ENJOYABLE SUCCESS was slow to begin. FAIRY FLOSS was hampered on jumping when bumped by TELECOM MISSILE which shifted in after making contact with SACRED TIMING. BRAVERY AND POWER was crowded for room on jumping between RUN THE TABLE and SMILING SUCCESS which shifted out after being bumped by WONDER BRAHMA. In this incident, RUN THE TABLE became unbalanced after receiving contact on the hindquarters from BRAVERY AND POWER, shifted out and inconvenienced GREEN GENERATION. After this, from a wide barrier, BRAVERY AND POWER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. WONDER BRAHMA was also steadied to obtain cover shortly after the start. After the 1100 Metres, BRAVERY AND POWER travelled keenly. RUN THE TABLE travelled keenly approaching and passing the 900 Metres. After the 500 Metres, WINNERS BROTHER and TELECOM MISSILE bumped. WINNERS BROTHER then raced tight outside TELECOM MISSILE passing the 400 Metres as TELECOM MISSILE shifted to the outside of FAIRY FLOSS. Approaching the 250 Metres, BRAVERY AND POWER was shifted in away from the heels of GREEN GENERATION which shifted in a number of horses to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, SMILING SUCCESS shifted out when giving ground and made contact with VIRTUS STAR. Passing the 200 Metres, ENJOYABLE SUCCESS was shifted out away from the heels of RUN THE TABLE. Near the 100 Metres, ENJOYABLE SUCCESS was steadied away from the heels of WONDER BRAHMA (M Chadwick) which shifted in under pressure. M Chadwick was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Passing the 150 Metres, BRAVERY AND POWER raced tight inside GREEN GENERATION. Over the concluding stages, BABY STORM shifted out under pressure. Throughout the race, WINNERS BROTHER travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of RUN THE TABLE and TELECOM MISSILE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VIRTUS STAR and GREEN GENERATION were sent for sampling.

PLAY WISE stumbled at the start and lost ground. After this, despite being ridden along, PLAY WISE was slow to muster speed. CHARIZARD shifted in abruptly at the start, resulting in UNIVERSAL GO GO being crowded for room outside INDIGENOUS STAR which became unbalanced after being bumped by UNIVERSAL GO GO. After this, UNIVERSAL GO GO was steadied to obtain cover. Shortly after the start, SPEED FORCE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FAITHFUL TRINITY when being steadied to obtain cover. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, VICTORIOUS SEEKER failed to muster speed and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, CHARIZARD was very awkwardly placed outside the heels of INDIGENOUS STAR when being steadied to obtain cover. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, SHADOW BREAKER travelled very keenly in the lead and got its head up on a number of occasions. Passing the 300 Metres, FAITHFUL TRINITY raced tight inside NUNCHUKS which got its head on the side and lay in before being corrected. When being corrected, TOTAL POWER shifted out away from the heels of NUNCHUKS and inconvenienced SPEED FORCE. When being directed to the outside of TOTAL POWER passing the 200 Metres, PLAY WISE was awkwardly placed behind that horse for a short distance as TOTAL POWER shifted out under pressure. This resulted in SPEED FORCE being inconvenienced. A Badel pleaded guilty of a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride CHARIZARD, 6th placegetter, out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. For this breach of the Rule, A Badel was fined a sum of $15,000. When questioned, J Moreira (NUNCHUKS) stated that in pre-race discussions with Mr C Fownes, the trainer of NUNCHUKS, and the connections of that horse, it was felt that there was very few speed horses engaged in the race and from the outside barrier there was an opportunity for NUNCHUKS to obtain a more forward position rather than having to make up ground from the rear of the field in a race which was anticipated not to be run at a good tempo. He said it was hoped that NUNCHUKS would be able to obtain a position with cover one horse off the rail behind the leaders, however, if circumstances did not allow this, it was acceptable for him to race outside the lead. He said NUNCHUKS began very well and he allowed the horse to improve into a forward position. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he was not able to shift in to race behind SHADOW BREAKER as SPEED FORCE had obtained that position and when SHADOW BREAKER improved into the lead after the 1300 Metres, he shifted across to race outside FAITHFUL TRINITY which had obtained a trailing position behind that horse. He added NUNCHUKS travelled well throughout the race and, in his opinion, finished off the race satisfactorily. Mr Fownes confirmed that due to the anticipated lack of pace in the race, he had asked Jockey Moreira to obtain a more forward position on NUNCHUKS and it was hoped that it would be able to obtain a trailing position with cover. He said due to the lack of anticipated pace, he felt that NUNCHUKS would have had too much to do in the latter stages of the race and therefore he felt that it was in the best interests of the horse for it to be ridden more positively. A veterinary inspection of UNIVERSAL GO GO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOTAL POWER and PLAY WISE were sent for sampling.

On arrival at the barriers, Z Purton expressed concern regarding the action of PRANCE DRAGON. PRANCE DRAGON was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. MOMENTUM GALAXY was slow to begin. A SMILE LIKE YOURS shifted in at the start, resulting in SUNDAY BETTING losing ground when steadied away from the heels of that horse. BRANDING POWER began only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners. From wide barriers, WOOD ON FIRE and MASTER ALBERT were also steadied to obtain cover. C Schofield (A SMILE LIKE YOURS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1050 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HERCULES, resulting in that horse having to be checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled and when being checked clipped the heels of A SMILE LIKE YOURS and stumbled. Having regard to all the circumstances of this case, C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 16 December 2020 and to expire on Monday, 21 December 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Schofield was fined $45,000. Approaching the 900 Metres, SUNDAY BETTING shifted in and bumped BRANDING POWER which became unbalanced. Near the 250 Metres, HAPPY JAI JAI was hampered by MOMENTUM GALAXY which shifted to the inside of LORIZ to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, HERCULES was shifted out away from the heels of BRANDING POWER which shifted out to obtain clear running. Close to the finishing line, BRANDING POWER shifted out and bumped MASTER ALBERT, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 50 Metres, HAPPY JAI JAI was brushed by WOOD ON FIRE which improved into tight running inside MOMENTUM GALAXY. Then close to the finishing line, HAPPY JAI JAI was checked when crowded for room inside WOOD ON FIRE which was taken in marginally by MOMENTUM GALAXY. A veterinary inspection of HERCULES immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea and was also found to have an epiglottic entrapment. A veterinary inspection of PRANCE DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LORIZ immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, LORIZ will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. REWARDING TOGETHER and A SMILE LIKE YOURS were sent for sampling.

JAZZ STEED and AMBITIOUS HEART bumped at the start. TOP ACCOLADE began awkwardly. Despite being vigorously ridden for some distance in the early stages, GREAT SON failed to muster speed and then after the 1000 Metres was steadied to obtain cover. Near the 1000 Metres, SKY CHAMPION, which was travelling keenly, was steadied away from the heels of NOBLE BIRTH which shifted in. NOBLE BIRTH travelled very keenly in the middle stage and approaching and passing the 800 Metres was awkwardly placed behind CANTSTOPTHEFEELING. At the entrance to the Straight, NOBLE BIRTH raced tight outside MONKEY JEWELLERY which shifted out. Near the 150 Metres, TOP ACCOLADE was shifted in away from the heels of HERO TIME which shifted in under pressure. Then near the 100 Metres, TOP ACCOLADE momentarily raced in restricted room inside HERO TIME. Passing the 150 Metres, NOBLE BIRTH was momentarily eased away from the heels of JAZZ STEED (Apprentice C L Chau) which shifted in when not properly clear. Apprentice Chau was advised to exercise more care. When questioned, K C Leung (VIVA CHEF) stated that it was anticipated that ONE HAPPY STAR and GREAT SON would lead and as it was felt that horses that were racing up on the speed were more advantaged in earlier races this evening, he was asked to obtain a position behind the leaders if possible. He said it was however stressed to him the need to obtain cover. He said VIVA CHEF began very well and he did not ride his mount along at all in the early stages. He said he observed that CANTSTOPTHEFEELING, which was drawn immediately inside VIVA CHEF, was being vigorously ridden in the early stages and therefore he commenced to steady his mount shortly after the start with a view to obtaining a trailing position. He said as he did this VIVA CHEF commenced to travel keenly and because of this he was not able to steady his mount to obtain a position with cover behind CANTSTOPTHEFEELING. He said VIVA CHEF continued to travel keenly and due to the circumstances of the race after the 1100 Metres he was left racing very wide and without cover. He added he continued to steady VIVA CHEF in an attempt to fulfil his instructions, however, when CANTSTOPTHEFEELING improved its position sufficiently for VIVA CHEF to obtain a trailing position behind that horse near the 800 Metres, NOBLE BIRTH had improved its position to be following that horse and therefore VIVA CHEF, which was continuing to travel keenly, was required to race wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. He said VIVA CHEF came under pressure after the 500 Metres and then gave ground noticeably in the Straight. He said he attributed the disappointing performance of the horse to the fact that it over-raced when left racing without cover. The performance of VIVA CHEF, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VIVA CHEF will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, B Shinn (VICTORIA GENERAL) stated that he was asked to ride VICTORIA GENERAL, which was having its first race start tonight, where it was comfortable. He said Mr D J Hall, the trainer of VICTORIA GENERAL, was mindful of the fact that the horse had travelled keenly in a number of trials and he wanted to ensure that it settled so that VICTORIA GENERAL which was expected to be better suited over distances of longer than tonight’s race would be able to finish off the race well. He said on jumping VICTORIA GENERAL was hampered by MONKEY JEWELLERY which shifted out and this resulted in VICTORIA GENERAL losing ground. He said he shifted his mount across towards the rail in the early stages and VICTORIA GENERAL raced greenly in the early and middle stages. He said he rode the horse along passing the 1000 Metres to obtain a closer position and then slapped it down the shoulder near the 950 Metres to have it improve its position. He said VICTORIA GENERAL got its head on the side and lay in along the Back Straight and he had to ride the horse along after the 800 Metres to have it travel better. He said this included continuing to slap the horse down the shoulder with the whip. He said it was not until near the 500 Metres that VICTORIA GENERAL commenced to travel more strongly and the horse, when being urged along, made up good ground passing the 400 Metres. He said rounding the Home Turn he improved into running available between SKY CHAMPION and VIVA CHEF and after momentarily having to balance up VICTORIA GENERAL when the run commenced to tighten, he then commenced to ride his mount along at the entrance to the Straight. He added VICTORIA GENERAL immediately responded to his riding. He said at the 100 Metres he shifted VICTORIA GENERAL, which was closing off the race strongly, to the inside of ONE HAPPY STAR to obtain clear running and then VICTORIA GENERAL closed off the race well. A veterinary inspection of CANTSTOPTHEFEELING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MONKEY JEWELLERY immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MONKEY JEWELLERY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. AMBITIOUS HEART and JAZZ STEED were sent for sampling.

SKY SHOW shifted out at the start and made contact with LUCKY MARYKNOLL. On jumping, SEVEN HEAVENS was steadied away from the heels of HAPPY GOOD GUYS which was bumped and taken wider by GOOD VIEW CLARICO which was hampered when taken out by HELLO BEAUTY. After this, SEVEN HEAVENS was steadied to obtain cover. WINNING ENDEAVOUR began only fairly and then was inconvenienced by TOM’S STYLE which shifted in. After this, WINNING ENDEAVOUR and TOM’S STYLE were steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, LUMEN BABA was also steadied to obtain cover. After the 1100 Metres, TOM’S STYLE was shifted out away from the heels of SEVEN HEAVENS which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LUCKY MARYKNOLL. After the 1000 Metres, HAPPY GOOD GUYS was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 850 Metres, TOM’S STYLE commenced to travel keenly and near the 800 Metres shifted out away from the heels of SEVEN HEAVENS. After this, TOM’S STYLE continued to prove difficult to settle. In the early part of the Straight, SEVEN HEAVENS lay in and was reluctant to improve to the outside of LOVING A BOOM. Near the 150 Metres, HAPPY GOOD GUYS was steadied away from the heels of LOVING A BOOM (C Schofield) which shifted in when not properly clear. C Schofield was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care. Approaching the 150 Metres, GOOD VIEW CLARICO was momentarily awkwardly placed behind HELLO BEAUTY. GOOD VIEW CLARICO then had some difficulty obtaining clear running over the concluding stages. Passing the 100 Metres, WINNING ENDEAVOUR was shifted to the inside of HAPPY GOOD GUYS in an attempt to obtain clear running. Then near the 75 Metres, WINNING ENDEAVOUR was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HAPPY GOOD GUYS. Over the final 100 Metres, SEVEN HEAVENS lay in under pressure. A veterinary inspection of GOOD VIEW CLARICO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WINNING ENDEAVOUR immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from its right nostril. The Veterinary Surgeon said an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a bleeder. GRATEFUL HEART and LOVING A BOOM were sent for sampling.

HAPPY ICHIBAN shifted out at the start and bumped ALLOY STAR. ALL YOU KNOW shifted in on jumping and bumped ROYAL RACER which was then tightened for room outside THUNDER STOMP which shifted out. After this, ALL YOU KNOW was steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barriers, PRETTY CUTE and KING DRAGON were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. When being shifted across behind runners approaching the winning post on the first occasion, ROYAL RACER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KIRAM. When racing very wide passing the winning post on the first occasion, REGENCY MASTER was steadied in an attempt to obtain cover, however, passing the 1000 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 1300 Metres, ALLOY STAR momentarily raced in restricted room between THUNDER STOMP and HAPPY ICHIBAN which shifted out. After the 1100 Metres, ALLOY STAR, which was being ridden along to obtain a position closer to the rail, shifted out and bumped THUNDER STOMP, causing both horses to become unbalanced. After the 900 Metres, KING DRAGON commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PRETTY CUTE for some distance. Near the 450 Metres, HAPPY ICHIBAN raced tight outside BIG BANG BONG which improved into tight running between that horse and ALLOY STAR. FEARLESS FIRE was held up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BIG BANG BONG approaching and rounding the Home Turn and at the entrance to the Straight was shifted to the inside of that horse, resulting in KIRAM which had been shifted out away from the heels of ALLOY STAR rounding the Home Turn being inconvenienced. The performance of ALLOY STAR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ALLOY STAR 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 ALLOY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY ICHIBAN and, BIG BANG BONG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ROYAL RACER and REGENCY MASTER were sent for sampling.

CLASSIC UNICORN shifted out at the start, resulting in JOYFUL UNION being taken out onto the hindquarters of HONG KONG WIN which became unbalanced. MEGA HEART began only fairly. From the outside barriers, NORTHERN SUPERSTAR and EXPLOSIVE WITNESS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 700 Metres, MULTIMILLION and BALTIC SUCCESS bumped. After this, BALTIC SUCCESS commenced to lay out and then got its head on the side and hung out making the turn after the 600 Metres. After the 600 Metres, MULTIMILLION, which was racing outside BALTIC SUCCESS, was steadied to obtain a trailing position behind that horse. Passing the 300 Metres, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS shifted out and brushed MULTIMILLION. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CLASSIC UNICORN, K C Leung stated that his mount began fairly and then was able to obtain the lead without having to make too much use of the horse. He said CLASSIC UNICORN travelled very well in the early and middle stages when not challenged for the lead and he believed that he was able to dictate the tempo of the race to allow CLASSIC UNICORN to finish off the race strongly. He said CLASSIC UNICORN continued to travel strongly rounding the Home Turn, however, did not respond to his riding at the entrance to the Straight which was concerning to him given the manner in which the horse had travelled to that point of the race. He said as soon as HONG KONG WIN improved its position inside CLASSIC UNICORN, his mount came under immediate pressure and then gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages. Mr W Y So, the trainer of CLASSIC UNICORN, was not able to provide any reason for the disappointing performance of the horse. He said CLASSIC UNICORN had done well since its last start success and based on the manner in which the horse had trained in the lead up to tonight’s race, he anticipated that it would again race well. A veterinary inspection of CLASSIC UNICORN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CLASSIC UNICORN, favourite for tonight’s race and a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CLASSIC UNICORN 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 MULTIMILLION and BALTIC SUCCESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CLASSIC UNICORN, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS and HONG KONG WIN were sent for sampling.

From wide barriers, ANGEL OF MY EYES and FLYING SWORD were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied to obtain cover, FLYING SWORD got its head up on a number of occasions shortly after the start. After travelling a short distance, LEAP OF FAITH was bumped by RICH AND LUCKY which was taken out by TOYCOON which in turn was shifted out away from SURREALISM which was bumped by SUMSTREETSUMWHERE. For some distance in the early stages, EASY GO EASY WIN was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed and after passing the winning post on the first occasion was shifted in in an attempt to obtain cover, however, near the 1000 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. Then after the 900 Metres, EASY GO EASY WIN was allowed to improve its position, however, continued to race wide and without cover. At the 300 Metres, ANGEL OF MY EYES was shifted out away from the heels of HOLY HEART (Z Purton) which improved to the outside of HEAVENLY THOUGHT to obtain clear running. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. When questioned regarding the performance of THE ROCK, J Moreira stated that it was intended for the horse to be ridden with cover in a position behind midfield which was similar to the manner in which the horse was ridden in a barrier trial in the lead up to the race. He said he was able to shift THE ROCK across behind runners in the early stages after being momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of LEAP OF FAITH shortly after the start. He said THE ROCK travelled well until approaching the 500 Metres where his mount was awkwardly placed behind TOYCOON. He said THE ROCK came off the bridle and then did not quicken as anticipated, rather it stayed on one-paced to the line. He added whilst THE ROCK was not beaten far tonight, in his opinion, it was somewhat disappointing in that it did not quicken as expected. A veterinary inspection of THE ROCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, T Piccone (TOYCOON) stated that after travelling well throughout the middle stages, he placed TOYCOON under pressure after the 500 Metres, however, the horse did not respond as anticipated. He said he continued to ride TOYCOON out in the early part of the Straight, however, the horse gave ground over the latter stages of the race and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of TOYCOON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HEAVENLY THOUGHT and LEAP OF FAITH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THE ROCK, HOLY HEART and ANGEL OF MY EYES were sent for sampling.