28/01/2018  Shatin  Race 2

On arrival at the Start, the right front plate of HAPPY ROCKY was refitted. HAPPY ROCKY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. KING BOUNTIFUL was slow to begin. MY BLESSING began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped LOADED. When being steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier, LOADED got its head up on a number of occasions shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, HAY RUN raced tight between JE PENSE and TOP ACT which shifted in after racing tight inside CROWN AVENUE. From an outside barrier, HAPPY ROCKY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HAY RUN was steadied when crowded for room between JE PENSE and TOP ACT which was taken in marginally by CROWN AVENUE which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MIDNITE PROMISE. Near the 1800 Metres, TOP ACT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JE PENSE after racing tight inside CROWN AVENUE which was taken in by MIDNITE PROMISE which, despite the efforts of its rider, got its head on the side and shifted in away from MY BLESSING. After this, MIDNITE PROMISE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MY BLESSING. After passing the 1800 Metres, TOP ACT got its head up when awkwardly placed outside the heels of JE PENSE. After the 1500 Metres, CROWN AVENUE was left racing wide and without cover and then after the 1300 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead near the 1100 Metres at which point TOP ACT was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 1400 Metres, JE PENSE shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CROWN AVENUE. In the middle stages, MY BLESSING travelled keenly in the lead. After the 900 Metres, GOOD DAYS (P-C Boudot) shifted out and bumped ISTANBUL BEY which was taken wider. MIDNITE PROMISE, which was following ISTANBUL BEY, was taken wider in consequence. P-C Boudot was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 650 Metres, ISTANBUL BEY, which was commencing to give ground, momentarily raced tight between GOOD DAYS and MIDNITE PROMISE, both of which shifted ground. When ISTANBUL BEY lost ground, TOP ACT was shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in HAY RUN being taken wider and bumping the hindquarters of KING WINSA which became unbalanced. Approaching the 500 Metres, TOP ACT was steadied when racing tight between ISTANBUL BEY and HAY RUN. Passing the 350 Metres, HAY RUN was eased away from the heels of GOOD DAYS which shifted out. TOP ACT lost its right front plate approaching the 100 Metres. After the race, Z Purton was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of HAY RUN. A veterinary inspection of HAY RUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, J Moreira stated that although the circumstances of the race did not favour TOP ACT, he felt that the horse was reluctant to stretch out during the event. A veterinary inspection of TOP ACT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAY RUN, GOOD DAYS and MIDNITE PROMISE were sent for sampling.