds from five tries. Favourite Ares stayed on gamely for second without threatening the winner following a pace-stalking ride. He's knocking on the door with seconds in back-to-back runs following a downgrade. Regency Poet made it close for second after a one-out, one-back run with bags of money for him late. He was able to back up a win last time out. Vector ran on nicely from towards the rear to just miss a placing. He was beaten by the pace but continues to race well without winning in his past four starts. The Jolly ran on steadily after a midfield run on the fence. It wasn't a bad effort in his first run in 143 days following throat surgery. Sicomoro came up one-paced after a box-seat run. The step back in distance backfired after placing last start over 1,400m. Winning Strikes ran on without menacing ridden for luck towards the rear from a wide draw. He's limited. King's Trooper left things too late settling second last from the widest draw. Farm Bumper faded after a prominent run wide without cover.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (762) - ELGIN HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

When the horses were in the Parade Ring for this race, the Stewards were advised by the Chief Medical Officer that J Moreira was unfit to fulfil his race riding engagement on DASSIT in this race and for his remaining race riding engagements.

After briefly interviewing the Chief Medical Officer and J Moreira regarding this matter, J Moreira was stood down from his race riding engagements.

This necessitated DASSIT being re-saddled as a result of B Shinn being substituted as the rider of that horse.

VECTOR was steadied on jumping to obtain cover.

Also from the outside barriers, DASSIT, WINNING STRIKES, which began awkwardly, and KING'S TROOPER were all shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail.

Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, DASSIT raced tight inside VECTOR which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider.

After the 900 Metres, REGENCY POET got its head on the side and lay in.

Then making the turn near the 550 Metres, REGENCY POET raced tight inside FARM BUMPER which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider.

Also making the turn near the 550 Metres, WINNING STRIKES got its head on the side and lay in away from ALL YOU KNOW and in doing so bumped VECTOR.

VECTOR then became unbalanced and shifted out, resulting in WINNING STRIKES being crowded for room inside ALL YOU KNOW.

In this incident, both VECTOR and WINNING STRIKES also became unbalanced.

Rounding the Home Turn, THE JOLLY was held up for clear running behind SICOMORO.

On straightening, SICOMORO was momentarily steadied away from the heels of ARES which shifted in.

Throughout the race, FARM BUMPER travelled wide and without cover.

A veterinary inspection of ACA POWER immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being allowed to race again, ACA POWER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

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

CIGAR BUDDIES and ARES were sent for sampling.