16/02/2020  Shatin  Race 1

EURO LAGO shifted in at the start and brushed HAPPY ALUMNI. COMPASSION SPIRIT and MIGHTY VALOR bumped at the start. COMPASSION SPIRIT then shifted in and made contact with the hindquarters of MELBOURNE HALL, causing both horses to become unbalanced. COMPASSION SPIRIT consequently shifted out and bumped MIGHTY VALOR which became badly unbalanced after initially racing in restricted room inside HARD PROMISE. These incidents resulted in MIGHTY VALOR losing ground. MIGHTY VALOR then proved difficult to settle approaching and passing the 1000 Metres. BLAZING PARTNERS shifted in on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of SACRED TIMING. After this, BLAZING PARTNERS was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. From the outside barriers, CENTENARY IBIS and SIMPLY FLUKE were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 900 Metres, EURO LAGO was steadied away from the heels of COMPASSION SPIRIT (M L Yeung) which, after shifting in of its own accord, then raced tight inside REGENCY MASTER. M L Yeung was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides proper clearance when shifting ground. Approaching the 800 Metres, INCANTO PREPARED raced tight between SACRED TIMING and SPARKLING STAR (T Piccone) which shifted in before being shifted back out to relieve the tightening to INCANTO PREPARED. T Piccone was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Near the 250 Metres, COMPASSION SPIRIT raced tight inside REGENCY MASTER. Approaching the 100 Metres, EURO LAGO was shifted out away from the heels of REGENCY MASTER. Throughout the race, MR DARTHVEGAR and MIGHTY VALOR travelled wide and without cover. L Hewitson (CENTENARY IBIS) was spoken to regarding using the whip on a horse out of contention. A veterinary inspection of MR DARTHVEGAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. HAPPY ALUMNI and SIMPLY FLUKE were sent for sampling.