Recap by phillip woo

Honest Way just staved off the late challenge of Glittering Armour after hitting the front 130m out following a midfield run to give last-day trainer Michael Freedman a parting win. Glittering Armour closed off nicely from behind midfield following a ducking-andweaving stretch run to get up a close second. He appears to have what it takes to win a race at this level following a recent win in the bottom grade. Favourite Happy Tour kept on a non-threatening third chasing a good pace in the box-seat. The big weight was always going to be a hurdle. Gracious Ryder just failed to get up for third following a oneoff run racing behind midfield. He's naturally returning to form in his two starts and can score soon. Hard Promise gave way 150m after going too hard in front. He's in the right grade but isn't genuine. Touch Of Luck made some ground without menacing after going back from a wide gate. He's got some ability and only needs more time.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (164) - PANASONIC HEAT-PUMP AIR CONDITIONER HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Apprentice H T Mo (OCEAN ROAR) was fined $2,000 for presenting himself to initially weigh out without a girth.

After being loaded into the barriers, JOY MASTER became fractious, reared abruptly and struck its head on the overhead structure.

JOY MASTER was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, JOY MASTER was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

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

BINGO HERO was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between GRACIOUS RYDER which began awkwardly and shifted out and HONEST WAY which shifted in.

EVERBRAVE and BULLISH BROTHER bumped at the start.

EVERBRAVE then became badly unbalanced, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of HARD PROMISE.

FULLY CHARGED and FIRE AND GOLD were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Also from a wide barrier, TOUCH OF LUCK was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

After being aggressively ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, HAPPY TOUR got its head up when being checked away from the heels of HARD PROMISE (U Rispoli) near the 1000 Metres which shifted in when not properly clear.

Whilst the Stewards accepted that there were some circumstances with this incident and that HAPPY TOUR, which was travelling keenly, had exacerbated the incident, nonetheless U Rispoli was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Approaching the 1000 Metres, EVERBRAVE was steadied away from the heels of BULLISH BROTHER (M F Poon) which shifted in when not properly clear.

M F Poon was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

When being steadied to obtain cover after the 1000 Metres, ALCAZAR got its head up and proved difficult to settle.

EVERBRAVE lay out making the turn after the 800 Metres and again rounding the Home Turn.

After initially being directed to shift to the outside of EVERBRAVE rounding the Home Turn, GLITTERING ARMOUR was then shifted to the inside of that horse shortly after entering the Straight to obtain clear running.

Again passing the 300 Metres, GLITTERING ARMOUR had some difficulty obtaining clear running and was shifted to the outside of HONEST WAY to improve.

Passing the 400 Metres, GRACIOUS RYDER was bumped by EVERBRAVE which got its head on the side and shifted out away from HONEST WAY.

Approaching the 250 Metres, BULLISH BROTHER shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of OCEAN ROAR.

When questioned, Apprentice H T Mo (OCEAN ROAR) stated that he had to make some use of the horse after the 900 Metres to ensure that he cleared BULLISH BROTHER.

He said passing the 800 Metres OCEAN ROAR was marginally in front of HARD PROMISE which was racing on the rail, however, this was necessary as he had to provide BULLISH BROTHER with sufficient clearance.

He said after this OCEAN ROAR travelled keenly and because of this always maintained a slight margin over HARD PROMISE.

Apprentice Mo was advised that whilst they accepted he had to ride OCEAN ROAR along to cross BULLISH BROTHER, nonetheless after shifting in to race outside HARD PROMISE, he should have made more of an effort to steady OCEAN ROAR so as to ensure that the race was not being run at too fast a tempo and that his mount could finish off the race as best as it was able.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that he was instructed to ride HAPPY TOUR positively in the early stages and to lead the race if possible.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount aggressively for a considerable distance in the early stages in an endeavour to prevent HARD PROMISE from crossing HAPPY TOUR.

He said despite riding the horse along for the initial 200 Metres of the race, HARD PROMISE clearly showed more speed than HAPPY TOUR and therefore he was unable to prevent that horse from crossing HAPPY TOUR approaching the 900 Metres.

He said after being crossed by HARD PROMISE, HAPPY TOUR travelled keenly and he was required to check HAPPY TOUR away from the heels of HARD PROMISE near the 900 Metres.

He added after this HAPPY TOUR travelled fairly, however, did not quicken noticeably in the early part of the Straight, rather the horse continued to work to the line without displaying any real sprint.

He added, based on the manner in which HAPPY TOUR raced in the early stages, he suggested to connections that they may wish to consider stepping the horse up in distance in its future starts to allow it to be able to obtain the lead more comfortably.

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

HAPPY TOUR, HONEST WAY and GLITTERING ARMOUR were sent for sampling.