05/04/2020  Shatin  Race 5

HELENE CHARISMA began only fairly. FAST MOST FURIOUS, HELENE LEADINGSTAR and HO HO KHAN were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. DARK DREAM travelled wide and without cover until after the 1000 Metres at which stage the horse shifted in to race outside the lead. Passing the 1000 Metres, CHEFANO momentarily raced in restricted room between TIME TO CELEBRATE and DARK DREAM. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, BUTTERFIELD lay in, brushed the running rail and became unbalanced. HELENE CHARISMA, which was following that horse, was steadied in consequence. Near the 450 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA was checked away from the heels of BUTTERFIELD. Passing the 400 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA was shifted in away from the heels of DARK DREAM which was giving ground. At the entrance to the Straight, BUTTERFIELD was shifted to the inside of TIME TO CELEBRATE and improved into very tight running inside that horse which then shifted in marginally. This resulted in BUTTERFIELD being crowded for room and bumping the hindquarters of TIME TO CELEBRATE near the 350 Metres, causing both horses to become unbalanced. In this incident, HELENE CHARISMA, which was following and was attempting to shift to the outside of TIME TO CELEBRATE, was shifted in away from the heels of that horse to continue improving. After the race, Z Purton (DARK DREAM) reported that although the horse travelled wide in the early and middle stages, in his opinion, DARK DREAM was entitled to finish off the race better than it did. He said DARK DREAM came under pressure at the 600 Metres and then gave ground abruptly rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. A veterinary inspection of DARK DREAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DARK DREAM, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DARK DREAM will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TIME TO CELEBRATE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HELENE LEADINGSTAR and BUTTERFIELD were sent for sampling.