27/02/2019  Happy Valley  Race 7

From the outside barriers, HO HO FEEL, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS and MAGNETISM were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HO HO FEEL was momentarily crowded for room inside ZHAN JIANG ROCKS which was taken in by MAGNETISM (N Callan) which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening. N Callan was advised to exercise more care. After the 1200 Metres, EARTH TRILOGY was taken into a positon three wide and without cover by HARMONY HERO which shifted out from behind BETHANY. After this, EARTH TRILOGY commenced to travel keenly. As EARTH TRILOGY was steadied in an attempt to obtain a trailing position behind HARMONY HERO, BIG BANG BONG improved its position which resulted in EARTH TRILOGY travelling wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. DEFINING MOMENT was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and at the entrance to the Straight was shifted to the inside of BETHANY. DEFINING MOMENT was then held up for a short distance before improving between BETHANY and INCREDIBLE after the 300 Metres. After the 300 Metres, HO HO FEEL and MAGNETISM brushed as HO HO FEEL attempted to improve to the outside of BETHANY which was giving ground. HO HO FEEL was then shifted to the inside of BETHANY near the 250 Metres. Passing the 250 Metres, MAGNETISM was shifted out away from the heels of BETHANY which was continuing to give ground. After the 250 Metres, STAR MAJESTIC was shifted out away from the heels of INCREDIBLE which was giving ground. After this, INCREDIBLE continued to give ground and finished tailed out. The performance of INCREDIBLE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, INCREDIBLE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. In the Straight, BRAVE LEGEND lay out under pressure. R Bayliss (EARTH TRILOGY) was warned against the practice of using the whip on a horse out of contention. S de Sousa was not able to offer any explanation for the performance of STAR MAJESTIC. He said the horse travelled reasonably throughout the race, however, did not quicken when placed under pressure in the Straight and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of STAR MAJESTIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, R Bayliss stated that he recommended to connections that they return EARTH TRILOGY to Sha Tin as the horse was never comfortable in tonight’s race. He said the horse was on the wrong leg throughout the race which played a part in it being left racing wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of EARTH TRILOGY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BRAVE LEGEND and HARMONY HERO were sent for sampling.