GREEN LASER was withdrawn on raceday afternoon by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality). Before being allowed to race again, GREEN LASER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FIERY FLYING and HANG’S CHOICE bumped at the start. Near the 350 Metres, HANG’S CHOICE was checked when crowded between FIERY FLYING and SUPER BUDDY (A Atzeni) which shifted out abruptly. As the Stewards were satisfied that A Atzeni had endeavoured to react when his mount commenced to shift ground, he was issued with a severe reprimand and advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to have far better control of his mounts making the Home Turn. Apprentice Y L Chung (LOYAL AMBITION) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1700 Metres he made insufficient effort to prevent LOYAL AMBITION from shifting in when not clear of SUPER BUDDY, resulting in SUPER BUDDY being taken in, crowding the running of FIERY FLYING, causing FIERY FLYING to be checked. After assessing the carelessness grade 1 and the consequences grade 2 and having regard to his record, the Stewards determined the appropriate penalty to be a reprimand. After the race, it was noted that LOYAL AMBITION had lost its left hind plate. A veterinary inspection of SUPER BUDDY and HANG’S CHOICE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY JAI JAI, CLASSIC ARCHI and FIERY FLYING were sent for sampling.

JOY OF SPRING jumped awkwardly and lost ground. DIAMOND DIAMOND and COLONEL bumped at the start. HERO STAR was slow to begin. STORMTROUPER jumped only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, SAVVY CHIC shifted in and brushed MR MAJESTIC. From the outside barrier, YOUNG HORIZON was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 350 Metres, STORMTROUPER, which had been laying out, shifted out towards the heels of DAILY TROPHY when that runner shifted in slightly. As a consequence, STORMTROUPER was checked to avoid the heels of DAILY TROPHY and became badly unbalanced. Z Purton, rider of STORMTROUPER, stated that after this incident he had some concerns with his mount’s action and for this reason he did not fully test it in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of STORMTROUPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance and racing manners of STORMTROUPER were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STORMTROUPER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend in Hong Kong and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Approaching the 200 Metres, WOOD ON FIRE was steadied when disappointed for running between COLONEL and SAVVY CHIC. WOOD ON FIRE was then shifted to the outside of SAVVY CHIC approaching the 100 Metres to obtain clear running and in doing so hampered DIAMOND DIAMOND. Near the 200 Metres, HERO STAR raced tight to the inside of STOICISM which lay in. Approaching the 100 Metres, DAILY TROPHY was briefly held up behind STOICISM and then was shifted to that runner’s outside, resulting in YOUNG HORIZON being taken wider. Over the concluding stages, JOY OF SPRING improved into a narrow run between COLONEL and SAVVY CHIC and as a result raced tight to the finish of the event. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, connections of WOOD ON FIRE, 3rd placegetter, viewed the videos to ascertain if there were grounds for a protest/objection against SAVVY CHIC being declared the winner. When K Teetan, rider of WOOD ON FIRE, and Trainer C W Chang declined to lodge a protest/objection and the Stewards were satisfied that there were no grounds to lodge a protest/objection, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. After the race, A Badel (HERO STAR) reported that his mount coughed during the running of the event. A veterinary inspection of HERO STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, HERO STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, K C Leung (STOICISM) stated that his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event and as a result failed to finish the race off strongly. A veterinary inspection of STOICISM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COLONEL, SAVVY CHIC and JOY OF SPRING were sent for sampling.

SATIRICAL GLORY was withdrawn on 19.9.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, SATIRICAL GLORY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRINCE ALEX was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, JUNE PLANET was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 200 Metres, H Bowman (JUNE PLANET) momentarily dropped his left rein. RELIABLE PROFIT lay in when placed under pressure in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of FLYING SILVER and RELIABLE PROFIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DRAGON STAR, JUNE PLANET and PRINCE ALEX were sent for sampling.

When the tongue tie on CIRCUIT SPLENDOR could not be fitted prior to the event, the horse raced without such gear. The Stewards ruled that permission will not be granted in future for a tongue tie to be applied to the gear of CIRCUIT SPLENDOR. HAR HAR AT HEART jumped only fairly. CRAIG’S MASTER was slow to begin. DASHING TRIUMPH also jumped only fairly and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 200 Metres, CRAIG’S MASTER shifted out slightly, resulting in DASHING TRIUMPH being steadied away from the heels of that runner. Over the concluding stages, VIVA A LA was held up for clear running between HAPPY HORSE and MULTIMORE and as a consequence could not be tested to the finish of the event. HAPPY HORSE raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned, K H Chan (CHARMING STEED) stated that he expected to hold a forward position on his mount, however, despite his efforts throughout the early and middle stages, CHARMING STEED did not show the expected early pace and consequently settled further back in the field than what he had anticipated. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of K H Chan (CHARMING STEED), 6th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out to the finish of the event. When questioned, K Teetan (NOIR RIDER) stated that his instructions were to endeavour to hold as forward a position as possible. He said despite riding his mount along vigorously in the early stages, NOIR RIDER did not respond to his riding and became detached from the main body of the field. He added throughout the middle stages NOIR RIDER continued to be reluctant to stretch out and he had some concerns when it commenced to get its head up through that section of the race. He said once balanced in the Home Straight, NOIR RIDER ran to the line fairly without being in a competitive position. A veterinary inspection of NOIR RIDER immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. The performance of NOIR RIDER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NOIR RIDER 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 CRAIG’S MASTER and HAR HAR AT HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VIVA A LA, TRONIC MIGHTY and HAPPILY FRIENDS were sent for sampling.

MELBOURNE HALL jumped only fairly. STARRY NIGHT was crowded on jumping between STREET CONQUEROR and ISLAND BRIGHT. STARRY NIGHT was then shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages. From a wide barrier, KASI FARASI was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages and near the 1150 Metres became awkwardly placed on the heels of VALIANT ELEGANCE. GALVANIC raced keenly in the early and middle stages and for some distance near the 700 Metres was steadied away from MAGIC SUPREME. VALIANT ELEGANCE, which was following, was steadied as a consequence. Near the 150 Metres, KASI FARASI was shifted to the outside of GALVANIC to secure clear running. Approaching the 150 Metres, STREET CONQUEROR shifted out before being corrected by his rider, K Teetan. ISLAND SURPRISE raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race, H Bowman (MELBOURNE HALL) reported that his mount raced keenly in the run and as a result did not finish the race off strongly. A veterinary inspection of MELBOURNE HALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, L Hewitson (VALIANT ELEGANCE) reported that his mount was not suited by the strong early pace set and as a result found it difficult to make up ground in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of VALIANT ELEGANCE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. When questioned regarding the improved performance of STREET CONQUEROR, Trainer A S Cruz stated that at its first preparation in Hong Kong, STREET CONQUEROR took some time to climatise. He said this preparation STREET CONQUEROR had done well in the stable and dropping down in grade tonight, with the hood being removed and appreciating the Happy Valley circuit were the principal reasons as to why STREET CONQUEROR had improved in tonight’s event. Following the race, it was reported that GALVANIC was distressed. Before being allowed to race again, GALVANIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of ISLAND SURPRISE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STREET CONQUEROR and GALVANIC were sent for sampling.

VIVA HUNTER jumped only fairly. IVY LEAGUE was crowded on jumping by UP AND UP which shifted out. From a wide barrier, DARCI JOY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. WINNING DRAGON was caught wide in the early stages before being allowed to move forward and settle outside the lead near the 1000 Metres. Making the Home Turn, RISING FROM ASHES shifted to the outside of WINNING DRAGON to improve, resulting in UP AND UP being taken out and hampering CAPITAL LEGEND. When questioned regarding the reason why CAPITAL LEGEND lost its position with cover behind UP AND UP near the 700 Metres, A Atzeni stated that approaching that point the pace of the event steadied. He said as a consequence CAPITAL LEGEND was eased away from the heels of UP AND UP, resulting in his mount shifting out and racing three wide. He added shortly after IVY LEAGUE then improved to his inside and he was then unable to resume his position with cover and as a consequence his mount raced wide and without cover from that point. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of UP AND UP, K Teetan stated that his intention was to obtain a forward position with cover. He said in the early stages UP AND UP raced keenly and refused to settle. He said even when provided with a position behind WINNING DRAGON at the 1000 Metres, UP AND UP continued to race too keenly and as a result was left without a finishing effort. Trainer C S Shum stated that UP AND UP had trialed well on 5 September 2023 when it wore blinkers on that occasion and as a result he elected to apply blinkers for the first time on UP AND UP tonight. He added having regard to the manner in which UP AND UP raced this evening, his intention now is to remove blinkers for its next race start. A veterinary inspection of UP AND UP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of UP AND UP was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, UP AND UP 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 WINNING DRAGON and DARCI JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RISING FROM ASHES and CAPITAL LEGEND were sent for sampling.

RATTAN KINGDOM, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin. TORONADO PHANTOM and HIGH RISE SOLDIER bumped at the start. On jumping, SOLID IMPACT was crowded between DANCING CODE and MAJESTIC KNIGHT, both of which shifted ground. ALLGREEKTOME raced keenly in the lead in the early stages. Over the final 150 Metres, SOLID IMPACT had difficulty securing clear running when positioned behind DANCING CODE. Approaching the 100 Metres, DANCING CODE was shifted to the outside of ALLGREEKTOME to improve and in doing so made contact with MAJESTIC KNIGHT. Passing the 50 Metres, HIGH RISE SOLDIER was directed to the inside of ALLGREEKTOME to continue into clear running. After the race, it was noted that SOLID IMPACT had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of SOLID IMPACT and KEEP YOU WARM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DANCING CODE and BEAUTY GLORY were sent for sampling.

LOOKING GREAT was withdrawn on 18.9.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter BUTTERFIELD. Before being allowed to race again, LOOKING GREAT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. THE IRISHMAN shifted in at the start and bumped BUTTERFIELD. Shortly after the start, BERLIN TANGO was crowded between NATURAL STORM which shifted out slightly and RISE BRETHREN which shifted in abruptly. In this incident, RISE BRETHREN and BERLIN TANGO made heavy contact and became unbalanced. Also shortly after the start, GALAXY WITNESS was crowded by HELENE FEELING which was taken in by TELECOM FIGHTERS. For some distance after the start, SPIRITED EXPRESS raced tight to the outside of TURIN REDSUN which shifted out slightly. For a short distance approaching the 1100 Metres, TURIN REDSUN raced keenly and was steadied away from HELENE FEELING. Passing the 250 Metres, BUTTERFIELD was shifted to the outside of THE IRISHMAN to secure clear running. Near the 150 Metres, BUTTERFIELD again shifted out and brushed SPIRITED EXPRESS. K De Melo (NATURAL STORM) was warned for returning to the scales 2 lb overweight after the race. A Atzeni, rider of SPIRITED EXPRESS, 4th placegetter, was warned, under the provisions of Rule 100(2), for not riding his mount out to the finish of the event. In assessing penalty, the Stewards were satisfied that his actions had not prejudiced his placing in the event. After the race, A Badel (EVERYONE’S DELIGHT) stated that he was not satisfied with his mount’s action over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of EVERYONE’S DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, EVERYONE’S DELIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of THE IRISHMAN immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, THE IRISHMAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BERLIN TANGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RISE BRETHREN, HELENE FEELING and NEARLY FINE were sent for sampling.