EURO LAGO shifted in at the start and brushed HAPPY ALUMNI. COMPASSION SPIRIT and MIGHTY VALOR bumped at the start. COMPASSION SPIRIT then shifted in and made contact with the hindquarters of MELBOURNE HALL, causing both horses to become unbalanced. COMPASSION SPIRIT consequently shifted out and bumped MIGHTY VALOR which became badly unbalanced after initially racing in restricted room inside HARD PROMISE. These incidents resulted in MIGHTY VALOR losing ground. MIGHTY VALOR then proved difficult to settle approaching and passing the 1000 Metres. BLAZING PARTNERS shifted in on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of SACRED TIMING. After this, BLAZING PARTNERS was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. From the outside barriers, CENTENARY IBIS and SIMPLY FLUKE were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 900 Metres, EURO LAGO was steadied away from the heels of COMPASSION SPIRIT (M L Yeung) which, after shifting in of its own accord, then raced tight inside REGENCY MASTER. M L Yeung was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides proper clearance when shifting ground. Approaching the 800 Metres, INCANTO PREPARED raced tight between SACRED TIMING and SPARKLING STAR (T Piccone) which shifted in before being shifted back out to relieve the tightening to INCANTO PREPARED. T Piccone was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Near the 250 Metres, COMPASSION SPIRIT raced tight inside REGENCY MASTER. Approaching the 100 Metres, EURO LAGO was shifted out away from the heels of REGENCY MASTER. Throughout the race, MR DARTHVEGAR and MIGHTY VALOR travelled wide and without cover. L Hewitson (CENTENARY IBIS) was spoken to regarding using the whip on a horse out of contention. A veterinary inspection of MR DARTHVEGAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. HAPPY ALUMNI and SIMPLY FLUKE were sent for sampling.

VOYAGE STAR shifted out at the start and bumped KA YING EXCELLENT. BABY STORM shifted out at the start and bumped DOUBLE TAKE. From the outside barriers, BABY STORM and DOUBLE TAKE were then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SPARKLING LIFE shifted out at the start and bumped JADE PHOENIX. Approaching the 350 Metres, ALL TIMES GRATEFUL shifted in and made contact with BRILLIANT. BRILLIANT then had difficulty obtaining clear running from near the 250 Metres until after the 200 Metres at which stage it shifted to the inside of KA YING EXCELLENT. After this, BRILLIANT became unbalanced when improving into tight running between KA YING EXCELLENT and RESOLUTE which also became unbalanced after being brushed by BRILLIANT. For the majority of the race, BEST SMILE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Moreira stated that it was intended for JADE PHOENIX to be ridden in a forward position. He said his mount began only fairly and both SPARKLING LIFE and PING HAI BRAVO which were drawn either side of JADE PHOENIX began better. He said he would have had to make a lot of use of JADE PHOENIX in the early stages in an attempt to clear SPARKLING LIFE which was drawn to his inside and which was being hard ridden to obtain a prominent position and therefore he was not able to obtain as forward a position in the early stages as he anticipated. He said he then had to ride his mount along in the early stages as JADE PHOENIX, due to its inexperience, was racing greenly and was reluctant to maintain its position. He said after riding JADE PHOENIX along after the 1000 Metres, the horse was reluctant to continue to race between ALL TIMES GRATEFUL and THE RUNNER and therefore he positioned JADE PHOENIX behind ALL TIMES GRATEFUL which was much further back in the field than had been intended. He said he had to continue to ride his mount along approaching and passing the 800 Metres to remain racing behind ALL TIMES GRATEFUL and then after shifting to the outside of THE RUNNER approaching the 500 Metres, JADE PHOENIX made the Home Turn awkwardly. He added, given the manner in which JADE PHOENIX raced today, he recommended to connections that they consider applying head gear to the horse in its future starts in an attempt to have it concentrate in its races better than it did today. When questioned, J Spencer stated that after shifting his mount behind runners from an outside barrier, he had to ride BABY STORM for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres in order to have it improve its position. He said BABY STORM travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages and it was not until rounding the Home Turn that the horse commenced to improve into the race. He said after shifting in away from the heels of BRILLIANT at the entrance to the Straight, BABY STORM was then held up for clear running until after the 300 Metres. He said after shifting BABY STORM to the outside of BRILLIANT passing the 250 Metres, BABY STORM then closed off the race strongly when vigorously ridden hands and heels all the way to the end of the race. He added as BABY STORM was finishing off the race well, he did not believe it was necessary to use the whip as he did not think BABY STORM would close off any stronger. He said he suggested to connections, given the manner in which BABY STORM travelled in the early and middle stages, that the horse would be suited in races over a longer distance. A veterinary inspection of BEST SMILE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SPARKLING LIFE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea and also found the horse to have sustained a minor laceration to the right hind stifle. JADE PHOENIX, PING HAI BRAVO and JUDY’S STAR were sent for sampling.

After being loaded into the barriers, TELECOM ROCKET became fractious, reared and momentarily rested its left front foot on the front barrier gates. TELECOM ROCKET 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, TELECOM ROCKET will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. As TELECOM ROCKET was being reloaded after being examined by the Veterinary Officer, PARTY EVERYDAY became fractious, reared and momentarily got its left front leg over the adjoining barrier partition. PARTY EVERYDAY was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was also suitable to race. RICH AND LUCKY shifted out at the start and bumped CHEERFUL LEADER which then shifted out, resulting in FORTUNE PATROL being hampered. DESTIN and FAMILY LEADER bumped on jumping. From wide barriers, FAMILY LEADER and AMAZING SATCHMO were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. AMAZING SATCHMO raced wide and without cover after the 800 Metres. Rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, COPARTNER ERA got its head on the side and lay in when giving ground. In the Straight, PARTY EVERYDAY raced with its head on the side and lay out under pressure. HOME WIN travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and then lay in in the Straight when giving ground. When questioned, K Teetan stated that, from barrier 4, he was asked to obtain a forward position on WITNESS HUNTER and it was felt that the horse would be able to obtain a position behind the speed and in front of midfield. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages, however, WITNESS HUNTER did not show any early speed. He said when he had ridden WITNESS HUNTER previously, he made a lot of use of the horse in the early stages in an endeavour to obtain a forward position and it did not finish off the race and therefore today he did not believe it would be in the best interests of WITNESS HUNTER to make any further use of the horse in an endeavour to take up a more forward position. He said approaching the 1500 Metres he commenced to shift in to race outside EVER LAUGH as it appeared as though that horse was being shifted across to race on the rail. He said he had to ride WITNESS HUNTER along after the 1400 Metres as the horse was not maintaining its position and when EVER LAUGH remained racing in a position one horse away from the rail near the 1300 Metres, this resulted in WITNESS HUNTER being required to race three wide. He said passing the 1100 Metres EVER LAUGH shifted out which resulted in WITNESS HUNTER being awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse and after this WITNESS HUNTER, despite being ridden along, did not travel well and raced much further back in the field than had been intended. He added WITNESS HUNTER travelled only fairly in the middle stages, however, when shifted to the outside of runners in the Straight finished off the race satisfactorily. A veterinary inspection of HOME WIN and COPARTNER ERA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PARTY EVERYDAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. CHEERFUL LEADER and EVER LAUGH were sent for sampling.

Just prior to the start being effected, MY WINNER turned its head to the right and consequently was very slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, MY WINNER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. LIGHTNING STEED shifted out at the start and bumped GOLDEN FOUR. GOLDEN FOUR was then crowded for room a short distance later between LIGHTNING STEED which shifted out and HAPPY WARRIOR which shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters by GOLDEN FOUR. From wide barriers, SO HAPPY, GALAXY EMPEROR and LASTING FRIENDSHIP were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1000 Metres, GOLDEN FOUR was steadied away from the heels of HAPPY WARRIOR. Near the 850 Metres, YES WE CAN and HAPPY TANGO were crowded for room inside HAPPY WARRIOR which got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly away from TRIPLE TRIPLE (J Moreira) after racing tight inside that horse. J Moreira was advised that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the racing manners of HAPPY WARRIOR had played a significant part in this incident, nonetheless he was reprimanded and told to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. After the 800 Metres, GOLDEN FOUR and LEADING FORTUNE were left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 500 Metres, GOLDEN FOUR raced tight outside HAPPY TANGO which attempted to improve to the outside of HAPPY WARRIOR. At the entrance to the Straight, HAPPY TANGO was shifted to the inside of HAPPY WARRIOR when unable to proceed between that horse and GOLDEN FOUR. At the 400 Metres, SO HAPPY was shifted in away from the heels of HAPPY TANGO. SO HAPPY was then held up for clear running until after the 200 Metres. HAPPY WARRIOR lost its right front plate after the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TRIPLE TRIPLE, J Moreira stated that he had to make use of the horse in the early stages to cross runners to his inside from a wide barrier in order to take up a forward position. He said it was not until near the 800 Metres that he was able to cross to race in a position one horse away from the rail and due to the amount of use that he had to make of TRIPLE TRIPLE in the early stages the horse then failed to finish off the race over the final 200 Metres and weakened noticeably. A veterinary inspection of TRIPLE TRIPLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TRIPLE TRIPLE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TRIPLE TRIPLE 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 LIGHTNING STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MIGHTY GIANT and MY WINNER were sent for sampling.

As the start was effected, GLORIOUS DRAGON reared and was consequently slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, GLORIOUS DRAGON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. EXULTANT began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped FURORE. After this, EXULTANT, FURORE and NORTHERN SUPERSTAR were all shifted across behind runners from the outside barriers to obtain cover. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, EXULTANT got its head up on a number of occasions and proved very difficult to settle when being steadied to obtain cover behind DOCTOR GEOFF. Passing the 1700 Metres, NORTHERN SUPERSTAR was steadied to obtain cover behind FURORE when travelling wide and without cover. Passing the 1600 Metres, EXULTANT travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DOCTOR GEOFF. Passing the 1100 Metres, EXULTANT was taken wider by EAGLE WAY which shifted away from the rail. EXULTANT was then steadied to obtain cover behind EAGLE WAY. Passing the 400 Metres, DOCTOR GEOFF and CITRON SPIRIT raced tight as CITRON SPIRIT improved into running between DOCTOR GEOFF and SOUTHERN LEGEND. After the race, EAGLE WAY was reported to be making an abnormal breathing noise. An endoscopic examination of EAGLE WAY did not reveal any significant findings, however, the horse had previously been reported to be a "roarer”. After the race, Z Purton (EXULTANT) stated that he had to go back in the field from an awkward barrier. He added that the slow pace of the race through the early stages did not suit EXULTANT. A veterinary inspection of NORTHERN SUPERSTAR and GLORIOUS DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TIME WARP and EXULTANT were sent for sampling.

On arrival at the barriers, BEAUTY RUSH, which bumped a rail on the way to the Start, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. PACKING JOY was slow to begin. PRIVATE ROCKET shifted out at the start and bumped THE DRIVE which in turn shifted out and bumped EMERALD SPUR which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, MONGOLIAN KING, COOL TEAM and EVERYONE’S JOY were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. ALPHA HEDGE was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 900 Metres, PERFECT GLORY and ULTIMATE GLORY were left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, MONGOLIAN KING was shifted to the inside of EMERALD SPUR to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, MONGOLIAN KING raced tight inside EMERALD SPUR (G van Niekerk) when improving into tight running between that horse and TAKE WHAT YOU NEED. When racing tight inside EMERALD SPUR, MONGOLIAN KING was struck across the nose by the whip of G van Niekerk. Over the concluding stages, TAKE WHAT YOU NEED raced tight inside MONGOLIAN KING. When questioned, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on MR PICASSO from barrier 5 as it was felt that there was sufficient speed in the race for MR PICASSO to be able to be behind the speed. He said after beginning awkwardly, he rode MR PICASSO along in the early stages, however, EMERALD SPUR and THE DRIVE were able to maintain their position to his inside. He said when TAKE WHAT YOU NEED was ridden along to obtain a forward position in the early stages and showed more speed than MR PICASSO, he believed he would have had to ride MR PICASSO aggressively in an endeavour to obtain a forward position and, given that EMERALD SPUR was being ridden to maintain its position to the inside of MR PICASSO in the early stages, he felt that it was likely MR PICASSO would be left racing wide and possibly without cover and therefore he elected to shift his mount across behind EMERALD SPUR and THE DRIVE passing the 1300 Metres to obtain cover. He said passing the 1100 Metres MR PICASSO travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind THE DRIVE. He added MR PICASSO again commenced to travel keenly and had to be checked away from the heels of THE DRIVE passing the 800 Metres when racing much further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of PACKING JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTY RUSH and MONGOLIAN KING were sent for sampling.

After being brushed by THANKS FOREVER on jumping, WISHFUL THINKER was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1050 Metres, BEAUTY GENERATION got its head up when awkwardly placed behind KA YING STAR. BEAUTY GENERATION (Z Purton) then shifted in approaching the 1000 Metres, resulting in BEAT THE CLOCK being awkwardly placed outside the heels of RATTAN. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Passing the 500 Metres, RATTAN shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of KA YING STAR, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. When questioned, G van Niekerk (THANKS FOREVER) stated that he was instructed to take a trailing position from a wide barrier behind the two leaders which were anticipated to be BEAUTY GENERATION and KA YING STAR. He said THANKS FOREVER began awkwardly and then became unbalanced after being bumped by BEAUTY GENERATION which shifted out. He said he rode his mount along in an endeavour to improve his position to be racing outside BEAUTY GENERATION, however, when it was apparent to him passing the 1300 Metres that BEAUTY GENERATION was going to remain one horse away from the rail with HOT KING PRAWN and KA YING STAR being ridden to race in the lead, he felt that THANKS FOREVER would be left racing three wide and without cover. He said he therefore steadied his mount to shift across behind BEAUTY GENERATION, however, as he was doing this, BEAT THE CLOCK and RATTAN maintained their position to the inside of THANKS FOREVER and as he was concerned that THANKS FOREVER was going to be left racing three wide and without cover, he steadied THANKS FOREVER further to obtain a trailing position behind BEAT THE CLOCK which resulted in THANKS FOREVER racing towards the rear and further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned regarding the performance of BEAT THE CLOCK, J Moreira stated that his mount was slow to begin which resulted in him having to ride it along in the early stages to make up lost ground. He said he was able to obtain a midfield position inside BEAUTY GENERATION after the 1200 Metres and then was inconvenienced when crowded for room near the 1000 Metres. He said, irrespective of this crowding, BEAT THE CLOCK travelled well in the middle stages and he anticipated that the horse would finish off the race strongly as it had done in the past. He said he shifted BEAT THE CLOCK out from behind BEAUTY GENERATION and into clear running passing the 400 Metres, however, he became concerned when BEAT THE CLOCK did not quicken as it had for him in the past. He said near the 350 Metres he was required to ride BEAT THE CLOCK hard in order to have it finish off the race better, however, the horse did not respond to his riding, finished off the race only one-paced and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of BEAT THE CLOCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTY GENERATION and KA YING STAR were sent for sampling.

As the start was effected, HONEST WAY reared abruptly and lost a significant amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, HONEST WAY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. TOYCOON began only fairly and then was crowded for room between GRADE ONE and AMAZING KIWI which shifted out. FANTASY and NUREMBERG bumped at the start. From wide barriers, ELIGERE and KUNG FU FIGHTER were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. When being shifted across to obtain a position behind FANTASY passing the 1100 Metres, NUREMBERG was awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse which, after failing to muster speed in the initial stages despite being ridden along, was then steadied to obtain cover. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, AMAZING KIWI got its head up when travelling keenly. After the 900 Metres, AFRICAN SKY was left racing wide and without cover. In the Straight, VALIANT DREAM lay out under pressure. Over the concluding stages, GRADE ONE raced tight outside FANTASY which shifted out after being brushed by SNAP FIT which shifted out away from VALIANT DREAM near the 50 Metres as that horse continued to lay out under pressure. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING KIWI and MONKEY JEWELLERY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FANTASY, TEAM SPIRIT and VALIANT DREAM were sent for sampling.

BALLISTIC KING shifted out at the start, resulting in ISLAND SHINE being hampered and losing ground and HALL OF CHAMP, which began only fairly, being inconvenienced. MARVEL DRAGON and EVEN KEEL were crowded for room on jumping between SUPER WISE and WIND N GRASS which shifted in after being brushed by BE READY. As the start was effected, WELLINGTON lifted its front feet off the ground, resulting in the horse beginning only fairly. Passing the 1000 Metres, ISLAND SHINE was bumped by WIND N GRASS which, when racing keenly, shifted in away from the heels of LOCKHEED. Also passing the 1000 Metres, WELLINGTON got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind BE READY. Passing the 900 Metres, MARVEL DRAGON, which was travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed outside of the heels of HALL OF CHAMP which shifted out away from the heels of BALLISTIC KING. Approaching the 200 Metres, HALL OF CHAMP was steadied when disappointed for running between WIND N GRASS and FLYING BONUS which shifted out marginally. Passing the 200 Metres, LARSON was momentarily steadied away from the heels of BALLISTIC KING (C Schofield) which shifted out. C Schofield was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Passing the 150 Metres, HALL OF CHAMP was shifted out away from the heels of FLYING BONUS after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. A veterinary inspection of LOCKHEED immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LOCKHEED will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of and ISLAND SHINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WELLINGTON and BALLISTIC KING were sent for sampling.

UNCLE STEVE shifted out at the start and bumped DRAGON GENERAL. LOBO’S LEGEND began very awkwardly and shifted out abruptly on jumping, resulting in MORETHANLUCKY being hampered. From a wide barrier, LOBO’S LEGEND was then shifted across behind runners. In the early part of the Straight, DRAGON GENERAL got its head on the side and lay in. Passing the 300 Metres, UNCLE STEVE, which was giving ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of DRAGON GENERAL which shifted to the outside of STAR PERFORMANCE to continue improving. Passing the 150 Metres, DRAGON GENERAL and STAR SHINE raced tight and near the 125 Metres made contact. Passing the 100 Metres, DRAGON GENERAL was bumped and taken in by STAR SHINE (C Y Ho) which shifted in under pressure. C Y Ho will be advised to ensure that he stops riding and straightens his mounts in similar circumstances. When DRAGON GENERAL was taken in, STAR PERFORMANCE was momentarily eased away from that horse’s heels near the 75 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of JOYFUL UNION, particularly in the Home Straight, B Shinn stated that he was asked to ride the horse quietly as it was attempting the 1400 Metres of today’s race for the first time in Hong Kong. He said JOYFUL UNION was slow to begin and then settled at the rear of the field. He said he was able to shift to the inside of RACING FIGHTER after the 1100 Metres and the horse travelled fairly. He said as JOYFUL UNION was not travelling as well as he anticipated, he commenced to shift the horse out rounding the Home Turn as he felt that it may finish off the race best if brought to the outside of runners. He said for this reason he shifted out from behind RACING FIGHTER rounding the Home Turn to follow DRAGON GENERAL through. He said after the 400 Metres he attempted to shift out further to follow STAR SHINE, however, JOYFUL UNION got its head on the side, commenced to lay in and was reluctant to shift out. He said he continued to try and shift JOYFUL UNION out, however, the horse was proving difficult to ride as it was laying in. He said he shifted out from behind STAR SHINE after the 300 Metres when UNCLE STEVE gave ground in advance of JOYFUL UNION, however, that horse quickened better than JOYFUL UNION which he felt did not appear to be comfortable on the track surface. He said he commenced to ride JOYFUL UNION out vigorously after the 200 Metres, however, the horse lay in badly and was difficult to ride. He added he attempted to change his whip into his right hand, however, due to the manner in which the horse was laying in, this proved awkward and therefore he commenced to use the whip in the left hand after the 100 Metres. He said when he did this, JOYFUL UNION again got its head on the side and lay in towards STAR PERFORMANCE. He said due to JOYFUL UNION’s racing manners in the Straight, he was not able to properly test that horse, however, he rode it out to the best of his ability in the circumstances. After considering Jockey Shinn’s explanation and after viewing some of JOYFUL UNION’s previous races when the horse had been reported to have laid in in the Straight, the Stewards took no further action other than to advise Jockey Shinn that he must make every endeavour to ride his mounts out to the best of his ability even in difficult circumstances. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of UNCLE STEVE, K Teetan stated although the horse was left racing in a three wide position without cover after the 800 Metres, it travelled only satisfactorily in the middle stages and then after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn did not respond to his riding and gave ground noticeably from the 300 Metres. He said he was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance as he felt that the fact that UNCLE STEVE raced three wide and without cover after the 800 Metres did not provide sufficient reason for the manner in which the horse gave ground so abruptly. A veterinary inspection of UNCLE STEVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. The performance of UNCLE STEVE, a last start winner and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, UNCLE STEVE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards opened an inquiry into H T Mo’s riding of RACING FIGHTER. After taking evidence from Jockey Mo and Mr C H Yip, the trainer of that horse, the Stewards adjourned the inquiry until a date to be fixed. A veterinary inspection of RACING FIGHTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MORETHANLUCKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. DRAGON GENERAL and HAPPY FUN were sent for sampling. <20/2/2020 "RACING FIGHTER" INQUIRY> The Stewards today concluded their inquiry into H T Mo’s riding of RACING FIGHTER in the Citi Mortgage Services Handicap which was run at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 16 February 2020. Further evidence was today taken from Jockey Mo and from Mr C H Yip, the trainer of RACING FIGHTER. Evidence was also taken from Dr Sonny M M Li, manager of the CAAF Syndicate, owner of RACING FIGHTER. It was established that Dr Li was present in the Parade Ring when the instructions were given by Mr Yip to Jockey Mo as to how RACING FIGHTER should be ridden in this race. H T Mo was charged with having breached Hong Kong Rule of Racing 99 (2) and (6) in that as the rider of RACING FIGHTER in the stated race, he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure RACING FIGHTER was given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field. The particulars of the charge being:- 1. That after the 350 Metres he did fail to direct RACING FIGHTER to the inside of GRACEANDMERCY when there was clear running available to the inside of that horse when it was both reasonable and permissible for him to have done so. 2. That between approximately the 325 Metres and the 275 Metres he did restrain RACING FIGHTER behind GRACEANDMERCY and remain racing behind that horse when at all relevant times there was clear running to the inside of GRACEANDMERCY to improve into. 3. That by riding RACING FIGHTER as he did between approximately the 325 Metres and the 275 Metres he did fail to take all reasonable and permissible measures on that horse to ensure that RACING FIGHTER was given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field. Jockey Mo pleaded guilty to the charge. After having considered the matter, the Stewards determined that the appropriate penalty was for Jockey Mo’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Wednesday, 18 March 2020 and to expire on Monday, 13 April 2020 on which day he may resume riding. During that period, there are eight (8) racemeetings scheduled to be conducted in Hong Kong. In reaching the decision to defer the commencement date of this period of suspension until 18 March 2020, the Stewards were mindful that it was not available for Jockey Mo to include several upcoming racemeetings in any period of suspension due to the Club’s requirement for him to ride at those racemeetings because of the number of jockeys available to ride on those days. The Stewards had previously made similar rulings in these circumstances in respect of matters involving a jockey being suspended from riding in races. The evidence tendered by Mr Yip and Dr Li was accepted.