27/03/2022  Shatin  Race 8

BOOM STITCH and SWIFT SPIRIT brushed on jumping. SWIFT SPIRIT then shifted in, resulting in MILLENNIUM FALCON racing tight outside NATURAL GOLD. EVER FORCE was tightened for room on jumping between STEEL WIN and KYRUS UNICORN which shifted in. SALUTATION shifted out at the start and bumped AMAZING NEWS. From the outside barrier, MAXIMIZE HEART was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, BOOM STITCH was crowded for room between SWIFT SPIRIT and ERNEST FEELING which shifted in marginally. ERNEST FEELING was then left racing wide and without cover passing the 800 Metres. After the 1200 Metres, STEEL WIN was left racing wide and without cover and was then ridden along to obtain a position outside the lead passing the 800 Metres. After the 1100 Metres, EVER FORCE became unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SWIFT SPIRIT. At the entrance to the Straight, SWIFT SPIRIT was held up for clear running behind NATURAL GOLD. Passing the 300 Metres, KYRUS UNICORN was held up for clear running behind BOOM STITCH. BOOM STITCH was unable to obtain clear running from on straightening until passing the 200 Metres. BOOM STITCH was then again held up for clear running over the final 100 Metres and because of this was not able to be properly tested. When questioned, J Moreira stated that as SALUTATION had not been finishing its races off as well as anticipated, he was asked to ride the horse positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position and that it was hoped that he would be able to obtain a trailing position behind the leaders. He said after beginning well he rode SALUTATION along and as he had to clear a number of runners to his inside which resulted in SALUTATION having to lead the race. He said SALUTATION travelled comfortably in the lead in the middle stages, however, after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn gave him only a limited response before getting its head up and weakening out of the race over the latter stages. He added that in the Straight SALUTATION appeared reluctant to stride out. A veterinary inspection of SALUTATION immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SALUTATION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of INFINITY WIN, Z Purton stated that he had to make a lot of use of the horse in the early stages to obtain a forward position from barrier 13. He said after shifting across to race outside SALUTATION, he was able to obtain a trailing position behind STEEL WIN after the 800 Metres. He added that INFINITY WIN travelled well and when shifted to the outside of STEEL WIN in the early part of the Straight responded satisfactorily to his riding. He said however that after the 200 Metres INFINITY WIN commenced to give ground and then did not finish the race off over the concluding stages. He said, in his opinion, the amount of work that INFINITY WIN had to do in the early stages to clear runners to its inside resulted in the horse not being able to close off the race as well as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of INFINITY WIN immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, INFINITY WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of STEEL WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INFINITY WIN, MAXIMIZE HEART and NATURAL GOLD were sent for sampling.