22/01/2017  Shatin  Race 9

WINNER’S WAY began only fairly and shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between PEOPLE’S KNIGHT which shifted out marginally and CIRCUIT HASSLER which shifted in abruptly. In this incident, CIRCUIT HASSLER became unbalanced after making heavy contact with WINNER’S WAY. BABA MAMA shifted in at the stat and bumped PAKISTAN STAR. When being steadied away from the heels of PAKISTAN STAR at the 1500 Metres, WESTERN EXPRESS shifted in, resulting in EAGLE WAY being hampered when taken in across the heels of BEAUTY GENERATION. Passing the 1300 Metres, BEAUTY GENERATION got its head up when being checked away from the heels of RAPPER DRAGON. EAGLE WAY and SUPER CHIC, which were following, were both checked in consequence. Passing the 1100 Metres, PAKISTAN STAR got its head up and raced ungenerously for some distance when being steadied away from the heels of WINNER’S WAY. BEAUTY GENERATION, which was racing to the inside of PAKISTAN STAR, was again hampered as were EAGLE WAY and SUPER CHIC. After the 1000 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA commenced to prove difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of BABA MAMA which was awkwardly placed behind WESTERN EXPRESS. After passing the 900 Metres, PAKISTAN STAR was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 800 Metres, BEAUTY GENERATION shifted out, resulting in WESTERN EXPRESS being taken out into a four wide position without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, PAKISTAN STAR shifted out and bumped BEAUTY GENERATION, resulting in PAKISTAN STAR becoming unbalanced. Approaching the 100 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA, after racing tight outside BABA MAMA for some distance, was hampered when BABA MAMA shifted out under pressure. When questioned regarding the performance of WESTERN EXPRESS, R Moore stated that prior to the race he was confident that WESTERN EXPRESS would perform well as the horse travelled strongly to the barriers. He said the tempo of the race did not suit WESTERN EXPRESS but more particularly BEAUTY GENERATION was shifting out to its inside in the middle stages and WESTERN EXPRESS at this time, being immature, had to be ridden along to maintain its position. He said because he had to commence to ride WESTERN EXPRESS along so far from the finish in order for the horse to maintain its position, WESTERN EXPRESS was then not able to finish off the race. He added, in his opinion, the circumstances of the race resulted in the horse being unable to close off rather than it performing disappointingly. A veterinary inspection of WESTERN EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RAPPER DRAGON and SEASONS BLOOM were sent for sampling.