12/12/2021  Shatin  Race 3

NORDIC SKY shifted out at the start and bumped PERFECT TO GREAT. CHAMPION DRAGON began awkwardly and after travelling a short distance became unbalanced when racing tight inside ENTRUSTED. After the 1300 Metres, CHAMPION DRAGON shifted out towards the heels of HELENE ALLIBOR. Then near the 1200 Metres, CHAMPION DRAGON got its head up when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed inside the heels of HELENE ALLIBOR which shifted in. After being crossed by HELENE ALLIBOR passing the 1200 Metres, CHAMPION DRAGON continued to travel keenly. After the 400 Metres, SUPERBELLA was bumped by ROYAL PRIDE which shifted out away from the heels of WORLD FAMOUS. PERFECT TO GREAT had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 250 Metres was awkwardly placed inside the heels of TEMPEST EXPRESS. Near the 250 Metres, NORDIC SKY became unbalanced when crowded for room between ENTRUSTED which shifted out and MURRAY’S PARTNERS which was shifted to the inside of PERFECT TO GREAT. Approaching the 200 Metres, MURRAY’S PARTNERS was shifted out away from the heels of FLYING TURBO. At the 200 Metres, the whip of L Ferraris (ROYAL PRIDE) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of J Moreira (SUPERBELLA). Passing the 150 Metres, PERFECT TO GREAT was shifted out away from behind CHAMPION DRAGON to obtain clear running. When PERFECT TO GREAT was shifted to the outside of CHAMPION DRAGON, CHARITY GO got its head on the side and shifted out away from that horse, resulting in WORLD FAMOUS being momentarily crowded for room inside ROYAL PRIDE passing the 100 Metres. After the race, B Shinn stated that when leading, HELENE ALLIBOR travelled well in the early and middle stages, however, came under pressure immediately upon entering the Home Straight. He said after this HELENE ALLIBOR weakened out of the race noticeably. He said the only explanation he could offer for HELENE ALLIBOR’s failure to finish off the race was that it may not have been suited by having to lead today’s race. A veterinary inspection of HELENE ALLIBOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, V Borges (WORLD FAMOUS) stated that, from the outside barrier, he was asked to obtain a position behind the leaders if possible. He said in the early stages he shifted WORLD FAMOUS across to race behind TEMPEST EXPRESS and after the 1700 Metres WORLD FAMOUS got its head up when awkwardly placed outside the heels of TEMPEST EXPRESS. He said when TEMPEST EXPRESS was steadied after the 1600 Metres, this resulted in WORLD FAMOUS having to race further back in the field than had been intended. He added WORLD FAMOUS was left racing wide and without cover near the 1000 Metres and whilst he did give consideration to allowing WORLD FAMOUS to obtain a more forward position at this time, he was of the opinion that he would have had to make use of his mount to do so and therefore he elected to allow WORLD FAMOUS to remain racing outside TEMPEST EXPRESS but in a three wide position and without cover. CHAMPION DRAGON, TEMPEST EXPRESS and CHEVALIER PRINCE were sent for sampling.