23/06/2019  Shatin  Race 4

MY WINNER was badly crowded for room on jumping between EZRA and PHENOMENAL, both of which shifted ground. Due to making contact with MY WINNER, both EZRA and PHENOMENAL became unbalanced. Shortly after the start, CIRCUIT THREE shifted out and became awkwardly placed close to the heels of EZRA which shifted in after becoming unbalanced. OUR GREEN began awkwardly and then was bumped by SLEEP EDUCATION which was taken out initially by THOU SHALL SING and then further on by WAYFOONG CHARMER which shifted out. This resulted in SLEEP EDUCATION being steadied. VOYAGE STAR began very awkwardly and made heavy contact with the outside of its barrier gate, causing its rider, Z Purton, to become unbalanced. VOYAGE STAR then shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of HIGH REV which became unbalanced. In the early stages, SUPREME PLUS and HIGH REV were steadied from wide barriers to obtain cover. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, HAPPY WARRIOR failed to muster speed and after the 1300 Metres was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. On two occasions passing the 1300 Metres, EZRA and PHENOMENAL bumped. When being steadied to allow WAYFOONG CHARMER to cross near the 1100 Metres, PHENOMENAL got its head up and raced keenly. Passing the 1000 Metres, SUPREME PLUS was steadied when crowded for room inside HAPPY WARRIOR (C Y Ho) which shifted in. C Y Ho was reprimanded. WAYFOONG CHARMER made the Home Turn awkwardly, shifted out and brushed THOU SHALL SING. WAYFOONG CHARMER then lay out under pressure in the Straight and proved difficult to ride. HIGH REV lay in over the final 200 Metres. Throughout the race, THOU SHALL SING travelled wide and without cover. The performance of PHENOMENAL, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PHENOMENAL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of PHENOMENAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, Z Purton stated that after VOYAGE STAR began very awkwardly, he was able to obtain a position with cover. He said after being shifted out rounding the Home Turn, VOYAGE STAR was momentarily awkwardly placed outside THOU SHALL SING which was taken out by WAYFOONG CHARMER. He said he placed VOYAGE STAR under pressure, however, the horse did not respond and then after the 300 Metres VOYAGE STAR was shifted out away from the heels of WAYFOONG CHARMER which shifted out. He said after this VOYAGE STAR weakened and appeared to him to be experiencing breathing issues as the horse made an abnormal breathing noise. A veterinary inspection of VOYAGE STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, VOYAGE STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME PLUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIGH REV and EZRA were sent for sampling.