26/05/2019  Shatin  Race 10

SUPER ELEGANCE began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of WILLIE WAY. SUPER ELEGANCE was then steadied when crowded for room between WILLIE WAY and VINCY which was taken out by RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE. SUPER HERO was slow to begin. SPLENDOUR AND GOLD shifted in at the start and bumped GENERAL SHERMAN. After the 1500 Metres and again passing the 1000 Metres, SPLENDOUR AND GOLD got its head up when racing keenly. After the 1300 Metres, RED ELYSEES was left racing wide and without cover and was consequently allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead approaching the 1000 Metres. Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, SUPER ELEGANCE travelled keenly. Near the 650 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was taken wider by SPLENDOUR AND GOLD which shifted out away from the heels of CHAMPION SUPREME. After the 600 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE, SPLENDOUR AND GOLD and CHAMPION SUPREME raced tight as I DO shifted to the outside of RED ELYSEES to improve. Near the 500 Metres, CHAMPION SUPREME raced tight inside SPLENDOUR AND GOLD. DEFINING MOMENT was held up and unable to improve rounding the Home Turn. Near the 150 Metres, SUPER ELEGANCE was held up for clear running and was shifted out away from the heels of RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE. When questioned, R Bayliss (CHAMPION SUPREME) stated that he was asked, from the wide barrier, to obtain a position in about midfield with cover if possible. He said it was explained to him that the connections felt that horses racing in the back half of the field had not been advantaged in the earlier races and that if the horse got too far out of its ground, there were a number of horses which would not be able to take his horse into the race. He said he was therefore asked to have CHAMPION SUPREME in midfield and hoped that the circumstances of the race provided the horse with the opportunity to obtain cover. He said he was initially able to obtain cover behind RED ELYSEES in a three wide midfield position, however, when that horse then pressed forward to race outside the lead, CHAMPION SUPREME was left racing wide and without cover at the 1000 Metres. A veterinary inspection of RED ELYSEES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHAMPION SUPREME, SPLENDOUR AND GOLD and I DO were sent for sampling.