WITTY SCHOLAR lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, WITTY SCHOLAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. From the outside barriers, MAKE IT TURBO and YES WE CAN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied to obtain cover approaching the winning post on the first occasion, JOYFUL HEART got its head up and raced keenly. Then after being crossed by TOYCOON after the 1500 Metres, JOYFUL HEART continued to get its head up when awkwardly placed behind that horse. For some distance in the middle stages, OWNERS’ STAR got its head on the side and lay in. Near the 800 Metres, DRAGON COMMANDER was left racing wide and without cover. SUPER FAST was inclined to lay in over the latter stages. MAKE IT TURBO lay in under pressure in the Straight. When questioned, R Maia (SUPER FAST) stated that he was instructed to attempt to obtain cover behind the leaders if possible. He said it was explained to him that SUPER FAST had not been showing as much early speed in its recent races as anticipated and, with the step-up in distance, it was felt that the horse may be able to obtain a more forward position. He said he was asked to obtain cover behind the speed as the horse was carrying top weight in today’s race and it was felt that this would afford the horse with the best opportunity to close off the race. He said after beginning positively he rode his mount along in the early stages and was able to shift across to race on the speed passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said he had hoped to obtain a position behind AMAZING TEENS shortly after passing the winning post on the first occasion, however, OWNERS’ STAR maintained its position to the inside of SUPER FAST and this resulted in SUPER FAST being left racing wide and without cover for some distance after the 1500 Metres. He added when the tempo of the race increased near the 800 Metres, SUPER FAST was then able to shift in to obtain a position with cover behind AMAZING TEENS. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on YES WE CAN at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, YES WE CAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON COMMANDER, MAKE IT TURBO and OWNERS’ STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. YES WE CAN, AMAZING TEENS and TOYCOON were sent for sampling.

MASTERWORK was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind). Before being allowed to race again, MASTERWORK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. THE ELITES began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between TELECOM MISSILE which shifted in marginally and CHUNGHWA JINGSHEN which got its head on the side and shifted out. GOODMANSHIP shifted in at the start and hampered HOLYSHOWCASING. DESTINE JEWELLERY shifted out on jumping and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of AMAZING KNIGHT. Then from the outside barriers, DESTINE JEWELLERY and AMAZING KNIGHT were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Shortly after the start, CHUNGHUA JINGSHEN shifted in and inconvenienced GENERAL TRUMP. Passing the 500 Metres, GENERAL TRUMP was taken wider by THE ELITES (V Borges) which commenced to shift out. Then passing the 400 Metres, GENERAL TRUMP was steadied away from the heels of THE ELITES as that horse continued to shift out into clear running. V Borges was severely reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he must ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. Throughout the race, GOODMANSHIP travelled wide and without cover. After the race, K C Leung stated that he had to commence riding GENERAL TRUMP along prior to the 600 Metres to maintain its position. He said this allowed THE ELITES to shift out rounding the Home Turn, taking his mount wider. He said after being hampered passing the 400 Metres, GENERAL TRUMP then finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of GENERAL TRUMP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GOODMANSHIP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHUNGHWA JINGSHEN and RUN RUN GOOD were sent for sampling.

ABOVE ALL, which was fractious after being loaded into the barriers and reared on a number of occasions, was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, ABOVE ALL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. HAPPY TIME shifted out at the start and bumped FUN N GLORY which in turn shifted out, resulting in FOXHUNTER WAY being steadied when crowded for room inside SOLAR PARTNER. After this, from wide barriers, FOXHUNTER WAY and FUN N GLORY were steadied to obtain cover. Shortly after the start, MY INTELLIGENT was bumped by RING BELLS which was taken out by EASON. Despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, from the outside barrier, COUNTRY BOY failed to muster speed. LUCK STAR made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly, shifted out and brushed the hindquarters of HAPPY TIME. After the 900 Metres, ABOVE ALL was left racing wide and without cover. MY INTELLIGENT got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of VENTO approaching and passing the 700 Metres. Near the 650 Metres, LUCK STAR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RING BELLS. SNOWALOT had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. After the race, B Shinn was not able to offer an explanation for the disappointing performance of VENTO which he said after travelling well behind the speed the horse then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of VENTO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ABOVE ALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SNOWALOT, COUNTRY BOY and EASON were sent for sampling.

FORTUNE PATROL began only fairly. SHANGHAI GRACE began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, INGENIOUS FELLOW and LONDON LUCKYSTAR bumped. From wide barriers, REGENCY GEM and CROWN AVENUE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early stages, RUBY STARS was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1100 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. SHANGHAI GRACE made the turn near the 1200 Metres awkwardly. Near the 900 Metres, INGENIOUS FELLOW was left racing wide and without cover. LUCKY VICTOR lay in in the early part of the Straight. Close to the finishing line, TURF BRILLIANT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LUCKY VICTOR which shifted out under pressure. A veterinary inspection of LONDON LUCKYSTAR immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood and mucus in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LONDON LUCKYSTAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of ANONYMA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY VICTOR, SPEED FORCE and CROWN AVENUE were sent for sampling.

PEGASUS GLORY stumbled badly at the start and then became unbalanced after bumping with CHIRON. This resulted in PEGASUS GLORY racing back in the field and CHIRON losing ground. A veterinary inspection of PEGASUS GLORY immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. EUROMISSILE began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between FIERY DIAMOND and DRAGON BABY which, after being taken in by DURHAM STAR, then shifted in away from that horse. VALIANT ELEGANCE shifted out at the start and bumped CELESTIAL WARRIOR. Shortly after the start, CELESTIAL WARRIOR was momentarily steadied away from the heels of STREET SCREAM which shifted in. Approaching and passing the 800 Metres, DURHAM STAR travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover. EUROMISSILE was left racing wide and without cover after the 800 Metres. For the majority of the race, CELESTIAL WARRIOR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, A Badel stated that he was instructed to ensure STREET SCREAM began well and then ride the horse where it was comfortable. He said STREET SCREAM began very well and he immediately rode his mount along to take advantage of the manner in which the horse began. He said despite being ridden along STREET SCREAM did not show as much early pace as he envisaged. He said as he commenced to shift across to obtain a position closer to the rail, he received a call from the rider of CELESTIAL WARRIOR to his inside which indicated to him that he was not sufficiently clear of that horse to be able to continue shifting across. He said he continued to ride his mount along, however, CELESTIAL WARRIOR was able to improve its position to be racing inside STREET SCREAM and therefore he did not believe it remained available to him to continue attempting to clear that horse as this, in his opinion, would have resulted in him having to make considerable use of STREET SCREAM. He said he therefore elected to steady STREET SCREAM and obtain cover after the 1100 Metres. He said when a number of horses continued to maintain their position inside STREET SCREAM after the 900 Metres, he had to steady STREET SCREAM for a considerable distance as the horse remained racing wide and without cover. He added it was not until making the turn near the 700 Metres that he was able to shift STREET SCREAM across to race behind CELESTIAL WARRIOR, resulting in STREET SCREAM being positioned well back in the field. He said after the 700 Metres he commenced to ride his mount along to improve his position, however, STREET SCREAM was one-paced in the Straight and finished off the race only fairly. A Badel was told that his explanation would be reported, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have persisted in clearing CELESTIAL WARRIOR in the early stages which would have afforded him the opportunity to shift across with VALIANT ELEGANCE and obtain a trailing position behind the speed and in a more forward position than the horse was ultimately required to race in today. After the race, R Maia stated that CHIRON did not feel comfortable racing on the All Weather surface today for the first occasion. A veterinary inspection of CHIRON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PEGASUS GLORY, VALIANT ELEGANCE and FIERY DIAMOND were sent for sampling.

UNICORNBABY and TURQUOISE ALPHA bumped at the start. PINS PRINCE began awkwardly and brushed the inside of its gate before shifting in and bumping BEST FOR YOU. BEST FOR YOU then shifted in away from PINS PRINCE, resulting in NOBLE STEED being crowded for room outside TURQUOISE ALPHA. NIMBLE NIMBUS shifted in at the start and bumped MILLENNIUM FALCON which was crowded for room outside EASY FORTUNE which shifted out. From the outside barriers, BOOMING WELL and THE MULTIPLIER were steadied to obtain cover in the early stages. For some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, MILLENNIUM FALCON travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EASY FORTUNE which approaching the 900 Metres was steadied to obtain cover behind JOYFUL GENIUS. Passing the 1000 Metres, THE MULTIPLIER was bumped and taken wider by BEST FOR YOU which shifted out away from the heels of MILLENNIUM FALCON. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, JADE PHOENIX shifted in and bumped UNICORNBABY, resulting in JADE PHOENIX becoming unbalanced. Near the 650 Metres, NIMBLE NIMBUS was taken wider and without cover by JOYFUL GENIUS which shifted out to follow JADE PHOENIX. After this, NIMBLE NIMBUS and JOYFUL GENIUS raced tight. PINS PRINCE had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 400 Metres was shifted to the inside of UNICORNBABY to obtain clear running. MILLENNIUM FALCON and TURQUOISE ALPHA were held up for clear running after the 400 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, NOBLE STEED was shifted to the outside of SUNNY DELIGHT after being disappointed for running to the inside of that horse. After this, SUNNY DELIGHT gave ground. After the race, K C Leung stated that, in his opinion, the circumstances of today’s race had resulted in SUNNY DELIGHT not being able to finish off the race. He said after obtaining a forward position, SUNNY DELIGHT was taken on in the lead by UNICORNBABY and JADE PHOENIX to its outside which resulted in SUNNY DELIGHT not being able to relax as he had hoped. He added SUNNY DELIGHT made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly and then came under pressure prior to the Home Turn. He said, despite being ridden along in the Straight, SUNNY DELIGHT did not respond to his riding and was not able to close off. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, M Chadwick stated that it was intended for JADE PHOENIX to obtain a trailing position behind UNICORNBABY, the anticipated leader of the race. He said as he was shifting across to obtain a position behind UNICORNBABY passing the 1100 Metres, JOYFUL GENIUS was ridden to obtain a position inside JADE PHOENIX which resulted in JADE PHOENIX racing wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of JADE PHOENIX immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MILLENNIUM FALCON and PINS PRINCE were sent for sampling.

On entering the track, J Moreira was dislodged from CZARSON without incident. SILVER FIG began only fairly. CHANCHENG PRINCE began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of KA YING MASTER. Passing the 1000 Metres, CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT raced close to the heels of SIGHT SUCCESS when obtaining cover behind that horse. Making the turn at the 700 Metres, CHANCHENG PRINCE got its head on the side and shifted out across the heels of CZARSON, resulting in CHANCHENG PRINCE being checked and losing ground. Near the 250 Metres, CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT shifted out and brushed the hindquarters of MAN STAR. CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT then had some difficulty improving between KA YING MASTER and MAN STAR passing the 200 Metres. CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT improved into tight running between KA YING MASTER and MAN STAR near the 100 Metres which resulted in CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT and MAN STAR racing tight. Throughout the race, RED DESERT travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of SILVER FIG and CHANCHENG PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CZARSON, SIGHT SUCCESS and CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT were sent for sampling.

FANTASY shifted out at the start and bumped SUPER FORTUNE. RACING FIGHTER shifted out on jumping and inconvenienced NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE. SEIZING THE MOMENT and PROSECCO bumped shortly after the start. Approaching the 700 Metres, RUN RUN COOL and ASTRO KING were crowded for room between CORDYCEPS SIX which shifted in marginally and ALCARI (C Wong) which shifted out before being directed back in to relieve the tightening. C Wong was reprimanded and told to ensure that he exercises more care when shifting ground than he did on this occasion. CORDYCEPS SIX was held up for clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres and was then directed to the outside of SUPER FORTUNE passing the 250 Metres to obtain clear running. After the 300 Metres, SUPER FORTUNE lay in under pressure. Passing the 200 Metres, METRO WARRIOR and SUPER FORTUNE brushed. A veterinary inspection of RUN RUN COOL and SEIZING THE MOMENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of STRIKING MR C immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. SUPER FORTUNE, ALCARI and METRO WARRIOR were sent for sampling.

PARTY EVERYDAY stumbled on jumping. KING’S CAPITAL shifted out at the start and bumped ULTRA EXPRESS which was crowded for room inside ELITE PATCH which itself was racing tight inside STAR OF YUEN LONG. In this incident, STAR OF YUEN LONG became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by ELITE PATCH. GAMEPLAYER TIMES began only fairly and then was crowded for room between INFINITE POWER and GOLD COMET. From the outside barriers, CROSSFORD and ROYAL PRIDE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SUPER WIN DRAGON was also steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier shortly after the start. ELITE PATCH travelled very keenly in the middle stages and near the 1200 Metres was steadied away from the heels of READY PLAYER ONE. After this, ELITE PATCH continued to travel keenly when racing close to the heels of READY PLAYER ONE. For the majority of the race, FARSHAD travelled wide and without cover and near the 700 Metres was taken wider by ELITE PATCH which, when continuing to be awkwardly placed behind READY PLAYER ONE, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse. Rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, PARTY EVERYDAY lay out under pressure. Throughout the race, GOLD COMET travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of STAR OF YUEN LONG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INFINITE POWER and ULTRA EXPRESS were sent for sampling.

THE IRISHMAN shifted in at the start and bumped GRACYLOVE. After this, from a wide barrier, GRACYLOVE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From wide barriers, MAKE IT QUICK and SICOMORO were also steadied to obtain cover in the early stages. RISE BRETHREN was crowded for room on jumping between SCIENCE PATCH and BEAUTY LEGACY which shifted out. PERFECT PAIR and HALL OF CHAMP brushed on jumping. Approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, ALL BEAUTY commenced to over-race and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of HALL OF CHAMP. BEAUTY LEGACY got its head up when proving difficult to settle and close to the heels of SCIENCE PATCH passing the 1100 Metres. RISE BRETHREN had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and after the 200 Metres shifted out and inconvenienced PERFECT PAIR. Passing the 300 Metres, BEAUTY LEGACY raced in restricted room inside the heels of SKY FOREVER. Passing the 200 Metres, THE IRISHMAN shifted in away from the heels of SCIENCE PATCH and brushed SICOMORO. After the 150 Metres, SCIENCE PATCH shifted out away from THE IRISHMAN and bumped BEAUTY LEGACY. Throughout the race, HALL OF CHAMP and PERFECT PAIR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C Y Ho stated that as THE IRISHMAN has been keen in its track work, he was asked to ride the horse, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong today, quietly from a wide barrier to ensure that it was able to obtain cover and relax. He said it was felt that if the horse were ridden forward, it would not settle and this would not allow the horse the opportunity to finish off the race. He said for this reason he steadied THE IRISHMAN in the early stages and shifted the horse across behind runners and it was initially comfortable to be racing in a three wide position with cover behind ALL BEAUTY. He said when GRACYLOVE shifted out passing the 1200 Metres, this resulted in THE IRISHMAN being hampered when taken wider. He said as there was room to improve closer to the inside rail, he elected to steady THE IRISHMAN passing the 1000 Metres and shift across behind GRACYLOVE and obtain a position one horse off the rail. He said THE IRISHMAN travelled well in today’s race and then in the Straight closed off strongly. When questioned, J Moreira stated that, from barrier 13, he was initially asked to ride SKY FOREVER in a forward position. He said after discussing how the race may be run, it was decided, rather than obtain a forward position, to ride SKY FOREVER with cover if possible. He said after beginning well he shifted SKY FOREVER across in the early stages with a view to obtaining a position behind HALL OF CHAMP. He said however that when a considerable number of runners were positioned inside SKY FOREVER, he was not able to obtain cover and at this time he did not believe it would be in the best interests of SKY FOREVER to continue steadying his mount to obtain cover possibly behind ALL BEAUTY as the race was being run at a slow tempo which would make SKY FOREVER’s task more difficult even if it were able to do so. He added therefore he elected to continue to try and find cover behind HALL OF CHAMP, but as SKY FOREVER was unable to obtain cover, this resulted in the horse having to race very wide and without cover throughout. A veterinary inspection of SKY FOREVER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HALL OF CHAMP and GRACYLOVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SKY FOREVER, BEAUTY JOY and THE IRISHMAN were sent for sampling.