Recap by phillip woo

Newcomer Nicconi County just held on for the win after hitting the front near the 100m following a ground-saving run behind midfield to land a betting plunge. He had placed at Listed level in his only start in Australia and there's clearly more improvement up his sleeve. Late-fancied favourite Nothing New just lost a thriller after turning the final bend three from the right after a one-off run just worse than midfield. He's close to a win with seconds in three of seven outings this term. Atullibigeal closed nicely near the inside from towards the rear to make it a blanket finish on the wire. He showed what he's capable of after his rider was quizzed for his ride on debut last month. Wood On Fire ran on near the outside to fill the frame without threatening the top three. It was a return to form after failing to click three times after a second win in November. Smart Idea ran on well to snare a minor cheque after getting badly held up until the 250m ridden for luck from a wide draw. He should have finished closer. Super Dobbin had every chance after a one-out, one-back run but wasn't good enough. He's likely on his mark following a win two runs back. Early favourite Forte knocked up 150m out after racing to the front 850m out. He's better ridden held up for a run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (470) - BAKER HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

SUPER DOBBIN shifted out at the start and bumped NICCONI COUNTY.

FORTE (D Moor) got its head up on jumping and began awkwardly and then was bumped by NAMJONG SINGS which shifted out after initially shifting in and bumping NOTHING NEW.

When questioned, D Moor stated that he was asked to ride FORTE depending on how it began.

He said after being bumped by NAMJONG SINGS, FORTE improved its position of its own accord in the early stages and was able to take up a forward position.

He said passing the 900 Metres he was left racing in a three wide position without cover and as FORTE was commencing to travel keenly he allowed the horse to continue forward of SUPER DOBBIN on its inside.

He said A SMILE LIKE YOURS, which had been racing to the inside of SUPER DOBBIN, was then steadied by its rider and for this reason he allowed FORTE to continue to shift across to race on the rail in the lead.

He added that FORTE came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and then weakened over the concluding stages.

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

From wide barriers, WOOD ON FIRE, SMART IDEA and ATULLIBIGEAL were shifted across behind runners on jumping to obtain cover.

Passing the 1150 Metres, NAMJONG SINGS was awkwardly placed behind NOTHING NEW which at this time was being steadied to obtain cover behind SUPER DOBBIN.

After this, FORTE was ridden along to improve its position and then after the 1000 Metres travelled keenly.

After initially being ridden along for some distance in the early stages to obtain a forward position from a wide barrier, DECISIVE TWELVE was steadied after the 1000 Metres to obtain cover when racing wide.

NICCONI COUNTY had difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn and passing the 400 Metres was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DIAMOND BRILLIANT which shifted to the outside of A SMILE LIKE YOURS.

When NICCONI COUNTY was awkwardly placed outside DIAMOND BRILLIANT, NAMJONG SINGS, which was racing to the outside of NICCONI COUNTY, was momentarily inconvenienced when racing tight inside the heels of NOTHING NEW.

After being shifted to the inside of FORTE at the entrance to the Straight in an attempt to obtain clear running to the inside of that horse, A SMILE LIKE YOURS was badly held up for running inside FORTE when unable to obtain clear running.

Because of this, A SMILE LIKE YOURS was not able to be tested in the Home Straight.

ATULLIBIGEAL was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight.

DIAMOND BRILLIANT had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

SMART IDEA was badly held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 200 Metres.

When being directed out in an attempt to obtain clear running, SMART IDEA shifted out abruptly away from the heels of DIAMOND BRILLIANT approaching the 200 Meters and was awkwardly placed inside DECISIVE TWELVE.

Passing the 200 Metres, NICCONI COUNTY shifted out and brushed NOTHING NEW.

Then close to the finishing line, NICCONI COUNTY and NOTHING NEW raced tight.

HIGH RISE SOLDIER travelled wide and without cover until passing the 600 Metres at which time the horse was shifted in to race outside the lead.

A veterinary inspection of A SMILE LIKE YOURS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

NICCONI COUNTY and NOTHING NEW were sent for sampling.