03/02/2016  Happy Valley  Race 9

DIVINE BOY began only fairly and then shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of HIGH FIVE after being bumped by GOLDEN DEER. A short distance after this, HAPPY YEAH YEAH shifted out and bumped HIGH FIVE. MR GENUINE shifted out at the start and bumped EROICO which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, GOLDEN DEER and BORN IN CHINA were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of LUCKY YEAR (K C Leung) which steadied the tempo when racing outside the lead. Mr GENUINE, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT. Then approaching the 900 Metres, EROICO got its head up when being checked away from the heels of PABLOSKY (Apprentice H N Wong) which also steadied the tempo after obtaining the lead. Both K C Leung and Apprentice Wong were reprimanded and warned against the practice of slowing the tempo too abruptly in races. Passing the 900 Metres, BORN IN CHINA, which was racing keenly, shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MR GENUINE. GOLDEN DEER, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Approaching the 800 Metres, CLEVER BEAVER was left racing wide and without cover. EROICO was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 150 Metres, Apprentice H N Wong dropped his whip. A veterinary inspection of HIGH FIVE and DIVINE BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY YEAR and MR GENUINE were sent for sampling.