GRV Stewards inquired into the late scratching of Looking Down from this race. Looking Down was withdrawn by trainer Mr Raymond Henness at 7.51pm on Tuesday 20 February 2018, due to injury. Scratching's for this meeting closed at 4.00pm on Tuesday 20 February 2018. After taking evidence from Mr Henness, GRV Stewards issued a charge under GAR 23 (1) (b) in that Mr Henness failed to make an application to withdraw Looking Down prior to the appointed scratching time of 4.00pm on Tuesday 20 February, when the injury was known to Mr Henness prior to this time. Mr Henness pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mr Henness was found guilty of the charge. Mr Henness was fined $200. When determining penalty, stewards took into consideration Mr Henness good record, his personnel antecedence and the forthright manner in which he conducted himself before the Stewards. Against these factors, the stewards considered the need for general deterrence, previous penalties for like offences and the circumstances of them, that a reserve was therefore denied a start in this race and why the application to scratch Looking Down was not made in time.

Zipping Chaser was slow to begin.

Paua To Load and Galloping Leo collided soon after the start. Paua To Load, Galloping Leo and Cooper Scooper collided approaching the first turn, checking Cooper Scooper. Cooper Scooper and Zipping Chaser collided approaching the first turn. Loch Tight, Paua To Load and Clovally Granite collided on the first turn, checking Paua To Load and Clovally Granite. Cooper Scooper checked off Zipping Chaser on the first turn. Galloping Leo checked off Paua To Load approaching the second turn. Paua To Load checked off Cooper Scooper on the third turn.