RACE 7 (551)

Began only fairly from gate 1, raced behind midfield on the inside, 2 wide after passing 800M, 4 lengths back turning in, made good progress early in straight, peaked 100M, kept on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Moderately away, raced 3 wide in midfield early, moved closer approaching 1600M, positioned 2 wide, 1/2L back in the middle stages, kept on well early in straight, peaked 150M, weakened thereafter. (Lame left front leg next day.)

Incident Report
Bumped after travelling a short distance. J Orman stated that with blinkers being applied for the first time he was instructed to go forward and ride the horse in a similar manner when it won a barrier trial at Happy Valley on 14 March 2026 where it wore blinkers. Sent for sampling post-race.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced 2 wide at rear, angled out 500M, very wide turning in, made some headway in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly. Between the 300 Metres and the 150 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when improving into a narrow run between GIANT LEAP and THE PERFECT MATCH. Trainer M Newnham confirmed that from the outside barrier the instructions were to ride the horse in a conservative manner in the early stages.

Made contact at start, raced 2 wide behind midfield, angled out 800M, moved closer after passing 650M, challenged the leader turning in, took the lead early in straight, kept on well to the line, won by a nose.

Incident Report
No report.

Moderately away from the widest draw, raced towards rear on the outside, no cover for the majority of the race, peaked on turn, weakened early in straight.

Incident Report
No report.

Slowly away, raced 2 wide behind midfield, 3 wide from 800M, 4 lengths back on turn, very wide into straight, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Near the 1100 Metres, when being eased to allow BROWNNEEDSFURTHER to cross, was momentarily crowded by BROWNNEEDSFURTHER when that runner was racing tight to the inside of GIANT LEAP which in turn was taken in slightly by THE PERFECT MATCH which shifted in and away from GIANT BALLON despite the efforts of its rider.

Out with rest, raced 2 wide in midfield, 3 wide from 750M, 3 lengths or so back turning in, failed to close off in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. D B McMonagle was warned in relation to using his whip in a manner where the hand holding the whip was above shoulder height on one occasion near the 150 Metres.

Jumped well, raced better than midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, finished off well but just lost out to the winner in a ding-dong finish.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start.

Began well from a wide draw, raced in 2nd early, positioned 2 wide better than midfield in the middle stages, peaked near 400M, weakened gradually in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
H Bowman stated that he was given no specific instructions. He said when his mount jumped well he elected to go forward but was obliged to make too much use of the horse in the early stages which resulted in THE PERFECT MATCH not finishing the race off in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Taken back from gate 9, raced at rear on the inside, saved ground throughout, made some progress early in straight, peaked 150M, weakened final 100M.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start. Over the concluding stages raced tight to the inside of STARRY SHOW (L Ferraris) which shifted in. L Ferraris was advised to exercise more care.

Made contact at start, sent forward to take the lead, challenged by rival turning in, peaked and headed approaching 200M, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Commenced well, raced in midfield on the inside, 2 wide turning in, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
After travelling a short distance made contact with BROWNNEEDSFURTHER when racing tight to the inside of THE PERFECT MATCH. A Atzeni stated that his mount jumped only fairly and he was then obliged to make use of it in the early stages to go forward in accordance with his instructions. He said when caught wide in the early stages he had to continue to make use of the horse to obtain a position outside the lead and as a result in the Home Straight his mount was left without a finishing effort. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GIANT LEAP was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race start. Before being allowed to race again, GIANT LEAP will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.