Recap by phillip woo

Invincible Missile got the better of Triumphant Arch passing the 100m after a well-executed ride one-off in midfield for a second win from eight starts. Triumphant Arch gave a cheeky sight in front after clearing to the lead from Fantastic Fabio passing the 900m. Cruising kept on well for a placing following a box-seat run. It was only his second start after a stress fracture last season but he's clearly capable when right. Endearing finished well to snatch fourth after having to check and alter course when the gap closed on him at the 150m with a move from near the back. Fantastic Fabio gradually faded over the final 100m after handing up the lead to trail the leader. Solar Wai Wai kept on without menacing after a deep run in midfield. It wasn't a bad effort and he'll certainly come on from this run. Odds-on favourite Victoriam was struggling 200m out after working too hard to sit near the speed without cover from a wide gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (17) - PO YEE HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

BETHANY began only fairly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of INVINCIBLE MISSILE.

KING OF HEARTS and SOLAR WAI WAI were crowded for room on jumping between FANTASTIC FABIO and TRIUMPHANT ARCH, both of which shifted ground.

From the outside barriers, CANTSTOPTHEFEELING and TOP MILITARY were both shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Also from a wide barrier, ENDEARING was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

SOLAR WAI WAI raced wide and without cover from the 700 Metres until near the 500 Metres.

Approaching the 150 Metres, KING OF HEARTS was bumped by ENDEARING which attempted to shift to the inside of VICTORIAM to obtain clear running after being steadied away from the heels of that horse.

After being disappointed for this run, ENDEARING was then directed to the outside of VICTORIAM.

When ENDEARING shifted out, TOP MILITARY was directed out away from the heels of that horse.

Over the concluding stages, KING OF HEARTS raced in restricted room between VICTORIAM and BETHANY (H W Lai) which shifted out under pressure.

H W Lai was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Because of this, KING OF HEARTS was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

When questioned, C Schofield (CANTSTOPTHEFEELING) stated that rounding the Home Turn he was able to follow ENDEARING.

He said after shifting CANTSTOPTHEFEELING to the outside of runners at the entrance to the Straight, the horse commenced to hang in behind SOLAR WAI WAI.

He said after shifting towards the outside of that horse approaching the 300 Metres, CANTSTOPTHEFEELING continued to hang in and for this reason was very awkwardly placed outside the heels of SOLAR WAI WAI until near the 150 Metres.

He said due to the manner in which CANTSTOPTHEFEELING was hanging in, he was not able to ride the horse out properly at this stage of the race.

He added that he recommended to the connections that they consider adding a ring bit to the horse's gear in its future starts.

Apprentice K H Chan (TRIUMPHANT ARCH) was fined $3,000 for improper use of the whip in that he raised weal marks over the horse's right flank.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account the circumstances of this case including that Apprentice Chan is a 10 lb claiming apprentice jockey.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of VICTORIAM, A Domeyer stated that he had ridden the horse in a turf gallop in the lead up to today's race which was very good and which followed a similarly pleasing barrier trial.

He said in today's race VICTORIAM was reluctant to proceed to the barriers which is unusual for the horse as it had not acted in this manner when previously ridden by him.

He said in its wins last season VICTORIAM travelled into a forward position without having to be asked to do so whereas today he had to ride the horse along in the early stages in order to cross runners to his inside.

He said after shifting in to race outside FANTASTIC FABIO near the 800 Metres, VICTORIAM travelled only fairly.

He said he asked VICTORIAM to improve near the 600 Metres to prevent FANTASTIC FABIO from being able to shift to the outside of the leader, however, VICTORIAM lay out away from FANTASTIC FABIO and for this reason FANTASTIC FABIO was able to improve its position to the outside of TRIUMPHANT ARCH which resulted in VICTORIAM having to race in a three wide position after the 600 Metres.

He added after urging his mount along rounding the Home Turn, VICTORIAM did not quicken as it had previously for him and then failed to finish off the race.

He said, in his opinion, VICTORIAM was very disappointing in today's race, particularly given the manner in which it finished off last season and the manner in which it worked in the lead up to today's race.

The performance of VICTORIAM, a winner of its last two starts and favourite for today's race, was considered unacceptable.

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

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

VICTORIAM, INVINCIBLE MISSILE and TRIUMPHANT ARCH were sent for sampling.