JOY N FUN LEGEND was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, THE JOY OF GIVING was shifted across behind runners soon after the start. H W Lai (YOUNG GLORY) was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in approaching the first turn after the 2100 Metres, resulting in FORTUNE PATROL being steadied and shifting in, causing crowding to SKY GEM which was hampered. JOY N FUN LEGEND, which was following, was also inconvenienced. Passing the 1300 Metres, JOY N FUN LEGEND commenced to race keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed near the heels of FORTUNE PATROL. On the Home Turn, FORTUNE PATROL became unbalanced when awkwardly placed on the heels of STAR WIN which came under heavy pressure and commenced to lose ground. Upon straightening, Apprentice K H Chan (SKY GEM) momentarily dropped his left rein. When questioned regarding his riding of SKY GEM, Apprentice K H Chan stated that he was instructed not to bustle the horse from the inside barrier and to endeavour to shift away from the rail and position the horse such that he might be able to make a mid-race move if the pace allowed. He said it was anticipated that this would have SKY GEM racing behind midfield. He said approaching the first turn he allowed GENERAL DINO to cross and was intending to shift to the outside of that horse, however, after receiving some crowding inside of FORTUNE PATROL, SKY GEM settled further back than he had hoped. He said whilst the pace in the early stages was moderate, it did quicken from after the 1200 Metres and after leaving the 900 Metres he noticed that STAR WIN and HAY RUN commenced to make a forward move from behind the leaders, therefore he chose not to push forward at this stage as he felt it best to make ground gradually and follow the speed. He said approaching the 600 Metres he commenced to ride SKY GEM along and after the 500 Metres was required to pull the whip on the horse as it did not quicken as he anticipated. He added after being brought to the outside on straightening, SKY GEM closed off the race well. Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions given to Apprentice Chan and anticipated that the horse would settle behind midfield with the opportunity to make a mid-race move if the pace permitted. He said as the pace quickened appreciably along the Back Straight, he was content with Apprentice Chan’s decision not to try to go forward at that stage given the increase in tempo. Trainer A T Millard explained that at its last start he issued instructions for FORTUNE PATROL to be ridden prominently as the 1800 Metre starting point at Sha Tin provides a long run to the first turn. He said from an awkward barrier tonight and with only a short run to the first turn from the 2200 Metre starting point, he asked Jockey V Borges to ride the horse along in the early stages and try to obtain cover behind midfield. He said he felt this would provide FORTUNE PATROL with the best opportunity to perform to its optimum tonight as if it were to be ridden once again to obtain a prominent positon, he did not feel as though the horse could muster sufficient speed in the short run to the first turn and would likely be left racing wide and without cover. After the race, J Moreira (STAR WIN) stated that in pre-race discussions with Trainer D J Whyte, it was agreed that from a position near midfield, he should shift out and make a forward move along the Back Straight as it was felt that the horse may be able to build momentum and close off better than it had been. He said after being brought to the outside near the 900 Metres, HAY RUN also shifted out which forced STAR WIN wider and, despite being hard ridden for some distance, the horse was not able to quicken sufficiently to clear runners to his inside. He added as a consequence STAR WIN came under heavy pressure prior to the Home Turn and consequently weakened badly in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of STAR WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, K Teetan reported that SOCKET ELITE took up a forward position as intended. He said the sustaining strong pace from mid-race did not suit the horse as it came under heavy pressure prior to the Home Turn and did not close off the race as expected. A veterinary inspection of SOCKET ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SHINEALOT, PRETTY BAUHINIA and NUREMBERG were sent for sampling.

CHIKORITA was slow to begin. CASA KINGDOM began only fairly. COOLCELEB and CHAMP PATROL bumped at the start. COOLCELEB then stumbled, became unbalanced and shifted in, inconveniencing SMART CHARADE and CASA KINGDOM. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, COOLCELEB failed to muster speed. When being steadied approaching the first turn at the 1000 Metres, WINNING STRIKES got its head up and raced ungenerously. WINNING STRIKES continued to travel keenly and again got its head up approaching the 600 Metres when being steadied to obtain cover behind CHAMP PATROL. After passing the 600 Metres, WINNER’S HEART was left racing wide and without cover. After the race, K Teetan stated that SMART CHARADE settled back in the field as is customary. He said however that the horse was slightly disappointing in that it did not close off as strongly as he anticipated it would. A veterinary inspection of SMART CHARADE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WAH MAY LUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on COOLCELEB at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in its trachea and also confirmed the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. WOOD ON FIRE and DOLLAR REWARD were sent for sampling.

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to DR EQ was replaced. WINNING WARRIOR shifted out at the start and bumped DR EQ. READY CONQUEROR began awkwardly, shifted out and hampered ALL THE WAY which was slow to begin. LUCKY TURBO was also slow to begin and then shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of READY CONQUEROR. A Hamelin (TELECOM MISSILE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 800 Metres he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in when not clear of OVERSUBSCRIBED, resulting in that horse being taken in onto ARDENODE which was checked and in turn crowded onto READY CONQUEROR which was severely hampered and in turn was tightened onto SHOW MISSION which was also severely hampered. A Hamelin was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 10 February 2021 and to expire on Monday, 15 February 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Hamelin’s good race riding record. FLYING MONKEY made the turn after leaving the 600 Metres awkwardly and shifted out, making contact with ARDENODE. FLYING MONKEY then lay out, making contact with the hindquarters of ARDENODE approaching the 400 Metres and then was awkwardly placed inside that horse approaching and rounding the Home Turn. Passing the 100 Metres, WINNING WARRIOR was momentarily steadied away from the heels of READY CONQUEROR which shifted in under pressure. For the majority of the race, WINNING WARRIOR travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of ARDENODE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ARDENODE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of and FLYING MONKEY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PRAWN YEAH YEAH immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. ARDENODE, OVERSUBSCRIBED and VIVA MAMA were sent for sampling.

SMILING FACE was slow to begin. JOLLY GOOD HEART lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently began only fairly. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD shifted out at the start and made contact with the hindquarters of AMBITIOUS HEART. NAMJONG CORTEZ began awkwardly. After travelling a short distance, M M JOHNNY was inconvenienced by WINSTON’S LAD which shifted in away from HONEST WAY. After passing the 200 Metres, Apprentice C L Chau (SMILING FACE) momentarily dropped his right rein. Throughout the race, A SMILE LIKE YOURS travelled wide and without cover. After the race, C Soumillon stated that although obliged to race three wide throughout the race, AMBITIOUS HEART always had cover. He said the horse was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of AMBITIOUS HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, C Schofield stated that although SPLIT OF A SECOND had a good position in the box seat, the horse was never travelling comfortably and changed stride on a number of occasions. He said rounding the Home Turn SPLIT OF A SECOND brushed the running rail and became unbalanced and then was very one-paced in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SPLIT OF A SECOND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of A SMILE LIKE YOURS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A SMILE LIKE YOURS, WINSTON’S LAD and JOLLY GOOD HEART were sent for sampling.

GAMEPLAYER STAR began awkwardly and bumped the hindquarters of GOOD DAYS, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. MORE THAN ENOUGH and FAST PACE made contact at the start. From the outside barrier, FEARLESS FIRE was steadied and shifted across behind runners soon after the start. Approaching the 1300 Metres, MORE THAN ENOUGH hung out momentarily, resulting in FAST PACE, which was racing to its outside, being inconvenienced. MORE THAN ENOUGH continued to race ungenerously for some distance after leaving the 1300 Metres. After passing the 1200 Metres, GOOD DAYS and GLORIOUS LOVER were both momentarily crowded for room inside FAST PACE (N Callan) which attempted to shift in to take up a trailing position behind MORE THAN ENOUGH. FAST PACE was then directed out to relieve the tightening to GLORIOUS LOVER and GOOD DAYS. WINNING VOLATILITY, which was following GOOD DAYS, was steadied as a consequence. N Callan was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Approaching the 1000 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE was steadied away from the heels of STAY CHILL which shifted in. GAMEPLAYER STAR brushed the running rail at the 600 Metres. Approaching the 250 Metres, FAST PACE lay in and brushed MORE THAN ENOUGH. Approaching the 200 Metres, FAST PACE and MORE THAN ENOUGH again made contact, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. A veterinary inspection of FEARLESS FIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MORE THAN ENOUGH, FAST PACE and GLORIOUS LOVER were sent for sampling.

AUGUST MOON and PRANCE DRAGON began awkwardly. From wide barriers, AMAZING BOY and AFTER ME were shifted across behind runners soon after the start. Approaching the 1000 Metres, COLONEL lay in and bumped GARLIC HERO. When being steadied to obtain cover behind OURGOLDENRULES approaching the 900 Metres, HAPPILY FRIENDS got its head up and raced ungenerously. After leaving the 600 Metres, PRANCE DRAGON commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when racing tight inside OURGOLDENRULES which raced wide and without cover from the 600 Metres. M F Poon (GARLIC HERO) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 200 Metres he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in when insufficiently clear of MAGIC SUPREME which had improved to be racing inside the heels of GARLIC HERO, resulting in that horse being checked. M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 6 February 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 11 February 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Poon’s good race riding record. After improving into a narrow run between GARLIC HERO and COLONEL passing the 150 Metres, ORIENTAL AMIGO was struck across the nose by the whip of Z Purton (COLONEL). Approaching the 100 Metres, AFTER ME raced in restricted room between AMAZING BOY and YEE CHEONG WARRIOR which shifted to the outside of the heels of HAPPILY FRIENDS to continue improving. Over the concluding stages, YEE CHEONG WARRIOR continued to shift out under pressure, resulting in AFTER ME being further inconvenienced. At the 100 Metres, AMAZING BOY shifted out and inconvenienced AUGUST MOON. After the race, Z Purton reported that with the top weight and from the outside barrier, COLONEL was forced to do too much work in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said as a consequence COLONEL stayed on only fairly until the 100 Metres and then weakened noticeably over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of COLONEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of COLONEL, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, COLONEL 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 MAGIC SUPREME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STOCK LEGEND and PRANCE DRAGON were sent for sampling.

CHEERFUL LEADER jumped out at the start, resulting in BEAUTY SPIRIT being crowded onto SUNNY LAD. From wide barriers, CHARITY FUN, TOTAL POWER and NABOO STAR, which began awkwardly, were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1300 Metres, CHATER PINS got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of HEAVENLY THOUGHT. After leaving the 1300 Metres, LEWIS commenced to travel keenly and when being restrained near the 1200 Metres lay in, causing momentary crowding to HEAVENLY THOUGHT which was also being steadied behind the leader SUNNY LAD. CHATER PINS, which was following, was checked away from the heels of HEAVENLY THOUGHT, shifted out and bumped heavily with SUNNY STAR which became badly unbalanced. XIANG BAI QI, which was following, was also inconvenienced. LEWIS continued to travel keenly for some distance after this incident. After the race, Z Purton stated that LEWIS’ failure to settle in the early and middle stages resulted in the horse being unable to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of LEWIS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Passing the 1200 Metres, WEALTHY DELIGHT was steadied away from the heels of SUNNY STAR. WEALTHY DELIGHT lay in momentarily approaching the turn after the 600 Metres. Rounding the Home Turn, CHATER PINS was awkwardly placed behind HEAVENLY THOUGHT. Passing the 200 Metres, CHATER PINS was shifted out around the heels of CHEERFUL LEADER to obtain clear running. In the Straight, HEAVENLY THOUGHT was held up behind SUNNY LAD and LEWIS and consequently was not able to be fully tested. For the majority of the race, CHEERFUL LEADER travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of HEAVENLY THOUGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WEALTHY DELIGHT and SUNNY STAR were sent for sampling.

DIVINE REGULUS, which was very fractious in the barriers, missed the start. Before being allowed to race again, DIVINE REGULUS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. MR LUMIERES began awkwardly and then soon after the start bumped with STARZ HERO. Making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres, MR LUMIERES was steadied away from the heels of SCORES OF FUN (V Borges) which shifted in when not fully clear. When steadied, MR LUMIERES shifted in and made contact with STARZ HERO, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. V Borges was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground. Approaching the 900 Metres, MR LUMIERES was steadied when awkwardly placed inside SPARKLING DRAGON which improved to be racing tight inside the heels of HARMONY N HOME which was being steadied to obtain cover. Approaching the turn near the 600 Metres, ARES lay in and raced awkwardly close to the heels of THOU SHALL SING. Approaching the 500 Metres, LITTLE BIRD was steadied when awkwardly placed between SCORES OF FUN which shifted out slightly and ARES which shifted in slightly as it came under pressure. LITTLE BIRD continued to race in restricted room inside the heels of ARES approaching the Home Turn and at the 400 Metres was again steadied due to ARES laying in as it commenced to give ground. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken. Rounding the Home Turn, SPARKLING DRAGON was awkwardly placed near the heels of HARMONY N HOME when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. When improving into a tight run between THOU SHALL SING and EQUALETTA BLITZ approaching the 200 Metres, SCORES OF FUN made contact with the hindquarters of EQUALETTA BLITZ which then lay in, resulting in SCORES OF FUN and THOU SHALL SING being momentarily crowded. Approaching the 100 Metres, M F Poon (THOU SHALL SING) dropped his right rein. Throughout the race, EQUALETTA BLITZ travelled wide and without cover. ARES also travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of ARES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Immediately following the race, the Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident occurred involving IMA SINGLE MAN which cast sufficient doubt as to whether that horse should be declared a runner. Subsequently Apprentice C L Chau and Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of IMA SINGLE MAN, made application to the Stewards for IMA SINGLE MAN to be declared a non-runner on the grounds that the horse had not been afforded a fair start. After taking evidence from Apprentice Chan, Mr Cruz and Mr A Speechley, Starter, and after viewing the official videos, it was established that IMA SINGLE MAN, which was very fractious in the barriers and reared on a number of occasions, again reared simultaneously with the start being effected. The Stewards were of the view that IMA SINGLE MAN had caused its own problem by being fractious in the barriers and that it was not possible for the Starter to have anticipated that the horse would again rear as he effected the start. The Stewards were therefore satisfied the horse had been afforded a fair start and accordingly IMA SINGLE MAN was declared a runner. Apprentice Chau stated that after missing the start badly, he rode IMA SINGLE MAN along, however, the horse failed to give any response and became detached from the field. He said he continued to ride the horse along in the Back Straight, however, IMA SINGLE MAN remained detached from the field and would not pick up the bit and make up ground. A veterinary inspection of IMA SINGLE MAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The barrier manners and performance of IMA SINGLE MAN, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, IMA SINGLE MAN 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 regarding SEVEN HEAVENS being ridden in the lead, Apprentice K H Chan stated that his instructions were to jump well and then to find cover, hopefully near midfield. He said SEVEN HEAVENS began very well and took up a forward position without being pressured. He said rounding the first turn he was racing in a three wide position slightly in advance of LITTLE BIRD to his inside. He said as SEVEN HEAVENS was travelling well, he allowed his mount to improve forward of LITTLE BIRD into the lead rather than racing wide and without cover. He said as a consequence SEVEN HEAVENS raced in a more prominent position than was intended. When questioned, Z Purton stated that HARMONY N HOME was forced to race wide but with cover throughout the event. He said when brought to the outside of runners immediately upon straightening, HARMONY N HOME did not respond to his riding and felt short in its action. He added as the horse was giving no response under hands and heels riding, he did not believe it was necessary to pull the whip on HARMONY N HOME. A veterinary inspection of HARMONY N HOME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, HARMONY N HOME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. IMA SINGLE MAN, SCORES OF FUN and SPARKLING DRAGON were sent for sampling.

FALCON TURBO was very slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, FALCON TURBO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. HERE COMES TED began only fairly. From wide barriers, SNAP FIT and TAKE WHAT YOU NEED were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SMOOTHIES travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, J Moreira stated that KINDA COOL travelled three wide and without cover throughout the race and came under heavy pressure prior to the Home Turn to hold its position. He said the horse’s disappointing performance, in his view, could be attributed to the hard run that it endured which resulted in KINDA COOL weakening in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of KINDA COOL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of KINDA COOL, a winner of its last two starts, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KINDA COOL 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 regarding his riding of LOVING A BOOM in the early part of the Straight, C Soumillon stated that he was instructed to ride the horse patiently and to save its finishing run for as long as possible. He said having previously ridden the horse, he feels as though LOVING A BOOM does not possess a long finishing run, therefore he allowed the horse to improve to the outside of KINDA COOL upon straightening and to make ground of its own accord before placing it under full pressure at the 200 Metres. C Soumillon was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he must ensure that he places his mounts under pressure at the appropriate stage of the race. A veterinary inspection of SNAP FIT and HERE COMES TED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. IGNITING and LOVING A BOOM were sent for sampling.