Hursley just misses out at Flemington

Qatar Bloodstock's Hursley was narrowly beaten in an $80,000 handicap over 2,000 metres at Flemington earlier today.

A brilliantly-timed run by jockey Corey Brown on winner Post D'France denied Hursley the spoils after he had been sent to the front with 400m to run. Craig Williams had been content to sit second, tracking early leader Dodging Bullets to that point, but Brown, who took up a position in midfield, was travelling ominously well as they straightened for the line.

Swooping down the outside he caught the Chris Waller-trained Hursley to score by 0.4l, but going away. The first and second had met at Caulfield on their previous run, when Post D'France had finished third, just over a length in front of Hursley who was fifth. Dodging Bullets, who had taken second place in that race, was shuffled back to fifth today.

Qatar Racing has one runner in Europe this weekend Deep Dream runs in the second race (18.15), a maiden, at Kempton Park in South London. The Andrew Balding-trained four-year-old had been off the track for a year before finishing fourth over six furlongs at Newcastle recently, and while he would like to step her up in trip there are few opportunities for her at this time of year.

Oisin Murphy takes the ride in a race which has attracted 12 runners.