09/10/2022  Shatin  Race 2

OCTOCONNECT was slow to begin. MIGHTY VALOR began awkwardly. THUNDERSTRIKE and FIERY DIAMOND bumped on jumping. STARRY NIGHT stumbled at the start and for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover. From wide barriers, TURBO POWER and PROSECCO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. FIERY DIAMOND lost its right hind plate in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, FIERY DIAMOND momentarily raced tight inside THUNDERSTRIKE which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to FIERY DIAMOND. In the middle stages, OCTOCONNECT gave ground and in the Home Straight collapsed, resulting in its rider, V Borges, being dislodged. Passing the 300 Metres, THUNDERSTRIKE raced tight outside STARRY NIGHT which in turn raced tight outside MIGHTY VALOR. After the race, L Currie reported that MOERAKI travelled well in the early and middle stages and he anticipated that the horse would finish the race off well. He said MOERAKI quickened satisfactorily for a short distance in the early part of the Straight when placed under pressure, however, after the 300 Metres came under heavy pressure and then did not finish the race off as expected. A veterinary inspection of MOERAKI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FIERY DIAMOND, MAGIC SUPREME and THUNDERSTRIKE were sent for sampling. Samples were also taken from OCTOCONNECT.