01/10/2019  Shatin  Race 2

WOOD ON FIRE began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of THE CREATETH. TURF BRILLIANT was crowded for room on jumping between FLYING GODSPELL and SUPER WINNER which shifted in. In this incident, TURF BRILLIANT bumped the hindquarters of FLYING GODSPELL which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, WOOD ON FIRE, THE CREATETH and SOCKET ELITE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, FLYING GODSPELL shifted in and bumped U W BROTHER. Near the 900 Metres, MOMENTUM HAPPY got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of U W BROTHER which shifted out marginally. After the 900 Metres, FLYING GODSPELL was left racing wide and without cover. After the 700 Metres, FLYING GODSPELL got its head up and shifted out marginally and approaching the 600 Metres shifted out away from the heels of FOODIE PRINCESS which improved to the outside of CLUB SPIRIT. When FLYING GODSPELL shifted out, MOMENTUM HAPPY, which had been following, attempted to improve to its inside and passing the 600 Metres was checked away from the heels of FLYING GODSPELL when unable to improve between that horse and BLOOMING SPIRIT which at the same time shifted out away from the heels of U W BROTHER. THE CREATETH, which was following MOMENTUM HAPPY, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. This resulted in MOMENTUM HAPPY being very awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING GODSPELL until near the 500 Metres. At the 400 Metres, CLUB SPIRIT was bumped by LITTLE THUNDER which shifted to the outside of QUADRUPLE DOUBLE. Passing the 300 Metres, BLOOMING SPIRIT was shifted to the outside of THE CREATETH to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, PRESIDENT STAR was shifted to the outside of SUPER WINNER which was giving ground abruptly. Mr T P Yung, the trainer of MOMENTUM HAPPY, which proved reluctant to proceed to the barriers, was advised that a warning would be placed on the horse and the Stewards would monitor its raceday behaviour in the future. When questioned regarding the performance of SUPER WINNER, Z Purton stated that after entering the Home Straight SUPER WINNER came under pressure and immediately commenced to make an abnormal breathing noise. He said he noted after the race that SUPER WINNER had its tongue over the bit and accordingly, he felt the horse may have "choked down” in the Straight. The performance of SUPER WINNER, favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER WINNER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SUPER WINNER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER WINNER, QUADRUPLE DOUBLE and WOOD ON FIRE were sent for sampling.