21/10/2009  Happy Valley  Race 8

Shortly after the start, MASTER GUNNER, MAN IN THE MIRROR and SLEEP WELL were crowded for room inside FLORAL PICASSO which shifted in. When BILLION shifted out near the 1200 Metres, LUMINOUS then raced wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. Passing the 1200 Metres, GOLD WINNER was steadied away from the heels of JUGGERNAUT. When questioned, Y T Cheng (BILLION) said that he had been instructed from barrier 1 to allow EASY AHEAD, which had drawn directly to his outside, to cross in front of his mount as it was anticipated this horse would lead the race. He said that he was able to obtain this position in the early stages, however, approaching the 1100 Metres BILLION commenced to over-race badly and for this reason he allowed the horse to shift away from the fence to race outside and behind of EASY AHEAD. He said when he did this, BILLION continued to over-race for a short distance, but passing the 1000 Metres commenced to race more kindly. He said BILLION then travelled well outside and at the hindquarters of EASY AHEAD. When questioned, G Mossé (JUGGERNAUT) stated that it was anticipated that the two horses drawn directly to his inside, that being BILLION and EASY AHEAD, would lead which would provide JUGGERNAUT the opportunity to obtain the rails behind those horses. He said he was also instructed should either of those horses be slow to begin, it would be acceptable for him to lead the race. He said when EASY AHEAD and BILLION both began well, he was able to obtain a position on the fence behind those horses. He added when BILLION shifted out at the 1100 Metres, he was then able to improve his position behind EASY AHEAD. W M Lai (FLORAL PICASSO), which had drawn barrier 11 tonight, said it was anticipated there would be a number of runners that would go forward from inside barriers and for this reason he was instructed to obtain a position in 3rd, 4th or 5th if possible. He said it was explained to him that at its most recent start, use had to be made of FLORAL PICASSO to obtain a forward position and for this reason, with the anticipated speed drawn to the inside, it was felt he would be able to obtain a forward position with cover. The Stewards will interview Trainer K W Lui (BILLION) and Trainer A S Cruz (FLORAL PICASSO) regarding their instructions on these horses prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday 25 October 2009. A veterinary inspection of LUMINOUS, LHOJONG and TOY STORY after the race did not show any significant findings. EASY AHEAD and JUGGERNAUT were sent for sampling.