UNIVERSAL RECORD shifted in at the start and bumped MANY GAINS. UNIVERSAL RECORD was then checked when crowded for room between MANY GAINS and WINNING FEELING which shifted in and then shifted in further after becoming unbalanced due to contact on the hindquarters from UNIVERSAL RECORD. COURAGEOUS DRAGON, which began only fairly, was hampered on jumping after shifting out and bumping the hindquarters of GREAT SON which shifted in. This resulted in both horses becoming unbalanced. TOP MILITARY and YEE CHEONG WARRIOR bumped at the start. NAMJONG SINGS began only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Then when being shifted across behind runners, NAMJONG SINGS was momentarily steadied away from the heels of TOP MILITARY after travelling a short distance as a result of both horses shifting ground. From wide barriers, ENCHANTING, YEE CHEONG WARRIOR and CLUB LAD were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, ENCHANTING was steadied when crowded for room between UNIVERSAL RECORD and NAMJONG SINGS, both of which shifted ground. STREET SCREAM shifted in and brushed the running rail passing the 600 Metres and then shifted out marginally, resulting in UNIVERSAL RECORD racing tight inside TOP MILITARY. After the 300 Metres, CLUB LAD raced tight outside ENCHANTING which shifted out to obtain clear running. COURAGEOUS DRAGON lost its right front plate after the race. After the race, K C Leung explained that it was intended for TOP MILITARY to be shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. He said however that TOP MILITARY began very well and he believed that he would have had to restrain the horse too heavily to get it to the rear of the field. He said he therefore elected to allow his mount to shift across with a view to obtaining a midfield positon, however, TOP MILITARY was left racing wide and without cover throughout. NAMJONG SINGS, WINNING FEELING and COURAGEOUS DRAGON were sent for sampling.

On arrival at the Start, SWEETLY BABY, which kicked a rail when leaving the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the hors was suitable to race. Shortly after the start, JOY AVENUE and MY FAMILY bumped. From wide barriers, WONDER WIN, WONDERFUL TIGER and KEEP WINNING were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1600 Metres, MY FAMILY, which was being hard ridden, was steadied away from the heels of KANBEKI MOLLY which shifted out. Then after being continued to be ridden along in an endeavour to obtain a forward position, MY FAMILY was left racing wide and without cover passing the 1300 Metres. At the 850 Metres, WONDERFUL TIGER commenced to travel very keenly and got its head up approaching the 800 Metres when being checked away from the heels of SWEETLY BABY. After this, WONDERFUL TIGER was awkwardly placed behind SWEETLY BABY for some distance. At the entrance to the Straight, POLYMER LUCK was bumped by WINNERS BROTHER which attempted to shift to the outside of TREASURE CHEST. This resulted in WINNERS BROTHER, in particular, becoming unbalanced. Also at the entrance to the Straight, WONDER WIN was shifted to the inside of SWEETLY BABY after being unable to improve outside that horse and inside WONDERFUL TIGER. WONDER WIN was then checked away from the heels of SWEETLY BABY after the 200 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, JOY AVENUE raced in restricted room inside KANBEKI MOLLY which lay in when giving ground. Approaching the 100 Metres, N Callan (NITRO EXPRESS) dropped his right rein. In the Straight, WONDERFUL TIGER lay in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident had occurred near the 150 Metres which cast sufficient doubt as to whether TREASURE CHEST (V Borges) should be declared the 2nd placegetter. Subsequently M L Yeung, the rider of WINNERS BROTHER, which finished 3rd, lodged a protest/objection against TREASURE CHEST being declared the 2nd placegetter alleging interference near the 150 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was found that TREASURE CHEST shifted out abruptly passing the 150 Metres, resulting in WINNERS BROTHER shifting out away from the heels of that horse and making heavy contact with POLYMER LUCK, causing WINNERS BROTHER to lose ground when unbalanced and POLYMER LUCK to be checked when crowded for room inside VIRTUS STAR. Having regard to where the incident took place, the relative positions of the two horses leading up to and during the incident, the manner in which both horses finished off the race and the margin between the horses at the end of the race, the Stewards were satisfied that if not for the interference caused by TREASURE CHEST near the 150 Metres, WINNERS BROTHER would have finished in front of that horse. Accordingly, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No. 12, VIRTUS STAR, 1st; No. 11, WINNERS BROTHER , 2nd; No. 9, TREASURE CHEST , 3rd; and No. 4, POLYMER LUCK, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, the Stewards found that V Borges had reacted as quickly as possible to the sudden movement outwards from TREASURE CHEST which until this point had been maintaining a straight course when being ridden out with the whip in the right hand and, accordingly, no further action was taken. After the race, J Moreira was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of SWEETLY BABY. He said after shifting across to race behind the eventual winner VIRTUS STAR in the early stages, his mount did not travel well and was reluctant to hold its position behind that horse after the 1100 Metres. He said he therefore shifted SWEETLY BABY out from behind that horse to follow MY FAMILY in the hope that it would travel better. He added SWEETLY BABY continued to race off the bridle and after being under heavy pressure before the 600 Metres did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SWEETLY BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MY FAMILY immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of WONDERFUL TIGER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VIRTUS STAR and WINNERS BROTHER were sent for sampling.

On arrival at the Start, INCANTO PREPARED, which kicked a rail when leaving the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the hors was suitable to race. BLOOMING SPIRIT shifted out at the start and bumped UNIVERSAL GO GO which was taken out onto MELBOURNE HALL which was crowded onto the hindquarters of SHADOW BREAKER. From wide barriers, BIG BANG BONG, NUNCHUKS and INCANTO PREPARED were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After being ridden along in the early stages from the outside barrier to take up a forward position, LADY FIRST was steadied after the 1600 Metres to obtain cover. Approaching the 1300 Metres, MELBOURNE HALL momentarily raced tight inside ZHAN JIANG ROCKS which was racing tight inside BLOOMING SPIRIT which raced wide and without cover throughout. Passing the 900 Metres, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS raced tight inside BLOOMING SPIRIT which shifted in. After the 600 Metres, INCANTO PREPARED lay in and brushed the running rail. Rounding the Home Turn, STARLIT KNIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TIGER GLARE. Near the 250 Metres, BIG BANG BONG was shifted in abruptly away from the heels of TIGER GLARE which was giving ground. Over the concluding stages, BIG BANG BONG raced in restricted room inside STARLIT KNIGHT. Mr L Ho, the trainer of TIGER GLARE, reported that from the horse’s inside barrier and with a very light weight, he instructed H T Mo to take up a more forward position tonight than had been the case, particularly given the horse was only having its second start at the distance. A Badel stated that he was asked not to ride SHADOW BREAKER along in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said it was explained to him by Mr K H Ting, the trainer of SHADOW BREAKER, that were the horse to be ridden along to obtain a forward position, it may over-race and not be able to finish off the race. He said it was further explained to him that if he was able to obtain the lead without having to ride his mount along, this was also acceptable. He added that after beginning positively, a number of horses drawn more favourably than SHADOW BREAKER were ridden to obtain a forward position. He said he therefore elected to shift across to race behind BLOOMING SPIRIT passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said after the 1400 Metres he anticipated that ZHAN JIANG ROCKS would shift across to race on the rail which would allow him to obtain a trailing position behind BLOOMING SPIRIT one horse off the rail. He said when ZHAN JIANG ROCKS maintained its position one horse off the rail, SHADOW BREAKER was left racing in a three wide position with cover behind BLOOMING SPIRIT. He said the pace of the race was only fair after the 1000 Metres and therefore he elected, rather than fight SHADOW BREAKER if the pace continued to be slow, to allow the horse to slowly improve its position forward of BLOOMING SPIRIT. He added when UNIVERSAL GO GO and TIGER GLARE maintained their position in the lead, this allowed SHADOW BREAKER the opportunity to obtain a trailing position behind UNIVERSAL GO GO passing the 600 Metres. A veterinary inspection of MELBOURNE HALL and STARLIT KNIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ZHAN JIANG ROCKS, INCANTO PREPARED and NUNCHUKS were sent for sampling.

JAZZ STEED was slow to begin and then took some time to muster speed in the early stages when being vigorously ridden. G UNIT shifted out at the start, resulting in COUNTRY BOY being crowded for room inside HIN YUEN BIS which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by COUNTRY BOY. After this, COUNTRY BOY was shifted across behind runners. From wide barriers, SEVENTH SEA and SUN OF MAKFI were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 650 Metres, G UNIT, which was travelling keenly, shifted out away from the heels of VERY SWEET ORANGE and bumped HIN YUEN BIS, resulting in that horse being taken wider. After this, both G UNIT and HIN YUEN BIS travelled wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, both LITTLE THUNDER and JAZZ STEED brushed the running rail. Approaching the 200 Metres, COMPASSION STAR was awkwardly placed behind VERY SWEET ORANGE when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. Over the final 200 Metres, SUN OF MAKFI lay in under pressure and close to the finishing line was awkwardly placed near the heels of COMPASSION STAR. The performance of COUNTRY BOY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, COUNTRY BOY 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 VERY SWEET ORANGE, G UNIT, COUNTRY BOY and LITTLE THUNDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JAZZ STEED, WE THE SOUTH and HAPPY GOOD GUYS were sent for sampling.

LUCKY MISSILE was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever). Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY MISSILE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded into the barriers, THIS IS CHARISMA became fractious and reared on a number of occasions and on the final occasion got its left front leg over into the adjoining stall. THIS IS CHARISMA was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion the horse was not suitable to race. Accordingly, THIS IS CHARISMA was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, THIS IS CHARISMA will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ANONYMA, which was in the adjoining stall to THIS IS CHARISMA, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. As the start was effected, DAILY BEAUTY lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. STAR PRESENT shifted in at the start and made contact with MURRAY’S PARTNERS. ELECTRIC LIGHTNING shifted out at the start and bumped ELIGERE. After this, ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was steadied to obtain cover and passing the winning post on the first occasion was left racing wide and without cover outside MURRAY’S PARTNERS. ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was then further steadied after the 1300 Metres to obtain cover, however, continued to race wide and without cover throughout. From the outside barriers, CHARITY WINGS and RIGHT HONOURABLE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, STAR PRESENT, which was travelling keenly, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of ANONYMA (H W Lai) which shifted in when not properly clear. H W Lai was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 1300 Metres, DAILY BEAUTY became unbalanced after shifting in and brushing the running rail. This resulted in DAILY BEAUTY shifting out and bumping the hindquarters of MURRAY’S PARTNERS. GREAT TIMES and RIGHT HONOURABLE, which were following, were inconvenienced in consequence. Making the turn near the 600 Metres, GREAT TIMES momentarily raced in restricted room between CHARITY WINGS and RIGHT HONOURABLE which shifted out to improve around STAR WIN. When changing his whip into his right hand passing the 100 Metres, K Teetan (MURRAY’S PARTNERS) dropped his right rein. His whip then became entangled in his right rein over the concluding stages. Over the concluding stages, DAILY BEAUTY lay in under pressure. When questioned, M L Yeung (STAR WIN) stated that in the middle stages he occupied a good position behind ELIGERE which was racing outside the lead. He said after the 700 Metres he became aware that MURRAY’S PARTNERS was commencing to improve its position to the outside of STAR WIN and whilst the opportunity was available for him to shift STAR WIN to the outside of ELIGERE into a three wide position, he felt that it was too early in the race to make such a move as STAR WIN would have had too much to do and would not have been able to finish off the race. He said he therefore elected not to shift out but rather remained racing behind ELIGERE and improved behind that horse when it commenced to be ridden along after the 500 Metres. He added STAR WIN did not quicken when ELIGERE improved its position and then finished off the race only fairly over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of DAILY BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MURRAY’S PARTNERS and ANONYMA were sent for sampling.

LITTLE BIRD and CIRCUIT SEVEN bumped at the start. THOU SHALL SING was badly crowded for room on jumping between GOLFMAN STAR which shifted in and MOMENT OF POWER which, after shifting out of its own accord, then became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by EXCEED THE STARS which shifted out. In this incident, EXCEED THE STARS became badly unbalanced as a result of contact on the hindquarters from MOMENT OF POWER. After this, THOU SHALL SING was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. On jumping, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS was momentarily crowded for room between FABULOUS EIGHT and HARMONY AND RICH, both of which shifted ground. After this, from a wide barrier, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, HEART CONQUERED was also steadied after the start to obtain a position with cover. Passing the 800 Metres, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS got its head up when awkwardly placed outside the heels of PING HAI GALAXY. EXPLOSIVE WITNESS then continued to travel keenly and raced close to the heels of PING HAI GALAXY approaching and passing the 700 Metres. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, LITTLE BIRD shifted out after being momentarily crowded for room inside the heels of MR LUMIERES which lay in. PING HAI GALAXY, which was racing behind MR LUMIERES, was awkwardly placed behind that horse in consequence. Approaching the 500 Metres, HEART CONQUERED raced close to the heels of EXCEED THE STARS. At the entrance to the Straight, EXCEED THE STARS was shifted in away from the heels of MOMENT OF POWER to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, EXCEED THE STARS got its head on the side, lay in and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CIRCUIT SEVEN. Over the concluding stages, THOU SHALL SING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PING HAI GALAXY and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of MR LUMIERES and LITTLE BIRD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HARMONY AND RICH, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS and FABULOUS EIGHT were sent for sampling.

SURREALISM, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly and shortly after the start was bumped by DIVINE UNICORN which shifted in after initially shifting out and making contact with the hindquarters of LIGHTNING STEED which shifted out at the start and brushed FLASHCARD. From the outside barriers, ENTRUSTED, GLORIOUS LOVER, NAMJONG PLUS and MAGNETISM were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Approaching the 1300 Metres, DIVINE UNICORN momentarily raced tight inside WEALTHY DELIGHT which was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to DIVINE UNICORN. When giving ground in the early part of the Straight, FLASHCARD got its head on the side and lay in, resulting in DIVINE UNICORN, which was racing inside FLASHCARD, being shifted in away from the heels of that horse passing the 300 Metres. ENTRUSTED lay in under pressure in the early part of the Straight and near the 250 Metres was awkwardly placed behind WEALTHY DELIGHT. ENTRUSTED continued to lay in under pressure and proved difficult to ride and close to the winning post was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SURREALISM which was racing tight outside NAMJONG PLUS. Over the concluding stages, WEALTHY DELIGHT lay in under pressure, requiring its rider to momentarily stop riding and straighten his mount after the 50 Metres. Close to the finishing line, DIVINE UNICORN raced very tight outside LIGHTNING STEED. A veterinary inspection of ENTRUSTED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HEAVENLY THOUGHT and REEL BIZZY were sent for sampling.

GRATEFUL HEART shifted in at the start and bumped HIGH RISE SOLDIER. LUCKY MARYKNOLL and CANTSTOPTHEFEELING were crowded for room on jumping between CUE THE MUSIC and BEAUTY SPARK which shifted in. From the outside barriers, BEAUTY SPARK and SHADOW RUNNER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1050 Metres, PRINCE OF GEMS was steadied when crowded for room inside CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT which was taken in by FLYING BONUS (K Teetan). K Teetan was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. At the entrance to the Straight, AMAZING KIWI and HIGH RISE SOLDIER bumped. WIND N GRASS, which was following AMAZING KIWI, was shifted in away from the heels of that horse to obtain clear running. After the 200 Metres, CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT shifted out under pressure. K C Leung, the rider of SHADOW RUNNER, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong tonight, was reminded of his obligation in respect of using the whip over the concluding stages on a horse out of contention. When questioned regarding the performance of PRINCE OF GEMS, A Hamelin stated that, in his opinion, PRINCE OF GEMS did not appreciate racing at Happy Valley for the first time tonight. He said making the turn near the 1000 Metres the horse was reluctant to hold its position when racing tight inside CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT. He said after this PRINCE OF GEMS raced awkwardly behind CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT and got its head up approaching and passing the 900 Metres. He said PRINCE OF GEMS then continued to be reluctant to maintain its position amongst runners and at the 600 Metres was not travelling well enough to finish off the race. He added he placed PRINCE OF GEMS under heavy pressure prior to the 400 Metres, however, the horse did not finish off the race and was disappointing. He said having regard to the manner in which PRINCE OF GEMS had raced previously at Sha Tin compared to the manner in which it raced tonight, he is of the opinion that PRINCE OF GEMS may be better suited to Sha Tin. A veterinary inspection of PRINCE OF GEMS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING KIWI immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, AMAZING KIWI will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRINCE OF GEMS, GRATEFUL HEART and HIGH RISE SOLDIER were sent for sampling.