01/01/2020  Shatin  Race 5

DIGITAL TRIUMPH was withdrawn on 31.12.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore with a quarter crack) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter REGENCY POET (A Badel). SIMPLY FLUKE was also withdrawn on 31.12.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter MY FAMILY (Apprentice K H Chan). Before being allowed to race again, DIGITAL TRIUMPH and SIMPLY FLUKE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JOYFUL HEART and VITAL SPRING bumped at the start. MILLENNIUM DAWN began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped SHOUSON which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, REGENCY POET, EMERALD SPUR and CIRCUIT THREE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SONIC FIGHTER was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover. Passing the 1200 Metres, JOYFUL HEART got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind SHOUSON. MILLENNIUM DAWN, which was having its first race start today, raced greenly and making the turn after the 900 Metres got its head on the side and shifted out and then lost ground when reluctant to maintain its position. Near the 800 Metres, FLYING EMPEROR was left racing wide and without cover. After shifting in to race behind FLYING EMPEROR near the 800 Metres, REGENCY POET commenced to travel keenly and near the 750 Metres shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse and consequently travelled wide and without cover. SUNSHINE UNIVERSE lay out rounding the Home Turn. Passing the 400 Metres, BETTER CHOICE was shifted to the inside of WAR LORD to continue improving. BETTER CHOICE then had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 250 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, SONIC FIGHTER was awkwardly placed outside the heels of VITAL SPRING which shifted out from behind SHOUSON to obtain clear running. In the Straight, EMERALD SPUR raced with its head on the side and lay in and near the 200 Metres shifted in away from CIRCUIT THREE. EMERALD SPUR was then awkwardly placed inside CIRCUIT THREE approaching the 150 Metres. Over the concluding stages, CIRCUIT THREE shifted out and away from JOYFUL HEART which shifted out under pressure. A veterinary inspection of MILLENNIUM DAWN, FLYING EMPEROR and REGENCY POET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JOYFUL HEART and CIRCUIT THREE were sent for sampling.