DIAMOND STAR began only fairly. RED MAJESTY began only fairly, shifted in and brushed the hindquarters of CENTENARY IBIS. From a wide barrier, INDIGENOUS STAR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early stages, FIRE AND GOLD failed to muster speed and passing the 1600 Metres was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Near the 1550 Metres, CENTENARY IBIS and RED MAJESTY bumped. Passing the 1300 Metres, CENTENARY IBIS was steadied away from the heels of RED MAJESTY (Z Purton) which shifted in when not properly clear. RED MAJESTY was then directed out to relieve the tightening to CENTENARY IBIS. Z Purton was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 250 Metres, BABY STORM was awkwardly placed behind VIRTUS STAR when being shifted to the outside of that horse. DIAMOND STAR lay out under pressure in the Straight. Throughout the race, VIRTUS STAR travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that in pre-race discussions with the connections of CALIFORNIA LEGEND, it was felt that there were a number of horses that were drawn better than CALIFORNIA LEGEND which had been ridden in a forward position previously. He said it was therefore felt that too much use may have to be made of CALIFORNIA LEGEND to cross runners to its inside to take up a forward position and the horse may not be able to finish off its race. He said he was therefore asked to steady CALIFORNIA LEGEND from a wide barrier and obtain a position in about midfield or behind midfield with cover. A veterinary inspection of BABY STORM and VIRTUS STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RED MAJESTY and WONDERFUL TIGER were sent for sampling.

At declaration time, A Hamelin was declared as the rider of both HAPPY ICHIBAN and FOX CHEUNGER. It was established that A Hamelin had a firm commitment to ride HAPPY ICHIBAN. As such, the Stewards permitted R Maia to be substituted as the rider of FOX CHEUNGER. For this declaration error, Trainer K W Lui was fined $2,000. BIG BANG BONG shifted in at the start and inconvenienced ENJOYABLE SUCCESS. PRESIDENT STAR lost ground when badly crowded for room on jumping between GALAXY RACER which shifted in abruptly when being steadied to obtain cover and ROSSE SCARPE which was awkwardly placed outside NITRO EXPRESS. In this incident, ROSSE SCARPE was hampered after becoming unbalanced. From wide barriers, JOY N FUN LEGEND and FOX CHEUNGER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, ENJOYABLE SUCCESS raced tight inside PRESIDENT STAR. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SHINEALOT raced close to the heels of BIG BANG BONG. ROSSE SCARPE travelled wide and without cover until near the 800 Metres at which stage E HONEY was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, ENJOYABLE SUCCESS was crowded for room inside SHINEALOT which shifted in marginally when being steadied away from the heels of ROSSE SCARPE which was commencing to give ground. GALAXY RACER, which was following ENJOYABLE SUCCESS, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. The performances of SMART THINKER and ROSSE SCARPE, both of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SMART THINKER and ROSSE SCARPE 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 E HONEY and GALAXY RACER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY ICHIBAN immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY ICHIBAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NITRO EXPRESS and SHINEALOT were sent for sampling. <20/5/2021 Additional Veterinary Reports>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that JOY N FUN LEGEND was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, JOY N FUN LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Simultaneously with the start being effected, VICTORY IN HAND put its head down and consequently lost ground. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY IN HAND will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. BALTIC WHISPER was crowded for room on jumping between OVERSUBSCRIBED and PANZERSCHRECK which got its head on the side and shifted out. In this incident, OVERSUBSCRIBED became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by BALTIC WHISPER. After this, despite being ridden along, BALTIC WHISPER failed to muster speed. From a wide barrier, SEA MONARCH was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 600 Metres, FARIBAULT was left racing wide and without cover. At the 100 Metres, FARIBAULT was brushed by TRAVEL DATUK which shifted in. C Y Ho (HAPPILY FRIENDS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in a number of horses, resulting in WIN WIN STAR being unnecessarily crowded for room and being hampered when losing its running close to the finishing line. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 6 June 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 10 June 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Ho was fined $60,000. When questioned regarding his riding after the 600 Metres, C Y Ho stated that HAPPILY FRIENDS was inclined to lay in during the preliminary and also in the early stages of the race. He said passing the 500 Metres it was his intention to commence to shift to the outside of MASTER OF FUN which was racing outside the lead. He said however that as MASTER OF FUN was laying out and given that HAPPILY FRIENDS had previously shown an inclination to lay in, he elected, rather than attempt to shift to the outside of that horse near the 450 Metres, to pursue an inside run as he anticipated that MASTER OF FUN would continue to lay out rounding the Home Turn which would provide HAPPILY FRIENDS with the opportunity to improve inside that horse. He said passing the 400 Metres as he commenced to take a run inside MASTER OF FUN, WIN WIN STAR improved its position inside HAPPILY FRIENDS which resulted in HAPPILY FRIENDS having to be checked away from the heels of MASTER OF FUN as that horse had not shifted out sufficiently for HAPPILY FRIENDS to improve to its inside. He said after being awkwardly placed inside MASTER OF FUN rounding the Home Turn, HAPPILY FRIENDS was able to obtain clear running between that horse and WIN WIN STAR shortly after entering the Straight. He said however that HAPPILY FRIENDS lay in towards the heels of WIN WIN STAR passing the 300 Metres and again passing the 250 Metres which resulted in HAPPILY FRIENDS being very awkwardly placed close to the heels of WIN WIN STAR which also shifted out marginally. He said for this reason he was required to direct HAPPILY FRIENDS to the outside of WIN WIN STAR after the 200 Metres to obtain clear running. A veterinary inspection of BALTIC WHISPER and PANZERSCHRECK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MASTER OF FUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. OVERSUBSCRIBED and HAPPILY FRIENDS were sent for sampling.

A Hamelin was fined the sum of $5,000 for weighing in 2 lbs overweight on SPLIT OF A SECOND. JUST NOT LISTENING began only fairly and then despite being ridden along shortly after the start failed to muster speed. JUST NOT LISTENING was then steadied a short distance after the start when racing tight between INNO LEGEND and SPLIT OF A SECOND which shifted out after being bumped by EVER JOY. This resulted in JUST NOT LISTENING racing back in the field. SEVENTH SEA began only fairly and then was crowded for room on jumping between DRAGON BABY which shifted out and FLAMING PASSION which, after shifting in, then became unbalanced and shifted in further when being bumped on the hindquarters by SEVENTH SEA. This resulted in SEVENTH SEA losing ground and both DRAGON BABY and FLAMING PASSION becoming unbalanced. From the outside barrier, GOOD SHOT was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. A short distance after the start, ISLAND SHINE was crowded for room between FLAMING PASSION and SIGHT HERO which shifted in. Approaching the 1100 Metres, EVER JOY shifted out and bumped SPLIT OF A SECOND. After the 900 Metres, UNIVERSAL GO GO was awkwardly placed inside the heels of EVER JOY which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider. JUST NOT LISTENING, which was following UNIVERSAL GO GO, was awkwardly placed behind that horse in consequence passing the 850 Metres. JUST NOT LISTENING continued to be very awkwardly placed behind UNIVERSAL GO GO approaching and passing the 800 Metres. After the 700 Metres, INNO LEGEND was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, DRAGON BABY got its head on the side and lay out and for some distance approaching the 400 Metres raced tight inside GOOD SHOT. DRAGON BABY then continued to lay out after the 500 Metres, resulting in DRAGON BABY being very awkwardly placed inside the heels of GOOD SHOT approaching the 450 Metres. DRAGON BABY, which was already very awkwardly placed inside GOOD SHOT, then lost ground when momentarily crowded for room between GOOD SHOT and UNIVERSAL GO GO (J Moreira) which shifted out. When DRAGON BABY lost ground, ISLAND SHINE was severely checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted out abruptly across the running of SEVENTH SEA which was severely checked and lost ground. As the Stewards were of the opinion that the racing manners of DRAGON BABY, which was racing at Happy Valley for the first time, had contributed significantly to this incident, no further action was taken other than J Moreira was reprimanded and advised to exercise due care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ISLAND SHINE had sustained a laceration to the left hind fetlock. Approaching the 250 Metres, SPLIT OF A SECOND momentarily raced in restricted room between FORTUNE CARRIER and INNO LEGEND which shifted in. After this, INNO LEGEND continued to lay in under pressure. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FLAMING PASSION, K Teetan stated that as the track appeared to be favouring horses which were ridden up on speed in the earlier races, it was decided to ride FLAMING PASSION positively from barrier 8 in the early stages and clear runners to its inside. He said it was felt that SIGHT HERO and FORTUNE CARRIER, which had drawn outside FLAMING PASSION, would be ridden to lead and if FLAMING PASSION was able to clear runners to its inside, this would allow the horse the opportunity to obtain cover behind SIGHT HERO or FORTUNE CARRIER. He said after riding his mount positively out of the barriers, a number of runners, which were drawn more favourably than FLAMING PASSION, were ridden to maintain their positions in the early stages which resulted in FLAMING PASSION racing very wide making the turn near the 1000 Metres. He said it was not until near the 900 Metres that FLAMING PASSION was able to clear runners to its inside and because of this the horse travelled too keenly in the middle stages. He said FLAMING PASSION continued to travel keenly until near the 700 Metres at which stage the horse received cover behind SIGHT HERO. He added after obtaining cover behind SIGHT HERO, FLAMING PASSION travelled comfortably and in the early part of the Straight responded well to his riding. He said however that after the 200 Metres FLAMING PASSION came under heavy pressure and then was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. He said, in his opinion, FLAMING PASSION’s weakening over the concluding stages was attributable to the horse doing too much work in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of FLAMING PASSION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FLAMING PASSION, favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FLAMING PASSION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FLAMING PASSION, UNIVERSAL GO GO and FORTUNE CARRIER were sent for sampling.

As the start was effected, VOYAGE STAR lifted its front feet off the ground and began only fairly. After this, VOYAGE STAR was ridden along for some distance to obtain a forward position, however, failed to muster speed and consequently raced back in the field. FALCON TURBO shifted out at the start and bumped TELECOM ROCKET which became unbalanced and was then crowded for room inside OURGOLDENRULES. From wide barriers, MASTER ALBERT, CHIKORITA and JAZZ STEED were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 900 Metres, RHAPSODY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ARES. At the entrance to the Straight, WHAT A LEGEND was shifted out away from the heels of LORIZ to obtain clear running. After the 150 Metres, JAZZ STEED and FALCON TURBO brushed. Passing the 50 Metres, FALCON TURBO raced tight inside JAZZ STEED which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the crowding to FALCON TURBO. Because of this, JAZZ STEED was not able to be properly tested over the concluding stages. Then close to the finishing line, FALCON TURBO was awkwardly placed behind ARES and because of this was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Throughout the race, LITTLE BIRD travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of CHIKORITA immediately following the race found that horse to have a continuous displacement of the soft palate. Acting on a recommendation from the Veterinary Officer, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, CHIKORITA will be referred to the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy for a further clinical assessment and will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of OURGOLDENRULES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WHAT A LEGEND, RHAPSODY and TELECOM ROCKET were sent for sampling.

SUPER BULLET began only fairly and then was crowded for room between MORE THAN ENOUGH and LIGHT MY DAY which shifted out. SUPER HONG KONG began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SAVVY KINGMAN. CHATER PINS began only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From a wide barrier, SEAWEED FORTUNE was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being vigorously ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, THUNDER STOMP was slow to muster speed. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, ALL BEST FRIENDS was left racing very wide and without cover and after the 1400 Metres was steadied to obtain cover towards the rear of the field. Approaching the 1000 Metres, ALL BEST FRIENDS was bumped and taken wider by SEAWEED FORTUNE which shifted out away from the heels of SINCERE BOY. Near the 250 Metres, THUNDER STOMP was directed out away from the heels of MORE THAN ENOUGH. A veterinary inspection of SINCERE BOY and MING WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SAVVY KINGMAN and MORE THAN ENOUGH were sent for sampling.

Just prior to the start being effected, HERE COMES TED became fractious and after beginning awkwardly was then bumped by LINCOLN BRIGHT which shifted out. SHOUSON began awkwardly and then was crowded for room between JOYFUL UNION and PING HAI GALAXY which shifted in. After this, SHOUSON was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, AMAZING NEWS was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 300 Metres, JOYFUL UNION was awkwardly placed outside the heels of YOO YOO KING which shifted out. Approaching the 200 Metres, AMAZING NEWS became unbalanced when momentarily racing in restricted room between YOO YOO KING and SIMPLY FLUKE which shifted out. After the 150 Metres, JOYFUL UNION again raced tight outside the heels of YOO YOO KING which drifted out under pressure. For the majority of the race, JOYFUL UNION travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SPONTANEOUS, V Borges stated that he was asked to take up a forward position on the horse but if another runner was intent on leading, then it was acceptable for him to take a trailing position. He said in accordance with his instructions he allowed the horse to obtain a forward position, however, SPONTANEOUS did not travel strongly in the early and middle stages as it did when he rode the horse previously. He said as SPONTANEOUS was not travelling as well as anticipated and PING HAI GALAXY was showing more speed than SPONTANEOUS, he allowed that horse to improve into the lead and then shifted to the outside of PING HAI GALAXY near the 500 Metres. He said rounding the Home Turn he became concerned that SPONTANEOUS was not going to finish off the race strongly as the horse was under heavy pressure and not responding to his riding. He added whilst SPONTANEOUS was one-paced in the early part of the Straight, the horse was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to travel in tonight’s race and then finish off the race. Mr P O’Sullivan, the trainer of SPONTANEOUS, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Borges and said that, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing. He said SPONTANEOUS had trialed well in the lead up to tonight’s race and off the back of its trial was considered to be a good chance in the race. He advised the Stewards that it is now his intention to spell SPONTANEOUS. A veterinary inspection of SPONTANEOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BE READY, LINCOLN BRIGHT, SHOUSON and SIMPLY FLUKE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPONTANEOUS, PING HAI GALAXY and BE READY were sent for sampling.

TRANSCENDENT and SPECIAL M were crowded for room on jumping between STOICISM and MEHBOOB which got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly. EIGHT TRIGRAMS began only fairly and then despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages failed to muster speed. Then passing the 1100 Metres, EIGHT TRIGRAMS was steadied and shifted across behind runners which resulted in the horse racing back in the field. Near the 650 Metres, SPECIAL M was momentarily crowded for room inside MEHBOOB which was racing tight inside STOCK LEGEND (A Badel) which shifted in. A Badel was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances and told to ensure that he does not place undue pressure on other horses. H Bentley (ALCARI) 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 STOICISM, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. H Bentley was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 2 June 2021 and to expire on Monday, 7 June 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Bentley’s good race riding record. When STOICISM was checked, MOMENTUM GALAXY, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. MOMENTUM GALAXY then continued to race very close to the heels of STOICISM and approaching the 400 Metres shifted out away from the heels of that horse. MOMENTUM GALAXY then raced very close to the heels of MEHBOOB and STOICISM and passing the 400 Metres stumbled. TRANSCENDENT, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. After the race, it was reported that STOICISM had sustained a minor laceration to the left front pastern. Over the concluding stages, AURORA PEGASUS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of THE RUNNER which shifted in under pressure. Throughout the race, THE RUNNER travelled wide and for the majority of the race without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of STOCK LEGEND, A Badel stated that, in his opinion, the horse’s failure to finish off the race tonight was attributable to the fact that it was required to race wide and without cover throughout the race. He said STOCK LEGEND did not travel strongly at any stage of the race and after coming under pressure rounding the Home Turn then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of STOCK LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of STOCK LEGEND, which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STOCK LEGEND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, C Schofield was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of SPECIAL M which he was riding for the first time tonight. He said SPECIAL M travelled well throughout the early and middle stages and after having some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight did not respond to his riding over the final 200 Metres and was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of SPECIAL M immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MOMENTUM GALAXY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STOICISM, TRANSCENDENT and ALCARI were sent for sampling.

STAR OF GLORY was slow to begin. BUNDLE OF DELIGHT raced in restricted room shortly after the start between CHEERFUL DAYS and WORLD FAMOUS which shifted out. From wide barriers, MURRAY’S PARTNERS, DYNAMIC EAGLE and XIANG BAI QI were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. FAST PACE lost its right front plate after travelling a short distance. Near the 1100 Metres, CHEERFUL DAYS raced tight outside WORLD FAMOUS which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FAST PACE. Passing the 850 Metres, GOLDEN SPECTRUM shifted out and commenced to improve its position and after this travelled wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, CHEERFUL DAYS and CINQUANTE CINQ raced tight as CINQUANTE CINQ shifted to the outside of WORLD FAMOUS to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, CINQUANTE CINQ and CHEERFUL DAYS brushed. C Wong (MURRAY’S PARTNERS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of DYNAMIC EAGLE, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In the circumstances, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for C Wong’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Wednesday, 2 June 2021 and to expire on Monday, 7 June 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). Near the 150 Metres, CINQUANTE CINQ was shifted out away from the heels of WORLD FAMOUS which itself shifted out after being awkwardly placed outside the heels of FAST PACE. Passing the 100 Metres, CINQUANTE CINQ was awkwardly placed outside the heels of WORLD FAMOUS which was taken out by FAST PACE. Close to the finishing line, SUPERBELLA was steadied when crowded for room between CINQUANTE CINQ and GOLDEN SPECTRUM (C Schofield) which shifted in. C Schofield was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was given similar instructions tonight on how to ride SUPERBELLA as he was at its last start, that is, to take up a trailing position behind the leaders if possible. He said at its most recent start he rode SUPERBELLA along in the early stages from the outside barrier but it soon became apparent to him that he would be unable to clear runners to his inside and would likely be left racing very wide and therefore he elected to steady the horse in the early stages and obtain a position with cover further back in the field than intended. He said in tonight’s race he again rode his mount positively in the early stages with a view to crossing CHEERFUL DAYS and obtaining a trailing position behind the likely leaders of the field in WORLD FAMOUS and FAST PACE. He said it was felt that both WORLD FAMOUS and FAST PACE constituted the only real front runners in the race and therefore SUPERBELLA may be able to obtain a trailing position behind those horses. He said despite riding SUPERBELLA along in the early stages he was not able to cross CHEERFUL DAYS to his inside and therefore near the 1600 Metres he steadied SUPERBELLA with a view to obtaining a trailing position. He said as he was doing this CINQUANTE CINQ was able to improve its position to the inside of SUPERBELLA and when that horse remained racing one horse away from the rail, this resulted in SUPERBELLA travelling wide and without cover until passing the 700 Metres. He said considering that SUPERBELLA had been required to race wide and without cover for a significant portion of the race, he believed that the horse finished off the race satisfactorily in the Straight until the concluding stages at which stage he was not able to ride it all the way to the end of the race due to racing in restricted room inside GOLDEN SPECTRUM. A veterinary inspection of CHEERFUL DAYS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPERBELLA, XIANG BAI QI and MURRAY’S PARTNERS were sent for sampling.