18/02/2018  Shatin  Race 1

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to REGENCY HONEY was replaced. GOLDEN DEER began only fairly and shortly after the start was hampered when bumped by BORN TO RACE which, after beginning awkwardly, was taken in by AMBITIOUS SPEEDY. HAPPY BEAUTY shifted out at the start and hampered KWAICHUNG BROTHERS and GOLD TALENT. After this, from wide barriers, KWAICHUNG BROTHERS and GOLD TALENT were shifted across behind runners. Also from the outside barrier, GLORY HORSIE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Passing the 1300 Metres, DON WONGCHOY was awkwardly placed between EVER STRONG and REGENCY HONEY. Passing the 1000 Metres, WINNING CONTROLLER raced tight inside DON WONGCHOY which itself raced tight inside AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASSIVE POWER. Near the 900 Metres, AMBITIOUS SPEEDY was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 900 Metres, WINNING CONTROLLER commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed behind REGENCY HONEY which was being steadied to allow MASSIVE POWER to cross. Near the 750 Metres, WINNING CONTROLLER shifted out away from the heels of REGENCY HONEY, resulting in DON WONGCHOY being hampered and taken wider. Passing the 700 Metres, REGENCY HONEY got its head up when being checked away from the heels of MASSIVE POWER. Approaching the 600 Metres, WINNING CONTROLLER and DON WONGCHOY raced tight. Rounding the Home Turn, DON WONGCHOY got its head on the side and lay out. Approaching the 300 Metres, KWAICHUNG BROTHERS and DON WONGCHOY bumped. Near the 250 Metres, REGENCY HONEY shifted in abruptly away from the heels of MASSIVE POWER to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, NEWSWIRE FREE was bumped by EQUITY DOCTRINE which shifted out. After the race, J Moreira was not able to offer any excuse for the disappointing performance of EVER STRONG. He said after travelling behind the leaders throughout the race, EVER STRONG did not quicken when placed under pressure in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of EVER STRONG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of NEWSWIRE FREE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY BEAUTY and WINNING CONTROLLER were sent for sampling.