08/01/2020  Happy Valley  Race 7

WIN WIN shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of XIANG BAI QI. WORLD FAMOUS shifted out at the start and bumped GREAT TREASURE. HOME WIN began awkwardly and shortly after the start raced tight with SUPER ELEGANCE. GREAT TREASURE, OWNERS’ STAR, SUPER ELEGANCE and STIMULATION were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, PARTY TOGETHER raced tight between HAR HAR HEART which shifted out and WORLD FAMOUS which shifted in marginally. This resulted in PARTY TOGETHER bumping the hindquarters of HAR HAR HEART which became unbalanced. Near the 750 Metres, GREAT TREASURE shifted out and bumped STIMULATION. GREAT TREASURE and STIMULATION then raced tight for some distance after this. At the 300 Metres, SUPER ELEGANCE shifted in and brushed MONSTER KAKA. Near the 150 Metres, STIMULATION raced tight outside GREAT TREASURE which shifted out under pressure. When questioned regarding the performance of XIANG BAI QI, Z Purton stated that after obtaining a position behind WIN WIN in the early stages, XIANG BAI QI was not able to improve its position when the tempo of the race increased after the 800 Metres. He said this resulted in XIANG BAI QI getting out of its ground at a crucial stage of the race. He said he shifted out from behind WIN WIN approaching the 500 Metres to follow RED ELYSEES and after considering coming to the outside of that horse elected to improve to the inside of RED ELYSEES rounding the Home Turn and then to the inside of HAR HAR HEART at the entrance to the Straight. He said XIANG BAI QI then commenced to finish off the race, however, was badly held up for clear running behind HOME WIN which was giving ground. He added this resulted in XIANG BAI QI having to be shifted out away from the heels of HOME WIN and HAR HAR HEART passing the 200 Metres by which time XIANG BAI QI was out of contention. He said, based on the manner in which XIANG BAI QI was travelling prior to the 200 Metres before being held up behind HOME WIN, he believed that the horse was going to finish off the race well. A veterinary inspection of XIANG BAI QI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of STIMULATION and OWNERS’ STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. XIANG BAI QI, WORLD FAMOUS, RED ELYSEES and SUPER ELEGANCE were sent for sampling.