RACE 3 (468)

Bumped shortly after start, taken back to race towards rear on the outside, very wide into straight, finished off very strongly to be nearest on line.

Incident Report
When questioned H Bowman stated that the intention was to lead the event if circumstances permitted. He said after SOLEIL FIGHTER commenced well he rode his mount in a positive manner in the early stages to show intent to lead and was able to hold the front as instructed. Trainer D A Hayes confirmed the instructions issued and stated that at the horse’s most recent start on 19 February 2026 SOLEIL FIGHTER raced keenly when behind runners and this was the main reason that he had requested Jockey Bowman to endeavour to hold the lead. Sent for sampling post-race.

Out in line, raced 2 wide in midfield, 4 lengths or so back turning in, one-paced in straight.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race. A Badel was fined $2,000 for using the whip on consecutive occasions in 3 consecutive strides near the 200 Metres.

Taken back to race 2 wide behind midfield, angled out 350M, made good progress in straight to be nearest on line.

Incident Report
When questioned E C W Wong stated that the instructions were to lead the event but if the pace was too strong he was given the option of taking a position with cover. He said after SKY HEART commenced well and was positioned to the outside of SOLEIL FIGHTER he elected to take a position with cover and allow SWORD POINT and AWESOME FLUKE to cross his mount in the early stages. He added as a consequence SKY HEART settled further back in the field than intended. He said from the 700 Metres he placed SKY HEART under pressure, however, the horse lay in from that point, particularly in the Home Straight, and proved difficult to ride out. He said he was further placed in some difficulty as he was riding the horse on a long rein which did not provide him with the necessary leverage to properly straighten the horse in the Home Straight. Trainer C Fownes confirmed that the instructions were to lead and indicated that, in his view, Jockey Wong had made the decision to ride the horse with cover too prematurely. After considering the evidence the matter was adjourned to a date to be fixed. Sent for sampling post-race. <26/2/2026 Additional Veterinary Reports>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that SKY HEART was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SKY HEART will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.<1/3/2026 Adjourned Inquiry> The Stewards today concluded an inquiry opened into Jockey E C W Wong’s riding of SKY HEART. Further evidence today was taken from Jockey Wong and Trainer C Fownes. The Stewards also considered a betting and analytical report provided by the Racing Integrity and Betting Analysis Department. That report did not identify any integrity concern in relation to the betting on the event. In addition, the Stewards considered a report from the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy which confirmed SKY HEART had been found to be lame in the right front leg the day after racing. To verify the lameness, a Sleip analysis report was provided to the Stewards. After considering the evidence the Stewards advised Jockey Wong that, in their opinion, he had made two errors of judgement in the early stages. Firstly, not riding his mount with more intent in the early stages to attempt to cross SOLEIL FIGHTER as he had been instructed to do. Secondly, when positioned to the outside of SOLEIL FIGHTER in the early stages he elected to restrain his mount to race behind SOLEIL FIGHTER which resulted in SWORD POINT and AWESOME FLUKE being able to cross SKY HEART and SKY HEART then racing further back in the field. Having found that Jockey Wong had made those errors of judgement, the Stewards did not elect to issue a charge against Jockey Wong under Rule 99 (2) on the basis that they could not be satisfied, having regard to the horse being found to be lame after the race, that his actions had resulted in it not winning or obtaining the best possible place in the field. However, Jockey Wong was advised that his riding in the early stages lacked the necessary judgement of a jockey riding in this jurisdiction and he would be expected to make a greater effort in similar circumstance to comply with instructions he has been issued.

Slightly slow out and bumped, raced behind midfield on the outside early, moved a bit closer after entering the back straight, peaked near 400M, weakened early in straight.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly. Over the concluding stages had difficulty obtaining clear running when improving into a tight run between SOLEIL FIGHTER and HUGE WAVE.

Bumped shortly after start, taken back to race at tail, 7 lengths or so back, very wide turning in, stumbled near 350M, made no impression in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
When questioned B Avdulla stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed to hold a handy position if possible. He said CALIFORNIATOTALITY jumped only fairly and when SOLEIL FIGHTER and SKY HEART showed good speed in the early stages and he was positioned to the outside of AWESOME FLUKE and SWORD POINT, which he had expected would go forward, he elected to shift CALIFORNIATOTALITY behind runners in the early stages to avoid covering additional ground. He added his tactics were also influenced by the fact that CALIFORNIATOTALITY was racing first up from a break and was carrying top weight of 135 lbs. Trainer A S Cruz confirmed the instructions issued and expressed satisfaction with Jockey Avdulla’s decision to ride the horse in a conservative manner in the early stages, particularly having regard to the way it commenced the race and the fact that it was carrying top weight in the event. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Began well from the widest draw, raced prominently but trapped 3 wide, 2 wide from 700M, 1-1/4L back turning in, kept on evenly in straight.

Incident Report
On jumping was bumped by SWORD POINT which shifted in. Raced wide and without cover in the early stages and was ridden forward where it obtained a position outside the lead near the 1000 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Jumped well from a wide draw, sent forward to take the lead, led by 1-1/4L turning in, kept on well in straight but unable to hold off the first two final 50M.

Incident Report
Shifted in at the start and was bumped.