28/04/2019  Shatin  Race 1

VICTORY POWER began very awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of LOOKING GOOD, resulting in VICTORY POWER losing ground. MONICA began awkwardly. From wide barriers, INTREPIC and DIAMOND BRILLIANT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 900 Metres, MY WINNER was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 500 Metres, SOLAR BILLION raced tight between WONDERFUL DAY and MONICA which improved to be racing tight between SOLAR BILLION and THE ONE. Then near the 450 Metres, MONICA was awkwardly placed outside the heels of THE ONE which shifted out marginally. Soon after straightening, SKY GEM was crowded for room between RELENTLESS ME and VICTORY POWER which, when shifting to the outside of LOOKING GOOD, was awkwardly placed outside that horse as LOOKING GOOD shifted to the outside of BIG FORTUNE. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider carelessness associated with this incident, no further action was taken. For the majority of the race, WONDERFUL DAY travelled wide and without cover and in the early stages travelled keenly. When questioned regarding the performance of HAPPY ALUMNI, Z Purton stated that he was instructed to have the horse begin well to take up a forward position as it did at its last start. He said however that if the horse did not begin well, it was acceptable for him to ride the horse further back in the field. He said in the barriers HAPPY ALUMNI became fractious and lunged at the front gates and then as the start was effected began only fairly. He said he therefore elected to ride HAPPY ALUMNI quietly. He said when being steadied to shift across behind runners, HAPPY ALUMNI almost immediately commenced to prove very difficult to settle and travelled too keenly for a considerable distance in the early and middle stages. He added whilst the manner in which HAPPY ALUMNI over-raced was a factor in the performance of the horse, nonetheless he felt that HAPPY ALUMNI was disappointing in the Straight as it did not quicken at any stage. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY ALUMNI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, R Bayliss stated that whilst DIAMOND BRILLIANT was required to race in a three wide position throughout due to the horse’s wide barrier, at all times DIAMOND BRILLIANT had cover. He said stepping up to 1400 Metres, he anticipated that DIAMOND BRILLIANT would quicken well, however, the horse was only one-paced in the Straight and, in his opinion, was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND BRILLIANT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY ALUMNI, MONICA and LOOKING GOOD were sent for sampling.