Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Naboo Star timed things perfectly down the outside to get up in the last stride after getting roused up for an effort 500m out following a patient ride second from the rear. He really goes well under jockey Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and appears to have what it takes to win another in this grade. Sacred Ibis nearly stole the race with a mid-race move to lead 680m out. He's made a good impression in both outings this term and looks a mile winner waiting to happen at either track. Blastoise finished well to snatch third following a rails run worse than midfield. It was a pleasing return to the races and he'll be hard to oppose over a more preferential 1,800m. Late-fancied Smiling City kept on one-paced over the last 100m after getting headed for the front 680m out. He hasn't been beaten far in either start without race conditions to suit. Prince Of Frog kept on all right after a box-seat run. He's taking his time to acclimatise.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (87) - PLOVER COVE HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

SACRED IBIS began only fairly.

Shortly after the start, CHARITY WINGS and MAGNETISM bumped.

MONICA began awkwardly.

Near the 1600 Metres, NABOO STAR shifted in and made contact with SACRED IBIS.

After the 1600 Metres, when being steadied to obtain cover, MONICA was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of JOLLY HONOUR.

MONICA was then left racing wide and without cover after the 1200 Metres.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, JOLLY HONOUR and BLASTOISE bumped.

Approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, PRINCE OF FROG was awkwardly placed behind SMILING CITY and near the 900 Metres got its head up when travelling keenly behind SMILING CITY.

Near the 550 Metres, PRINCE OF FROG was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMILING CITY which raced close to the heels of SACRED IBIS (A Badel) when being crossed by that horse.

Whilst the Stewards accepted that SACRED IBIS had been inclined to pull up passing the 600 Metres when in front of and outside SMILING CITY, nonetheless they were of the opinion that Jockey Badel should have provided more clearance to SMILING CITY prior to commencing to move inwards and therefore he was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Passing the 300 Metres, PRINCE OF FROG got its head on the side and shifted in towards the heels of SACRED IBIS and then momentarily raced tight inside SMILING CITY.

After the race, M Chadwick said that whilst he had to ride FLYING SWORD along for some distance in the early stages to cross runners to his inside from the outside barrier, he felt the horse was disappointing in the manner in which it came off the bridle passing the 700 Metres and had to be ridden along in an attempt to maintain its positon.

He said he continued to ride the horse along after passing the 600 Metres, however, FLYING SWORD commenced to give ground prior to the Home Turn and then was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race.

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

The performance of FLYING SWORD, compared to its recent form, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, FLYING SWORD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Also after the race, Z Purton was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of JOLLY HONOUR.

He said whilst he had to make some use of the horse in the early stages to take up a forward position, JOLLY HONOUR travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages, however, after coming under pressure passing the 500 Metres was then disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground in the Straight.

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

The performance of JOLLY HONOUR, which finished at the rear of the field after finishing second at its most recent start, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, JOLLY HONOUR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

NABOO STAR and SACRED IBIS were sent for sampling.