30/11/2016  Happy Valley  Race 8

CELESTIAL NOVA began awkwardly. BRING IT ON began only fairly. From wide barriers, STAR SUPERIOR and PENANG HALL were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the first turn, FANTASTIC FEELING was steadied away from the heels of WONDERFUL JOURNEY which shifted in. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, CELESTIAL NOVA raced tight between ALWAYS WIN and VICTORY MARVEL. COURAGEOUS BROTHER, which was following CELESTIAL NOVA, was shifted out away from that horse, resulting in STAR SUPERIOR being inconvenienced. Approaching the 750 Metres, FANTASTIC FEELING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of I'M A WITNESS. When questioned, N Rawiller stated that with the blinkers removed tonight, he had been asked to ride HAPPY BAO BEI in about 5th or 6th position with cover if possible. He said shortly after the start it appeared as though VICTORY MARVEL may be able to obtain a position close to the rail as a gap had opened up to that horse's inside and he positioned HAPPY BAO BEI to take advantage should that eventuate. He said to ensure that HAPPY BAO BEI was in a position to take advantage of this opportunity, he gave the horse a slap down the shoulder with the whip passing the 1100 Metres. He said however that VICTORY MARVEL was left racing in a three wide position approaching the 1000 Metres when CELESTIAL NOVA improved to the inside of that horse. He added passing the 1000 Metres VICTORY MARVEL was able to shift in to a position one horse off the rail which left HAPPY BAO BEI racing in a three wide position without cover outside CELESTIAL NOVA. He said CELESTIAL NOVA shifted out after the 700 Metres, resulting in HAPPY BAO BEI being taken wider and consequently HAPPY BAO BEI was ridden further back in the field than had been intended and without cover throughout. Mr Y S Tsui, the trainer of HAPPY BAO BEI, will be interviewed prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 4 December 2016 regarding the instructions that were issued to Jockey Rawiller for tonight's race. A veterinary inspection of WHO ELSE BUT YOU immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WHO ELSE BUT YOU, WONDERFUL JOURNEY and I'M A WITNESS were sent for sampling.