22/10/2017  Shatin  Race 4

THE JOY OF GIVING was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of UP AND COMING which shifted in abruptly. After this, UP AND COMING was steadied from a wide barrier and shifted across behind runners. FRIENDS OF NANJING began only fairly and a short distance after the start was steadied when crowded for room between EXPERTO CREDE which was taken out by CIRCUIT HASSLER and LET US WIN which, after initially shifting in of its own accord, was taken in further by SERGEANT TITANIUM. After this, FRIENDS OF NANJING was shifted across behind runners. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SERGEANT TITANIUM failed to muster speed. Near the 1200 Metres, EXPERTO CREDE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 1200 Metres, TOP LAURELS, which was travelling keenly, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of BEAUTY WAY. After this, TOP LAURELS continued to travel keenly and approaching the 900 Metres shifted in when being checked away from the heels of BEAUTY WAY, resulting in RAZOR QUEST being crowded for room. CIRCUIT HASSLER, which was following TOP LAURELS, shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 800 Metres, THE JOY OF GIVING was momentarily crowded for room inside LET US WIN which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SERGEANT TITANIUM when racing tight inside UP AND COMING. Passing the 700 Metres, SERGEANT TITANIUM was taken wider by CIRCUIT HASSLER which shifted out away from the heels of TOP LAURELS. After this, SERGEANT TITANIUM travelled wide and without cover. FRIENDS OF NANJING was unable to obtain clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 300 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RAZOR QUEST. CIRCUIT HASSLER was held up for clear running from on straightening until approaching the 200 Metres. Near the 75 Metres, EXPERTO CREDE was directed in away from the heels of SERGEANT TITANIUM. When questioned regarding the performance of GREEN ENERGY, Z Purton stated that his mount did not travel comfortably throughout the race, particularly given that the sectionals in the middle stages were not fast. He said he was not happy with the manner in which GREEN ENERGY was travelling throughout the early and middle stages, however, he became particularly concerned after the 500 Metres when GREEN ENERGY, despite being ridden along, failed to quicken. He said, despite being placed under full pressure in the Straight, GREEN ENERGY gave ground and over the concluding stages made an abnormal breathing noise. He added that when GREEN ENERGY was successful, the track was rain affected which is in contrast to today’s racing surface. A veterinary inspection of GREEN ENERGY immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, GREEN ENERGY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of EXPERTO CREDE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTY WAY and RAZOR QUEST were sent for sampling.