03/04/2022  Shatin  Race 2

Whilst in the saddling stalls, KUNG FU TEA had its right front plate refitted. KUNG FU TEA was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that TOWARDS SUCCESS had blood in its mouth. TOWARDS SUCCESS was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. MOONLUCK began only fairly. TOWARDS SUCCESS began awkwardly. MULTIPLE STAR got its head up in the early stages when being steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier. From wide barriers, KUNG FU TEA and VIVA CHEF were also steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 1200 Metres, SHENRON and FORTUNE HERO raced tight. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SEIZE THE SPIRIT failed to muster speed and after the 1100 Metres was steadied to obtain cover behind runners. After the 900 Metres, FORTUNE HERO was left racing wide and without cover. For the majority of the race, SHENRON also travelled wide and without cover. Approaching and passing the 700 Metres, SCHOLAR was awkwardly placed behind NOBLE MAN when travelling keenly. After the 700 Metres, FORTUNE HERO was bumped and taken wider by G ONE EXCELLENT which shifted out. SHENRON, which was racing outside FORTUNE HERO, was inconvenienced in consequence. KUNG FU TEA was held up for clear running passing the 400 Metres. VIVA CHEF was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 300 Metres raced tight inside DESTIN as that horse improved into tight running inside SCHOLAR. VIVA CHEF was then hampered passing the 300 Metres when crowded for room inside DESTIN which was steadied when tightened for room inside SCHOLAR which, after racing tight inside KUNG FU TEA, then got its head on the side and shifted in away from that horse. TOWARDS SUCCESS had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 300 Metres. Near the 75 Metres, SEIZE THE SPIRT commenced to shift in under pressure, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten his mount. In the Straight, G ONE EXCELLENT raced with its head on the side and lay out under pressure. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of G ONE EXCELLENT, Z Purton stated that his mount travelled well behind the speed in the early and middle stages. He said he was able to improve to the outside of SCHOLAR rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight G ONE EXCELLENT travelled well enough to indicate to him that it was going to be competitive at the end of the race. He said however that after the 300 Metres G ONE EXCELLENT came under heavy pressure and after the 200 Metres the horse’s run ended and after this weakened out of the race. He added that based on the manner in which G ONE EXCELLENT did not finish the race off over the latter stages, he recommended to connections that they consider dropping the horse back in distance in its future starts. A veterinary inspection of G ONE EXCELLENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, J Moreira stated that after being unable to obtain clear running in the early part of the Straight and then being hampered passing the 300 Metres, DESTIN was well back in the field and was not able to gather momentum. He said he was therefore unable to ascertain whether DESTIN was disappointing today or whether the circumstances of the race resulted in the horse not being able to close off. A veterinary inspection DESTIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SEIZE THE SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. G ONE EXCELLENT, KUNG FU TEA and NOBLE MAN were sent for sampling.