Recap by phillip woo

Bold Stitch wore down Lucky Power 50m out following a midfield run for the win. A win was no surprise after showing progress in recent runs following an October failure with blood in his trachea but will need to make use of a claimer at the top of the weights when next stepping out. Plunged late, Lucky Power kept on very well after leading from a middle gate. He built on a positive debut effort last month and will be winning shortly. He's bred to get further as well with maturity. Destin stayed on well following a box-seat run for a second placing from three starts. On his pedigree, he's one who can grow an extra leg on a wet track. Metallic Star grudgingly gave way after pressing forward from a wide gate to sit second 950m out. It was a better run following a short break and he's dangerously rated off his current mark. Electric Lightning ran on steadily from behind midfield. He's shown some ability in his two starts but may need a bit more time and experience. Care Free Prince only held his ground following a one-off run in midfield. He's nothing special. Favourite Meisterstueck never played a role.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (483)-ONCIDIUM HANDICAP (Sec1) - Class 4 - 1400Metres

HALL OF FAME was withdrawn on 11.3.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LUCKY POWER (Z Purton).

Before being allowed to race again, HALL OF FAME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

RHODE ASSASSIN was slow to begin.

JOLLY AMBER began only fairly.

ZOOMOOL began awkwardly, shifted in on jumping and bumped CARE FREE PRINCE, causing both horses to become unbalanced.

From wide barriers, FINE WITH ME and GOOD FOR YOU were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Approaching the 1300 Metres, MEISTERSTUECK was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of STAR SUPERIOR.

Near the 1150 Metres, ZOOMOOL lost ground when crowded for room between GOOD FOR YOU (N Rawiller) which initially shifted in and MEISTERSTUECK which got its head on the side and shifted out after being brushed on the hindquarters by ZOOMOOL.

N Rawiller was advised that whilst MEISTERSTUECK had contributed to this incident, nonetheless he must ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances.

For some distance after the 1000 Metres, ZOOMOOL proved very difficult to settle and making the turn near the 900 Metres raced tight between GOOD FOR YOU and RHODE ASSASSIN which shifted out.

Then passing the 900 Metres, GOOD FOR YOU shifted out abruptly away from the heels of MEISTERSTUECK which was proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of ELECTRIC LIGHTNING, resulting in FINE WITH ME being hampered when taken wider.

Approaching the 900 Metres, CARE FREE PRINCE was left racing wide and without cover.

After the 900 Metres, STAR SUPERIOR proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed behind DESTIN.

After the 700 Metres, MEISTERSTUECK and GOOD FOR YOU bumped when racing tight as MEISTERSTUECK attempted to improve into tight running between JOLLY AMBER and GOOD FOR YOU.

Approaching the 300 Metres, MEISTERSTUECK (C Y Ho) shifted out and bumped GOOD FOR YOU when attempting to shift to the outside of CARE FREE PRINCE to obtain clear running.

C Y Ho was advised that whilst the Stewards encourage riders to improve their position wherever possible, nonetheless due care must be exercised so as not to place undue pressure on other horses which can result in interference being caused.

When questioned, C Y Ho stated that, from an inside barrier, it had been hoped for MEISTERSTUECK to be ridden behind the leaders and if the race was being run at a slow tempo, it was acceptable for him to lead.

He said after being placed into the barriers MEISTERSTUECK became fractious and attempted to sit down and then as the start was effected was slow to begin, resulting in the horse racing much further back in the field than had been intended.

He said approaching the first turn when the tempo of the race slowed, MEISTERSTUECK got its head up when racing close to the heels of JOLLY AMBER.

He said after this MEISTERSTUECK appeared to resent racing in amongst horses as it was never travelling comfortably.

He added in the Straight he attempted to shift to the outside of CARE FREE PRINCE in the hope that the horse would close off better when being outside of runners, however, MEISTERSTUECK was not travelling well enough to initially improve inside GOOD FOR YOU before closing off fairly over the concluding stages.

He said he was of the view that MEISTERSTUECK did not appreciate racing amongst runners and he felt that had the horse been given the opportunity of clear running, it would have closed off better than it did.

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

A veterinary inspection of CARE FREE PRINCE and GOOD FOR YOU immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

MEISTERSTUECK, BOLD STITCH and LUCKY POWER were sent for sampling.