17/10/2021  Shatin  Race 5

CHAMPION PAL lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between LEAP OF FAITH and ENTRUSTED which shifted out. ABOVE and HELENE ALLIBOR bumped at the start. VINCY was slow to begin. From wide barriers, CALIFORNIA TEN and PRECISE EXPRESS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1500 Metres, LEAP OF FAITH commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of HELENE ALLIBOR which at this stage was being steadied to obtain cover. For some distance after the 1500 Metres, ENZEMBLE got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHEVALIER PRINCE. After the 1300 Metres, CALIFORNIA TEN, which was travelling keenly, shifted out and inconvenienced PRECISE EXPRESS which at this stage was racing wide and without cover. After this, CALIFORNIA TEN was left racing wide and without cover. After the 1100 Metres, HELENE ALLIBOR raced close to the heels of GREEN LASER. Passing the 900 Metres, ABOVE raced tight between CALIFORNIA TEN and LONDON HALL which improved to be racing tight outside the heels of CAPTAIN TIGER. CHEVALIER PRINCE lay out rounding the Home Turn. HELENE ALLIBOR had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 200 Metres was shifted to the outside of CHEVALIER PRINCE in an attempt to obtain clear running. CHEVALIER PRINCE then shifted out, resulting in HELENE ALLIBOR being directed back to the inside of that horse to continue improving. Approaching the 200 Metres, PRECISE EXPRESS got its head on the side and lay in behind CALIFORNIA TEN. PRECISE EXPRESS then got its head up when attempting to shift to the outside of CALIFORNIA TEN which itself shifted out under pressure. PRECISE EXPRESS then shifted in away from the heels of CALIFORNIA TEN passing the 100 Metres, resulting in ABOVE being inconvenienced. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LEAP OF FAITH, A Hamelin stated that, in his opinion, the horse’s failure to finish off the race was attributable to LEAP OF FAITH over-racing for a considerable distance in the early and middle stages due to the moderate tempo of the race and also stepping up in distance. He said LEAP OF FAITH would not relax for him in the middle stages and got its head up for some distance when being checked away from the heels of runners in front. He said after being held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn behind ENZEMBLE, LEAP OF FAITH then came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of LEAP OF FAITH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ENZEMBLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ENTRUSTED, CALIFORNIA TEN and PRECISE EXPRESS were sent for sampling.