BONITO began awkwardly. SUNNY ORIENT shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of BIG BULLY. BEST GIFT shifted in at the start and bumped NEVER BETTER. Shortly after the start, DARING HEART raced tight between BEST GIFT which shifted out and INVESTOR BOOM. A short distance later, DARING HEART commenced to buck, resulting in the horse shifting in abruptly which resulted in BEST GIFT and NEVER BETTER being checked and DARING HEART losing a significant amount of ground. DARING HEART then continued to lose ground when badly unbalanced as it continued to buck. A veterinary inspection of DARING HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Mr D E Ferraris, the trainer of DARING HEART, stated that it is his intention to recommend to the owners that the horse be retired. Mr Ferraris was advised that if the owners of DARING HEART did not wish to retire the horse, it would be recommended to the Club’s Board of Stewards that the horse be compulsorily retired. Passing the 1000 Metres, BEST GIFT commenced to prove very difficult to settle. After the 800 Metres, BEST EFFORT was awkwardly placed behind XIANG HUANG QI. HAPPY OUT THERE lost its left front plate in the middle stages. Passing the 500 Metres, FLYING NOBLE raced tight between HAPPY OUT THERE and BEST EFFORT which shifted out from behind XIANG HUANG QI. Then near the 450 Metres, FLYING NOBLE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of INVESTOR BOOM when being shifted out into tight running between that horse and HAPPY OUT THERE. For some distance after the 400 Metres, BIG BULLY was badly held up for a run behind INVESTOR BOOM and passing the 300 Metres was shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BINGO HERO, K Teetan stated that he was asked to try and have BINGO HERO begin well and take up a position wherever the horse was comfortable. He said it was pointed out to him that as BINGO HERO had not been best to begin in a number of its races, it was important for the horse to be able to begin on terms with the field. He said BINGO HERO began very well and he immediately commenced to attempt to obtain a position with cover. He said after shifting in to race outside BIG BULLY approaching the 1100 Metres, BINGO HERO was left racing wide and without cover after the 1100 Metres and in a more forward position than had been anticipated. He said BINGO HERO was then taken wider again by HAPPY OUT THERE which shifted out approaching the 600 Metres. He added after this BINGO HERO got its head on the side and lay out and then did not finish off its race in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of BINGO HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BEST GIFT immediately following the race found that horse to have blood at the right nostril. An endoscopic examination conducted on BEST GIFT found that horse to have bled. FLYING NOBLE and NEVER BETTER were sent for sampling.

TIME TO CELEBRATE began awkwardly and shifted out at the start, resulting in EPIC being crowded for room inside GOLD CHEST which became unbalanced when bumped by EPIC. Passing the 200 Metres, EPIC momentarily raced tight between CALIFORNIA WHIP and SUPERICH (S de Sousa) which shifted in marginally. In this incident, EPIC was struck across the nose by the whip of S de Sousa. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUPERICH, S de Sousa stated that, in his opinion, the horse did not see out the distance of today’s race. He said whilst SUPERICH travelled keenly in the middle stages, this did not explain the horse not being able to finish off the race. He said near the 550 Metres SUPERICH was awkwardly placed behind GOLD CHEST when TIME TO CELEBRATE improved quickly to the outside of SUPERICH as he was attempting to shift SUPERICH to the outside of GOLD CHEST. He said near the 500 Metres he shifted out to follow TIME TO CELEBRATE, however, that horse displayed a better turn of foot in the early part of the Straight and was able to establish a margin over SUPERICH. He added despite being placed under pressure, SUPERICH did not close off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of SUPERICH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TIME TO CELEBRATE and GOLD CHEST were sent for sampling. <25/2/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>SUPERICH, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. SUPERICH was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer F C Lor this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to have a very stiff and restricted action. Before being allowed to race again, SUPERICH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

WAYFOONG CHARMER was withdrawn on 23.2.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY GUY (T H So). Before being allowed to race again, WAYFOONG CHARMER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that LITTLE GENERAL had blood at the mouth. LITTLE GENERAL was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion the horse was suitable to race. After being loaded into the barriers, LUCKY RAINBOW became fractious and reared on a number of occasions. LUCKY RAINBOW then began awkwardly and lost ground. IRON BRAVO shifted in at the start and bumped DOR DOR. LITTLE GENERAL and CHARIZARD bumped at the start. CHARIZARD and LITTLE GENERAL were then hampered a short distance after the start when RED HORSE shifted out. In this incident, KWAI CHUNG ELITE was bumped by LITTLE GENERAL. From wide barriers, EIGHT TRIGRAMS and DIAMOND DRAGON were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After initially racing tight inside HAPPY GUY near the 900 Metres, SIMPLE ELEGANT was then reluctant to maintain its position and, despite being ridden along, lost ground approaching and passing the 700 Metres. When SIMPLE ELEGANT lost ground, CHARIZARD was awkwardly placed behind that horse near the 700 Metres. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, BRAVE BABY shifted out and inconvenienced BINGO. C Schofield (IRON BRAVO) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 800 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in when not clear of RED HORSE, resulting in that horse being hampered when crowded for room inside IRON BRAVO. C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 10 March 2019 and to expire on Thursday, 14 March 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). After the 600 Metres, DIAMOND DRAGON got its head on the side and lay out. Near the 250 Metres, LITTLE GENERAL shifted out abruptly away from the heels of HAPPY GUY. After the 200 Metres, CHARIZARD was shifted in a number of horses to obtain clear running and then near the 100 Metres was shifted further to the inside of BINGO to continue improving. Near the 50 Metres, EIGHT TRIGRAMS raced tight outside DOR DOR. Close to the finishing line, CHARIZARD shifted out and bumped BINGO. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY RAINBOW immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LUCKY RAINBOW, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY RAINBOW will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VOYAGE STAR and BRAVE BABY were sent for sampling.

U Rispoli was fined the sum of $5,000 for striking COOLCELEB in the region of the head with an open hand after being placed in the barrier stalls. DIONYSUS COLLIN and CIRCUIT THREE were slow to begin. SEIZE THE SPIRIT and MARQULA began only fairly. From wide barriers, JOY MASTER and PEARL CHAMPION were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn near the 900 Metres, SOCCER MASTER was awkwardly placed behind MARQULA. After the 700 Metres, BEAUTY ENERGY got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 300 Metres, CIRCUIT THREE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT HARVEST when attempting to improve into running outside that horse and inside JOY MASTER. When being steadied away from the heels of GREAT HARVEST, CIRCUIT THREE shifted out and bumped JOY MASTER which was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of INTREPIC. After this, CIRCUIT THREE was inclined to lay in towards the heels of GREAT HARVEST and became awkwardly placed outside that horse. Approaching the 200 Metres, PEARL CHAMPION was steadied when disappointed for running between MARQULA and DIONYSUS COLLIN which shifted out. After this, PEARL CHAMPION was held up for clear running until near the 100 Metres. After the race, S de Sousa stated that whilst PEARL CHAMPION had difficulty obtaining clear running at times in the Straight, nonetheless, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing as it did not travel well and then was finishing off the race only fairly prior to being held up. A veterinary inspection of PEARL CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Throughout the race, COOLCELEB travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT THREE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHAIRMAN LO, PLANET STAR and HINYUEN SWIFTNESS were sent for sampling.

Apprentice C Wong (HAPPY HAPPY STAR) was fined the sum of $2,000 for failing to present himself to weigh out for this race by the required time. ABOVE was slow to begin. JIN JIN KING began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, ENFOLDING was bumped by LOTUS BREEZE which shifted in after being brushed by THE FULL BLOOM. From the outside barrier, CALLING THE SHOTS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1300 Metres, HAPPY HAPPY STAR became unbalanced. After the 1000 Metres, MARVEL JOY was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 600 Metres, REMARKABLE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WHAMPOA STAR. After the 600 Metres, ABOVE and ENFOLDING raced tight as ENFOLDING improved into tight running between ABOVE and REMARKABLE. After being held up behind JIN JIN KING in the early part of the Straight, WHAMPOA STAR was shifted out away from the heels of that horse approaching the 300 Metres as JIN JIN KING gave ground abruptly. After the race, M F Poon reported that the pace of the race in the early stages was strong and consequently JIN JIN KING came under heavy pressure after the 600 Metres. He said JIN JIN KING lay in rounding the Home Turn and then tired noticeably in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of JIN JIN KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of JIN JIN KING, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JIN JIN KING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY HAPPY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHUNG WAH SPIRIT and REMARKABLE were sent for sampling. <25/2/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>JIN JIN KING, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. JIN JIN KING was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D J Hall this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, JIN JIN KING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. HAPPY HAPPY STAR, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. HAPPY HAPPY STAR was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K L Man this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY HAPPY STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SUPREME WITNESS was withdrawn on 23.2.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter STRAPPING BAUHINIA (K C Ng). Before being allowed to race again, SUPREME WITNESS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When proceeding to the barriers, Z Purton was dislodged from I DO. I DO then proceeded up to the 1800 Metre chute riderless before being recaptured. On arrival at the Start, I DO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that, in his opinion, the horse was suitable to race. Z Purton was examined by the Chief Medical Officer and passed fit to fulfil his riding engagement. SUNNY POWER and EMPIRE STAR began only fairly. LONDON HALL shifted out at the start and bumped SUREWIN. From wide barriers, VICTORIOUS LEADER, RULETHEROOST, DASHING DART and STRAPPING BAUHINIA were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, RULETHEROOST commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHIU CHOW KID. After the 600 Metres, SUNNY POWER shifted out away from the heels of FAMILY LEADER which was awkwardly placed behind SUREWIN. When being shifted to the outside of FAMILY LEADER, SUNNY POWER and LONDON HALL bumped. Then approaching the 500 Metres, SUNNY POWER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of I DO. SUNNY POWER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 200 Metres, VICTORIOUS LEADER and RULETHEROOST bumped. Over the concluding stages, CHIU CHOW KID got its head on the side, shifted out under pressure and inconvenienced VICTORIOUS LEADER and RULETHEROOST. A veterinary inspection of FAMILY LEADER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. I DO and DASHING DART were sent for sampling.

As the start was effected, CALIFORNIA ARCHER became fractious and then was slow to begin. ASSIMILATE and BALTIC WHISPER were slow to begin. CHEERFULJET shifted out at the start and hampered I AM POWER. Approaching and passing the 400 Metres, REFINED TREASURE was held up for clear running. Near the 300 Metres, CHEERFULJET was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of SAUL’S SPECIAL. A veterinary inspection of BALTIC WHISPER and CALIFORNIA ARCHER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. REFINED TREASURE and SAUL’S SPECIAL were sent for sampling.

GLORIOUS DRAGON began only fairly. From wide barriers, HAPPY SEBRING, DYNAMIC EAGLE and RULE THEE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1700 Metres, RULE THEE momentarily raced tight inside CHEERFUL STAR. For some distance after the 1600 Metres, GLORIOUS DRAGON proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied away from the heels of CLASSIC BEAUTY. Also after the 1600 Metres, GRAND CHANCELLOR commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind ROCKETEER. Approaching the 1300 Metres, GLORIOUS DRAGON again commenced to prove very difficult to settle and became unbalanced after shifting in abruptly towards the running rail when awkwardly placed behind CLASSIC BEAUTY. After initially shifting out approaching the 100 Metres, VINCY then raced tight inside TIANCHI MONSTER over the concluding stages when that horse shifted in under pressure. For the majority of the race, GRAND CHANCELLOR travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of GRAND CHANCELLOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TIANCHI MONSTER and CLASSIC BEAUTY were sent for sampling.

As the start was effected, BRIGHT KID put its head down and consequently lost ground. HAIR TRIGGER began only fairly. Shortly after the start, LASTING FRIENDSHIP shifted out and bumped FLYING TIGER HERO which in turn shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of TANG FLEMING. Passing the 600 Metres, ENDEARING raced tight outside FULL OF BEAUTY which shifted to the outside of CALIFORNIA TURBO. HAIR TRIGGER lost its right hind plate passing the 600 Metres. Approaching the 300 Metres, HAIR TRIGGER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUN SUN FA FA which shifted out. After being shifted to the inside of LASTING FRIENDSHIP passing the 300 Metres, BRIGHT KID was then badly held up when disappointed for a run between FLYING TIGER HERO and LASTING FRIENDSHIP which, after initially being directed in by TANG FLEMING (H N Wong), then shifted in further away from that horse. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that BRIGHT KID had not fully established running inside LASTING FRIENDSHIP, nonetheless H N Wong was advised to ensure that he is aware of his mounts shifting ground. BRIGHT KID was then unable to obtain clear running over the concluding stages and consequently was not able to be properly tested. Near the 150 Metres, FLYING TIGER HERO was awkwardly placed inside LASTING FRIENDSHIP when being shifted to the outside of CALIFORNIA TURBO. A veterinary inspection of HAIR TRIGGER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FULL OF BEAUTY and HONEST WAY were sent for sampling.

OWNERS’ STAR began only fairly. From the outside barriers, HANG’S DECISION and GOOD FIT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn after the winning post on the first occasion, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of KIRAM. KIRAM then raced tight between RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE and KING GENKI which was racing tight inside LAST KINGDOM. For some distance after the 1300 Metres, VOLPINO raced tight inside KIRAM which was taken in by GLORIOUS ARTIST which improved quickly to be racing inside the heels of WON WON TOO (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted in. This resulted in VOLPINO being checked near the 1200 Metres. As the Stewards could not be satisfied to the necessary degree that GLORIOUS ARTIST had properly established running to the inside of WON WON TOO prior to that horse shifting in, they did not proceed to a charge of careless riding. However, Apprentice Wong was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is aware of the positioning of other horses so as to ensure that interference is not caused in races. A veterinary inspection of VOLPINO immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and also found that horse to have sustained a wound to the outside of the left front cannon. Before being allowed to race again, VOLPINO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. At the 600 Metres, WON WON TOO, which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover, was bumped by GLORIOUS ARTIST which shifted out when improving between WON WON TOO and RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE. M Harley (RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 500 Metres he directed his mount to the outside of LAST KINGDOM when not clear of GLORIOUS ARTIST, resulting in RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE shifting out abruptly and causing GLORIOUS ARTIST to be checked and forced wider. M Harley was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 27 February 2019 and to expire on Sunday, 3 March 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). At the entrance to the Straight, MONGOLIAN LEGEND was steadied when disappointed for running between WON WON TOO which was giving ground and UNICRON JEWELLERY which shifted out. UNICRON JEWELLERY was then steadied and shifted to the inside of CHEERFUL GIGGLES to improve. Passing the 100 Metres, UNICRON JEWELLERY was hampered when improving into tight running inside RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE which shifted in under pressure. KIRAM, which was racing to the inside of UNICRON JEWELLERY, was inconvenienced in consequence. The performance of WON WON TOO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WON WON TOO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MONGOLIAN LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING GENKI and GLORIOUS ARTIST were sent for sampling.