27/02/2022  Shatin  Race 4

RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was slow to begin. CHAMPION DRAGON shifted in on jumping and brushed ENZEMBLE. SMILING TIME and HELENE ALLIBOR bumped at the start. Then from wide barriers, both horses were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, ENSURED was also steadied to obtain cover on jumping. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, ENZEMBLE failed to muster speed and approaching the 1600 Metres was awkwardly placed outside the heels of PERFECT TO GREAT when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. After the 1300 Metres, CROSSFORD was left racing wide and without cover and near the 650 Metres was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ENZEMBLE which shifted to the outside of PERFECT TO GREAT. Rounding the Home Turn, BOOM ALLIANCE lay out towards the heels of PERFECT TO GREAT. BOOM ALLIANCE then had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. On straightening, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was shifted out across the heels of RISE BRETHREN to obtain clear running. SACRED IBIS was held up for clear running over the final 100 Metres and because of this was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. In the Straight, CHAMPION DRAGON got its head on the side and hung out under pressure. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of SUPERBELLA. He said he was able to obtain a good position in about midfield on SUPERBELLA in the early and middle stages and after working his way to the outside of runners rounding the Home Turn he anticipated that SUPERBELLA would quicken well and finish the race off. He said however that after obtaining clear running on straightening SUPERBELLA immediately came under heavy pressure and was not able to improve into running which was available between ENZEMBLE and CROSSFORD. He said despite being ridden out SUPERBELLA was very disappointing in that it did not respond to his riding at any stage. He added whilst SUPERBELLA was somewhat awkwardly placed amongst runners over the concluding stages, SUPERBELLA was well beaten at this time. A veterinary inspection of SUPERBELLA immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. The performance of SUPERBELLA, favourite for today’s race and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPERBELLA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, A Hamelin (SMILING TIME) stated that after following SACRED IBIS rounding the Home Turn, he shifted SMILING TIME to the inside of that horse shortly after entering the Straight. He said he was able to obtain clear running and ride SMILING TIME out in the Straight until about the 50 Metres at which time he shifted the horse to the inside of BOOM ALLIANCE and S J TOURBILLON to continue improving. He added that over the concluding stages SMILING TIME was again able to obtain clear running. RISE BRETHREN, CHAMPION DRAGON and BOOM ALLIANCE were sent for sampling.