21/09/2014  Shatin  Race 2

ULTIMATE GLORY began awkwardly. BLISS CARTEL began only fairly. From the outside barrier, JOLLY SPRING was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, UNIQUE JOYFUL, which for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover, got its head up and raced greenly. Passing the 800 Metres, FUJIAN SPIRIT was momentarily hampered when racing tight inside SPEEDY LONGWAH which was racing tight inside EXCEL ONESELF. Near the 750 Metres, BUNKER SHOT was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY. ALL TIMES LUCKY, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Approaching and passing the 600 Metres, BUNKER SHOT became very difficult to settle and was severely checked away from the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY. Approaching the 550 Metres, BLISS CARTEL lost ground and became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of FOUR FOUR FIVE. FOUR FOUR FIVE lost its left hind plate at the 500 Metres. For some distance after the 150 Metres, FUJIAN SPIRIT was held up for clear running behind ALL TIMES LUCKY and inside UNIQUE JOYFUL. When questioned regarding his riding of FUJIAN SPIRIT in the early part of the Straight, C Reith stated that rounding the Home Turn it was his intention to shift out from behind ULTIMATE GLORY and then further to the outside of ALL TIMES LUCKY which at this time was commencing to close off the race strongly. He said when he did this, he was unaware that ULTIMATE GLORY had lay out rounding the turn which presented a tight run between that horse and EXCEL ONESELF. He said when he committed to shift to the outside of ULTIMATE GLORY, FUJIAN SPIRIT did not quicken as he had hoped and because of this he was not able to improve between ALL TIMES LUCKY and UNIQUE JOYFUL, resulting in FUJIAN SPIRIT being held up for clear running for some distance after the 150 Metres. He added whist ULTIMATE GLORY lay out in the early part of the Straight, that horse then shifted back in towards EXCEL ONESELF passing the 350 Metres before shifting out further after the 300 Metres. A veterinary inspection of BUNKER SHOT immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, BUNKER SHOT will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ULTIMATE GLORY, UNIQUE JOYFUL and ALL TIMES LUCKY were sent for sampling.