Recap by phillip woo

Vigor Champ got up in the last stride to deny Monkey Jewellery for a maiden win at his seventh start following a one-off run behind midfield. He was coming off a career best fourth over this trip for his new trainer. Monkey Jewellery was just denied after hitting the front 120m out after a speed-tracking run. He has been itching to return to the winner's circle in his past few runs in this grade. Helaku Knight got up late for a placing after saving ground behind midfield. It was his best run to date following a downgrade. Raging favourite Mighty Valor succumbed inside the last 100m after getting his own way in front from gate five. He's found things harder in his past two starts carrying more weight following a facile win early last month. Brilliant ran on well from towards the rear after missing the kick. He's not easy to get right and is his own worst enemy at the start.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (810) - VICTORY MARVEL HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

When being loaded into the barriers, HAPPY TIME became fractious, reared and backed out of the barriers prior to the back gates being secured.

HAPPY TIME was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race.

BRILLIANT was slow to begin.

HELAKU KNIGHT and LUCKY PUZZLE bumped heavily at the start, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced.

WONDERFUL TIMES began only fairly.

ALL FOR ST PAUL'S began awkwardly.

From wide barriers, GLORIOUS BUDDY and PRECIOUS SWEETIE were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

On a number of occasions in the early stages, SIMPLY FLUKE got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover.

Near the 950 Metres, BRILLIANT momentarily raced tight inside WONDERFUL TIMES which got its head on the side and lay in away from SIMPLY FLUKE.

After this, WONDERFUL TIMES continued to lay in away from SIMPLY FLUKE, resulting in its rider having to take measures to straighten his mount.

SIMPLY FLUKE lay out approaching and making the turn passing the 700 Metres.

After attempting to shift to the inside of REGENCY POET rounding the Home Turn, LUCKY PUZZLE was steadied when disappointed for running approaching the 400 Metres between REGENCY POET and HELAKU KNIGHT which improved to be racing outside the heels of HAPPY TIME which also shifted out.

LUCKY PUZZLE then had difficulty obtaining clear running until after the 300 Metres.

Passing the 350 Metres, SIMPLY FLUKE became unbalanced when steadied away from the heels of BRILLIANT (K C Leung) which, when shifting to the outside of GREAT SON, was taken out marginally by that horse.

K C Leung was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Close to the finishing line, HELAKU KNIGHT was shifted out away from the heels of MONKEY JEWELLERY.

When questioned, H N Wong stated that in pre-race discussions with the connections of GREAT SON, it was noted that there were a number of horses which race up on the speed and as GREAT SON is now in Class 4, it was felt that if GREAT SON were to be ridden to lead from the outside barrier, considerable use would have to be made of the horse in the early stages which would not afford it the opportunity to finish off the race.

He said he was asked to ride GREAT SON positively and if, as anticipated, a number of horses were also ridden to take up a forward position, he should take a trailing position behind the leaders if possible.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode GREAT SON along in the early stages, however, REGENCY POET, which was drawn immediately inside GREAT SON, began better than his mount and was then ridden aggressively to take up a prominent position.

He said as he anticipated that REGENCY POET would race outside MIGHTY VALOR, the anticipated leader of the race, he felt that he would shift across with REGENCY POET with a view to taking a trailing position behind that horse.

He added after crossing into a one-off position near the 900 Metres, REGENCY POET then did not continue forward which resulted in GREAT SON being unable to obtain a trailing position behind that horse and being left racing three wide and without cover.

He said he did give consideration to then allowing his mount to improve to be racing forward of REGENCY POET, however, he did not believe this would be in the best interests of the horse given that he had ridden it along in the early stages and therefore GREAT SON remained racing wide and without cover for the remainder of the race.

A veterinary inspection of SIMPLY FLUKE, WONDERFUL TIMES and ALL FOR ST PAUL'S immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

MIGHTY VALOR, VIGOR CHAMP and MONKEY JEWELLERY were sent for sampling.