22/10/2014  Happy Valley  Race 7

CIRCUIT STAR began awkwardly and bumped with INVICTUS which shifted out. CIRCUIT STAR then became unbalanced and shifted out, resulting in BACKBENCH BLUES being hampered. SUPREME ESSENCE began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, ROYAL PARTNER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Rounding the Home Turn, GOOD CHOICE was directed to the inside of CIRCUIT STAR to obtain clear running. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of INVICTUS, J Moreira stated that although his mount did not fully relax in the middle stages, nonetheless he was comfortable with how INVICTUS was travelling as the horse was able to dictate the tempo of the race. He said given the tempo of the race in the early and middle stages, he expected INVICTUS to quicken rounding the Home Turn, however, when placed under pressure, the horse immediately came off the bridle and then did not close off the race. He said whilst INVICTUS was disappointing, the track conditions may have played a part in the horse’s performance. A veterinary inspection of INVICTUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INVICTUS, MEDALLIST and FAT CHOY HONG KONG were sent for sampling. <23/10/2014 Additional Veterinary Reports>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that FAT CHOY HONG KONG was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, FAT CHOY HONG KONG will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.