03/12/2014  Happy Valley  Race 8

VICTORIUS was checked at the start when badly crowded for room between AFFLUENCE OF RAIN and ORIENTAL PROSPER which shifted in after being bumped by JOYFUL THE GREAT. In this incident, AFFLUENCE OF RAIN became badly unbalanced after being heavily bumped on the hindquarters by VICTORIUS. From the outside barriers, FUN KINGDOM, MASTER PINNACLE and NATURAL FRIENDSHIP were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early part of the Straight, ORIENTAL PROSPER shifted in and bumped AFFLUENCE OF RAIN. GRIMMY was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 200 Metres was checked when disappointed for running where there was insufficient room between JOYFUL THE GREAT and YOU ARE THE ONE, both of which were giving ground. Near the 100 Metres, JOYFUL THE GREAT was momentarily steadied when crowded for room between AFFLUENCE OF RAIN and VICTORIUS which shifted out. Close to the finishing line, AFFLUENCE OF RAIN was shifted in away from the heels of ORIENTAL PROSPER and consequently was not able to be ridden all the way to the end of the race. When questioned regarding his riding of YOU ARE THE ONE particularly after the 800 Metres, Apprentice C Y Lui stated that he had been instructed to try and obtain a forward position on YOU ARE THE ONE and lead if possible. He said entering the Back Straight he was racing to the outside and behind GENTILIS. He said after the 900 Metres it appeared to him that GENTILIS was being steadied and rather than fight with YOU ARE THE ONE in an endeavour to remain racing off GENTILIS, he elected to allow the horse to stride forward which resulted in YOU ARE THE ONE gaining a slight advantage over GENTILIS after the 700 Metres. He added YOU ARE THE ONE came under pressure prior to the Home Turn and then weakened out of the race in the Straight. He said in hindsight he believed that he should have made an attempt to steady YOU ARE THE ONE rather than racing in advance of GENTILIS. The Stewards advised Apprentice Lui that although he is an apprentice jockey, given his experience in Hong Kong, he should have shown more judgement at this time and made an attempt to steady YOU ARE THE ONE given the tempo of the race and given that YOU ARE THE ONE was not in a position to cross GENTILIS to his inside. He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts with the required amount of judgement so that they are able to close off their races as best as possible. A veterinary inspection of YOU ARE THE ONE and JOYFUL THE GREAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SEASONS STAR and GENTILIS were sent for sampling.