29/11/2020  Shatin  Race 7

SUPER OASIS stumbled at the start, then shifted out and bumped DARK DREAM which was tight inside SKY DARCI. SUPER OASIS then lost ground after being bumped by DARK DREAM which continued to race tight inside SKY DARCI. HELENE LEADING STAR began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages failed to muster speed. From wide barriers, GLORIOUS DRAGON and PRECIOUSSHIP were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. GENERAL’S DELIGHT was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After improving to be racing inside the heels of SKY DARCI (J Moreira), SUPER OASIS was steadied passing the 1400 Metres when crowded for room inside that horse which shifted in. J Moreira was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care. Passing the 1400 Metres, both GENERAL’S DELIGHT and GLORIOUS DRAGON raced keenly. Passing the 1300 Metres, DARK DREAM momentarily raced tight inside the heels of LUCKY EXPRESS which was awkwardly placed behind NOT USUAL TALENT which was being steadied away from the heels of FAST MOST FURIOUS. After this, DARK DREAM continued to be awkwardly placed inside the heels of LUCKY EXPRESS for some distance. Approaching the 800 Metres, NOT USUAL TALENT commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out away from the heels of FAST MOST FURIOUS and consequently travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 800 Metres, GLORIOUS DRAGON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GENERAL’S DELIGHT. Approaching the 600 Metres, KING OPIE became unbalanced when bumped by LUCKY EXPRESS (V Borges) which attempted to shift to the outside of FAST MOST FURIOUS. V Borges was advised to exercise more care and to avoid making unnecessary contact with other runners. At the entrance to the Straight, SUPER OASIS shifted out and brushed LUCKY EXPRESS. SKY DARCI was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. GENERAL’S DELIGHT had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 300 Metres at which stage the horse was shifted to the outside of FAST MOST FURIOUS to obtain a run. Near the 75 Metres, SUPER OASIS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LUCKY EXPRESS. Throughout the race, KING OPIE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, N Callan stated that in pre-race discussions with the connections of FAST MOST FURIOUS, it was felt that BUDDIES would likely lead the race with KINGS SHIELD, the other likely pace influence, taking a sit off BUDDIES. He said it was therefore felt that the race may not be run at a good tempo even though BUDDIES was engaged in the race. He said he was therefore given two sets of instructions depending on how FAST MOST FURIOUS began. He said he was told that if the horse began well, he should take advantage of that and obtain a forward position preferably behind the leaders so that if the race was not run at a good tempo, FAST MOST FURIOUS would not have too much to do. He said alternatively, if the horse did not begin well from the wide barrier, he was instructed to shift it across behind runners and obtain a trailing position. He said when FAST MOST FURIOUS began well, in accordance with his first set of instructions, he rode the horse positively in the early stages and was able to obtain a good position behind the speed. SKY DARCI and LUCKY EXPRESS were sent for sampling.