05/02/2017  Shatin  Race 7

HELENE CHARISMA was crowded for room on jumping between HARBOUR MASTER and THE ALFONSO which shifted out. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, ROMANTIC TOUCH momentarily raced tight inside HARBOUR MASTER. Near the 550 Metres, FLAME HERO and THE ALFONSO raced tight. BASIC TRILOGY had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. When questioned, S de Sousa stated that it had been intended for HORSE OF FORTUNE to be ridden behind the speed. He said carrying top weight it was felt that the horse would be advantaged by being able to obtain a trailing position behind the lead. He said in the early stages he attempted to improve his position inside firstly FLAME HERO and then BASIC TRILOGY as it was apparent that the speed of the race was coming from wide barriers. He said for this reason he rode his mount along in an endeavour to obtain a trailing position behind the leader, however, HORSE OF FORTUNE did not respond to his riding and he was unable to maintain his position inside FLAME HERO. He said this resulted in HORSE OF FORTUNE settling much further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned regarding the performance of HELENE CHARISMA, J Moreira stated that whilst the horse may have appeared disappointing, he believed that the slow tempo of the race in the early and middle stages did not suit the horse. He said passing the 1500 Metres HELENE CHARISMA got its head up on a number of occasions when having to be checked away from the heels of SUPREME PROFIT. He said after this HELENE CHARISMA continued to travel keenly and it was not until the pace of the race quickened near the 1000 Metres that HELENE CHARISMA was able to travel more comfortably. He said he shifted HELENE CHARISMA to the outside of runners in the Straight and the horse on a number of occasions lay in and proved difficult to ride which resulted in him having to shift HELENE CHARISMA out abruptly away from the heels of THE ALFONSO near the 150 Metres and again near the 50 Metres. A veterinary inspection of HELENE CHARISMA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HARBOUR MASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HELENE CHARISMA, SUPREME PROFIT and BASIC TRILOGY were sent for sampling.