SUPER FUN began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of PLEASANT GUY, resulting in SUPER FUN losing ground. STRIKING MR C shifted out at the start and bumped VICTORY SONG. From the outside barriers, NASHASHUK and TRIUMPHANT LORD were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After being ridden along in the early stages, ROYAL CHOCOLATE was steadied near the 1050 Metres to obtain cover behind EXPONENTS which was being vigorously ridden. After the 800 Metres, TARGET FINDER was left racing wide and without cover. After the 500 Metres, ROYAL CHOCOLATE was awkwardly placed behind SUPER FUN. After the 250 Metres, PLEASANT GUY was shifted out away from behind EXPONENTS to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, VICTORY SONG was awkwardly placed outside the heels of PLEASANT GUY. After the race, N Callan stated that, unlike last start when SUPER FUN travelled strongly throughout the race, tonight the horse, after beginning awkwardly, had to be ridden along for some distance in the early stages to recover lost ground and then at no stage of the race travelled comfortably. He said he was always required to niggle at SUPER FUN to have the horse maintain its position and it then came under heavy pressure after the 600 Metres. He added, despite being ridden along rounding the Home Turn, SUPER FUN gave ground and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SUPER FUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of NASHASHUK 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, NASHASHUK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY HAPPY STAR, STRIKING MR C and TRIUMPHANT LORD were sent for sampling. <20/2/2020 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that TRIUMPHANT LORD had sustained an injury to the right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, TRIUMPHANT LORD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SUNNY MAJOR was withdrawn on 17.2.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (respiratory infection) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter SOLAR BILLION. MASTER BERNINI was withdrawn on 18.2.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter KEEP WINNING (C Schofield). Before being allowed to race again, SUNNY MAJOR and MASTER BERNINI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAY RUN and KA YING BRILLIANCE bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, GOOD RUNNERS WAY clipped the heels of WINNING WARRIOR (B Shinn) due to WINNING WARRIOR getting its head on the side and shifting out. Whilst the Stewards accepted that B Shinn was endeavouring to straighten his mount, nonetheless he was told in similar circumstances to do all he can to prevent his mount from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners. In this incident, SKY GEM, which was racing outside GOOD RUNNERS WAY, was inconvenienced. ROCKAGE shifted out at the start and bumped SOLAR BILLION. From the outside barrier, SOLAR BILLION was then steadied to obtain cover. From wide barriers, SUPER RED DRAGON and MI BLANCO were also steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1300 Metres, GREAT SMART was left racing wide and without cover. After the 1200 Metres, KA YING BRILLIANCE was momentarily crowded for room inside WINNING CIRCLE which shifted in abruptly before being corrected to relieve the tightening to KA YING BRILLIANCE. Near the 800 Metres, SUPER RED DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of GREAT SMART. SKY GEM, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of SUPER RED DRAGON and brushed SOLAR BILLION. Near the 700 Metres, HAY RUN got its head up when awkwardly placed behind KA YING BRILLIANCE. Rounding the Home Turn, HAY RUN was checked away from the heels of WINNING CIRCLE which commenced to give ground. Approaching the 400 Metres, SKY GEM was shifted out away from the heels of SUPER RED DRAGON. Passing the 300 Metres, HAY RUN was shifted in away from the heels of KEEP WINNING. GOOD RUNNERS WAY was held up for clear running from near the 250 Metres until passing the 150 Metres. After the race, J Moreira stated that when racing wide, MI BLANCO became unbalanced after being bumped and taken wider by SUPER RED DRAGON near the 1100 Metres. He said after this MI BLANCO came off the bridle and came under pressure after the 600 Metres and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MI BLANCO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WINNING CIRCLE and OUR GREEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER RED DRAGON, HIDDEN SPIRIT and KA YING BRILLIANCE were sent for sampling.

HARBOUR ALERT stumbled at the start and shifted out, resulting in SHIMMER AND SHINE, which began only fairly, being crowded for room. From a wide barrier, FAIRY TWINS was steadied to obtain cover. STRATHCLYDE failed to muster speed when ridden along from a wide barrier and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Near the 700 Metres, THE ABRAXAS was left racing very wide and without cover. Near the 250 Metres, SHIMMER AND SHINE raced tight outside VIVA COUNCIL which raced with its head on the side and shifted out after being brushed by EXCEL DELIGHT. Passing the 250 Metres, WONDER BRAHMA and FAIRY TWINS raced tight. After the race, L Hewitson stated that HARBOUR ALERT, which commenced to give ground from the 600 Metres, did not feel comfortable in its action at any stage of the race. A veterinary inspection of HARBOUR ALERT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HARBOUR ALERT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. As this was the second consecutive occasion that HARBOUR ALERT had finished tailed out in its race, the Stewards ruled that it must undertake a series of satisfactory consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. After the race, J Moreira stated that IRON KING initially quickened satisfactorily for him in the early part of the Straight and it was not until the final 100 Metres that the horse gave ground. He said, in his opinion, IRON KING’s failure to finish off the race could be attributed to its relative immaturity. A veterinary inspection of IRON KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WINS ALL and THE ABRAXAS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. IRON KING, VIVA COUNCIL and SHIMMER AND SHINE were sent for sampling.

SO WE JOY began only fairly. SUPER POWER MAN began awkwardly. DREAM WARRIORS began only fairly and then despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages became detached from the main body of the field. COOLCELEB shifted out at the start and bumped ISLAND WINNER which became unbalanced, shifted out and hampered ZERO HEDGE. LADY FIRST shifted out at the start and bumped SKY TREASURE which became unbalanced. UNDEFEATED shifted out at the start and bumped DAILY BEAUTY. After this, DAILY BEAUTY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance approaching the 800 Metres, ZERO HEDGE got its head up when racing keenly. After this, ZERO HEDGE continued to race keenly and approaching the turn near the 700 Metres again got its head up when awkwardly placed inside the heels of UNDEFEATED. ZERO HEDGE was again awkwardly placed inside the heels of UNDEFEATED near the 500 Metres. Near the 300 Metres, COOLCELEB raced in restricted room when improving into tight running between LADY FIRST and SO WE JOY. When questioned, H N Wong stated that he was able to obtain a forward position outside the lead in the early stages without having to make too much use of UNDEFEATED after that horse began awkwardly. He said UNDEFEATED travelled well in the middle stages, however, came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then at the entrance to the Straight made a significant breathing noise. He said whilst UNDEFEATED made a minor breathing noise in the latter stages of its last start success, this was of no consequence and he had worked the horse since then and there had been no breathing issues. He said he rode his mount along for a short distance in the early part of the Straight, however, UNDEFEATED did not respond and gave ground noticeably after the 300 Metres. He added for this reason he eased the horse down over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of UNDEFEATED immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, UNDEFEATED will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of PARTY GENIUS and GOLDEN EFFORT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SKY TREASURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. PARTY GENIUS, SUPER POWER MAN and ZERO HEDGE were sent for sampling.

JOYFUL CHEERS was tightened for room on jumping between FOODIE PRINCESS which shifted in and MERIDIAN TALENT which began awkwardly and shifted out. This resulted in all three horses becoming unbalanced. From wide barriers, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, BEST ALLIANCE and DEFINING MOMENT were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, FOODIE PRINCESS was crowded for room between CHUNGHWA JINGSHEN and JOYFUL CHEERS which shifted out. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, MISTER MONTE was momentarily crowded for room between CURLING LUXURY and MEGATRON which shifted out. Passing the 1400 Metres, MEGATRON raced tight between TANG FLEMING and CURLING LUXURY (L Hewitson) which shifted in. L Hewitson was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. Passing the 1300 Metres, TANG FLEMING went amiss and was retired out of the race. As TANG FLEMING lost ground abruptly, MERIDIAN TALENT was checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted in, resulting in SUPREME PATROL being crowded for room and brushing the running rail. FOODIE PRINCESS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, BEST ALLIANCE and CHUNG WAH SPIRIT, which were following TANG FLEMING, were all badly hampered in consequence. MISTER MONTE was shifted out away from TANG FLEMING, resulting in JOYFUL CHEERS, which was following, having to shift out abruptly away from the heels of MISTER MONTE. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that TANG FLEMING had sustained an injury to the left front fetlock. After the 600 Metres, MERIDIAN TALENT commenced to give ground abruptly and finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of MERIDIAN TALENT immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, MERIDIAN TALENT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEST ALLIANCE had some difficulty obtaining a run after the 300 Metres and passing the 200 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of GOOD FIT to obtain clear running. The performance of JOYFUL CHEERS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL CHEERS 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 CHUNG WAH SPIRIT and JOYFUL CHEERS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FOODIE PRINCESS and THIS ONE’S FOR YOU were sent for sampling. Samples were also taken from TANG FLEMING.

BALTIC SUCCESS shifted out at the start and bumped AMBITIOUS HEART. MOMENTUM GALAXY shifted out at the start and bumped SILVER FIG which began awkwardly. FRUSTRATED stumbled at the start, shifted out and inconvenienced HANDSOME REBEL. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, AMBITIOUS HEART failed to muster speed. From wide barriers, WHISKEY NEAT and NORDIC WARRIOR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. K Teetan (WILL POWER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MOMENTUM GALAXY, causing that horse to be checked away from the heels of WILL POWER and to be unnecessarily hampered. K Teetan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 11 March 2020 and to expire on Sunday, 15 March 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Teetan’s good race riding record. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if CALIFORNIA ARCHER had been afforded a fair start. After viewing the videos, it was established that as the start was effected CALIFORNIA ARCHER reared and turned its head to the left and into the adjoining stall. When CALIFORNIA ARCHER reared, C Schofield, the rider of that horse, was dislodged, resulting in CALIFORNIA ARCHER leaving the barrier stalls riderless. As the Stewards were satisfied that CALIFORNIA ARCHER had been standing satisfactorily as the start was effected, it was found to have been afforded a fair start and accordingly CALIFORNIA ARCHER was deemed to be a runner. Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA ARCHER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. A veterinary inspection of BALTIC SUCCESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RED DESERT and WILL POWER were sent for sampling.

HAPPY SEBRING and RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE were slow to begin. HOLY HEART was bumped on jumping by ENFOLDING which shifted in away from OWNERS’ STAR. After this, ENFOLDING was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, MONGOLIAN LEGEND got its head on the side and shifted in away from HOLY HEART when reluctant to maintain its position inside that horse. After the 900 Metres, GENERAL DINO and UNITE SPIRIT were left racing wide and without cover. ENFOLDING was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and passing the 400 Metres was shifted out from behind OWNERS’ STAR and HOLY HEART to improve. Near the 450 Metres, I DO was bumped and taken wider by RED ELYSEES which shifted out to improve. RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was held up for clear running until passing the 250 Metres. After the race, Z Purton said that when returning to the unsaddling area, ENFOLDING did not feel entirely comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of ENFOLDING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT, WIND GLIDER and I DO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE and RED ELYSEES were sent for sampling. <20/2/2020 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that UNITE SPIRIT was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, UNITE SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SUPERICH and FORTUNE BOOTH were slow to begin. MOMENT OF POWER shifted out at the start and bumped BIG TIME BABY. UGLY WARRIOR lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then despite being ridden along in the early stages was slow to muster speed. Passing the 800 Metres, ELITE PATCH was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MR SO AND SO. Passing the 700 Metres, UGLY WARRIOR was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 600 Metres, CALIFORNIA WHIP became unbalanced when crowded for room between ENCORE BOY and UGLY WARRIOR which, after shifting in marginally, then shifted in further after receiving contact on the hindquarters by CALIFORNIA WHIP. Passing the 500 Metres, ENCORE BOY raced tight between MR CROISSANT and CALIFORNIA WHIP when improving into restricted room between those horses. A veterinary inspection of UGLY WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE BOOTH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BIG TIME BABY and GUNNISON were sent for sampling.