Recap by phillip woo

Wild West Wing took control 100m out after enjoying a lovely run on the back of the leaders. It was his first win over the 1,200m at his fourth attempt but he likely enjoyed the wet ground. Euromissile ran on well after switching into the open 150m out after a rails run in midfield to grab second in clearly his best run to date from 13 starts. The wet ground must have helped. Hercules closed nicely down the outside from behind midfield to make it close for second. He rarely produces a bad run at the Valley. The late-fancied Joyful Genius closed well late from near the inside to fill the frame after a patient ride fourth last from a wide draw. It was another honest performance. Happy Tango finished next best after pressing favourite Colonel for the lead. He does appear from his past two to be close to a win. Punted late, Take What You Need held his ground after a handy run with cover. He again found things harder in Class Four after opening his win account last start in Class Five. Colonel knocked up badly after getting pressured at a good tempo for the lead. Harrier Jet was a non-factor after a wide-without-cover trip in midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (523) - TAI YAU HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

AHEAD A HEAD was crowded for room on jumping between EUROMISSILE and HAPPY TANGO which shifted out after being brushed by COLONEL.

HAPPY GATHERING shifted out at the start and bumped TAKE WHAT YOU NEED.

From wide barriers, HERCULES, JOYFUL GENIUS and ENCORE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After travelling a short distance, QUORUM was steadied away from the heels of EUROMISSILE which shifted out.

Making the turn near the 600 Metres, QUORUM shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of JOYFUL GENIUS.

After the 600 Metres, AHEAD A HEAD became unbalanced and lost ground when reluctant to maintain its position inside HERCULES.

QUORUM, which was following, also lost ground when steadied away from the heels of AHEAD A HEAD in consequence.

Approaching the 400 Metres, AHEAD A HEAD was steadied after momentarily racing in restricted room inside JOYFUL GENIUS (L Ferraris) which shifted in marginally.

L Ferraris was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for his fellow riders in similar circumstances.

EUROMISSILE had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 200 Metres and approaching the 150 Metres was directed to the outside of WILD WEST WING to obtain clear running.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, COLONEL was not able to finish the race off due to travelling too keenly in the early and middle stages when taken on in the lead by HAPPY TANGO which was racing to its outside.

He said COLONEL was not able to relax and because of this was not able to finish the race off as strongly as anticipated.

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

When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was instructed to lead on HAPPY TANGO in tonight's race if possible, however, if COLONEL was intent on leading the race, then it was acceptable for him to sit outside that horse.

He said in the early stages he rode his mount along to obtain a forward positon and after the 1100 Metres was racing to the outside of COLONEL as that horse commenced to cross runners to its inside.

He said approaching the 1000 Metres as COLONEL shifted across to race on the rail, he commenced to steady his mount to remain racing to the outside of that horse as it was not available for him to continue on into the lead.

He said after this he steadied his mount and raced behind and to the outside of COLONEL along the Back Straight before commencing to improve his position to race on terms with COLONEL near the 400 Metres.

J Moreira was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, the Stewards were of the opinion that he should have steadied his mount after the 1100 Metres sooner than he did given that COLONEL was maintaining its position to the inside of HAPPY TANGO.

COLONEL, WILD WEST WING and EUROMISSILE were sent for sampling.