17/03/2019  Shatin  Race 2

GRATWICK began awkwardly. KA YING LEGEND shifted in at the start, resulting in STORM SOLDIER being bumped and crowded for room outside LOOKING GOOD which also became unbalanced when bumped by STORM SOLDIER. After this incident, both LOOKING GOOD and STORM SOLIDER were shifted across behind runners. Shortly after the start, JENERATOR became unbalanced and lost ground when crowded for room between BRIGHT KID which shifted out marginally and DAN CONTROL (Z Purton) which shifted in. Z Purton was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in future. From the outside barrier, ROMAN IMPERO was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being hard ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, KA YING LEGEND was slow to muster speed and subsequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. Approaching the 1000 Metres, JENERATOR was momentarily crowded for room between BRIGHT KID and WAR ROOM which shifted in away from AEROHAPPINESS. Passing the 900 Metres, AEROHAPPINESS got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of KA YING LEGEND which was steadied. AEROHAPPINESS was again awkwardly placed behind KA YING LEGEND approaching the 700 Metres. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, BRIGHT KID momentarily raced in restricted room inside KA YING LEGEND which shifted in. GRATWICK lost its right front plate approaching the 600 Metres. Passing the 400 Metres, WAR ROOM shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CALIFORNIA TURBO which also shifted out marginally. Also passing the 400 Metres, KA YING LEGEND momentarily raced in restricted room inside AEROHAPPINESS. Close to the finishing, KA YING LEGEND got its head on the side and shifted out. Because of this, the rider of KA YING LEGEND stopped riding and straightened his mount. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of AEROHAPPINESS, J Moreira stated that after being able to obtain cover behind KA YING LEGEND near the 900 Metres, AEROHAPPINESS was awkwardly placed behind that horse which did not maintain its forward position. He said he shifted AEROPHAPPINESS to the outside of KA YING LEGEND prior to the 500 Metres which was earlier than he would normally do, however, as he formed the view that the horse is one-paced, he did not wish for it to be left flat-footed if he remained racing behind KA YING LEGEND until on straightening. He said AEROHAPPINESS initially quickened, however, came under pressure after the 200 Metres and was again disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of AEROHAPPINESS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, AEROHAPPINESS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of KA YING LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of GRATWICK immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. AEROHAPPINESS, DAN CONTROL and CALIFORNIA TURBO were sent for sampling.