Recap by phillip woo

In a track-record smashing performance, odd-on favourite Ivictory coasted home well in hand after easily finding the front from an outside gate to make it six wins from seven starts. He's destined for much better things. California Whip kept on a non-threatening second after driving through along the inside to chase the eventual winner. On the back of three straight placings over this Valley trip, he'll be winning shortly. Starlight got rolling late travelling amongst the backmarkers to grab third. It was a good first run back following lameness and a fever. Fantastic Eight didn't enjoy being restrained to travel deep and one from the back when failing to muster his usual gate speed on this occasion and only got by beaten rivals late. He just hasn't been able to raise his game in his past four outings at this level. My Darling loomed a chance at the 250m but blew up soon later following a box-seat run in his first run since July. He needed the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (477) - FLAME TREE HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1200Meters

BLOCKER DEE was inclined to lay out rounding the Home Turn, resulting in FANTASTIC EIGHT being forced wider.

FANTASTIC EIGHT jumped a shadow on the track at the winning post.

When questioned, U Rispoli stated that in pre-race discussions with Trainer P F Yiu, it was decided that if FANTASTIC EIGHT began particularly well and immediately established an advantage over IVICTORY, he should lead, however, if IVICTORY began better, he had the option to sit off that horse in the early stages.

He said FANTASTIC EIGHT began reasonably, however, IVICTORY showed superior speed from the barriers and quickly established a margin over FANTASTIC EIGHT.

He said as the field approached the first turn, with CALIFORNIA WHIP and BLOCKER DEE showing good early speed and holding their positions to the inside of FANTASTIC EIGHT, he decided to steady his mount in order to take up a trailing position behind BLOCKER DEE.

He said however that making the first turn CALIFORNIA WHIP shifted away from the rail, forcing BLOCKER DEE wider and in turn taking FANTASTIC EIGHT wider as well which allowed MY DARLING and LUCKY WAN FENG to improve their positions to the inside of FANTASTIC EIGHT.

He further stated that FANTASTIC EIGHT travelled keenly and he was not able to have the horse assume the positon behind BLOCKER DEE until after the 800 Metres which resulted in FANTASTIC EIGHT settling much further back in the field than had been intended.

After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on MY DARLING at the request of Trainer P O'Sullivan.

The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, MY DARLING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

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

IVICTORY and CALIFORNIA WHIP were sent for sampling.