02/03/2019  Shatin  Race 2

G van Niekerk (HIDDEN SPIRIT) was fined $2,000 for failing to initially weigh out with a girth. POWER MAN was crowded for room on jumping between STRIKING MR C and JIMSON THE FAMOUS which was taken out by BEST RUNNER which shifted out after stumbling badly at the start. DOUBLE DOUBLE and HIDDEN SPIRIT were crowded for room on jumping between CORRE RAPIDO and THE HAPPY BUNCH which, after initially being taken out by ROYAL PREROGATIVE, then got its head on the side and shifted out away from that horse after becoming unbalanced due to contact on the hindquarters from DOUBLE DOUBLE. Passing the 700 Metres, VICTORY FOLLOW ME was left racing wide and without cover. After the 500 Metres, ROYAL PREROGATIVE was bumped and taken wider by HIDDEN SPIRIT which shifted to the outside of VICTORY FOLLOW ME when that horse came under pressure. After the race, J Moreira reported that STRIKING MR C made a considerable number of abnormal breathing noises during the race. A veterinary inspection of STRIKING MR C immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. Also after the race, Z Purton said VICTORY FOLLOW ME came under heavy pressure prior to the Home Turn and then, despite being ridden out, gave ground quickly in the early part of the Straight and weakened over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY FOLLOW ME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BEST RUNNER had bled from both nostrils. STRIKING MR C, CORRE RAPIDO and HIDDEN SPIRIT were sent for sampling.