06/11/2019  Happy Valley  Race 6

SPEEDY DRAGON was slow to begin. COMPASSION STAR began only fairly. SUPER WINNER shifted out at the start and bumped THE SHOW. After this, from a wide barrier, THE SHOW was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, SHOUSON was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1050 Metres, KHAKI got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of REFINEMENT. Passing the 900 Metres, LADY FIRST was bumped and taken in by FOCUS (G van Niekerk). This resulted in LADY FIRST getting its head up when racing close to the heels of PLAY TO WIN. COMPASSION STAR, which was following LADY FIRST, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. G van Niekerk was reprimanded and told to ensure that he does not place undue pressure on horses when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 450 Metres, REFINEMENT raced tight outside COMPASSION STAR which improved to the outside of LADY FIRST. THE ONE made the Home Turn awkwardly. In the early part of the Straight, SUPER WINNER lay in under pressure. At the 300 Metres, FOCUS was shifted out away from the heels of SUPER WINNER. When questioned regarding the improved performance of PLAY TO WIN, Trainer T P Yung stated that tonight was only the second start of PLAY TO WIN for his stable. He said he had anticipated that PLAY TO WIN would perform satisfactorily at its last start last season which was its first run for his stable, however, on that occasion the horse was found to have a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea and, in his opinion, this accounted for that disappointing performance. He said following that race he transferred PLAY TO WIN to Conghua and the horse had done particularly well as PLAY TO WIN was more relaxed than it was when it was stabled at Sha Tin. He said the horse’s track work had subsequently improved when trained out of Conghua and its two barrier trials in the lead up to tonight’s race and in particular its final barrier trial were pleasing. He said based on the manner in which the horse had relaxed, improvement in its track work and in its barrier trials, he anticipated a forward showing in tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY DRAGON and COMPASSION STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PLAY TO WIN and LADY FIRST were sent for sampling.