05/05/2019  Shatin  Race 6

SWOT WINDICATOR lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then was crowded for room on jumping between CALIFORNIA LEGEND and SOCCER MASTER, both of which shifted ground. SPEEDY OPTIMIST shifted in at the start and made contact with EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE. SHINING ACE, which began awkwardly, then shifted in and bumped SPEEDY OPTIMIST which in turn bumped EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE which shifted in, causing DIONYSUS COLLIN to be hampered. GREAT HARVEST shifted out at the start and bumped FLYING TIGER HERO. After this, from the outside barriers, GREAT HARVEST, FLYING TIGER HERO an SUCH A HAPPINESS were all shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1200 Metres, SOCCER MASTER travelled keenly when being steadied to allow EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE to cross. Near the 650 Metres, BELLAGIO and JOYFUL HEART raced tight as BELLAGIO improved into tight running between JOYFUL HEART and TOUCH OF LUCK. After the 600 Metres, TOUCH OF LUCK was awkwardly placed inside the heels of DESTIN as BELLAGIO and JOYFUL HEART improved to the outside of TOUCH OF LUCK. Then after the 500 Metres, TOUCH OF LUCK was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DESTIN before being shifted out from behind that horse at the 400 Metres. Approaching the 300 Metres, SUCH A HAPPINESS was shifted to the inside of SOCCER MASTER in an attempt to obtain clear running. Then after the 300 Metres, SUCH A HAPPINESS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOCCER MASTER which shifted in. This resulted in SUCH A HAPPINESS being directed to the outside of SOCCER MASTER near the 250 Metres to continue improving. Near the 75 Metres, SUCH A HAPPINESS was inconvenienced when being shifted to the inside of SPEEDY OPTIMIST. The performance of GREAT HARVEST, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT HARVEST will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GREAT HARVEST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, Apprentice C Wong stated that after riding his mount along for some distance in the early stages, JOYFUL HEART was not travelling well enough near the 1000 Metres to prevent DESTIN from shifting in front of JOYFUL HEART. He said after being crossed by DESTIN, JOYFUL HEART travelled only fairly and in the Straight gave ground. He said, based on the manner in which JOYFUL HEART did not finish off the race, he believed that the horse may not have appreciated today’s track conditions and racing further over 1400 Metres for the first time. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of SWOT WINDICATOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOUCH OF LUCK, BELLAGIO and DESTIN were sent for sampling.