CIGARY, which sustained a minor abrasion when being transported to Happy Valley, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race. As the start was effected, AMAZING LUCK lifted its front feet off the ground, began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped CIGARY, causing both horses to become unbalanced. SUPER HONG KONG began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CHARGE ON. After being ridden along in the early stages to make up ground, AMAZING LUCK commenced to travel keenly and approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RAINBOW LIGHT. Making the turn after the 1300 Metres and again approaching the turn near the 1000 Metres, REGENCY MASTER got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 300 Metres, STAY CHILL was shifted out across the heels of THUNDER STOMP to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, H W Lai (CIGARY) dropped his whip. When questioned, N Callan stated that in discussions with connections prior to the race, they were concerned that MORE THAN ENOUGH had hung out and raced ungenerously after passing the winning post on the first occasion when racing over the course and distance two starts ago. He said it was felt that if MORE THAN ENOUGH was to be ridden along from the outside barrier to obtain a forward position, the horse may perform in a similar manner which would not provide it the opportunity to finish off its race. He said he was therefore asked to ride MORE THAN ENOUGH more conservatively tonight and obtain cover. THUNDER STOMP, STAY CHILL and RAINBOW LIGHT were sent for sampling.

TRIUMPHANT HORSE was withdrawn on 9.3.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, TRIUMPHANT HORSE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. COPARTNER ERA began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of HAPPY WIN WIN, causing both horses to become unbalanced. SHANGHAI GRACE and CIRCUIT HERO bumped on jumping. From the outside barrier, DREAM WARRIORS was steadied a short distance after the start to obtain cover. Shortly after the start, TANGMERE shifted out and brushed RED BRICK FIGHTER. In the early stages, CIRCUIT HERO was left racing wide and without cover and then had to be ridden along for some distance in the middle stages to race outside the lead passing the 700 Metres. Near the 1350 Metres, HAPPY WIN WIN and COPARTNER ERA raced tight. ALL YOU KNOW travelled keenly for some distance approaching and passing the 1300 Metres as that horse was steadied to obtain cover behind RED BRICK FIGHTER. After shifting out into a position one horse off the rail after the 950 Metres, TANGMERE shifted out marginally further after the 900 Metres, resulting in COPARTNER ERA, which was racing tight outside the heels of TANGMERE, becoming unbalanced and stumbling. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error associated with this incident, no further action was taken. After the race, the Stewards interviewed N Callan, the rider of CIRCUIT HERO, regarding that horse becoming badly unbalanced rounding the Home Turn. N Callan explained that CIRCUIT HERO is an immature horse which has become unbalanced in its action when he has previously ridden it. He said having its first start at Happy Valley tonight and having not trialed here previously, CIRCUIT HERO came under heavy pressure passing the 500 Metres after having to work hard to cross to race outside the lead in the middle stages. He said CIRCUIT HERO was being hard ridden rounding the Home Turn and, in his opinion, the horse slipped rounding the Home Turn as a result of its action when tired rather than any issue associated with the track. The Stewards subsequently directed that that section of the track be inspected by Officials of the Club who reported that there was no apparent issue with the track at this point which would cause CIRCUIT HERO to have slipped as it did. Having considered the circumstances of this incident, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again at Happy Valley, CIRCUIT HERO must barrier trial satisfactorily at that course. When CIRCUIT HERO became unbalanced, HAPPY WIN WIN, which was awkwardly placed inside that horse, was directed in away from CIRCUIT HERO in consequence. A veterinary inspection of COPARTNER ERA immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small laceration to the left hind pastern. SHANGHAI GRACE, TANGMERE and DREAM WARRIORS were sent for sampling.

JADE THEATRE was slow to begin. AFTER ME began only fairly, shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of KA FORTUNE, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced and AFTER ME losing ground. UNIVERSAL CROWN was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. From wide barriers, VEGA RHYTHM and PRAWN YEAH YEAH were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail. A Hamelin (TIGERLAD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 550 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SHANGHAI POWER, causing that horse to be unnecessarily hampered and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. A Hamelin was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 31 March 2021 and to expire on Tuesday, 6 April 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Hamelin was fined $22,500. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, KA FORTUNE and UNIVERSAL CROWN bumped, resulting in UNIVERSAL CROWN shifting out and bumping SMART CHARADE. JADE THEATRE, which was following UNIVERSAL CROWN, was awkwardly placed behind that horse in consequence. Near the 550 Metres, WONDER BRAHMA was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 500 Metres, PRAWN YEAH YEAH raced tight outside JADE THEATRE which shifted to the outside of UNIVERSAL CROWN. Then passing the 450 Metres, JADE THEATRE shifted out and bumped PRAWN YEAH YEAH. Shortly after entering the Straight, SMART CHARADE and SHANGHAI POWER raced tight as SHANGHAI POWER attempted to shift to the outside of WONDER BRAHMA to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, AFTER ME and VEGA RHYTHM raced tight as VEGA RHYTHM shifted to the inside of KA FORTUNE to obtain clear running. VEGA RHYTHM and AFTER ME then continued to race tight for a short distance. A veterinary inspection of AFTER ME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SMART CHARADE, FANTASTIC FABIO and WONDER BRAHMA were sent for sampling.

At declaration time, C Y Ho was declared as the rider of both PRANCE DRAGON and SEVEN HEAVENS. It was established that C Y Ho had a firm commitment to ride PRANCE DRAGON. As such, the Stewards permitted B Shinn to be substituted as the rider of SEVEN HEAVENS. For this declaration error, C Y Ho was fined $2,000. STAR OF WUYI shifted out at the start and bumped SEVEN HEAVENS, resulting in STAR OF WUYI becoming unbalanced, shifting in and bumping the hindquarters of TRAVEL GLORY. STAR OF WUYI then shifted back out and bumped SEVEN HEAVENS which was taken out, resulting in WINNER’S HEART and GOODMANSHIP being hampered when taken wider. GOODMANSHIP was then steadied to obtain cover. PRANCE DRAGON was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. HOT CHILI PEPPER shifted out at the start and bumped LUCKY TREASURE which was crowded for room inside ORIENTAL AMIGO. HOT CHILI PEPPER, LUCKY TREASURE and ORIENTAL AMIGO were then steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the first turn, LUCKY TREASURE, which was having its first race start, commenced to race ungenerously, got its head on the side and hung out. Approaching the 1000 Metres, WINNER’S HEART was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 900 Metres, SEVEN HEAVENS raced tight inside TRAVEL GLORY which got its head on the side and lay in. PRANCE DRAGON, which was following SEVEN HEAVENS, was awkwardly placed behind that horse in consequence. Then passing the 700 Metres, TRAVEL GLORY commenced to travel keenly and lay in away from the heels of STAR OF WUYI, resulting in PRANCE DRAGON being awkwardly placed inside the heels of TRAVEL GLORY. GOODMANSHIP, which was following TRAVEL GLORY, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in LUCKY TREASURE, which was continuing to travel keenly, being inconvenienced. Near the 300 Metres, GOODMANSHIP improved into restricted room between PRANCE DRAGON and TRAVEL GLORY, resulting in GOODMANSHIP being awkwardly placed outside the heels of PRANCE DRAGON passing the 300 Metres. After the 150 Metres, LUCKY TREASURE shifted out when giving ground. Near the 100 Metres, GOODMANSHIP was awkwardly placed outside the heels of PRANCE DRAGON. A veterinary inspection of GOODMANSHIP, LUCKY TREASURE and TRAVEL GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HERO STAR and STAR OF WUYI were sent for sampling.

LOTUS FAVORITES began awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, JOYFUL MOMENTS was also shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. LUCKY MARYKNOLL shifted out at the start and bumped STOCK LEGEND. SAM’S LOVE began awkwardly and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of EXUBERANT which was taken out by WHISKEY NEAT. CARRY THE DIAMOND began only fairly. A short distance after the start, ROMANTIC TROVE was steadied to obtain cover when racing wide. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, CARRY THE DIAMOND was steadied away from the heels of EXUBERANT. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, HAPPILY FRIENDS and VECTOR raced tight. Then approaching the 500 Metres, VECTOR dipped and became unbalanced. Approaching and passing the 500 Metres, EXUBERANT lay out. Shortly after entering the Straight, SAM’S LOVE was directed to the inside of EVERYONE’S VICTORY to obtain clear running. At the 250 Metres, ROMANTIC TROVE and SAM’S LOVE bumped, resulting in SAM’S LOVE becoming unbalanced. Approaching the 200 Metres, HAPPILY FRIENDS was shifted out away from the heels of STOCK LEGEND (J Moreira) which shifted out. J Moreira was advised to exercise greater care in future. Throughout the race, VECTOR travelled wide and without cover. After the race, K Teetan stated that EVERYONE’S VICTORY travelled keenly throughout the race. He said because EVERYONE’S VICTORY would not settle, the horse was then not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of EVERYONE’S VICTORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ROMANTIC TROVE had bled from both nostrils. STOCK LEGEND and WHISKEY NEAT were sent for sampling.

PICHU was slow to begin. VALIANT ELEGANCE began awkwardly, shifted out at the start and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of U W BROTHER. MAGIC BONUS was crowded for room on jumping between LEGEND GOES and JOLLY GOOD HEART, both of which shifted ground. Passing the 800 Metres, VICTORY IN HAND raced tight inside the heels of FLAMING PASSION which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to VICTORY IN HAND. MAGIC BONUS got its head on the side and made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly. At the entrance to the Straight, JOYFUL WIN lay in. FLAMING PASSION lay out under pressure after the 200 Metres, requiring its rider to change his whip over into the left hand approaching the 100 Metres. Throughout the race, TELECOM PUMA travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C Y Ho stated that it was decided to drop VICTORY IN HAND back in distance tonight as the horse had not been finishing off its races strongly over 1200 Metres. He said he was asked to begin positively on VICTORY IN HAND, but to obtain cover as the horse had previously travelled keenly in its races and it was felt that providing VICTORY IN HAND with cover would allow it to settle better. He said, from barrier 9, he shifted VICTORY IN HAND across behind SPICY SO GOOD which was drawn immediately inside VICTORY IN HAND and was being ridden along in the early stages. He said after the 900 Metres he had to ride his mount along as VICTORY IN HAND was not travelling as strongly as anticipated. He said after the 800 Metres he had to ride VICTORY IN HAND vigorously to prevent the horse from getting too far out of its ground and then making the turn after the 600 Metres VICTORY IN HAND got its head on the side and lay out when positioned behind FLAMING PASSION. He added he was able to maintain cover on VICTORY IN HAND and after obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight the horse then finished off the race strongly. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on SPICY SO GOOD at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SPICY SO GOOD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of VALIANT ELEGANCE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in its trachea and also found the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. FLAMING PASSION, TRAVEL DATUK and VICTORY IN HAND were sent for sampling.

MURRAY’S PARTNERS was slow to begin. From the outside barriers, NAMJONG PLUS and HELENE WISDOM STAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 700 Metres, XIANG BAI QI was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 550 Metres, WORLD FAMOUS was awkwardly placed behind FAST PACE. ALPHA HEDGE, which was following WORLD FAMOUS, raced close to the heels of that horse in consequence. After the race, M Chadwick explained that he was asked to ride CASIMIRO with cover and, from barrier 8, it was felt that this may be in about a midfield position or slightly worse than midfield. He said CASIMIRO began very well and immediately travelled into the bridle which resulted in him not being able to steady the horse to place it in a midfield position as hoped. He said as CASIMIRO was travelling strongly in the early stages, he allowed the horse to improve forward of FAST PACE and obtain a position behind the lead after passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said at no time in the early stages did he ride CASIMIRO along. He added CASIMIRO then finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of CASIMIRO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. J Moreira explained that passing the 900 Metres FAST PACE was travelling strongly and was awkwardly placed behind CASIMIRO. He said as the race was not being run at a particularly fast tempo, he elected to shift FAST PACE away from the heels of CASIMIRO and improved his position after the 800 Metres and obtained the lead after the 700 Metres. He said FAST PACE was able to improve its position easily at this stage and he was then able to bring the horse back under him passing the 600 Metres. He added he felt that it was in the best interests of FAST PACE to make a quick move at this stage rather than continuing to be awkwardly placed behind CASIMIRO and then possibly being left flat-footed when the tempo of the race increased. A veterinary inspection of WORLD FAMOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. XIANG BAI QI and FAST PACE were sent for sampling.

K C Leung (MERIDIAN GENIUS) was fined $2,000 for initially presenting himself to be weighed out with the incorrect saddle cloth number. ALCARI began very awkwardly and from the outside barrier was then steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. SUPER POWER MAN shifted in at the start and hampered FIRST RESPONDER. From wide barriers, STARZ HERO, WIND N GRASS and KINDA COOL were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. WHAT A LEGEND shifted out on jumping and bumped CAPITAL STAR. Shortly after the start, MERIDIAN GENIUS was bumped by WHAT A LEGEND which shifted in away from CAPITAL STAR. After the 950 Metres, FIRST RESPONDER and WHAT A LEGEND bumped. At the entrance to the Straight, WIND N GRASS was shifted out away from the heels of KINDA COOL to obtain clear running. Also at the entrance to the Straight, MERIDIAN GENIUS became badly unbalanced, resulting in its rider easing the horse down. A veterinary inspection of MERIDIAN GENIUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Having regard to the point of the track where this occurred, Club Officials again conducted an inspection of the relevant section which did not identify any areas of concern. Nonetheless, given that two horses had become unbalanced at or around this point of the track this evening, minor remedial work was undertaken prior to the running of the next race. Approaching the 200 Metres, KINDA COOL raced tight outside WHAT A LEGEND which shifted out. After the race, J Moreira stated that, unlike at its last start when the horse was able to obtain an uncontested lead, CAPITAL STAR had CALIFORNIA CONCORD racing directly to its outside throughout the middle stages of tonight’s race. He said after quickening well in the early part of the Straight, it was only over the concluding stages that CAPITAL STAR’s run ended and therefore he did not believe that the horse was disappointing in tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of CAPITAL STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FIRST RESPONDER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. CAPITAL STAR, WIND N GRASS and KINDA COOL were sent for sampling.

As the start was effected, EQUALETTA BLITZ reared and consequently was slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, EQUALETTA BLITZ will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. STRIVE FOR GLORY and NORDIC WARRIOR began only fairly. SHOUSON shifted out at the start and bumped AURORA PEGASUS. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, EQUALETTA BLITZ got its head up when racing tight inside NORDIC WARRIOR. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that, from the outside barrier, it was hoped that HERCULES would be able to show sufficient speed to be able to obtain a midfield position. He said shortly after the start he commenced to shift HERCULES across behind runners as he was aware that EQUALETTA BLITZ, which was drawn immediately inside HERCULES, did not begin well. He said he had hoped to obtain a position outside NORDIC WARRIOR which he anticipated would shift across to race on the rail which would afford HERCULES a trailing position behind AURORA PEGASUS. He said making the first turn near the 1050 Metres EQUALETTA BLITZ improved its position to be racing inside NORDIC WARRIOR and for this reason NORDIC WARRIOR remained racing one horse off the rail behind AURORA PEGASUS. He said he therefore allowed HERCULES to shift across to race behind NORDIC WARRIOR. He said in the middle stages the race was being run at a fast tempo and HERCULES was struggling to maintain its position behind NORDIC WARRIOR. He said he attempted to have HERCULES remain racing behind NORDIC WARRIOR, however, the horse was unable to keep up with the fast tempo. He added as HERCULES was getting out of its ground, he commenced to ride his mount along more vigorously passing the 700 Metres to improve its position, however, it was not until near the 500 Metres that HERCULES commenced to travel more strongly. He said he followed NORDIC WARRIOR into the Straight and as a gap opened up between NORDIC WARRIOR and HARRIER JET, he commenced to improve into this position. He said however that HARRIER JET was being taken out by AURORA PEGASUS and he was concerned that the gap would close between HARRIER JET and NORDIC WARRIOR and for this reason he directed his mount to the outside of NORDIC WARRIOR to ensure that HERCULES had clear running. He said over the concluding stages HERCULES then finished off the race well. After the race, H N Wong (YOUNG LEGEND) reported that his saddle shifted back shortly after the start, placing him at a disadvantage. A veterinary inspection of EQUALETTA BLITZ immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KA YING MASTER, SHOUSON and HIGH RISE SOLDIER were sent for sampling.