02/02/2020  Shatin  Race 5

BELLAGIO stood flat-footed as the start was effected and consequently lost a significant amount of ground. As this was the second occasion this season that BELLAGIO had missed the start in a similar manner, the Stewards ruled that the horse will be required to undergo a series of consecutive satisfactory barrier trials prior to being permitted to race again. After the race, H W Lai reported that BELLAGIO was making a noticeable abnormal breathing noise during the race. A veterinary inspection of BELLAGIO immediately following the race found that horse to have a continuous epiglottic entrapment which had previously been reported. SUPER ELEGANCE and TAILOR MADE bumped at the start. MONEY BACK shifted out at the start and bumped MONICA. GO BALLISTIC began awkwardly and shifted in towards the heels of MONICA. GO BALLISTIC was then steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barriers, MORE THAN A HORSE and LAKESHORE EAGLE were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SUPER ELEGANCE was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. MORE THAN A HORSE had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres. Also approaching and passing the 300 Metres, MONEY BACK and LAKESHORE EAGLE raced tight and made contact. After the 200 Metres, MONEY BACK got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. Near the 150 Metres, GO BALLISTIC lay in under pressure, requiring its rider to change his whip over into his right hand. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY SPIRIT and MONEY BACK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MONICA and SUPER ELEGANCE were sent for sampling.