23/04/2023  Shatin  Race 10

BUTTERFIELD jumped awkwardly. Shortly after the start, STRAIGHT ARRON and ALACRITY bumped when ALACRITY was positioned tight to the inside of BEAUTYVERSE. From the outside barriers, SWEET ENCOUNTER, TURIN REDSUN and SPIRITED EXPRESS were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance near the 1200 Metres, CHAMPION DRAGON got its head up and raced ungenerously. Approaching the 1200 Metres, BOURBONAIRE also got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover behind CHAMPION DRAGON. After the 1100 Metres, BEAUTYVERSE was left racing wide and without cover. SPIRITED EXPRESS was held up on the Home Turn and near the 400 Metres was shifted to the inside of LOOKING GREAT to secure clear running. Between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres, BUTTERFIELD was held up for clear running behind SAVVY NINE and then for some distance after the 200 Metres raced in restricted room between SAVVY NINE and CHAMPION DRAGON. SWEET ENCOUNTER lay in under pressure in the Straight and near the 200 Metres its rider, Z Purton, was obliged to stop riding and correct his mount. After the race, M Chadwick (CHAMPION DRAGON) reported that his intention was to hold the lead, but in the early stages when SWORD POINT improved to his outside and was travelling better, he elected to allow SWORD POINT to cross to the rail and lead and then positioned CHAMPION DRAGON to the outside of that runner. He added that as CHAMPION DRAGON was pressured in the lead in the early stages, it was left without a finishing effort when placed under pressure in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of CHAMPION DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BOURBONAIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STRAIGHT ARRON and SWORD POINT were sent for sampling.