Recap by phillip woo

Jazz Steed quickened nicely to get up in the dying stages and post his fourth win from 45 starts. The beneficiary of a patient ride third last in running, he had performed well in his past two starts down in Class Five and relished his return to the Valley. Universal Crown did everything right but get the win after saving ground along the fence and hitting the front 50m out. He relished returning to the level of his two wins last season. Little Player made ground from midfield to fill a placing. It was his best run to date from 18 starts. Travel Glory made good ground late to fill the frame after being ridden cold from his wide draw. He relished stepping up in trip and getting back to the Valley. Encore made ground down the outside after his wide-and-cover run behind midfield. He has run with merit down in grade in his past two starts. Split Of A Second came up flat after making his run effectively one out, one back. He is getting long in the tooth. Favourite Shenron was already a beaten runner when impeded early straight after his wide-with-cover run in midfield. Fortune Hero will sleep well after his torrid run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (170) - FUKUSHIMA HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

THE GOOD DEAL shifted in on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of JAZZ STEED.

ENCORE was crowded for room at the start between SHENRON and GLORIFIED FIRE which shifted in.

From a wide barrier, TRAVEL GLORY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After being ridden along for some distance to obtain a forward position, ALLOY KING travelled keenly outside the lead for some distance after the 1000 Metres.

Passing the 300 Metres, JAZZ STEED and SHENRON raced tight as JAZZ STEED shifted to the outside of LITTLE PLAYER and improved into tight running between LITTLE PLAYER and SHENRON.

After the 200 Metres, THE GOOD DEAL was shifted in away from the heels of GLORIFIED FIRE to continue improving.

After the 100 Metres, SUPER KINGDOM was bumped by TRAVEL GLORY which shifted to the inside of LITTLE PLAYER to continue improving.

After this, SUPER KINGDOM was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPLIT OF A SECOND when continuing to race tight inside TRAVEL GLORY.

Because of these incidents, SUPER KINGDOM was not able to be ridden out over the concluding stages.

Near the 75 Metres, LITTLE PLAYER and JAZZ STEED bumped.

After the race, L Hewitson reported that, in his opinion, FORTUNE HERO's failure to finish the race off in the Straight was due to the horse having to race wide and without cover throughout.

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

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SHENRON, R Maia stated that it was intended for SHENRON to be ridden in a forward position tonight.

He said despite being ridden along in the early stages, SHENRON did not show early speed and therefore after the 1100 Metres he steadied his mount to obtain a trailing position behind FORTUNE HERO.

He said SHENRON travelled only fairly in the middle stages when racing in a three wide position with cover behind FORTUNE HERO.

He added that approaching the 400 Metres he considered shifting SHENRON to the outside of FORTUNE HERO, however, he did not believe that his mount was travelling well enough to be able to improve around that horse and therefore he elected to improve inside FORTUNE HERO and he was able to obtain clear running in the early part of the Straight.

He said SHENRON was not able to quicken to take advantage of the run which was available to it which allowed JAZZ STEED the opportunity to shift out, causing SHENRON to be disappointed for running near the 250 Metres.

He added that whilst SHENRON was disappointed for running, the horse was already under heavy pressure and then over the concluding stages weakened out of the race.

The performance of SHENRON, a favourite for tonight's race and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, SHENRON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of SHENRON immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

A veterinary inspection of GLORIFIED FIRE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer??which had previously been reported.

SHENRON, JAZZ STEED and UNIVERSAL CROWN were sent for sampling.