VECTOR stood flat-footed as the start was effected and lost ground. Before being allowed to race again, VECTOR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. ZACIAN shifted out at the start and bumped GENERAL TRUMP. From wide barriers, UNIVERSAL CROWN, FUN TIMES and THIS IS CHARISMA were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1100 Metres, E HONEY commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when racing close to the heels of GENERAL TRUMP. E HONEY continued to travel keenly and after the 1000 Metres again got its head up when awkwardly placed outside the heels of GENERAL TRUMP. Also after the 1100 Metres, VECTOR became unbalanced when momentarily improving into tight running inside the heels of GENERAL TRUMP. At the 900 Metres, FUN TIMES was left racing wide and without cover and after the 900 Metres was bumped by UNIVERSAL CROWN which shifted out away from the heels of E HONEY. Passing the 850 Metres, VIVA CHEF was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOLDEN MISSION when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. For some distance after the 800 Metres, FOR FUN’S SAKE raced with its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of E HONEY. Rounding the Home Turn, FUN TIMES and UNIVERSAL CROWN bumped and became unbalanced as UNIVERSAL CROWN (Apprentice C L Chau) was directed to the outside of E HONEY to obtain clear running. Apprentice Chau was reprimanded and told that this was the second occasion this season that the Stewards had to speak to him regarding making contact with other runners to obtain clear running He was warned against the practice of making unnecessary contact with other runners. Passing the 400 Metres, VECTOR was shifted in away from the heels of ZACIAN. Approaching the 200 Metres, K C Leung (THIS IS CHARISMA) dropped his whip. Near the 50 Metres, ZACIAN raced tight outside the heels of GOLDEN MISSION which shifted out. A veterinary inspection of SHANGHAI POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ZACIAN, IRON KING and GOLDEN MISSION were sent for sampling.

CALIFORNIA CONCORD shifted out at the start and bumped READY TO WIN which began awkwardly. This resulted in both horses becoming unbalanced. SUPER AXIOM began awkwardly, shifted in on jumping and bumped CANTSTOPTHEFEELING. MEGA HEART began very awkwardly and a short distance after the start bumped with INVINCIBLE MISSILE. From the outside barriers, SUPER WIN DRAGON and ELON were steadied to obtain cover in the early stages. Near the 1150 Metres, OUR CREED and CANTSTOPTHEFEELING bumped. Passing the 1100 Metres, SUPER WIN DRAGON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NORTHERN DRAGON which was being steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 600 Metres, GUNNISON was awkwardly placed inside the heels of OUR CREED. Near the 550 Metres, ELON was steadied away from the heels of SUPER WIN DRAGON. Approaching the 100 Metres, SUPER WIN DRAGON was shifted out away from the heels of CALIFORNIA CONCORD to obtain clear running. In the early part of the Straight, CALIFORNIA CONCORD lay out under pressure. After the race, K Teetan reported that CALIFORNIA CONCORD did not feel comfortable in its action during the race. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA CONCORD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA CONCORD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, A Badel reported that he had to do too much work on CANTSTOPTHEFEELING to obtain a forward position in the early stages than had been anticipated. He said because of this CANTSTOPTHEFEELING was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of CANTSTOPTHEFEELING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, M F Poon reported that READY TO WIN, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong, was very disappointing in today’s race. He said the horse came under pressure after the 600 Metres and after this did not respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of READY TO WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SUPER AXIOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALIFORNIA CONCORD, ELON and NORTHERN DRAGON were sent for sampling.

GREAT KING began very awkwardly and bumped the outside of its gate, resulting in GREAT KING losing ground. HANG’S DECISION shifted out at the start and bumped LITTLE PLAYER. LOYAL BABY began awkwardly. UNICORNBABY began only fairly and then after being ridden along in the early stages was slow to muster speed. From wide barriers, DARCI JOY and SUN OF MAKFI were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, DARCI JOY was momentarily crowded for room between HANG’S DECISION and SUN OF MAKFI which shifted in. After being crossed by SUN OF MAKFI, DARCI JOY got its head up when racing close to the heels of that horse passing the 1000 Metres. Making the turn approaching the 900 Metres, LITTLE PLAYER was awkwardly placed behind FORTUNE MASTER which was steadied after racing in restricted room between UNICORNBABY and GREEN ENVY which itself was racing tight inside the heels of LOYAL BABY. UNICORNBABY brushed the running rail approaching the 900 Metres. After the 200 Metres, HANG’S DECISION raced tight inside the heels of DARCI JOY when improving into tight running between that horse and SUN OF MAKFI. After the 100 Metres, LITTLE PLAYER lay out under pressure. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the opinion that an incident occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether HANG’S DECISION (H N Wong) and DARCI JOY (A Hamelin) should have dead heated for third placing. It was found that near the 25 Metres HANG’S DECISION and DARCI JOY brushed due to a minimal shift from DARCI JOY. This resulted in DARCI JOY becoming unbalanced and passing the winning post shifting in and bumping HANG’S DECISION. As the Stewards formed the view that the two horses brushing near the 25 Metres had no consequence on their finishing position and that the latter contact was passing the winning post, they did not proceed to a formal protest/objection hearing. Whilst it did not have any bearing on the decision of the Stewards, it should be noted that neither H N Wong nor A Hamelin lodged a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of those horses. After the race, K Teetan reported that whilst he had to make some use of LOYAL BABY in the early stages to obtain a forward position, his mount initially travelled satisfactorily, however, came under pressure passing the 500 Metres. He said at this stage GOLDEN BOLT and SUNNY DELIGHT were able to improve their position forward of LOYAL BABY and his mount was not able to improve with those horses. He said at the entrance to the Straight LOYAL BABY came under pressure and then was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of LOYAL BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of UNICORNBABY and FORTUNE MASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN BOLT and SUNNY DELIGHT were sent for sampling.

FOURAWARRIOR began only fairly and shortly after the start became badly unbalanced when crowded for room between EIGHT TRIGRAMS which got its head on the side and lay out and THE BEST HERO which shifted in after initially shifting out at the start and bumping BLOTTING PAPER. SHADOW RUNNER shifted out at the start and bumped AMAZING KNIGHT which in turn shifted out and inconvenienced SPLIT OF A SECOND and EVERYONE’S VICTORY which on jumping lifted its front feet and lost ground. After this, SPLIT OF A SECOND was shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. Also after this, EVERYONE’S VICTORY failed to muster speed despite being ridden along. In the early stages, SHADOW RUNNER was also steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 800 Metres, AMAZING KNIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WHIZZ KID which failed to maintain its position despite being ridden along. Making the first turn near the 700 Metres, BLOTTING PAPER was steadied to obtain cover behind VALIANT ELEGANCE. Throughout the race, WHIZZ KID travelled wide and without cover. After the race, J Moreira stated that after not being able to show sufficient speed to lead, in his opinion, FORTUNE HAPPINESS resented the kickback as it had done in the past on occasions when ridden by him. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE HAPPINESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FOURAWARRIOR immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, FOURAWARRIOR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of EVERYONE’S VICTORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FORTUNE HAPPINESS, THE BEST HERO and WHIZZ KID were sent for sampling.

When parading, STREET SCREAM became fractious and reared, resulting in the lead rope becoming momentarily entangled in the horse’s legs. A veterinary examination of STREET SCREAM in the Parade Ring found that horse to have sustained an abrasion to the right hock but to be suitable to proceed to the barriers. On arrival at the barriers, STREET SCREAM was again examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was suitable to race. PRANCE DRAGON began awkwardly. VIVA HUNTER shifted out at the start and bumped BOOM STITCH which was then crowded for room inside INFINITE POWER. NEW ASIA ADVANCE and STREET SCREAM bumped at the start. From the outside barrier, HERCULES was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1100 Metres, NEW ASIA ADVANCE and BOOM STITCH bumped as a result of being crowded for room between VIVA HUNTER and STREET SCREAM which lay in. STREET SCREAM was then directed out to relieve the tightening to runners to its inside. Despite being ridden along for some distance after the 1000 Metres, JUDY’S STAR was reluctant to maintain its position and making the turn near the 900 Metres shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of VIVA HUNTER. A veterinary inspection of JUDY’S STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. For a considerable distance after the 800 Metres, PRANCE DRAGON raced close to the heels of FALCON TURBO. After the race, FALCON TURBO was found to have sustained abrasions to the left hind heel. In the early part of the Straight, STREET SCREAM got its head on the side and lay in under pressure and was reluctant to shift to the outside of VIVA HUNTER. Approaching the 300 Metres, FALCON TURBO was shifted to the outside of INFINITY WIN after being disappointed for running between that horse and INFINITE POWER. BOOM STITCH raced greenly under pressure in the Straight and shifted ground on a number of occasions. Throughout the race, RED BRICK GLORY travelled wide and without cover. INFINITY WIN, INFINITE POWER and FALCON TURBO were sent for sampling.

NIMBLE NIMBUS shifted out at the start and bumped LIGHT OF WANSHI which lost ground. STRIVE FOR GLORY began awkwardly. PASSING FASHION shifted out abruptly at the start and was checked away from the heels of VOYAGE STAR, resulting in PASSING FASHION losing ground. From a wide barrier, LEGION OF MERIT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, STRIVE FOR GLORY was shifted out away from the heels of SHINING RED. Approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, PASSING FASHION travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind GOOD BEAUTY. After initially being ridden along to obtain a forward position, TURQUOISE ALPHA was steadied passing the 1300 Metres in an attempt to obtain cover. TURQUOISE ALPHA was then left racing wide and without cover and approaching the 1000 Metres was ridden along to clear PASSING FASHION. Then after the 800 Metres, TURQUOISE ALPHA was again left racing wide and without cover. After the 800 Metres, PASSING FASHION was also left racing wide and without cover and subsequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of PASSING FASHION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PASSING FASHION was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PASSING FASHION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Approaching the 500 Metres, STRIVE FOR GLORY was awkwardly placed between TURQUOISE ALPHA and NIMBLE NIMBUS which shifted out. Then at the entrance to the Straight, NIMBLE NIMBUS improved into tight running between GOOD BEAUTY and TURQUOISE ALPHA. NIMBLE NIMBUS was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD BEAUTY passing the 400 Metres before being directed to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. Passing the 400 Metres, LIGHT OF WANSHI was directed to the inside of WAH MAY LUCK to obtain clear running and lay out under pressure after the 200 Metres. After the race, WAH MAY LUCK was found to have sustained a minor laceration to the right hind fetlock. A veterinary inspection of GREAT TREASURE, TURQUOISE ALPHA and SHINING RED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VOYAGE STAR and BREEZE OF SPRING were sent for sampling.

CHAMPION’S WAY shifted out at the start and hampered RUSSIAN EMPEROR. After this, from the outside barriers, CHAMPION’S WAY and RUSSIAN EMPEROR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, DECRYPT shifted out and brushed SKY DARCI. After this, SKY DARCI was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DECRYPT. Despite being aggressively ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, MIGHTY GIANT was very slow to muster speed and then in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of MIGHTY GIANT immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. DUKE WAI travelled keenly approaching and passing the 1200 Metres when being steadied to obtain cover. After the 300 Metres, DUKE WAI lay in under pressure, resulting in DECRYPT being momentarily steadied away from the heels of that horse passing the 250 Metres. Passing the 100 Metres, SKY DARCI was unable to improve into tight running between TOURBILLON DIAMOND and BUDDIES. A veterinary inspection of SOUTHERN LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SKY DARCI, BUDDIES and TOURBILLON DIAMOND were sent for sampling.

ROCK YA HEART, which was kicked by a lead horse behind the barriers, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was suitable to race. MASTER DELIGHT began only fairly. ROCK YA HEART began very awkwardly and lost ground. EMBARKED shifted out abruptly at the start and was steadied away from the heels of GOOD HEALTH which resulted in EMBARKED losing ground. After this, from a wide barrier, EMBARKED was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, PLEASANT ENDEAVOR was also steadied to obtain cover in the early stages. Approaching the 900 Metres, ROCK YA HEART was awkwardly placed behind DIAMOND BRILLIANT. Also approaching the 900 Metres, WAR OF COURAGE was left racing wide and without cover and was steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 400 Metres, ROCK YA HEART raced tight between FIVE ELEMENTS and DIAMOND BRILLIANT. DIAMOND BRILLIANT (Apprentice C L Chau) then shifted in, resulting in ROCK YA HEART being crowded for room outside FIVE ELEMENTS. ROCK YA HEART was then hampered approaching the 300 Metres between DIAMOND BRILLIANT and FIVE ELEMENTS which shifted out marginally. Apprentice Chau was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Throughout the race, DIAMOND BRILLIANT travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND BRILLIANT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PACKING VICTORY and FIVE ELEMENTS were sent for sampling.

As the start was effected, HEZA BEAUTY (K Teetan) bounded in the air, resulting in K Teetan’s helmet making contact with the overhead structure of the barriers. Then on landing, K Teetan was dislodged from HEZA BEAUTY. Having regard to HEZA BEAUTY’s previous record, the Stewards ruled that the horse must barrier trial satisfactorily before being allowed to race again. A veterinary inspection of HEZA BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. K Teetan was subsequently examined by the Chief Medical Officer and passed to be suitable to fulfil his remaining race riding engagement. MOERAKI shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of PROUD DRAGON. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, UNCLE STEVE (Apprentice C L Chau) failed to muster speed. Apprentice Chau confirmed that it was intended for UNCLE STEVE to be ridden in a forward position behind the leaders if possible. He said however that UNCLE STEVE did not show sufficient speed in the early stages and because of this raced much further back in the field than had been intended. From the outside barrier, MALDIVES was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After being shifted across behind runners in the early stages, FANTASTIC SHOW became detached from the field despite being ridden along. Passing the 1000 Metres, ABLE REIGN momentarily became unbalanced of its own accord. Approaching the 900 Metres, MOERAKI was eased away from the heels of MASTER HERO (J Moreira) which shifted in when not quite clear. J Moreira was advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. PROUD DRAGON was badly held up for clear running from on straightening until after the 300 Metres. UNCLE STEVE was badly held up for clear running from on straightening until after the 200 Metres. After the 350 Metres, MALDIVES shifted in and bumped CRAIG’S STAR. Passing the 300 Metres, ABLE REIGN momentarily raced tight inside UNCLE STEVE which shifted to the inside of CHANCHENG PRINCE. CHANCHENG PRINCE travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race. When questioned, A Hamelin stated that after initially travelling well in the early stages, APACHE PASS commenced to prove very difficult to settle after the 800 Metres and approaching the 700 Metres improved to be racing very close to the heels of PROUD DRAGON. He said as he commenced to check APACHE PASS away from the heels of PROUD DRAGON, APACHE PASS took charge and commenced to shift out. He said he had to severely check APACHE PASS until after entering the Home Straight which resulted in the bit pulling through the horse’s mouth to an extent. He said when easing APACHE PASS out of the race, the horse continued to want to hang to the left. When APACHE PASS shifted out passing the 700 Metres, BEAUTY LEGACY was hampered when bumped on the hindquarters by APACHE PASS with UNCLE STEVE being shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. PRECISE EXPRESS, which was following APACHE PASS, was severely checked for a considerable distance to avoid the heels of that horse. Given the racing manners of APACHE PASS, the Stewards ruled that before being allowed to race again, APACHE PASS must undertake a series of consecutive satisfactory barrier trials around a bend in which it must be ridden by a senior rider. The Stewards also advised Mr P O’Sullivan, the trainer of APACHE PASS, that only a senior work rider would be permitted to ride the horse in its work until further notice. A veterinary inspection of APACHE PASS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER HERO and UNCLE STEVE were sent for sampling.

Whilst in the saddling stalls, NABOO ATTACK had its left front plate refitted. NABOO ATTACK was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. LOVING A BOOM was crowded for room on jumping between FAT TURTLE and SUNNY BOY which was bumped and taken out by IGNITING which got its head on the side and shifted out despite the efforts of its rider. In this incident, FAT TURTLE became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by LOVING A BOOM. SHINING GEM began only fairly and then was crowded for room between NABOO ATTACK and WINNER METHOD which shifted out. After this, SHINING GEM and NABOO ATTACK were steadied to obtain cover. From a wide barrier, SHINING ACE was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Approaching the 900 Metres, CALIFORNIA RAD shifted in and raced tight outside the hindquarters of WINNER METHOD. Approaching and passing the 900 Metres, IGNITING got its head up when awkwardly placed behind TRILLION WIN which was being steadied to obtain cover behind WINNER METHOD. After being crossed by WINNER METHOD, TRILLION WIN commenced to travel keenly and got its head on the side and lay out towards the hindquarters of CALIFORNIA RAD, resulting in TRILLION WIN losing ground. IGNITING, which was following TRILLION WIN, again got its head up and was severely checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, KILLER BEE got its head on the side, lay out and bumped PRIVATE ROCKET which became unbalanced. After this, KILLER BEE travelled keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNNY BOY. NABOO ATTACK, which was following KILLER BEE, shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in SHINING ACE being taken wider and without cover. After the 900 Metres, FAT TURTLE was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, SHINING GEM was hampered when crowded for room inside NABOO ATTACK (Z Purton) which attempted to improve to the inside of KILLER BEE as that horse was being directed to the outside of SUNNY BOY. As NABOO ATTACK was improving into tight running, KILLER BEE shifted in marginally, resulting in NABOO ATTACK being taken in onto SHINING GEM which was hampered. Z Purton was advised that whilst KILLER BEE had had some bearing in advance of NABOO ATTACK at this stage, nonetheless he must exercise due care when improving into tight runs to ensure that other horses are not hampered. Approaching the 100 Metres, NABOO ATTACK was momentarily awkwardly placed behind CALIFORNIA RAD before being shifted to the outside of that horse to continue improving. When questioned, Z Purton stated that after the 600 Metres he was following PRIVATE ROCKET. He said the tempo in the middle stages was not particularly fast and felt that had he have shifted NABOO ATTACK to the outside of PRIVATE ROCKET, the horse may have been left somewhat flat-footed when the pace of the race increased. He said horses racing towards the inside in today’s races appeared to have been better suited than those making their runs out wide and therefore when he observed KILLER BEE commencing to shift to the outside of SUNNY BOY, he felt that it was a better option to improve to the inside of that horse rather than shift out. He said after being momentarily awkwardly placed inside KILLER BEE near the 450 Metres, NABOO ATTACK had clear and uninterrupted running until being inconvenienced near the 100 Metres, however, he was of the opinion that NABOO ATTACK had its opportunity in today’s race and that given the manner in which the track was racing today, the decision to pursue inside runs was supported. When questioned, regarding the performance of KILLER BEE, J Moreira stated that, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing in today’s race. He said after being awkwardly placed behind SUNNY BOY after the 800 Metres, KILLER BEE travelled well enough to be able to finish off the race. He said KILLER BEE was again awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNNY BOY rounding the Home Turn at which stage NABOO ATTACK was able to quicken better than KILLER BEE. He said at the 400 Metres KILLER BEE obtained clear running and the horse did not close off the race as it had done in its previous races. He said whilst KILLER BEE stayed on over the concluding stages, nonetheless, in his opinion, the horse did not sprint as it had done previously. He added that KILLER BEE did make a respiratory noise during the race, however, it had done this previously and therefore he did not consider this to have impacted on the horse’s performance today. A veterinary inspection of KILLER BEE immediately following the race found that horse to have an abnormal respiratory noise. After the race, K Teetan (WINNER METHOD) stated that after riding his mount along in the early stages, he was able to clear TRILLION WIN and obtained the lead after the 1000 Metres. He said with CALIFORNIA RAD positioned to the outside of WINNER METHOD after the 800 Metres, WINNER METHOD would not relax as well as he had hoped and, in his opinion, travelled too keenly. He added he placed WINNER METHOD under pressure rounding the Home Turn, however, the horse was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of WINNER METHOD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FAT TURTLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KILLER BEE, TRILLION WIN and NABOO ATTACK were sent for sampling.