MR VALIANT bounded in the air at the start. RATTAN WORLD began only fairly and then was inconvenienced by LUCKY RUBY which shifted out. After this, RATTAN WORLD was shifted across behind runners. From a wide barrier, MR MAJESTIC was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, M UNICORN and BRILLIANT LIFE brushed. BRILLIANT LIFE travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover approaching and passing the 1000 Metres. After the 900 Metres, LUCKY RUBY was left racing wide and without cover. M UNICORN lost its left hind plate approaching the 800 Metres, made the Home Turn awkwardly and then lay in under pressure over about the final 200 Metres. At the 350 Metres, LUCKY RUBY was bumped by SOARING TOWER which commenced to shift to the outside of CALL ME DANDY to obtain clear running. For a short distance after this, SOARING TOWER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CALL ME DANDY. SOARING TOWER was then shifted out away from the heels of CALL ME DANDY passing the 300 Metres as that horse shifted out and away from SNOWALOT. BABY CRYSTAL and SNOWALOT were sent for sampling.

YEE CHEONG BRAVE was slow to begin. FORTUNE PRESIDENT and MEDIC ELITE began only fairly. EMBARKED began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped SUPER HORNET which was crowded for room inside MAXIMIZE HEART. In this incident, EMBARKED became badly unbalanced whilst MAXIMIZE HEART also became unbalanced and then a short distance after the start when being steadied from a wide barrier to obtain a position closer to the rail got its head up and travelled keenly when racing tight inside SMART FOLKS. Also from the outside barrier, ZACIAN was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 1300 Metres, CIRCUIT SPIRITANTO raced tight inside HO HO JUNIOR which got its head on the side and lay in away from SUPER HORNET. Then passing the 1300 Metres, HO HO JUNIOR and SUPER HORNET brushed. At the 1100 Metres, TEAM GOODLUCK travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind GIVE WAY PLEASE. Near the 950 Metres, HO HO JUNIOR was left racing wide and without cover. At the 150 Metres, FORTUNE PRESIDENT was directed out away from behind TEAM GOODLUCK as that horse gave ground. FORTUNE PRESIDENT was then shifted out from behind CIRCUIT SPIRITANTO passing the 150 Metres to continue improving. A veterinary inspection of TEAM GOODLUCK immediately following the race found the horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of MAXIMIZE HEART, EMBARKED and HANDSOME GUYS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TEAM GOODLUCK, SMART FOLKS and GIVE WAY PLEASE were sent for sampling.

CHOICERUS began awkwardly. BRILLIANT PIONEER and SPICY GRILL were crowded for room on jumping between THUNDERBOLTAURUS and ARIEL, both of which shifted ground. After this, BRILLIANT PIONEER and SPICY GRILL were shifted across behind runners from wide barriers. BLAZING SUN was steadied shortly after the start to obtain a position closer to the rail. After the 1150 Metres, WIN WIN was crowded for room inside BLAZING SUN which got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider. BRILLIANT PIONEER, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Approaching the 1100 Metres, FUNCTION PATCH raced in restricted room inside LADY’S CHOICE which shifted in after momentarily racing tight inside TURIN WARRIOR. After the 1100 Metres, DIVINE ERA was left racing wide and without cover. CHOICERUS made the turn at the 900 Metres awkwardly, shifted out and inconvenienced NUNCHUKS. After this, NUNCHUKS travelled wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, YOUNG SPARKLE became unbalanced when crowded for room between DIVINE ERA and SINGAPORE SPIRIT (L Ferraris) which, when commencing to improve to the outside of ARIEL, bumped YOUNG SPARKLE. L Ferraris was severely reprimanded and told to exercise more care when shifting ground to obtain clear running than he did on this occasion. NUNCHUKS became unbalanced after racing tight outside TURIN WARRIOR at the entrance to the Straight. BLAZING SUN had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and after the 400 Metres shifted in abruptly away from the heels of LADY’S CHOICE. Passing the 150 Metres, LADY’S CHOICE got its head on the side and shifted out despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in SINGAPORE SPIRIT being hampered and taken out which in turn inconvenienced YOUNG SPARKLE and WIN WIN. After this, LADY’S CHOICE continued to lay out under pressure. When questioned regarding his riding of THUNDERBOLTAURUS approaching and passing the 600 Metres, H Bowman stated that THUNDERBOLTAURUS, which was having only its second race start today, travelled very keenly in the early and middle stages and was awkwardly placed behind CHOICERUS for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres. He said passing the 600 Metres he commenced to shift to the outside of CHOICERUS which was racing greenly and he intended to improve to the outside of that horse to follow NUNCHUKS. He said as he was shifting to the outside of CHOICERUS, SPICY GRILL improved its position quickly around THUNDERBOLTAURUS which resulted in the two horses bumping. He added whilst it was available for him to continue to shift to the outside of CHOICERUS, he was concerned that, given the manner in which the horse had over-raced earlier in the race, he would have had to ride his mount along to do so and that if he did this, it would be detrimental to THUNDERBOLTAURUS’ chances of finishing the race off strongly over the latter stages. He said rather than riding THUNDERBOLTAURUS along to obtain the position between CHOICERUS and SPICY GRILL, he elected to shift back in behind CHOICERUS and shifted out away from behind that horse into clear running at the entrance to the Straight. After the race, L Ferraris stated that after travelling well behind the lead in the early and middle stages, SINGAPORE SPIRIT failed to quicken after obtaining clear running on straightening. He said despite being ridden out SINGAPORE SPIRIT was then disappointing in its failure to finish the race off over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of SPICY GRILL, FUNCTION PATCH and SINGAPORE SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SINGAPORE SPIRIT, DIVINE ERA and THUNDERBOLTAURUS were sent for sampling.

After being loaded into the barriers, SMART LEADER became fractious and momentarily sat down. SMART LEADER was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. FLYING GALLOP shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of A AMERIC TE SPECSO. NICETOBEMET began awkwardly. IMPERIAL MAGEE began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SMART LEADER which was also bumped by EVER FORCE which shifted out at the start. In this incident, EVER FORCE became unbalanced. SMART LEADER made the turn at the 900 Metres awkwardly. FIGHTING STAR raced wide and without cover after the 900 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, NICETOBEMET was shifted out away from the heels of EVER FORCE. After the 400 Metres, IMPERIAL MAGEE was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. CLASSIC POSH had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of NICETOBEMET and A AMERIC TE SPECSO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A AMERIC TE SPECSO, E BROTHER and FIGHTING STAR were sent for sampling.

YOUNG EXPLORER, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of MOONLUCK, resulting in YOUNG EXPLORER losing ground. SKY GEM and SMART COUSIN bumped at the start, resulting in SKY GEM shifting in and hampering REGENCY MASTER which in turn shifted in, resulting in GO GO SIXTEEN being taken in onto SHINY TWO which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MOONLUCK. From wide barriers, OWNERS’ STAR, TURF BRILLIANT, THIS IS CHARISMA and SUPERB DADDY were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the 400 Metres, MOONLUCK was brushed by BARON ZEE as a result of both horses shifting ground. REGENCY MASTER was held up for clear running after the 400 Metres and near the 300 Metres was directed out away from the heels of BARON ZEE to obtain clear running. YOUNG EXPLORER had difficulty obtaining clear running from passing the 300 Metres until near the 100 Metres at which time the horse was steadied away from the heels of BOYS PARTY and shifted to the inside of that horse to obtain clear running. The performance of TURF BRILLIANT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TURF BRILLIANT 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 TURF BRILLIANT immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. After the race, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, the circumstances of today’s race resulted in SUPERB DADDY not being able to finish the race off strongly. He said after racing towards the rear of the field from barrier 14, SUPERB DADDY had to make a sustained run around horses rounding the Home Turn and the pattern of racing to this time indicated that horses were finding it difficult to make up ground. He added that SUPERB DADDY’s task was made more difficult by having to carry top weight in today’s race. A veterinary inspection of SUPERB DADDY immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of THIS IS CHARISMA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GO GO SIXTEEN and REGENCY MASTER were sent for sampling.

REACH GOAL shifted out at the start and bumped FOREVER GLORIOUS. SUPER HONG KONG began awkwardly. SMILING TIME was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners. Also from a wide barrier, NICHOLSON RETURNS was shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. After initially being ridden along shortly after the start, PAKISTAN FRIEND was steadied to obtain cover approaching the 1700 Metres from the outside barrier. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, RED ELYSEES failed to muster speed and passing the 1700 Metres was steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 1500 Metres, OVER THE MOON shifted in and inconvenienced TYCOON JEWELLERY. Then near the 1400 Metres, BOOM ALLIANCE brushed the running rail after being bumped on the hindquarters by FOREVER GLORIOUS which was steadied away from the heels of TYCOON JEWELLERY (V Borges) which, after being crowded for room inside OVER THE MOON, then shifted in. V Borges was reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more of an endeavour to assist his fellow riders than he did on this occasion. After the 900 Metres, FOREVER FOLKS was left racing wide and without cover. SMILING TIME had some difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn. Rounding the Home Turn, FOREVER FOLKS became unbalanced after being bumped by HELENE ALLIBOR which was racing tight outside OVER THE MOON which shifted out. FOREVER GLORIOUS, which was following FOREVER FOLKS, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse in consequence when racing tight inside REACH GOAL. HELENE ALLIBOR and FOREVER FOLKS again bumped on entering the Straight, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 150 Metres and again near the 100 Metres, WINNING STEPS and SMILING TIME raced tight. Then close to the finishing line, WINNING STEPS shifted in and inconvenienced SMILING TIME. After the race, K H Chan stated that he was asked to ride OVER THE MOON more positively today given that the horse had experienced trouble in obtaining clear running at its last start when ridden from towards the rear of the field. He said after riding his mount along for a short distance after the start, he attempted to steady OVER THE MOON to obtain cover passing the 1700 Metres, however, after being unable to do so, he allowed his mount to continue on into the lead passing the 1400 Metres. Also after the race, PERFECT MARYKNOLL was noted to have bled from the left nostril. An endoscopic examination of PERFECT MARYKNOLL confirmed the horse to be a bleeder. A veterinary inspection of BOOM ALLIANCE, FOREVER FOLKS, SUPER HONG KONG and FOREVER GLORIOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NICHOLSON RETURNS and SMILING TIME were sent for sampling.

TAILOR MADE was crowded for room on jumping between MULTIWIN and NORDIC COMBINED which shifted out. NORDIC COMBINED was then crowded for room outside SUNNY AND GOLD which began awkwardly. After this, NORDIC COMBINED and TAILOR MADE were steadied to obtain cover. From a wide barrier, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners. PUBLICIST shifted in at the start and bumped JIANGXI STAMINA. HAPPY LAND was tightened for room a short distance after the start between MULTIWIN and BLISSFUL STAR which shifted in after being brushed by REGENT GLORY. After the 1100 Metres, HERO ICON was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 800 Metres, SUNNY AND GOLD was awkwardly placed behind JOYFUL GENIUS. Approaching the 500 Metres, JIANGXI STAMINA and SUNNY AND GOLD bumped. Passing the 500 Metres, as WINWIN THIRTYTHREE improved around NORDIC COMBINED, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE became unbalanced when bumped by NORDIC COMBINED which shifted out. At the entrance to the Straight, HERO ICON was bumped and taken wider by JOYFUL GENIUS which shifted out from behind PUBLICIST to obtain clear running. JOYFUL GENIUS then raced in restricted room passing the 400 Metres between PUBLICIST and HERO ICON. Then near the 250 Metres, JOYFUL GENIUS shifted in towards the heels of PUBLICIST after racing tight inside HERO ICON. Passing the 100 Metres, NORDIC COMBINED was shifted out away from the heels of HAPPY LAND which was racing tight outside HERO ICON. After the race, it was reported that HAPPY LAND had bled from both nostrils. JOYFUL GENIUS, BLISSFUL STAR and YELLOWFIN were sent for sampling.

CIRCUIT STELLAR began only fairly. WINNING DREAMER began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped BELUGA. MR ASCENDENCY shifted out at the start and bumped FAMILY FOLKS which in turn shifted out, resulting in THE IRISHMAN racing in restricted room inside HEALTHY HAPPY. After this, FAMILY FOLKS and THE IRISHMAN were steadied to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, BLAZE WARRIOR was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Near the 1250 Metres, FANTASTIC TREASURE got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover behind WINNING DREAMER which itself was awkwardly placed outside BELUGA when also being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. CIRCUIT STELLAR was badly held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and after being steadied away from the heels of HEALTHY HAPPY near the 350 Metres was shifted out across the heels of BELUGA approaching the 250 Metres to obtain clear running. S De Sousa (MR ASCENDENCY) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 125 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure when not clear of CIRCUIT STELLAR, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily crowded for room inside MR ASCENDENCY and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. S De Sousa was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 12 February 2023 and to expire on Thursday, 16 February 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey De Sousa was fined $90,000. After the race, Z Purton reported that after obtaining the lead in the early stages, HEALTHY HAPPY then travelled well in the middle stages. He said after placing HEALTHY HAPPY under pressure at the entrance to the Straight, his mount did not quicken as he anticipated and commenced to lay in. He said HEALTHY HAPPY continued to lay in under pressure and over the concluding stages gave ground noticeably. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY HAPPY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THE IRISHMAN, MR ASCENDENCY and THE GOLDEN SCENERY were sent for sampling.

BEAUTY CHARGE began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped MAN STAR. GOKO WIN shifted in at the start and bumped EXCELLENT DADDY. GOKO WIN then shifted in after becoming unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by EXCELLENT DADDY, resulting in EXCELLENT DADDY being crowded for room outside TAJ DRAGON. DINKUM shifted in on jumping and inconvenienced ROMAN TURBO. ROMAN TURBO was then steadied to obtain cover. After the 1000 Metres, SMART IDEA got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover. Approaching the turn near the 900 Metres, BEAUTY CHARGE (L Ferraris) became unbalanced and lost ground of its own accord. L Ferraris said after this incident BEAUTY CHARGE rebalanced and then travelled well. He said that after following the eventual winner VICTOR THE WINNER, BEAUTY CHARGE came under pressure after the 500 Metres and then was disappointing in its failure to finish the race off over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY CHARGE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DECISIVE TWELVE lost its left front plate passing the 550 Metres and after the 400 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of DINKUM. GOKO WIN made the turn approaching the 500 Metres awkwardly. At the entrance to the Straight, TATTENHAM shifted out and bumped ROMAN TURBO. TAJ DRAGON was shifted to the inside of MAN STAR passing the 400 Metres and then was held up for clear running from near the 250 Metres until after the 200 Metres. After the race, Z Purton stated that he was asked to ride BRILLIANT WAY positively from a wide barrier today as the horse had previously raced well when ridden in this manner and it was also felt that horses being ridden on the speed had been advantaged in earlier races. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages and had to make more use of BRILLIANT WAY than he had hoped to cross runners to his inside which he was not able to do until near the 800 Metres. He said, in his opinion, this accounted for the horse’s failure to finish off. A veterinary inspection of BRILLIANT WAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, it was reported that SMART IDEA had bled from both nostrils. VICTOR THE WINNER and DINKUM were sent for sampling.

TEXAS MOON was withdrawn on 23.1.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DECRYPT (L Hewitson). Before being allowed to race again, TEXAS MOON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TURIN MASCOT began only fairly. DECRYPT and GLOBAL HARMONY were steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from wide barriers, FAULDS and SOLAR WINDS were steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover. GOLDEN ARTIE was left racing wide and without cover passing the 800 Metres and passing the 500 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of SINGAPORE SUNSHINE. Making the turn after the 800 Metres, MASTER HERO got its head on the side and lay out and after the 600 Metres raced tight outside MARADO which improved into tight running between MASTER HERO and RED LION. At the 400 Metres, MARADO was awkwardly placed outside the heels of RED LION which got its head on the side and lay out. After the race, Z Purton was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of MARADO. He said after enjoying a good run behind the leader RED LION in the middle stages, he was able to shift to the outside of that horse rounding the Home Turn, however, MARADO did not finish the race off as strongly as it had in recent starts. A veterinary inspection of MARADO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GLOBAL HARMONY immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, GLOBAL HARMONY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MARADO, MAJESTIC COLOUR and RED LION were sent for sampling.

When proceeding to the barriers, ALL RICHES became fractious, resulting in K C Leung being dislodged without incident. On arrival at the barriers, R Maia expressed concern regarding the action of SKY FOREVER. SKY FOREVER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was lame in its right front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, SKY FOREVER was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, SKY FOREVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CIRCUIT NINE was slow to begin. CAPITAL LEGEND shifted in at the start and bumped PRINCE ALEX which stumbled. After this, PRINCE ALEX and CAPITAL LEGEND were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, KING’S CAPITAL was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners and then travelled keenly for some distance after the 1300 Metres. From a wide barrier, GALLANT WAKING was initially steadied to obtain cover towards the rear of the field, however, was left racing wide and without cover passing the 1300 Metres and when proving very difficult to settle was allowed to improve its position near the 800 Metres. After the 700 Metres, PEGASUS GENERAL raced tight inside CAPITAL LEGEND as PEGASUS GENERAL attempted to improve to the outside of SINBA. At the entrance to the Straight, SUPER SUNNY SING raced tight outside LOOKING COOL which was shifting to the outside of GALLANT WAKING to obtain clear running. As LOOKING COOL was shifted out, SINBA was directed out to the inside of that horse into running which was available between LOOKING COOL and MAXIMUS. LOOKING COOL was then taken in marginally by SUPER SUNNY SING passing the 400 Metres, resulting in LOOKING COOL shifting in and bumping the hindquarters of SINBA. LOOKING COOL was then steadied after the 400 Metres when crowded for room between SINBA which shifted out when unbalanced and SUPER SUNNY SING which continued to shift in slightly. PEGASUS GENERAL, which was following LOOKING COOL, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence when held up for clear running. As the Stewards were of the opinion that there was no carelessness associated with this incident, no further action was taken. Near the 200 Metres, SINBA was shifted out away from the heels of GALLANT WAKING. Then near the 100 Metres, SINBA was inconvenienced by GALLANT WAKING which shifted out. QUANTUM PATCH was held up for clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres and near the 100 Metres was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ALL RICHES when improving into restricted room inside that horse. SUPER SUNNY SING and CAPITAL LEGEND were sent for sampling.