07/07/2019  Shatin  Race 6

SPIRIT PATCH began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped NATURAL FLARE. SIMPLE ELEGANT shifted out at the start and bumped OUR GREEN. Then a short distance after this, SIMPLE ELEGANT and OUR GREEN raced tight outside FLASH FAMOUS which shifted out. From the outside barriers, SUCH A HAPPINESS, KIRAM and SPIRIT were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. GALLANT SPIRIT was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages, however, for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover. After being steadied in the early stages to obtain cover, LITTLE GENERAL was then ridden along after the 1500 Metres to obtain a position closer to the rail. For some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, NATURAL FLARE was awkwardly placed behind WINNING CONTROLLER when travelling keenly. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, LITTLE GENERAL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPIRIT PATCH. SUCH A HAPPINESS, which was following LITTLE GENERAL, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in KIRAM getting its head up when awkwardly placed behind SUCH A HAPPINESS. Passing the 750 Metres, NATURAL FLARE was checked away from the heels of WINNING CONTROLLER. DOR DOR, which was following, was steadied in consequence which resulted in FLASH FAMOUS, which was following DOR DOR, being checked away from the heels of that horse. OUR GREEN, which was also following DOR DOR, was hampered in consequence. OUR GREEN subsequently finished tailed out. The performance of OUR GREEN was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, OUR GREEN 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 OUR GREEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. At the entrance to the Straight, SPIRIT PATCH was bumped by DOR DOR which shifted out away from the heels of NATURAL FLARE to obtain clear running. Then passing the 400 Metres, SPIRIT PATCH was shifted out away from the heels of DOR DOR due to both horses shifting ground. DOR DOR then raced greenly under pressure in the Straight and shifted ground on a number of occasions. Passing the 350 Metres, SUCH A HAPPINESS was shifted out away from the heels of LITTLE GENERAL. Close to the finishing line, HAPPY WARRIOR was awkwardly placed behind WINNING CONTROLLER and consequently was not ridden out all the way to the end of the race. After the race, M L Yeung (SIMPLE ELEGANT) stated that after riding his mount along in the early stages, he was able to shift in to race in the lead after the 1400 Metres. He said SIMPLE ELEGANT travelled satisfactorily during the middle stages and then quickened at the top of the Straight. He said however that passing the 200 Metres SIMPLE ELEGANT came under pressure and then was slightly disappointing in its failure to finish off the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SIMPLE ELEGANT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY TIME and DOR DOR were sent for sampling.