RACE 1 (524)

Average to begin, positioned 2 wide better than midfield, there to turn, no daylight early in straight, cleared 250M, finished off very strongly to score.

Incident Report
For some distance in the early part of the Home Straight lay in and was held up when reluctant to shift to the outside of CASHISCASH. Sent for sampling post-race.

Moderately away from gate 1, positioned 2 lengths behind the leader on rail, a bit closer on turn, finished off well to take 2nd. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
After the event, C L Chau stated that the intention was to hold a midfield position. He said from barrier 1 ZETTA FORCE jumped well and travelled strongly in the early stages due to it not racing since 31 January 2025. He said as a consequence his mount raced more forward than had been intended. Sent for sampling post-race.

Out in line, raced towards rear on the outside, 6 lengths or so back, same margin back on turn, made very good progress in straight to take a place, nearest on line.

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped awkwardly, sent forward to race prominently, took the lead 1100M, led by a length turning in, kept on well early in straight, peaked and headed 100M, weakened gradually final 50M. (Jockey dropped whip near 100M.)

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly. Near the 100 Metres K De Melo dropped his whip.

Out with rest, raced 3 wide behind midfield early, 2 wide on turn, angled out 450M, no clear run early in straight, cleared 350M, made good progress thereafter to be nearest on line.

Incident Report
Approaching the 400 Metres was held up when positioned close to the heels of TURIN WARRIOR.

Shifted out at start and made contact, took the early lead, headed 1100M, 2nd in the middle stages, peaked early in straight, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
No report.

Crowded start, raced towards rear on the inside early, moved a bit closer along the rail after passing 1100M, positioned in midfield on turn, showed limited response early in straight, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly and then was crowded by CASHISCASH which shifted out. R Kingscote was issued with a warning for presenting to scale to weigh out with the incorrect saddle cloth number.

Taken back from the widest draw, raced 2 wide behind midfield, found rail near 800M, saved ground on turn, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 200 Metres had some difficulty obtaining clear running when endeavouring to improve to the outside of SUPER EXPRESS.

Crowded start, raced at rear on the inside, angled out 500M, 6 lengths back turning in, showed some response early in straight, no clear run near 250M, cleared 150M, kept on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
On jumping was crowded by DRALA and ALWAYS MY FOLKS, both of which shifted ground. From a wide barrier was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Briefly held up behind THE HEIR near the 400 Metres. Between the 400 Metres and the 200 Metres was held up for clear running. Passing the 200 Metres was shifted to the inside of ICONICAL to secure clear running. Then over the final 50 Metres could not be fully ridden out when positioned close to CASHISCASH.

Moderately away from a tricky draw, trapped wide in midfield early, taken back 1150M, raced at rear on the outside in the middle stages, very wide into straight, one-paced in the run home. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Near the 400 Metres was hampered when taken wider by FORTUNE BOY. After the event, H Bentley stated that from a wide barrier his instructions were to find a position midfield with cover if possible. He said when TOP DRAGON was caught wide and without cover in the early stages he was obliged to restrain his mount to race towards the rear of the field to avoid covering additional ground. He added that under pressure in the Home Straight TOP DRAGON responded only fairly to his riding and he attributed it to the horse settling further back in the field. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TOP DRAGON was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts. Before being allowed to race again, TOP DRAGON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Slightly slow out, raced 2 wide in midfield, difficult to settle for the majority of the race, peaked early in straight, weakened final furlong.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Raced keenly in the middle stages.

Away with them, trapped 4 wide in midfield, raced 3 wide behind midfield on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter.

Incident Report
After travelling a short distance was bumped by TURIN WARRIOR which lay out despite the efforts of its rider. After the 400 Metres was hampered when bumped by THE HEIR (J Moreira) which shifted to the outside of TURIN WARRIOR to improve. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care.

Bumped start, raced better than midfield on the outside, no cover throughout, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter.

Incident Report
Shifted in at the start and was bumped. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Jumped with them, raced 3 wide in midfield, there to turn, peaked early in straight, weakened final 300M.

Incident Report
After travelling a short distance lay out and made contact with STORM RUNNER. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.