N Callan, the rider of TANGMERE, which was fractious in the barriers, was shown the video of the start of this race and warned against the practice of removing his hand away from the reins and placing it on the barrier partition. MURRAY’S PARTNERS shifted out at the start, resulting in PRESIDENT STAR being taken out onto MAGNETISM and GOOD DAYS which became unbalanced after being bumped by MAGNETISM. From the outside barriers, LONDON HALL and VILLA FIONN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1700 Metres, BULLISH GLORY got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of EXALTATION. Also near the 1700 Metres, TANGMERE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ABOVE which was racing keenly behind MURRAY’S PARTNERS. Then approaching the 1600 Metres, ABOVE became unbalanced when it remained awkwardly placed behind MURRAY’S PARTNERS. After the 1500 Metres, ABOVE was shifted out away from the heels of MURRAY’S PARTNERS and PRESIDENT STAR and allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. At the entrance to the Straight, BULLISH GLORY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of GOOD DAYS. Near the 450 Metres, PRESIDENT STAR and MAGNETISM brushed. Passing the 200 Metres, S de Sousa (ABOVE) dropped his whip. Also passing the 200 Metres, BULLISH GLORY raced tight inside VILLA FIONN. M F Poon (MURRAY’S PARTNERS) was warned against the practice of hitting his mounts down the shoulder with the whip. He was advised that should he offend again in a similar manner in the future, further action may be taken. LONDON HALL, MAGNETISM and GOOD DAYS were sent for sampling.

EPTIWINS began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped ONE HAPPY STAR which became unbalanced. A short distance after the start, EPTIWINS was then crowded for room between ONE HAPPY STAR and MOON PEAKS, both of which shifted ground. MIGHTY VALOR shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of MELBOURNE HALL. SPARKLING STAR and POWER KING bumped on jumping. From the outside barrier, STRONG PROMISE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. MIGHTY VALOR travelled very keenly in the early stages when being steadied to obtain cover. Near the 800 Metres, ONE HAPPY STAR was steadied away from the heels of MIGHTY VALOR which, when continuing to travel keenly, was awkwardly placed inside the heels of POWER KING which was racing tight inside LITTLE THUNDER. INCANTO PREPARED, which was following ONE HAPPY STAR, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 350 Metres, VICTORY FOR ALL raced tight between LITTLE THUNDER and MIGHTY VALOR. Then near the 300 Metres, LITTLE THUNDER was steadied away from the heels of POWER KING after racing tight between that horse which shifted in and VICTORY FOR ALL which became unbalanced after making contact with LITTLE THUNDER. Throughout the race, LITTLE THUNDER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, B Shinn stated that from the wide barrier it was felt that if SPONTANEOUS were to be ridden into a forward position as it had been in some of its trials in the lead up to today’s race, the horse may not be able to finish off the race if it was required to be used up to obtain a forward position. He said he was therefore asked to shift the horse across behind runners in the early stages so as to ensure that it was able to finish off the race. He said after shifting SPONTANEOUS across behind runners in the early stages, his mount travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages, however, after being shifted to the outside of SPARKLING STAR near the 250 Metres then closed off the race well. He added, in his opinion, SPONTANEOUS would be suited by a step-up in distance in its future races. UNDEFEATED and POWER KING were sent for sampling.

TELECOM ROCKET lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began only fairly and then shifted in and brushed CHIU CHOW KID. JOY MASTER began awkwardly. From wide barriers, PARTY EVERYDAY, INVALUABLE and HURRICANE HUNTER were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1200 Metres, TELECOM ROCKET commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed behind GALA NIGHT. At the 300 Metres, JOY MASTER and MILLENNIUM DAWN bumped due to both horses shifting ground. Near the 250 Metres, CHIU CHOW KID and HURRICANE HUNTER raced tight. Near the 75 Metres, WITNESS HUNTER was steadied away from the heels of SONIC FIGHTER (N Callan) which shifted in under pressure. N Callan was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. A veterinary inspection of PARTY EVERYDAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHEERFUL LEADER, SONIC FIGHTER and TELECOM ROCKET were sent for sampling.

CIRCUIT THREE began only fairly and then was steadied away from the heels of MOMENTUM HAPPY which shifted in at the start. BLAZING PARTNERS, which was fractious in the barriers, got its head down and to the left as the start was effected and consequently was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, DESTIN shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of MIGHTY GIANT. DESTIN and MIGHTY GIANT were then crowded for room after travelling a short distance between VITAL SPRING and WAR LORD which shifted in. From the outside barriers, BREEZE OF SPRING and FANTASTIC SHOW were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After this, BREEZE OF SPRING got its head on the side and lay out. Making the first turn near the 900 Metres, BREEZE OF SPRING was left racing wide and without cover and was consequently steadied near the 850 Metres to obtain cover behind DESTIN. When being shifted to the outside of MIGHTY GIANT approaching and passing the 200 Metres, VITAL SPRING was shifted out from behind that horse as MIGHTY GIANT shifted out under pressure. After the race, Z Purton stated that DAILY BEAUTY again raced greenly. He said due to the horse’s immaturity, DAILY BEAUTY did not close off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of DAILY BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WAR LORD immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and also to have bled from both nostrils. Before being allowed to race again, WAR LORD will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FANTASTIC SHOW, CIRCUIT THREE and MIGHTY GIANT were sent for sampling.

KA YING STAR began only fairly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of RATTAN which in turn shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of BEAUTY GENERATION which became unbalanced and shifted out, causing RATTAN to also become unbalanced when crowded for room. When RATTAN became unbalanced, it shifted out and bumped KA YING STAR which in turn shifted out and bumped FURORE which raced tight inside SOUTHERN LEGEND. Passing the 400 Metres, FURORE shifted out and brushed SOUTHERN LEGEND. Passing the 350 Metres, CITRON SPIRIT was shifted to the inside of RATTAN to obtain clear running. After the race, H Bowman was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of FURORE. A veterinary inspection of FURORE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WAIKUKU and BEAUTY GENERATION were sent for sampling.

CALIFORNIA GUNGHO began very awkwardly, resulting in its rider, B Shinn, becoming unbalanced. DIAMOND BRILLIANT shifted out at the start, resulting in SEVENTH SEA being hampered. From wide barriers, MORE THAN A HORSE, GOOD BEAUTY and SUPER FAST were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, SEVENTH SEA and SUPER FAST raced tight. Near the 800 Metres, PING HAI GALAXY was left racing wide and without cover. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he was not given any firm instructions on how to ride FENRIR other than to be aware that the horse has a history of hanging out and he should be mindful of this during the race. He said after the 1100 Metres FENRIR commenced to travel keenly and immediately got its head on the side and lay out. He said passing the 1000 Metres he was following SHINING GEM and had hoped to maintain this position, however, he had to apply heavy pressure to his right rein to prevent FENRIR from hanging out and because of this he was not able to maintain his position behind SHINING GEM. He added making the turns FENRIR hung out and proved awkward to ride and it was not until after entering the Home Straight that the horse commenced to race more truly. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on FENRIR at the request of Trainer K H Ting. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, FENRIR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VALIANT DREAM and LOCKHEED were sent for sampling.

PREMIERE was withdrawn on 16.1.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (injury to tongue). Before being allowed to race again, PREMIERE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAT THE CLOCK began only fairly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of MR STUNNING. Passing the 900 Metres, HOT KING PRAWN and FULL OF BEAUTY raced tight as HOT KING PRAWN maintained its position away from the rail and FULL OF BEAUTY (Z Purton) shifted in. HOT KING PRAWN then raced tight between THANKS FOREVER and FULL OF BEAUTY passing the 800 Metres. Z Purton was advised to ensure that he does not place undue pressure on other runners in races. Approaching the 300 Metres, WISHFUL THINKER raced tight inside THANKS FOREVER. When questioned regarding his riding of HOT KING PRAWN in the early stages, K Teetan stated that when discussing the matter with Mr J Size, the trainer of HOT KING PRAWN, it was felt that from the outside barrier THANKS FOREVER would be ridden positively to lead as the horse had been ridden in that manner in the Jockey Club Sprint in November last year. He said as it was anticipated that THANKS FOREVER was the only other speed horse in the race, in the event that THANKS FOREVER attempted to obtain the lead, he should allow that horse to cross HOT KING PRAWN and shift to the outside of THANKS FOREVER. He said when THANKS FOREVER was ridden to clear runners to his inside, he remained racing away from the rail with a view to fulfilling his instructions and obtaining a position to the outside of THANKS FOREVER. He said as he did this FULL OF BEAUTY was allowed to improve its position forward of HOT KING PRAWN and obtained the position outside THANKS FOREVER which required him to take a trail behind FULL OF BEAUTY near the 700 Metres. He added although the race was not run at a quick tempo in the early stages, he felt that remaining racing away from the rail and allowing THANKS FOREVER to cross in accordance with his instructions would allow HOT KING PRAWN the best opportunity to finish off the race, however, with FULL OF BEAUTY obtaining a forward position, this resulted in HOT KING PRAWN racing behind the speed rather than outside the leader. Mr Size confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Teetan and said that he was concerned if THANKS FOREVER was ridden positively as it was previously, HOT KING PRAWN may be left racing behind that horse and he wanted to ensure that HOT KING PRAWN was afforded clear running. He said for this reason he instructed Jockey Teetan to shift to the outside of THANKS FOREVER in the event that that horse was ridden positively. He said after viewing the early sectionals of the race it may have been better had HOT KING PRAWN continued into lead, however, he was satisfied with Jockey Teetan’s riding given the instructions he had received. K Teetan was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that he was riding HOT KING PRAWN to instructions, given the slow early sectional, in their opinion, he should have allowed HOT KING PRAWN to continue into the lead for longer to test whether the rider of THANKS FOREVER was intent on leading. He was told, given his instructions, the matter would not be taken any further, however, he must always ensure that he rides his mounts having consideration to the circumstances and tempo of the race. BEAT THE CLOCK and THANKS FOREVER were sent for sampling.

REEL BIZZY stumbled at the start. FOLLOW ME shifted out at the start and bumped CHARIZARD which in turn shifted out and bumped TOTAL POWER. From wide barriers, GIFT OF LIFELINE and NATURAL WINNER were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. MONGOLIAN KING was also shifted across to obtain cover shortly after the start. Approaching the 1100 Metres, THE DRIVE momentarily raced tight inside LADY FIRST which, when racing wide, was allowed to improve its position. Approaching and passing the 900 Metres, SOLOMON’S BAY, which was travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed behind TOTAL POWER. SOLOMON’S BAY continued to travel keenly and making the turn after the 900 Metres shifted out and bumped FOLLOW ME. SOLOMON’S BAY was then checked away from the heels of TOTAL POWER near the 750 Metres, clipped the heels of that horse and stumbled. GIFT OF LIFELINE, which was racing to the inside of SOLOMON’S BAY at this stage, was inconvenienced. After the 900 Metres, THE DRIVE was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, THE ROCK was awkwardly placed behind FOLLOW ME which shifted to the outside of THE DRIVE. At the 350 Metres, THE ROCK was shifted out away from the heels of FOLLOW ME which was taken out by THE DRIVE which, after being brushed by TOTAL POWER, then got its head on the side and shifted out away from that horse. At the 200 Metres, SOLOMON’S BAY was steadied when crowded for room between REEL BIZZY and TOTAL POWER, both of which shifted marginally. When questioned regarding the performance of AMAZING KIWI, K Teetan stated that it was felt that AMAZING KIWI would be suited by the return to Sha Tin today and that having drawn the inside barrier the horse would obtain a nice run behind the anticipated leader MY ALLY. He said after obtaining this position AMAZING KIWI travelled well albeit on occasions in the middle stages it was inclined to travel too keenly. He said when MY ALLY quickened at the entrance to the Straight AMAZING KIWI was not able to show the same turn of foot as that horse and did not quicken as it had for him in the past, particularly when the horse raced first up at Sha Tin. He added AMAZING KIWI came under heavy pressure after the 400 Metres and then was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING KIWI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of AMAZING KIWI, favourite for today’s race and which finished at the rear, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, AMAZING KIWI 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 TOTAL POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. AMAZING KIWI, MY ALLY and MONGOLIAN KING were sent for sampling.

DUKE WAI began only fairly and then was bumped by RAGING STORM which was taken in by STRONGER. CALIFORNIA WHIP shifted out at the start and inconvenienced LOVING A BOOM. From the outside barriers, WATER DIVINER and GUNNISON were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. LITTLE BIRD and KING OF HEARTS were also steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. After the 900 Metres, CALIFORNIA WHIP was left racing wide and without cover. Also after the 900 Metres, WATER DIVINER shifted in and bumped LITTLE BIRD. For some distance after the 300 Metres, DUKE WAI was awkwardly placed behind COMPUTER PATCH when being shifted to the outside of that horse. DUKE WAI and STRONGER then raced tight passing the 200 Metres as DUKE WAI improved into tight running between those horses as COMPUTER PATCH shifted out under pressure. TELECOM PUMA was awkwardly placed outside DUKE WAI as that horse was being shifted to the outside of COMPUTER PATCH. After racing tight outside DUKE WAI, STRONGER got its head on the side and shifted out away from that horse after the 200 Metres, resulting in GOLD CHEST being inconvenienced and shifted out away from STRONGER, causing LOVING A BOOM to also be inconvenienced. When questioned regarding his riding of DUKE WAI in the early part of the Straight, K Teetan stated that passing the 350 Metres he was aware that a run was developing to the inside of COMPUTER PATCH. He said near the 300 Metres he considered improving to the inside of COMPUTER PATCH, however, he was concerned that that horse would lay in and therefore resulting in DUKE WAI not being able to proceed between that horse and the leader BEAUTY APPLAUSE. He said therefore after the 300 Metres he directed DUKE WAI to the outside of COMPUTER PATCH and after being very awkwardly positioned behind that horse was able to improve into tight running near the 200 Metres. He said he was aware that COMPUTER PATCH was shifting out under pressure after the 250 Metres but at this stage he had already committed to come to the outside of COMPUTER PATCH. He added the principal difficulty that he had in securing clear running to the outside of COMPUTER PATCH was as a result of that horse shifting out under pressure. A veterinary inspection of WATER DIVINER and LOVING A BOOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DUKE WAI and BEAUTY APPLAUSE were sent for sampling.

UNITE SPIRIT began only fairly and then lost ground after shifting in towards the heels of SUCH A HAPPINESS. CHAMPION SUPREME began awkwardly. BELLAGIO was slow to begin. JIMMU (H N Wong) was checked on jumping when crowded for room between MR ALDAN which shifted out and SUPER BULLET which, after initially shifting in, was taken in further by EVERYONE’S JOY. In this incident, MR ALDAN became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by JIMMU. After the race, H N Wong reported that it was intended for JIMMU to be ridden in a forward position, however, after being checked was required to race back in the field. From the outside barrier, UNIVERSAL GO GO was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, SUPER BULLET was bumped by EVERYONE’S JOY which was taken in by AMAZING LUCK which shifted in before being directed out abruptly to relieve the tightening to horses on its inside. Passing the 1500 Metres, UNITE SPIRIT got its head up when racing keenly and near the 1450 Metres was checked away from the heels of ENZEMBLE. After this, UNITE SPIRIT continued to race keenly. After the 900 Metres, SUPER BULLET was left racing wide and without cover. CHARITY GO had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 350 Metres, I DO was shifted to the outside of ENZEMBLE to obtain clear running and in doing so brushed CHAMPION SUPREME. Approaching the 150 Metres, SUCH A HAPPINESS was shifted to the outside of CHARITY GO after being disappointed for running between that horse and MR ALDAN which was giving ground. J Moreira stated that after travelling keenly and being inclined to lay in, EVERYONE’S JOY did not close off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of EVERYONE’S JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. S de Sousa reported that as MR ALDAN was racing up in distance today, he was asked to ride the horse positively. He said after being able to obtain a prominent position outside the lead, MR ALDAN came under heavy pressure after the 400 Metres and then did not finish off the race. He added, based on the manner in which MR ALDAN weakened in the Straight, he was of the opinion that the horse may be better suited by being ridden more quietly. A veterinary inspection of MR ALDAN immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. After the race, G van Niekerk reported that his saddle shifted back on BELLAGIO in the early stages which placed him at a disadvantage. An endoscopic examination conducted on BELLAGIO, which was making an abnormal respiratory noise, found that horse to have an entrapped epiglottis. A veterinary inspection of SUCH A HAPPINESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. SMART PATCH, CHAMPION SUPREME and ENZEMBLE were sent for sampling.