19/02/2020  Shatin  Race 2

SUNNY MAJOR was withdrawn on 17.2.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (respiratory infection) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter SOLAR BILLION. MASTER BERNINI was withdrawn on 18.2.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter KEEP WINNING (C Schofield). Before being allowed to race again, SUNNY MAJOR and MASTER BERNINI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAY RUN and KA YING BRILLIANCE bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, GOOD RUNNERS WAY clipped the heels of WINNING WARRIOR (B Shinn) due to WINNING WARRIOR getting its head on the side and shifting out. Whilst the Stewards accepted that B Shinn was endeavouring to straighten his mount, nonetheless he was told in similar circumstances to do all he can to prevent his mount from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners. In this incident, SKY GEM, which was racing outside GOOD RUNNERS WAY, was inconvenienced. ROCKAGE shifted out at the start and bumped SOLAR BILLION. From the outside barrier, SOLAR BILLION was then steadied to obtain cover. From wide barriers, SUPER RED DRAGON and MI BLANCO were also steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1300 Metres, GREAT SMART was left racing wide and without cover. After the 1200 Metres, KA YING BRILLIANCE was momentarily crowded for room inside WINNING CIRCLE which shifted in abruptly before being corrected to relieve the tightening to KA YING BRILLIANCE. Near the 800 Metres, SUPER RED DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of GREAT SMART. SKY GEM, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of SUPER RED DRAGON and brushed SOLAR BILLION. Near the 700 Metres, HAY RUN got its head up when awkwardly placed behind KA YING BRILLIANCE. Rounding the Home Turn, HAY RUN was checked away from the heels of WINNING CIRCLE which commenced to give ground. Approaching the 400 Metres, SKY GEM was shifted out away from the heels of SUPER RED DRAGON. Passing the 300 Metres, HAY RUN was shifted in away from the heels of KEEP WINNING. GOOD RUNNERS WAY was held up for clear running from near the 250 Metres until passing the 150 Metres. After the race, J Moreira stated that when racing wide, MI BLANCO became unbalanced after being bumped and taken wider by SUPER RED DRAGON near the 1100 Metres. He said after this MI BLANCO came off the bridle and came under pressure after the 600 Metres and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MI BLANCO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WINNING CIRCLE and OUR GREEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER RED DRAGON, HIDDEN SPIRIT and KA YING BRILLIANCE were sent for sampling.