Recap by phillip woo

Class rose to the top with Love Shock overcoming a tardy break from a wide gate to come from last at one point and with two wider out to take control 50m out in his initial run over this course. He'll remain a force to be reckoned with off a lightweight in Class Two at either track. Numero Uno found one too good after making a solid bid from behind midfield to poke his head in front 60m out. He's not reliable but is certainly capable of a big run. Iron Boy ran on well after settle worse than midfield and one off the fence following a sluggish break from a wide gate to make it close for second. He's run well in defeat in back-to-back runs following a switch to the Valley and will be hard to beat when he draws a proper gate. Roundabout ran on steadily without menacing after a rails run in midfield. He's never far off the finish but appears to be on his mark after copping a sharp penalty for a first-up win this term in Class Four. Navas was getting going late down the outside after travelling fourth from the rear from a tricky gate. He's still a work in progress despite winning three starts back but appears to have the ability to ring up another with more racing experience.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (243)-ENGLAND HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Metres

Whilst in the saddling stalls, RAICHU had its right hind plate refitted.

After this plate was refitted, RAICHU was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

MASTER VIKING shifted out at the start and bumped NUMERO UNO which became unbalanced and shifted out away from MASTER VIKING and in doing so made heavy contact with SHAMAL, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced.

NUMERO UNO was then checked and blundered when buffeted for room between SHAMAL and MASTER VIKING (S de Sousa) which continued to shift out when being ridden along.

S de Sousa was advised that whilst his mount did shift out abruptly at the start and made contact with NUMERO UNO, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to make far more effort to correct his mount than he did on this occasion.

RAICHU and BOTH LUCKY bumped at the start.

HAPPY YEAH YEAH shifted in on jumping and bumped CIRCUIT KING.

Then despite being ridden along, HAPPY YEAH YEAH failed to muster speed and passing the 1100 Metres, when racing very wide, was steadied and shifted across behind runners.

From the outside barriers, IRON BOY and LOVE SHOCK were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, SHAMAL raced tight between MASTER VIKING and RAINBOW FIGHTER.

Making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres, HAPPY YEAH YEAH was bumped by NAVAS which was taken wider by RAICHU which, after being steadied away from the heels of RAINBOW FIGHTER, got its head on the side and shifted out away from that horse.

Passing the 900 Metres, RAICHU was awkwardly placed outside the heels of IRON BOY.

CIRCUIT KING travelled wide and without cover until passing the 700 Metres.

Passing the 600 Metres, RAICHU raced tight between LOVE SHOCK and NAVAS (O Doleuze).

Then making the turn after the 600 Metres, RAICHU was severely checked when crowded for room between LOVE SHOCK which shifted out marginally and NAVAS which, after being bumped on the hindquarters by RAICHU, became unbalanced and shifted in.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that there was no carelessness exhibited by any rider in this incident, nonetheless O Doleuze was advised to ensure that he provides his fellow riders with comfortable racing room in similar circumstances.

At the entrance to the Straight, ROUNDABOUT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASTER VIKING.

Near the 250 Metres, ROUNDABOUT was momentarily crowded for room inside MASTER VIKING which shifted in when giving ground.

Passing the 50 Metres, HAPPY YEAH YEAH was awkwardly placed inside the heels of RAINBOW FIGHTER which shifted in marginally.

When questioned regarding the performance of MASTER VIKING, S de Sousa stated that he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed.

He said making the first turn near the 1000 Metres the pace of the race was genuine and this tempo continued into the Back Straight.

He said when SHAMAL improved forward of MASTER VIKING near the 800 Metres, after initially riding his mount along, he elected to take a sit behind SHAMAL in an endeavour to have MASTER VIKING finish off its race.

He said after the 700 Metres MASTER VIKING came under pressure to hold its position and then was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race in the Straight.

He added whilst he had to make some use of MASTER VIKING in the early stages to take up a forward position, nonetheless the horse raced "flat" tonight.

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

When questioned, Mr C Fownes, the trainer of BOTH LUCKY, stated that apart from MASTER VIKING, he could not identify any other horses in the race which would be expected to show significant early speed.

He said he therefore felt that there was an opportunity for BOTH LUCKY to be ridden in a position behind the speed which would be in a more prominent position than had been the case in its recent starts in the hope that this would provide BOTH LUCKY with the opportunity to finish off the race strongly.

A veterinary inspection of BOTH LUCKY immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg.

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

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

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

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

LOVE SHOCK and NUMERO UNO were sent for sampling.