23/04/2023  Shatin  Race 9

BEAUTY CHAMP and CALIFORNIA VOCE jumped only fairly. KIMBERLEY was slow to begin and then shortly afterwards was tightened between G LINER and BEAUTY INSPIRE, both of which shifted ground. PODIUM was bumped at the start by RUN RUN BUDDY which shifted out and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, LESLIE was tightened by SOLID IMPACT which shifted in. From the outside barrier, SKY FOREVER was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early stages, G LINER raced keenly and after being crossed by ARIEL near the 1000 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of that runner. After the 800 Metres, ARIEL was taken wider when TOP TOP TEA shifted to the outside of RUN RUN BUDDY. WINNER METHOD lost its left hind plate at the 500 Metres. Near the 400 Metres, SKY FOREVER was steadied when disappointed for running between LESLIE and KIMBERLEY which shifted out. SKY FOREVER was then shifted to the inside of KIMBERLEY to secure clear running. Also near the 400 Metres, KIMBERLEY improved into a narrow run between G LINER and LESLIE, resulting in LESLIE being taken out. Then near the 250 Metres, KIMBERLEY obtain a narrow run between ENDEARED and LESLIE, resulting in KIMBERLEY and LESLIE bumping on a number of occasions and becoming unbalanced. Near the 300 Metres, G LINER was briefly held up behind ENDEARED as that runner commenced to give ground. ENDEARED raced very wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race, K Teetan (ARIEL) reported that his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover after the 800 Metres and did not appreciate being pressured when in a forward position. A veterinary inspection of ARIEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the improved performance of BEAUTY CHAMP, Trainer D J Whyte advised that at its last start at Sha Tin on 29 March 2023, BEAUTY CHAMP endured a tough run on a wet All Weather surface when its rider was obliged to make use of the horse from a wide barrier to take up a position in the lead where it raced keenly after being bumped by HAVA NAGEELA in the early stages. He added that he attributed today’s improved performance to BEAUTY CHAMP being able to enjoy a good run in the race with cover behind the leaders and was able to finish the race off better as a result. SKY FOREVER, BEAUTY CHAMP and BEAUTY INSPIRE were sent for sampling.