Recap by phillip woo

Second favourite Healthy Luck had his own way up front and kept up a strong gallop after cornering two on top to notch a second win from five starts at both tracks. He's only three years of age and has got the scope to head much higher. Favourite Powermax kept on a clear second without threatening the winner following a box-seat run. He too has more upside to come and might be crying out for the 1,400m. Happy Life just outdashed Ten Flames after travelling fourth from the rear to give the tierce some value. He has the ability to run a big race and hopefully this is the turning point. Ten Flames finished well from beyond midfield despite a drop back in distance following an earlier mile win. He's never one to take likely at the Valley. Travel Datuk closed off nicely down the outside after settling second from the rear from a wide gate. He's not reliable but has been finding the line better in three of his past four starts and a bottom may be near. Sensationally- backed Bear Rapper found little following a midfield run. He's always had soundness issues and do prefer him in Class Four. Blaze Stamina had an excuse after bombing the start.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (569)-THE MERLION HANDICAP (Sec1) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

HEALTHY LUCK shifted in at the start and bumped POWERMAX.

BEAR RAPPER began only fairly.

BLAZE STAMINA was slow to begin and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start.

Also from a wide barrier, TRAVEL DATUK was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres, BEAR RAPPER got its head on the side and lay in away from LOTUS BREEZE, resulting in APACHE SPIRIT being crowded for room.

APACHE SPIRIT was then checked when BEAR RAPPER was taken in further by LOTUS BREEZE (N Rawiller).

When APACHE SPIRIT was checked, that horse shifted out, resulting in LUCKY DAY being crowded for room inside WILD BOY.

As the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that BEAR RAPPER had contributed significantly to the incident by initially shifting in and crowding the racing room of APACHE SPIRIT, they could not be satisfied to the necessary degree that N Rawiller's action in allowing LOTUS BREEZE to shift in after this had been the principal cause of the incident.

Accordingly, no further action was taken other than to advise N Rawiller to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances.

After the 800 Metres, HO HO HORSE got its head on the side, lay out and was reluctant to shift back in to race closer to the leader HEALTHY LUCK.

HO HO HORSE then made the Home Turn awkwardly, causing LOTUS BREEZE to be taken wider.

After this, HO HO HORSE gave ground.

A veterinary inspection of BLAZE STAMINA, HO HO HORSE and BEAR RAPPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

HEALTHY LUCK and POWERMAX were sent for sampling.