Recap by phillip woo

Smoothies led and just clung on for the win at only his third start. He had put the writing on the wall last time out but there wasn't much depth to the race. High Rise Soldier closed with every stride travelling effectively one-out, one-back to make it close on the wire. He's put together two good runs following a step up to the 1,400m. Favourite Everyone's Joy ran on well to finish a close third after a deep run with cover better than midfield. He's honest but is no world-beater. Ultimate Glory closed well from towards the rear to just miss a place spot. He rarely produces a bad run over this trip. Outsider Toycoon stayed on well from beyond midfield to just miss the frame. He's flashed potential in both starts. Well-backed Unicornbaby ran on steadily from midfield on the fence to just miss all the marbles by a length. Zhan Jiang Rocks was all dressed up with nowhere to go in the stretch run after settling last for the most part from a wide gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (496) - SHEUNG HEI HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

HARMONY SPIRIT was withdrawn on 13.3.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TRIUMPHANT HORSE (H N Wong).

Before being allowed to race again, HARMONY SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

TOYCOON was crowded for room on jumping between SMOOTHIES and SILVER FIG which shifted in.

GOOD FOR YOU began awkwardly and shifted out at the start and was consequently awkwardly placed inside the heels of BEAUTY SPIRIT.

After this, despite being ridden along for some distance, GOOD FOR YOU failed to muster speed.

From wide barriers, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS and ULTIMATE GLORY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 1300 Metres, TOYCOON raced in restricted room between HIGH RISE SOLDIER and SILVER FIG which shifted in.

When being steadied to obtain cover approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, EVERYONE'S JOY travelled keenly.

Making the turn near the 900 Metres, COOL TEAM shifted out, taking FOLLOW ME wider.

After this, FOLLOW ME travelled wide and without cover.

Making the turn after the 800 Metres, HOME MADE raced with its head on the side and lay out.

ZHAN JIANG ROCKS was held up for clear running from on straightening until near the 50 Metres and consequently was not able to be fully tested.

Passing the 350 Metres, ULTIMATE GLORY raced tight between EVERYONE'S JOY and TOYCOON which was racing tight outside BEAUTY SPIRIT.

ULTIMATE GLORY continued to maintain its position between TOYCOON and EVERYONE'S JOY until passing the 200 Metres at which time the horse was shifted to the outside of EVERYONE'S JOY after being disappointed for running between that horse and TOYCOON which shifted out.

TOYCOON (M Chadwick), which had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight, was unable to shift to the outside of HIGH RISE SOLDIER at an earlier stage due to ULTIMATE GLORY being positioned to its outside.

Then near the 150 Metres, M Chadwick dropped his left rein which he regathered after the 100 Metres.

Over the concluding stages, UNICORNBABY was held up for clear running behind SMOOTHIES and consequently was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race.

Throughout the race, BEAUTY SPIRIT travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, C Schofield stated that it was intended for SILVER FIG to be ridden in about a midfield position.

He said after beginning well he steadied his mount in the early stages to obtain cover, however, when TOYCOON, HIGH RISE SOLDIER and UNICORNBABY maintained their position to his inside, he elected to press forward on SILVER FIG to obtain a position closer to the rail rather than restrain his mount as SILVER FIG travelled well in the early stages.

He said for this reason SILVER FIG travelled in a more forward position than had been intended.

He said SILVER FIG travelled strongly and he expected the horse to quicken well when placed under pressure, however, he had to ride his mount along after the 400 Metres as SILVER FIG did not respond as he anticipated.

He added after this SILVER FIG gave ground and was disappointing.

A veterinary inspection of SILVER FIG immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, SILVER FIG will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of FOLLOW ME immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea.

A veterinary inspection of HOME MADE immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, HOME MADE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

EVERYONE'S JOY, SMOOTHIES and HIGH RISE SOLDIER were sent for sampling.