13/10/2018  Shatin  Race 2

MCQUEEN got its head up on jumping. BEAUTY DAY lost its right front plate at the start. From the outside barriers, KIRAM and GREAT TREASURE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After the 1600 Metres, NEW ELEGANCE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of BEAUTY DAY (K C Leung). K C Leung was severely reprimanded and warned against the practice of steadying the tempo of the race too quickly. Passing the 1500 Metres, NEW ELEGANCE shifted in and brushed the running rail of its own accord. Near the 75 Metres, MCQUEEN momentarily raced tight inside NEW ELEGANCE which initially shifted in away from CHEERFUL GIGGLES before racing tight inside that horse. Over the concluding stages, KIRAM was awkwardly placed outside the heels of WILLIE WAY and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BEAUTY DAY, K C Leung stated that the horse, which was attempting 1800 Metres for the first time today, would not relax in the early and middle stages. He said after beginning well he was able to obtain the lead easily and he immediately attempted to steady the tempo on BEAUTY DAY to ensure that the horse was able to see out the distance. He said, despite his efforts, BEAUTY DAY would not relax and he did give consideration to allowing the horse more rein rather than having it fight against him. He said however as no other horse challenged BEAUTY DAY, he did not believe it would be in the horse’s best interests to allow it to extend further away from the field. He added rounding the Home Turn BEAUTY DAY lay out and then after the 400 Metres gave ground and weakened thereafter. He said, in his opinion, the performance of the horse was solely due to it not relaxing over a distance that it had not previously attempted. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY DAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on CHEERFUL GIGGLES at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CHEERFUL GIGGLES will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAUTY DAY, WILLIE WAY and GREAT TREASURE were sent for sampling.