31/03/2019  Shatin  Race 8

CHAIRMAN LO began awkwardly. SUPER ELEGANCE and GUVNOR, which began only fairly, were hampered shortly after the start by XIANG YIN which shifted in. In this incident, XIANG YIN became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by GUVNOR. SUPER WISE shifted out at the start and bumped SMART PATCH. After this, SMART PATCH, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners. Also from wide barriers, WON WON TOO and JENERATOR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned, M Chadwick (SLEEP EDUCATION) stated that he recommended to connections for SLEEP EDUCATION, which had blinkers reapplied today, to be ridden in a more forward position. He said with the horse’s light weight, he assessed that only MAGIC LEGEND and TANG FLEMING, which were drawn inside SLEEP EDUCATION, had previously shown some speed in their races. He said he felt that there was an opportunity for SLEEP EDUCATION to be ridden to cross those horses and then obtain cover behind the leaders. He said in assessing the race he was also mindful that earlier races indicated that horses up on the speed were somewhat advantaged and that it would be preferable with the light weight to be more forward. He said he was able to cross TANG FLEMING near the 900 Metres and then obtained cover behind YOUNG LEGEND. He said SLEEP EDUCATION initially quickened satisfactorily, however, its run ended near the 200 Metres as it had previously when ridden by him. He added he will recommend to the connections that they return SLEEP EDUCATION to Happy Valley for its future races as the shorter straight there allows the horse a greater opportunity to finish off its races. After the race, M Harley (WON WON TOO) stated that after testing his mount in the early part of the Straight, the horse’s action deteriorated and as he had concerns, he eased it down over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of WON WON TOO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, WON WON TOO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of XIANG YIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GUVNOR immediately following the race found that horse to be bleeding from both nostrils. As GUVNOR was very fractious, an endoscopic examination was not able to be performed on the horse. However, the Veterinary Officer was satisfied that the blood appearing in both nostrils emanated from the horse’s lungs and therefore the horse was deemed to have bled for the first time. CHAIRMAN LO, SUPER WISE and YOUNG LEGEND were sent for sampling.