27/01/2019  Shatin  Race 9

As the start was effected, FLYING THUNDER lifted its front feet off the ground and began very awkwardly, resulting in the horse losing ground. SHIMMER AND SHINE began awkwardly and lost ground. BETHANY shifted in at the start and bumped CASIMIRO. BRIGHT KID and FALCON TURBO bumped at the start. After this, BRIGHT KID and FALCON TURBO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, BETHANY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CASIMIRO when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. GRADE ONE lost its right front plate near the 1050 Metres. Approaching the 1000 Metres, SHIMMER AND SHINE was steadied away from the heels of CASIMIRO (W M Lai) which shifted in when not properly clear. W M Lai was severely reprimanded. After the 1000 Metres, FARSHAD was checked when crowded for room between BETHANY which shifted out and HONEST WAY which shifted in marginally. Also after the 1000 Metres, TRIUMPHANT HORSE was left racing wide and without cover. After the 500 Metres, AEROHAPPINESS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRADE ONE. SHIMMER AND SHINE was held up for clear running until near the 300 Metres. Near the 250 Metres, ALCARI and HONEST WAY raced tight. HONEST WAY consequently became unbalanced and shifted in, resulting in ALCARI racing tight inside that horse. HONEST WAY and ALCARI then bumped at the 100 Metres. Passing the 200 Metres, BETHANY raced tight outside the heels of MIDNIGHT RATTLER (Z Purton) which shifted out marginally under pressure. BETHANY was then steadied approaching the 100 Metres when crowded for room between FLYING THUNDER which shifted in marginally and MIDNIGHT RATTLER which continued to lay out under pressure. Because of this, Z Purton stopped riding and straightened his mount to relieve the tightening to BETHANY. After the race, D Whyte stated that BRIGHT KID hung out badly in the Straight and proved very difficult to ride. The racing manners of BRIGHT KID were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BRIGHT KID will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend. Also after the race, Z Purton (MIDNIGHT RATTLER) was not able to offer any explanation for the manner in which the horse weakened in the Straight. He said MIDNIGHT RATTLER came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and then did not stretch out for him over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of MIDNIGHT RATTLER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GRADE ONE and AEROHAPPINESS were sent for sampling.