ISHVARA shifted out at the start and inconvenienced GARLIC YEAH. MANAGEMENT STAR began awkwardly and bumped the outside of its barrier stall, resulting in the horse losing ground. MANAGEMENT STAR was then ridden along in the early stages to make up lost ground and near the 2000 Metres commenced to prove difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of CLEMENT LEGEND. When being checked away from CLEMENT LEGEND, MANAGEMENT STAR shifted out and bumped SMART BABY. After this, MANAGEMENT STAR continued to prove very difficult to settle and after being awkwardly placed behind CLEMENT LEGEND for some distance was shifted to the outside of that horse near the 1900 Metres and allowed to improve its position into the lead passing the 1600 Metres. SMART BABY and HAPPY ROCKY were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 1200 Metres, HAPPY ROCKY and SMART BABY raced tight as HAPPY ROCKY attempted to shift away from the rail. When unable to shift out, HAPPY ROCKY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD DAYS near the 1100 Metres. Passing the 400 Metres, GOOD DAYS was crowded for room between CLEMENT LEGEND and ISHVARA (M L Yeung) which shifted out away from the heels of MANAGEMENT STAR before being shifted back in behind that horse. M L Yeung was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he exercises more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SMART BABY, Z Purton stated that he had to ride his mount along at periods during the race to prevent HAPPY ROCKY shifting out on its inside and taking SMART BABY wider. He said this resulted in SMART BABY becoming unbalanced at times and, in his opinion, was the principal reason for the horse not finishing off the race. A veterinary inspection of SMART BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ISHVARA had sustained wounds over the outside of the left hind cannon, fetlock and pastern. Before being allowed to race again, ISHVARA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MANAGEMENT STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CLEMENT LEGEND and GARLIC YEAH were sent for sampling.

NASHASHUK shifted out at the start and hampered PADDINGTON. A short distance after the start, NASHASHUK was checked when crowded for room between PADDINGTON and REGENCY HONEY which shifted out before being corrected by its rider. JUMBO BUS was crowded for room on jumping between GREAT SON and HAPPY OUT THERE which shifted in abruptly. In this incident, GREAT SON became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by JUMBO BUS. Approaching the 800 Metres, SHOW MISSION raced tight between PADDINGTON and GREAT SON which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to SHOW MISSION. A short distance after this, SHOW MISSION raced tight outside PADDINGTON which shifted out marginally. Passing the 700 Metres, GREAT SON was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 200 Metres, Z Purton (SHOW MISSION) momentarily dropped his left rein. Passing the 200 Metres, NASHASHUK (J Moreira) was shifted to the outside of REGENCY HONEY to obtain clear running after being disappointed for a run inside that horse. After the race, J Moreira reported that NASHASHUK did not feel comfortable in its action throughout the race. He said he had ridden NASHASHUK in its final barrier trial leading up to tonight’s race and it had performed well in that trial and felt free in its action. He said however the horse did not stretch out tonight which he reported to the Veterinary Officer straight after the race. A veterinary inspection of NASHASHUK immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, NASHASHUK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Over the concluding stages, GREAT SON lay in under pressure. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on TRENDIFUL at the request of Trainer K H Ting. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, TRENDIFUL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of JUMBO BUS immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer”. A veterinary inspection of PADDINGTON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NASHASHUK, SHOW MISSION and CARRY TO WIN were sent for sampling.

After being loaded into the barriers, IMPECCABLE FELLOW became very fractious and reared on a number of occasions. Before being allowed to race again, IMPECCABLE FELLOW will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. CROWN AVENUE was crowded for room on jumping between FAMILY LEADER and IMPECCABLE FELLOW which shifted out. In this incident, FAMILY LEADER became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by CROWN AVENUE. CLEAR CHOICE shifted out at the start and bumped REAL GIANT which in turn shifted out and bumped TAI SMART which became unbalanced. After this, from wide barriers, REAL GIANT and TAI SMART were shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1300 Metres, CROWN AVENUE and CHAMPION SUPREME raced tight. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, CLEAR CHOICE commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind GLORY STAR. Near the 450 Metres, CHAMPION SUPREME was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNNY MAJOR which was being hard ridden. CURLING LUXURY lay out rounding the Home Turn. Over the final 100 Metres, CLEAR CHOICE shifted out under pressure. M Chadwick (IMPECCABLE FELLOW) reported that his saddle shifted back in the early stages. When questioned, H N Wong stated that due to the manner in which LEISURED FEET over-raced last start and consequently failed to finish off the race, he was asked to attempt to obtain a trailing position from the outside barrier in the hope that the horse would be able to close off stronger than it had been. He said in the early stages when the tempo of the race was quite slow, LEISURED FEET was unable to obtain cover and was consequently left racing wide and without cover passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said after the 1200 Metres he commenced to allow LEISURED FEET to improve in order to obtain a position closer to the rail, however, the tempo of the race increased after the 1200 Metres and, despite allowing his mount to stride forward, LEISURED FEET was not able to show sufficient speed to improve its position sufficiently to clear runners to its inside. He said he was reluctant to ride his mount along to obtain a more forward position having in mind that it over-raced last start. He added LEISURED FEET came under pressure after the 800 Metres and then gave ground noticeably after travelling wide and without cover throughout to finish tailed out. The performance of LEISURED FEET was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LEISURED FEET 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 IMPECCABLE FELLOW immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small wound to the outside of the right forearm. A veterinary inspection of GLORY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CHAMPION SUPREME immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. GLORY STAR, CLEAR CHOICE and TAI SMART were sent for sampling.

TENNESSEE BOSS shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of PERFECT TO PLAY which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, GOOD FOR YOU, HEROIC GURU and SMART ROCKET were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, GOOD FOR YOU was checked when crowded for room between SMART ROCKET which shifted in marginally and TENNESSEE BOSS which shifted out. In this incident, SMART ROCKET became unbalanced when directed out abruptly to relieve the tightening to GOOD FOR YOU. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error attributable to this incident, no further action was taken. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, LETSGOFREE was left racing wide and passing the 1300 Metres was steadied towards the rear of the field to obtain cover behind SMART ROCKET. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, C P POWER and FLASH FAMOUS raced tight as FLASH FAMOUS commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERFECT TO PLAY. After being shifted to the outside of PERFECT TO PLAY, FLASH FAMOUS improved its position to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of MULTIGOGO passing the 400 Metres as that horse came under pressure. Then rounding the Home Turn, FLASH FAMOUS stumbled after being checked away from the heels of MULTIGOGO when that horse continued to come under pressure. When FLASH FAMOUS was checked, GOOD FOR YOU, which was racing to the inside and behind that horse, was checked in consequence. HEROIC GURU, which was following FLASH FAMOUS, was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse. LETSGOFREE lost its right front plate at the 450 Metres. Passing the 450 Metres, TENNESSEE BOSS was bumped by C P POWER which attempted to shift out from behind GENTRY. When C P POWER was unable to proceed between GENTRY and TENNESSEE BOSS, C P POWER was awkwardly placed behind GENTRY rounding the Home Turn. C P POWER was then directed to the outside of TENNESSEE BOSS on straightening to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, FLASH FAMOUS was shifted to the outside of PERFECT TO PLAY in an attempt to obtain clear running. FLASH FAMOUS was then unable to obtain clear running over the final 100 Metres when held up behind GENTRY and consequently was not able to be properly tested. Passing the 150 Metres, G van Niekerk (C P POWER) dropped his whip. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MARVEL JOY, Z Purton stated that he was asked to ride his mount positively in the early stages to take up a forward position and he felt that he was able to obtain the lead passing the winning post on the first occasion without having to make undue use of the horse. He said when MULTIGOGO improved to the outside of MARVEL JOY near the 1200 Metres, MARVEL JOY would not relax. He said whilst this provided some excuse for MARVEL JOY being beaten, it would not explain the manner in which the horse came under pressure prior to the Home Turn and then gave ground abruptly in the early part of the Straight. He added he was not able to detect any obvious abnormalities with MARVEL JOY after the race. Trainer C Fownes stated that he was very disappointed with the performance of MARVEL JOY as he anticipated that the horse would race well tonight with the blinkers applied. He said MARVEL JOY’s track work had improved since blinkers were added and as the horse was relaxed before the race, he felt that it would perform well. He added whilst MARVEL JOY had not previously finished off its races strongly, nonetheless he anticipated that with the change of gear and MARVEL JOY being able to take up a forward position, the opportunity presented itself for it to finish off the race well. He said after the race he was not able to identify any obvious abnormalities with MARVEL JOY. A veterinary inspection of MARVEL JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MARVEL JOY, favourite for tonight’s race and which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MARVEL JOY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MARVEL JOY, C P POWER and GOOD FOR YOU were sent for sampling.

CHACHAUP was withdrawn on 15.1.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MANFUL STAR. Before being allowed to race again, CHACHAUP will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, C Y Ho expressed concern regarding the action of ROMAN ODYSSEY. ROMAN ODYSSEY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its left front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, ROMAN ODYSSEY was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, ROMAN ODYSSEY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FLYING MONKEY began awkwardly. BACK IN BLACK was crowded for room on jumping between GOUTEN OF GARO and SUPER EURO STAR, both of which shifted ground. NAVAS shifted out at the start and bumped DOLLAR REWARD. From wide barriers, MANFUL STAR and JOLLY BOUNTIFUL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. DOLLAR REWARD travelled keenly and made the turn after the 1000 Metres awkwardly. Rounding the Home Turn, when under pressure, DRAGON DANCE got its head on the side, lay out and made the turn awkwardly. FLYING MONKEY, which was following DRAGON DANCE, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence and then shifted out further of its own accord, resulting in JOLLY BOUNTIFUL being taken very wide at the entrance to the Straight. In the Straight, SUPER EURO STAR raced with its head on the side and lay in. Close to the finishing line, the whip of N Callan (DOLLAR REWARD) became caught under the whip of J Moreira (JOLLY BOUNTIFUL), resulting in N Callan being momentarily impeded in his use of the whip passing the winning post. When questioned, M L Yeung (DRAGON DANCE) stated that after beginning very well he rode his mount along for a considerable distance in the early stages in an attempt to obtain the lead as instructed. He said, despite riding his mount hard, SUPER EURO STAR showed more early speed and when PHANTOM FALCON was also hard ridden to obtain a forward position, DRAGON DANCE was not able to show sufficient speed to cross those horses and therefore was left racing wide and without cover. He said when the horse had been successful when ridden by him, DRAGON DANCE had been able to dictate the tempo of the race and travelled strongly. He said however when DRAGON DANCE was not able to be ridden in this way tonight, the horse came under heavy pressure after the 500 Metres and then gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SUPER EURO STAR and DRAGON DANCE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the trachea of both horses. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER EURO STAR and DRAGON DANCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NAVAS and DOLLAR REWARD were sent for sampling.

HAPPY WIN WIN began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of EIGHTY EIGHTY which became unbalanced. SEVEN HEAVENS shifted in at the start and bumped EAGLE. WALDORF was awkwardly placed inside the heels of PLAY TO WIN shortly after the start when that horse shifted in. LADY FIRST was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, HANDSOME REBEL was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. SPEED VISION made the first turn near the 1000 Metres very wide and near the 900 Metres was steadied and shifted behind AMBITIOUS HEART to obtain a position closer to the rail. After the 700 Metres, PLAY TO WIN was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 200 Metres, EIGHTY EIGHTY and EAGLE momentarily raced tight inside LADY FIRST which shifted to the inside of BIG FORTUNE to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, AMBITIOUS HEART was bumped by SEVEN HEAVENS which got its head on the side and shifted in away from GAMECHANGERS. A veterinary inspection of EAGLE and SPEED VISION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GAMECHANGERS and WALDORF were sent for sampling. <17/1/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that EIGHTY EIGHTY was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, EIGHTY EIGHTY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

MIGHTY POWER was withdrawn on 15.1.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FEARLESS FIRE (C Schofield). Before being allowed to race again, MIGHTY POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded into the barriers, PRANCE DRAGON was fractious and then as the start was effected was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, PRANCE DRAGON shifted out and bumped PERFECT BUDDY. From a wide barrier, BUOYANT BOY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, NOBLE DELIGHT was bumped by HARRIER JET which shifted out away from the heels of PRINCE HARMONY. Passing the 300 Metres, PRANCE DRAGON, which was endeavouring to improve to the outside of NOBLE DELIGHT, was bumped by STAR OF JOY which shifted in. PRANCE DRAGON then had further difficulty obtaining clear running between NOBLE DELIGHT and STAR OF JOY until near the 200 Metres as a result of NOBLE DELIGHT shifting out marginally under pressure. The Stewards questioned M F Poon regarding his riding of GALLANT RETURN. M F Poon stated that he was instructed from a wide barrier to shift GALLANT RETURN across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. He said whilst the horse had been able to take up a forward position in its recent races, this position had been achieved from an inside barrier draw whereas tonight the horse was drawn towards the outside. He said he was further instructed to shift the horse to the outside of runners if possible in the Straight as the earlier races had indicated to connections that horses were able to finish off their race from wider on the track and therefore there was no necessity to ride for luck and attempt to obtain inside runs which could result in GALLANT RETURN being held up. He said in accordance with his instructions he steadied GALLANT RETURN in the early stages and shifted the horse across behind initially BUOYANT BOY which was also being steadied to obtain cover. He said whilst GALLANT RETURN got further out of its ground in the early stages than he had hoped, he was reluctant, after steadying his mount in the early stages, then to ride it along to improve to the outside of BUOYANT BOY as he was concerned that that horse would then shift into a one-off position which would result in GALLANT RETURN racing three wide at the rear of the field. He said he therefore allowed GALLANT RETURN to shift in to follow BUOYANT BOY approaching the 700 Metres. He said after the 600 Metres he was able to obtain a position closer behind BUOYANT BOY which itself was able to improve its position to be racing behind FEARLESS FIRE. He said he continued to race behind BUOYANT BOY until on straightening at which time he immediately shifted GALLANT RETURN to the outside of that horse and to the outside of the field. He said he placed GALLANT RETURN under heavy pressure in the Straight and the horse then finished off the race strongly. He added, after viewing the video, the horse got further out of its ground than he felt during the race, however, he reiterated that he was reluctant to improve to the outside of BUOYANT BOY so as not to cover unnecessary ground. After considering all the circumstances of this case, M F Poon was severely reprimanded and advised that his riding of GALLANT RETURN in the early and middle stages bordered on breaching a significant Rule of Racing. He was further advised that his lack of judgement in allowing GALLANT RETURN to get out of its ground in the early and middle stages caused the Stewards considerable concern and that his riding of the horse until the 400 Metres had come under notice. He was told his ride on GALLANT RETURN was not up to the standard expected of a jockey licensed to ride in Hong Kong. A veterinary inspection of PRINCE HARMONY immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, PRINCE HARMONY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRANCE DRAGON, STAR OF JOY and POWERMAX were sent for sampling.

CALIFORNIA TURBO and GREEN LUCK bumped shortly after the start. From wide barriers, ACCLAIMED LIGHT, SPIRIT, HAPPY DRAGON and NORDIC WARRIOR were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HAPPY DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of SPIRIT (K Teetan) which shifted in when not properly clear. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, CALIFORNIA TURBO was left racing wide and without cover and was consequently allowed to improve its position closer to the rail after the 1000 Metres. Passing the 850 Metres, HAPPY DRAGON travelled keenly. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, CALIFORNIA TURBO came under pressure, shifted out and bumped BANK ON RED, causing both horses to become unbalanced. When CALIFORNIA TURBO shifted out, GREEN LUCK, which was following, improved quickly to be racing to the inside of that horse. Then passing the 500 Metres, CALIFORNIA TURBO, which was commencing to give ground, was momentarily crowded for room between GREEN LUCK and BANK ON RED, both of which shifted slight ground. When CALIFORNIA TURBO lost ground in this incident, NITRO EXPRESS, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted out, resulting in LET’S TAKE IT EASY also being hampered and taken wider. After this, CALIFORNIA TURBO gave ground noticeably and finished tailed out. The performance of CALIFORNIA TURBO was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA TURBO 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 CALIFORNIA TURBO immediately following the race found that horse to have been struck into the right hind fetlock and stifle. Passing the 400 Metres, NORDIC WARRIOR raced in restricted room when improving into tight running between ACCLAIMED LIGHT and CALIFORNIA TURBO which continued to give ground. This resulted in NORDIC WARRIOR being steadied. SPIRIT, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After the 400 Metres, HAPPY DRAGON improved into tight running between CALIFORNIA TURBO and LET’S TAKE IT EASY. Passing the 200 Metres, RELENTLESS ME raced tight inside GREEN LUCK which got its head on the side and lay in. Near the 150 Metres, HAPPY DRAGON, which was closing off the race, was directed to the outside of NITRO EXPRESS to continue improving. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SPIRIT had sustained a wound to the left hind fetlock. A veterinary inspection of LET’S TAKE IT EASY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BANK ON RED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. WARM THE VOICE and GREEN LUCK were sent for sampling.