CASIMIRO began awkwardly and then was crowded for room between GOUTEN OF GARO and DEMONS ROCK, both of which shifted ground. HARDLY SWEARS began only fairly and then was steadied away from the heels of CAO CAO which shifted out. AIOLOS shifted out at the start and bumped EPTIMUM which in turn shifted out, causing AURORA PEGASUS to be crowded for room inside TRAVEL DATUK. This resulted in AURORA PEGASUS losing ground and being shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn near the 550 Metres, DEMONS ROCK got its head up when being checked away from the heels of CAO CAO. HARDLY SWEARS made the turn near the 550 Metres awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of GOUTEN OF GARO. Near the 350 Metres, DEMONS ROCK brushed the running rail when racing tight inside AIOLOS. Throughout the race TRAVEL DATUK travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he was not given any specific instructions on how to ride AURORA PEGASUS, which was having its first start tonight, as it was dependent on the manner in which the horse began. He said after losing ground when crowded for room at the start, he shifted AURORA PEGASUS across behind runners to obtain cover. He said AURORA PEGASUS travelled very strongly in the early stages and it was not until near the 700 Metres that he was able to shift it across behind EPTIMUM. He said making the first turn after the 600 Metres AURORA PEGASUS, which was continuing to race keenly, got its head on the side and shifted out away from the heels of EPTIMUM and he commenced to ride his mount along to improve to the outside of that horse. He said AURORA PEGASUS lay out and again got its head on the side and made the Home Turn awkwardly. He added, having in mind the manner in which AURORA PEGASUS was unbalanced rounding the turns, he balanced the horse up in the early part of the Straight before placing it under pressure from the 300 Metres. He said AURORA PEGASUS then finished off the race satisfactorily over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of AURORA PEGASUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GENTLE BREEZE and VERY SWEET ORANGE were sent for sampling.

MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR shifted in at the start and bumped GENTRY. From wide barriers, FRESH POWER and RAZOR QUEST were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being vigorously ridden, FLAME LILY failed to muster speed in the early stages and after passing the winning post on the first occasion was left racing wide and without cover until near the 700 Metres at which stage GENTRY was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, GENTRY was crowded for room inside MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR (M Chadwick) which shifted in. M Chadwick was advised to exercise more care. As M Chadwick directed MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR out to relieve the tightening to GENTRY, DIAMOND LEGEND shifted in and raced tight outside MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR which then got its head on the side and shifted in away from DIAMOND LEGEND despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in GENTRY being steadied and GODSPEED and PEARL CHAMPION, which were racing inside GENTRY, being crowded for room. Passing the 500 Metres, VILLA FIONN and MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR raced tight between DIAMOND LEGEND and GENTRY as MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR improved into tight running between DIAMOND LEGEND and VILLA FIONN. M Chadwick was advised to avoid improving into tight running so as to ensure that his mounts and other runners do not race unduly tight. Approaching the 200 Metres, DIAMOND LEGEND was shifted to the outside of FAITHFUL TRINITY to obtain clear running. Near the 150 Metres, GENTRY momentarily raced tight inside RAZOR QUEST. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that, from a wide barrier, he shifted THIS ONE’S FOR YOU across behind runners in the early stages as it was felt that the horse would not be able to finish off the race if use was made of it to obtain a forward position. He said after shifting in to race on the rail towards the rear of the field passing the winning post on the first occasion, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU then commenced to prove very difficult to settle approaching the 1300 Metres and had to be continually checked away from the heels of PEARL CHAMPION. He said he was not able to sufficiently restrain THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, particularly after the 1100 Metres when the horse was very awkward. He said THIS ONE’S FOR YOU then continued to over-race and at the 900 Metres again had to be severely checked away from the heels of PEARL CHAMPION. He added it was not until near the 800 Metres when the tempo of the race increased, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU commenced to race more tractably. The racing manners of THIS ONE’S FOR YOU were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend. When questioned, A Domeyer (DIAMOND LEGEND) stated that he was instructed to obtain a trailing position on the horse as it had previously finished off its races well when ridden with cover. He said, from barrier 7, he commenced to shift across approaching the winning post on the first occasion with a view to obtaining cover. He said as there were a considerable number of horses positioned inside DIAMOND LEGEND passing the winning post on the first occasion, he had no alternative but to allow DIAMOND LEGEND to improve its position as the horse would have been left racing very wide had he have continued to attempt to obtain cover. He said after initially attempting to steady DIAMOND LEGEND to race outside MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR, DIAMOND LEGEND travelled keenly approaching the 1200 Metres and when MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR was steadied, he then allowed DIAMOND LEGEND to improve into the lead. He said although DIAMOND LEGEND travelled somewhat keenly, nonetheless he felt that he was dictating the race at a good tempo. He said approaching the 800 Metres when FLAME LILY, which was racing wide, commenced to improve around DIAMOND LEGEND, he initially allowed DIAMOND LEGEND to improve with that horse. He said however that FLAME LILY continued on and having in mind that he had not been able to obtain cover on DIAMOND LEGEND as instructed, he did not believe it would be in the best interests of the horse to continue to ride it along to maintain its position inside FLAME LILY and therefore he allowed that horse to improve forward of DIAMOND LEGEND making the turn after the 600 Metres. A veterinary inspection of GENTRY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PEARL CHAMPION, FAITHFUL TRINITY and DIAMOND LEGEND were sent for sampling.

Just prior to the start being effected, DREAM WARRIORS became fractious and then was slow to begin. From wide barriers, NITRO EXPRESS and RIGHTEOUS MATE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HERO TIME was momentarily steadied away from the heels of POLYMER LUCK (H N Wong) which shifted in when not quite clear. H N Wong was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides adequate clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 1200 Metres, CHARITY WINGS was left racing wide and without cover and was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead near the 900 Metres. Passing the 600 Metres, RIGHTEOUS MATE was taken wider by HIGH REV which shifted to the outside of HERO TIME. RIGHTEOUS MATE and HIGH REV then bumped making the turn after the 600 Metres, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Near the 450 Metres, PLAY WISE and DREAM WARRIORS became unbalanced after bumping. Approaching the 200 Metres, LITTLE ISLAND was shifted to the outside of POLYMER LUCK. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PLAY WISE, Z Purton stated that although he had to make some use of the horse to cross runners to his inside in the early stages, he was satisfied with the manner in which the horse relaxed in the middle stages after obtaining cover behind the lead. He said when DREAM WARRIORS commenced to improve around PLAY WISE near the 600 Metres, he elected to shift to the outside of CHARITY WINGS so as not to be pocketed behind that horse and inside DREAM WARRIORS. He said this resulted in PLAY WISE having to make a longer run than was desirable and he felt because of this the horse was then not able to finish off the race as PLAY WISE had previously shown that it struggles to sustain a long run. He said whilst he was aware of this, he did not believe PLAY WISE’s best interests would be served by being positioned behind CHARITY WINGS rounding the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection of PLAY WISE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on MISTER MONTE, however, despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages MISTER MONTE did not show sufficient speed to be able to cross runners to its inside and therefore he elected approaching the winning post on the first occasion to shift across behind runners and obtain cover. He said MISTER MONTE travelled satisfactorily until the pace of the race slackened after the 900 Metres. He said MISTER MONTE commenced to travel keenly and passing the 800 Metres became unbalanced after having to be checked away from the heels of HIGH REV. He said after this MISTER MONTE did not travel comfortably and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MISTER MONTE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HERO TIME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. PLAY WISE, THE JUDGE and HIGH REV were sent for sampling.

BULLISH BROTHER bounded in the air at the start and then became badly unbalanced when bumped by COMPASSION STAR which shifted in. When unbalanced, BULLISH BROTHER shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of LONDON MASTER which also became badly unbalanced. Then a short distance after the start, BULLISH BROTHER got its head on the side, shifted out and hampered COMPASSION STAR and CHEEKY BEE which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LE TERROIR near the 1100 Metres after being initially taken out by COMPASSION STAR. DR RESPECT shifted in at the start and bumped LE TERROIR. PRAWN YEAH YEAH and DR RESPECT were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, JUNZI was steadied a short distance after the start and shifted across behind runners. In the early part of the Straight, COMPASSION STAR had difficulty obtaining clear running and then was held up for a run from passing the 300 Metres until after the 250 Metres at which stage COMPASSION STAR was shifted to the inside of LE TERROIR. Then when improving between LE TERROIR and BULLISH BROTHER, COMPASSION STAR was crowded for room approaching the 100 Metres as a result of BULLISH BROTHER (C Y Ho) shifting out. In this incident, COMPASSION STAR bumped the hindquarters of LE TERROIR. C Y Ho was severely reprimanded and advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have reacted quicker than he did on this occasion to his mount shifting out under pressure. He was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Close to the finishing line, DOLLAR REWARD was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LONDON MASTER which shifted in under pressure. When questioned, Trainer C S Shum stated that as DOLLAR REWARD had not raced since 23 March 2019, he felt that the horse would be too fresh to be able to shift across behind runners in the early stages. He said the horse had barrier trialed in the lead up to tonight’s race and it had finished off the trial well when ridden in a forward position. He said he anticipated that LE TERROIR and BULLISH BROTHER would lead the race and he felt that from the horse’s wide barrier DOLLAR REWARD may be able to obtain a trailing position one out one back behind those horses. He said he felt that in the circumstances this would provide DOLLAR REWARD with the best opportunity to finish off the race. G van Niekerk stated that after being positive on DOLLAR REWARD in the early stages, the horse was left racing outside LE TERROIR which was being vigorously ridden to his inside near the 1100 Metres. He said he commenced to steady DOLLAR REWARD near the 1100 Metres to obtain a trailing position, however, DOLLAR REWARD was travelling too keenly and he was not able to shift the horse in behind LE TERROIR making the first turn near the 1000 Metres. He said he continued to try to steady DOLLAR REWARD, however, passing the 900 Metres the horse got its head up and raced keenly as he restrained it and when LE TERROIR crossed COMPASSION STAR after the 900 Metres, COMPASSION STAR took the trailing position behind that horse which resulted in DOLLAR REWARD being left racing wide and without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of DOLLAR REWARD 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 BLISSFUL EIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BULLISH BROTHER, APPLAUSE and LE TERROIR were sent for sampling.

ZERO HEDGE stumbled and lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between VERY RICH MAN and DIAMOND KING which shifted out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider. As VERY RICH MAN was shifted out in an attempt to relieve the tightening to ZERO HEDGE, that horse shifted out, resulting in E GENERATION being crowded for room inside MR PICASSO. From wide barriers, JOLLY CONVERGENCE, JENERATOR and MOST BEAUTIFUL were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 500 Metres, ZERO HEDGE got its head up when awkwardly placed behind DIAMOND KING. Shortly after entering the Straight, ZERO HEDGE was shifted to the inside of VALIANT DREAM to obtain clear running. Approaching the 100 Metres, DIAMOND KING was crowded for room between ZERO HEDGE and JENERATOR (T H So) which, when improving into tight running outside VERY RICH MAN, shifted out further away from that horse. In this incident, ZERO HEDGE became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by DIAMOND KING. T H So was reprimanded. Approaching the 50 Metres, VICTORY MACHINE was steadied away from the heels of MOST BEAUTIFUL (G van Niekerk) which, when laying out, shifted ground under pressure. G van Niekerk was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more of an endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Close to the finishing line, PLANET STAR shifted in and bumped JENERATOR. When questioned, H N Wong stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on VALIANT DREAM and preferably with cover. He said after riding his mount along in the early stages, he was able to clear BREEDERS’ STAR approaching the 900 Metres. He said VALIANT DREAM then travelled keenly and when PLANET STAR improved to its outside approaching the 800 Metres, VALIANT DREAM was inclined to travel keener still. He said after the 800 Metres PLANET STAR was ridden along and as he felt the tempo of the race was good at this time, he did not wish to engage in a speed battle with that horse and therefore elected to allow PLANET STAR, which continued to be ridden along, to cross VALIANT DREAM near the 550 Metres. He said at the entrance to the Straight he shifted VALIANT DREAM to the outside and the horse was commencing to finish off the race, however, near the 200 Metres raced tight between BREEDERS’ STAR and PLANET STAR, both of which shifted ground. He added VALIANT DREAM was then reluctant to again improve in between those horses and over the concluding stages raced tight inside BREEDERS’ STAR and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of VALIANT DREAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY CONVERGENCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VALIANT DREAM, MOST BEAUTIFUL and JENERATOR were sent for sampling.

STIMULATION began only fairly and then lost ground after shifting out and bumping the hindquarters of BIG BANG BONG. After this, STIMULATION failed to muster speed and raced back in the field. PERFECT TO PLAY, FLYING QUEST, LET’S TAKE IT EASY and SHOUSON were all steadied in the early stages from wide barriers to obtain cover. After being ridden along in an attempt to obtain a forward position, FARSHAD was steadied to obtain cover approaching the winning post on the first occasion and when doing so commenced to travel keenly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of ACCLAIMED LIGHT, causing both horses, particularly FARSHAD, to become unbalanced. Then making the turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion, FARSHAD got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of XIANG BAI QI. Rounding the Home Turn, RICKFIELD raced in restricted room between FARSHAD and XIANG BAI QI which shifted out away from the heels of ACCLAIMED LIGHT. At the entrance to the Straight, XIANG BAI QI and HEAVENLY THOUGHT raced tight. When questioned, Z Purton stated that, from barrier 10, the connections were undecided as to how WIN WIN should be ridden, particularly given that there did not appear to be a great deal of speed in the race. He said it was therefore left to him as to how to ride WIN WIN dependent on how the horse began. He said WIN WIN began very well and he was able to immediately shift in in the early stages to race outside BIG BANG BONG. He said he felt that BIG BANG BONG would have sufficient speed to be able to cross runners to its inside approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion and he had intended to shift across with that horse and race outside BIG BANG BONG. He said despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, BIG BANG BONG did not show as much early speed as anticipated and it therefore took that horse a considerable distance to be able to cross to race outside the lead. He said when BIG BANG BONG shifted in to race outside ACCLAIMED LIGHT approaching the 1100 Metres, WIN WIN was left racing in a three wide position without cover and he therefore allowed the horse to improve into the lead near the 1000 Metres. He said after obtaining the lead, WIN WIN relaxed well and because of this, although he had made considerable use of the horse in the early stages, he still anticipated that it would quicken in the early part of the Straight. He said WIN WIN came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and after quickening satisfactorily in the early part of the Straight came under heavy pressure and weakened over the latter stages of the race. He said this was due to the horse having to be ridden in a forward position due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages. Trainer T P Yung confirmed that due to the anticipated lack of speed in the race, he had asked Jockey Purton to ride WIN WIN according to the manner in which it began. He said nonetheless he did not anticipate that the horse would lead and he attributed to the horse’s failure to finish off the race due to being ridden more forward than had previously been the case. Mr Yung advised the Stewards that, wherever possible, he will have WIN WIN ridden more conservatively in its future starts. Whilst the Stewards were cognizant of the fact that WIN WIN was ridden in a more prominent position tonight than had been the case, nonetheless the performance of the horse, which weakened to finish at the tail of the field as favourite and as a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WIN WIN 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 WIN WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. After the race, U Rispoli stated that BIG BANG BONG’s failure to finish off the race could be attributed to the strong pace in the early stages and the amount of use that he had to make of the horse in order to cross runners to his inside. A veterinary inspection of BIG BANG BONG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WIN WIN, FLYING QUEST and PERFECT TO PLAY were sent for sampling.

HANDSOME BO BO began awkwardly and then was bumped by SPEEDY KING which shifted out. From the outside barrier, PERFECT GLORY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 850 Metres, SAUL’S SPECIAL was steadied away from the heels of MOMENT OF POWER (H N Wong) which shifted in when not properly clear. H N Wong was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 800 Metres, COUNTRY STAR shifted in abruptly across the heels of SPEEDY KING despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in FANTASTIC FEELING being crowded for room. After the 700 Metres, CALIFORNIA ARCHER was left racing wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of COUNTRY STAR immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of MOMENT OF POWER immediately following the race revealed the horse to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, MOMENT OF POWER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SAUL’S SPECIAL, SPEEDY KING and HANDSOME BO BO were sent for sampling.

TRAVEL FIRST shifted out at the start and bumped MAGNIFICENT. HARMONY HERO began only fairly. From wide barriers, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA, BEST ALLIANCE and MAGNETISM were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. From a wide barrier, CORDYCEPS was ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages to cross runners to its inside near the 1000 Metres. Near the 1300 Metres, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS was momentarily crowded for room inside TRUE GRIT (J Moreira) which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to ZHAN JIANG ROCKS. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Near the 1200 Metres, BEST ALLIANCE travelled keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed behind LAST KINGDOM. Approaching the 300 Metres, MAGNIFICENT was struck across the nose by the whip of J Moreira. Over the concluding stages, MY ALLY raced tight outside TRUE GRIT. In the Straight, LAST KINGDOM lay in under pressure. After the race, U Rispoli was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of MAGNIFICENT. He said the pace of the race in the middle stages did not suit his mount, but nonetheless MAGNIFICENT was disappointing in the manner in which it did not quicken in the early part of the Straight and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MAGNIFICENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CORDYCEPS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TRUE GRIT and HARMONY HERO were sent for sampling.