11/10/2020  Shatin  Race 6

GOOD DAYS, which kicked a rail on entering the track, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and passed suitable to race. BULLISH GLORY lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently was slow to begin. CROWN AVENUE shifted in at the start and bumped EXALTATION which became unbalanced. On jumping, DYNAMIC EAGLE was checked when crowded for room between GOOD DAYS which was taken out by NUREMBERG and BUNDLE OF ENERGY which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to DYNAMIC EAGLE. After this, from a wide barrier, DYNAMIC EAGLE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, STAR WIN raced tight inside FAMILY LEADER. Approaching the 1000 Metres, SUPER FAST got its head up when awkwardly placed behind STAR WIN. After the 1000 Metres, NUREMBERG was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 600 Metres, GOOD DAYS was steadied when crowded for room inside BUNGLE OF ENERGY which, after improving into tight running inside SUPER FAST, was then awkwardly placed inside that horse which shifted in marginally. After this, GOOD DAYS gave ground abruptly. A veterinary inspection of GOOD DAYS immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, GOOD DAYS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Passing the 400 Metres, FAMILY LEADER was bumped by EXALTATION (Z Purton) which attempted to shift out from behind CROWN AVENUE to obtain clear running. EXALTATION was then steadied away from the heels of CROWN AVENUE when unable to improve between that horse and FAMILY LEADER where there was insufficient room. EXALTATION was unable to obtain clear running until close to the finishing line and consequently was not able to be tested. Z Purton stated that it was explained to him that EXALTATION is one-paced and it was stressed to him the need not to break the horse’s momentum if possible. He said when EXALTATION was unable to improve between CROWN AVENUE and FAMILY LEADER, he would have had to restrain EXALTATION heavily to be in a position to shift to the outside of FAMILY LEADER as he was only a short margin behind that horse when disappointed for running. He said he therefore waited in the anticipation that either CROWN AVENUE or FAMILY LEADER would shift ground or that FAMILY LEADER would weaken sufficiently for EXALTATION to be able to improve to the outside of CROWN AVENUE. He said when neither of these scenarios eventuated, this resulted in EXALTATION not being able to be tested. At the entrance to the Straight, NUREMBERG was shifted out away from the heels of STAR WIN. DYNAMIC EAGLE, which was racing outside NUREMBERG, was inconvenienced in consequence. Near the 350 Metres, SUPER FAST was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NATURAL STORM when shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. NATURAL STORM and BUNDLE OF ENERGY were sent for sampling.