12/10/2016  Happy Valley  Race 5

NITRO EXPRESS began very awkwardly, shifted out at the start and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of CLASSIC EMPEROR, causing NITRO EXPRESS to be checked and lose ground. Shortly after the start, ENORMOUS HONOUR and INDUSTRIALIST WAY bumped due to both horses shifting ground. From the outside barriers, ACTUARIAT and BEAUTY PRINCE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1400 Metres, BEAUTY PRINCE was left racing wide and without cover. When ACTUARIAT improved its position around BEAUTY PRINCE passing the 900 Metres, ACTUARIAT was taken wider by BEAUTY PRINCE which then shifted to the outside of JOYFUL MOMENTS. This resulted in ACTUARIAT racing wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. At the entrance to the Straight, JOYFUL MOMENTS momentarily raced tight between BEAUTY PRINCE and ENORMOUS HONOUR. For some distance approaching the winning post, JOYFUL MOMENTS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CLASSIC EMPEROR when attempting to obtain tight running between that horse and CHEERFUL BOY. Close to the finishing line, JOYFUL MOMENTS was then steadied when unable to improve between CHEERFUL BOY and CLASSIC EMPEROR which shifted in. When questioned, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he had been asked by Mr C S Shum, the trainer of CHEERFUL BOY, to commence to shift away from the rail after the 500 Metres as it appeared as though a number of horses from earlier races had been advantaged by being positioned closer to the middle of the track. He said passing the 500 Metres he commenced to work away from the rail and then particularly at the entrance to the Straight shifted CHEERFUL BOY out further in compliance with his instructions. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY GENE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ROYAL PARTNER, NITRO EXPRESS and INDUSTRIALIST WAY were sent for sampling.