Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite Nitro Express finished willingly following a midfield run to wear down Bullish Smart in deep stretch for a second win over this Valley trip from his past three starts. He was suited by the pace but should remain competitive in the grade. Bullish Smart found one too good after poking his head in front 100m out after tracking a strong pace. A good gate was the key to his improved run. Cheerful Boy wouldn't go down without a fight after setting a brisk pace up front while opening up by three lengths at one point. He won earlier in the term over the Sha Tin 1,600m and on the back of this performance might have another win coming soon. Big Bang Bong ran on steadily after a handy run to fill a Quartet spot. The big weight was his undoing in the end following a last-start win. Hard Ball Get was getting going late down the outside after travelling third from the rear from a wide gate. They went too quick for him to make up the ground but is a winner waiting to happen over the 1,400m or mile at this course if he can draw a proper gate and sit closer in the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (368)-THE HONG KONG CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1650Metres

The Stewards tonight interviewed Trainer R Gibson regarding WUSHU CHAMPION (V301) being a pre-declaration withdrawal for this race due to being treated.

Also interviewed was Mr K M Ma, head lad allocated to Mr Gibson's stable for the current season, Dr P Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation, Dr P Robinson, Veterinary Surgeon and Dr A Lee, Intern at the Equine Clinical Hospital.

WUSHU CHAMPION was withdrawn from this race on Monday, 23 January 2017.

Mr Gibson pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 50(2) in that as the trainer of WUSHU CHAMPION, he did fail in his responsibility for all matters pertaining to the running of his stable and that WUSHU CHAMPION was treated with phenylbutazone on Saturday, 21 January 2017 which necessitated the withdrawal of the horse from this race.

Mr Gibson was fined the sum of $10,000.

Mr Ma was advised that a transcript of tonight's inquiry together with a full report would be forwarded to the Stables Department for their consideration.

Dr Lee was informed that, in the opinion of the Stewards, she had fully complied with her professional responsibilities in respect to this matter and accordingly bear no responsibility for the administration of phenylbutazone to the horse within the recommended withdrawal period.

APACHE SPIRIT began awkwardly and lost ground.

HARD BALL GET and HAPPY ROCKY bumped on jumping.

Shortly after the start, NITRO EXPRESS was shifted away from the heels of BIG BANG BONG which was bumped and taken out by BULLISH SMART which got its head on the side and shifted out away from CHEERFUL BOY which shifted out.

From the outside barriers, HARD BALL GET, HAPPY ROCKY and DIGITAL GENERATION were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After being vigorously ridden along to obtain a forward position, THE SHOW was steadied approaching the winning post on the first occasion and shifted across behind CLASSIC EMPEROR to obtain cover.

CLASSIC EMPEROR travelled wide and without cover until after the 900 Metres at which stage THE SHOW was left racing without cover.

Approaching the 900 Metres, APACHE SPIRIT travelled keenly and got its head up when racing behind BULLISH SMART.

Passing the 100 Metres, NITRO EXPRESS raced tight outside BULLISH SMART which shifted out.

When questioned, N Rawiller stated that after obtaining the lead in the early stages, CHEERFUL BOY commenced to travel strongly after the 1300 Metres.

He said he attempted to steady the tempo on CHEERFUL BOY, however, the horse travelled more keenly so he allowed it some rein after the 1100 Metres in the hope that not fighting against the horse may help it relax.

He said when he did this CHEERFUL BOY continued to travel keenly and for this reason approaching the 1000 Metres he again attempted to steady CHEERFUL BOY as he was aware that the horse was setting a fast tempo.

He added when trying to restrain CHEERFUL BOY, he was reluctant to fight against the horse as he felt that this would be counter-productive given the manner in which the horse was travelling.

He said after the race he recommended to connections that they consider adjusting the head gear carried by CHEERFUL BOY in an endeavour to have the horse relax better during its races.

A veterinary inspection of CLASSIC EMPEROR and APACHE SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

NITRO EXPRESS and BULLISH SMART were sent for sampling.