PLAY WISE stood flat-footed at the start and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, PLAY WISE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. FANTASTIC BOY began awkwardly. SALTO OLIMPICO and ENJOYABLE SUCCESS were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, DIONYSUS COLLIN was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, YOU HAVE MY WORD became unbalanced when steadied away from the heels of PARTY TOGETHER which shifted out. For some distance after the 1300 Metres, PARTY TOGETHER commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of FANTASTIC BOY. Passing the 800 Metres, PARTY TOGETHER, which again travelled keenly, was steadied away from the heels of FANTASTIC BOY. Near the 450 Metres, SALTO OLIMPICO raced tight outside PLAY WISE which improved to the outside of YOU HAVE MY WORD. Near the 150 Metres. ENJOYABLE SUCCESS was shifted in away from the heels of YOU HAVE MY WORD which, after being directed to the inside of GALAXY EMPEROR, got its head on the side and shifted in further. Throughout the race, CENTENARY IBIS travelled wide and without cover and consequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of CENTENARY IBIS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. The performance of CENTENARY IBIS was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CENTENARY IBIS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of M Chadwick (DIONYSUS COLLIN), 6th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. SHADOW BREAKER and EVERYONE’S ELITE were sent for sampling.

MY FAMILY began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of FOCUS which became unbalanced. After travelling a short distance, MY FAMILY (V Borges) lost ground when crowded for room between FOCUS which shifted in after becoming unbalanced and VITAL SPRING which was taken out by SOCKET ELITE. In this incident, V Borges’ foot slipped from his left stirrup iron which he was able to regather near the 1600 Metres. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, SOCKET ELITE was steadied away from the heels of FOCUS when crowded for room between HAPPY WARRIOR which shifted out and FOCUS which was taken in by POLYMER LUCK (Apprentice C Wong) which, when being ridden along, hung in. Whilst the Stewards accepted that POLYMER LUCK was laying in and proving difficult to ride, nonetheless Apprentice Wong was told that, in their opinion, he could have done more to assist the runners to his inside at this time and for that reason he was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 1500 Metres, ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was steadied when crowded for room between CHARITY GRAND and HAPPY WARRIOR (N Callan) which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to ELECTRIC LIGHTENING. N Callan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. When ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was steadied, INDIGENOUS STAR, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After the 1000 Metres, ROYAL RACER got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of CHARITY GRAND. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, ROYAL RACER and CHARITY GRAND raced tight. Approaching the 400 Metres, INDIGENOUS STAR was steadied away from the heels of ELECTRIC LIGHTNING which was taken in marginally by SOCKET ELITE as that horse gave ground. Passing the 50 Metres, LET’S TAKE IT EASY shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CHARITY GRAND which became unbalanced. Then close to the finishing line, CHARITY GRAND was shifted out away from the heels of FOCUS. Throughout the race, SOCKET ELITE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, Apprentice C Wong (POLYMER LUCK) stated that he had to ride his mount hard for a considerable distance in the early stages from the outside barrier to obtain a forward position. He said it was not until after the 1400 Metres that he was able to clear FOCUS and obtain the lead. He said because of the amount of work that he had to do to clear FOCUS and the distance that it took POLYMER LUCK to be in a positon to obtain the lead, he was unaware that he had opened up a significant break over FOCUS which was racing behind POLYMER LUCK. He said after the race he was surprised at the sectionals of the race particularly after the 1200 Metres as he felt that POLYMER LUCK was travelling comfortably in the lead whilst being unaware of the lead that the horse had established. Apprentice Wong was advised that, given the number of rides that he had had in Hong Kong and overseas, his failure to be aware of the fast tempo of the race and the lead that he had established over FOCUS was of concern to the Stewards. He was told that as a senior apprentice jockey, he should be aware of the tempo that he is setting in races and therefore he was reprimanded and advised of the necessity to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner that they are able to finish off their race as best as they can in the circumstances. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that INDIGENOUS STAR had sustained a minor wound to the left front cannon. A veterinary inspection of MY FAMILY 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, MY FAMILY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FUN TIMES and SOCKET ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHARITY GRAND, FOCUS and ELECTRIC LIGHTNING were sent for sampling.

GOOD SHOT shifted out at the start and bumped SUPER ALLIANCES. SUPER ALLIANCES then shifted in and bumped MANY GAINS. LUCKY QUALITY, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly. From the outside barriers, MASTER ALBERT and HARMONY N HOME were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres, HARMONY N HOME was shifted out away from the heels of DAILY DELIGHT which was steadied out away from the heels of LUCKY QUALITY. Near the 900 Metres, MASTER ALBERT became unbalanced after being bumped by HARMONY N HOME which shifted in. HARMONY N HOME then commenced to travel keenly and approaching the 800 Metres shifted out abruptly away from the heels of DAILY DELIGHT. MASTER ALBERT was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight and near the 300 Metres was shifted in away from the heels of LUCKY QUALITY. When MASTER ALBERT shifted in, MANY GAINS was inconvenienced. After the 100 Metres, MASTER ALBERT was shifted to the inside of GOLDEN GLORY after being disappointed for running between that horse and WINNER’S HEART which shifted in when weakening. Throughout the race, JOLLY CONVERGENCE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, B Shinn stated that at its most recent start, from a wide barrier, he had allowed DAILY DELIGHT to obtain a forward positon having been instructed to obtain a position behind the speed if possible. He said when DAILY DELIGHT was left racing wide making the first turn after the 1100 Metres he rode his mound to go forward to obtain a position closer to the lead which resulted in the horse then weakening over the concluding stages. He said from a similarly wide draw tonight, he was asked to again attempt to obtain a forward position behind the speed with cover to see whether DAILY DELIGHT would finish off the race better than it did last start. He said DAILY DELIGHT began only fairly and then after the start was awkwardly placed outside the heels of JOLLY CONVERGENCE which shifted out. He said as a number of horses which were drawn better than DAILY DELIGHT were ridden along to obtain a forward position, he believed that by allowing his mount to go forward at that time would likely result in it racing wide and without cover and therefore he elected to steady his mount and shift DAILY DELIGHT across behind runners to obtain cover. He added DAILY DELIGHT travelled comfortably throughout the early and middle stages and after shifting to the outside of JOLLY CONVERGENCE rounding the Home Turn finished off the race satisfactorily. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WINNER’S HEART, N Callan stated that he was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages without having to make too much use of the horse. He said after shifting across to race outside the lead, WINNER’S HEART travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages but then came under pressure prior to the 400 Metres. He said when under pressure, WINNER’S HEART made the Home Turn awkwardly and after being ridden out in the early part of the Straight commenced to tire after the 200 Metres before giving ground noticeably over the concluding stages. He added as WINNER’S HEART had previously raced well when ridden by him over the course and distance without any head gear, he suggested to connections that they may wish to remove the visor from the gear carried by WINNER’S HEART in its future starts. A veterinary inspection of WINNER’S HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, J Moreira reported that SUPER ALLIANCES did not feel comfortable in its action over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SUPER ALLIANCES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HARMONY N HOME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. GOOD SHOT and SUPER ALLIANCES were sent for sampling.

WOOD ON FIRE, which was fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently began only fairly. MILLENNIUM FALCON and AMAZING were badly crowded for room on jumping between FIRE BALL which shifted in and BULLISH BROTHER which shifted out abruptly. This resulted in MILLENNIUM FALCON and AMAZING losing ground. From the outside barrier, SIMPLY FLUKE was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. At the entrance to the Straight, DESTINE JEWELLERY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COMPASSION STAR. Passing the 75 Metres, AMAZING was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WOOD ON FIRE which shifted in marginally. Then close to the finishing line, AMAZING was steadied when crowded for room between DESTINE JEWELLERY and WOOD ON FIRE (M Chadwick) which shifted in under pressure. M Chadwick was severely reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to keep his mount on a straight course. Over the concluding stages, ONE STEP AHEAD raced tight inside GUNNAR which lay in under pressure and consequently was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race. Throughout the race, COMPASSION STAR travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards questioned K C Leung regarding his riding of MOMENTUM GALAXY, particularly over the last 600 Metres. He said he was instructed to obtain a midfield position if possible on MOMENTUM GALAXY but not to ride his mount along to do so as MOMENTUM GALAXY had a strong finish. He said the connections did not want the horse ridden along in the early stages which may result in it over-racing and then not finishing off its race. He said after beginning well from an inside barrier MOMENTUM GALAXY was able to obtain a midfield position and whilst it was available for him after the 900 Metres to be closer behind TRAVEL DATUK, he did not ride his mount along at this time to make up ground as he felt that MOMENTUM GALAXY had travelled well enough to be able to obtain this position by the 600 Metre turn. He said after the 700 Metres the pace of the race slackened and this resulted in MOMENTUM GALAXY improving its position to be racing inside the heels of SIMPLY FLUKE. He said it was his intention to shift out at this time to follow SIMPLY FLUKE as he believed that that horse would be a good chance in the race, however, to have done this he would have had to steady his mount as MOMENTUM GALAXY was racing about a length behind and inside SIMPLY FLUKE. He said approaching the 500 Metres he observed SIMPLY FLUKE shifting out from behind DESTINE JEWELLERY into a three wide position and as he commenced to shift to the outside of TRAVEL DATUK to follow SIMPLY FLUKE out after the 500 Metres, AMAZING improved quickly to be racing to the outside of the heels of MOMENTUM GALAXY and he received a call from the rider of that horse alerting him to the fact that AMAZING was racing outside the heels of MOMENTUM GALAXY. He said for this reason he was not able to shift one horse off the rail and was not able to shift out further to follow SIMPLY FLUKE which resulted in him following DESTINE JEWELLERY rounding the Home Turn. He said at this time AMAZING was able to improve its position to establish itself to the outside of MOMENTUM GALAXY which allowed AMAZING the opportunity to follow SIMPLY FLUKE through. He said at the entrance to the Straight he attempted to improve between FIRE BALL and DESTINE JEWELLERY, however, FIRE BALL was giving ground and therefore he shifted to the inside of that horse to follow TRAVEL DATUK. He said he was not able to shift further to the inside of that horse as ONE STEP AHEAD was racing inside MOMENTUM GALAXY and therefore he was held up for clear running behind TRAVEL DATUK approaching and passing the 200 Metres. He added approaching the 150 Metres he commenced to shift to the outside of TRAVEL DATUK, however, that horse shifted out and as BULLISH BROTHER, which was racing outside TRAVEL DATUK, had come under pressure, he shifted back to the inside with a view to improving inside TRAVEL DATUK. He said as he did this, GUNNAR, which was racing in advance of MOMENTUM GALAXY, and to the inside of TRAVEL DATUK, came under pressure and therefore he shifted to the outside of GUNNAR to continue to follow TRAVEL DATUK. He said because of these factors he was not able to obtain clear running in the Straight and MOMENTUM GALAXY was not able to be properly tested. K C Leung was told that his riding of MOMENTUM GALAXY from approaching the 500 Metres until near the 450 Metres had come under notice in that, in the opinion of the Stewards, there was an opportunity for him to shift out from behind TRAVEL DATUK and improve into the position vacated by SIMPLY FLUKE as a result of that horse shifting out which would have prevented AMAZING from being able to improve its position to the outside of MOMENTUM GALAXY and which would have allowed MOMENTUM GALAXY the opportunity to continue to follow SIMPLY FLUKE, the favourite for the race, forward rounding the Home Turn. He was told that his riding of MOMENTUM GALAXY came close to breaching a significant Rule of Racing and therefore he was severely reprimanded for his riding of MOMENTUM GALAXY at the relevant stage of the race and advised that he must ensure that he is alert to opportunities so as to take up advantageous positions as they develop during a race. A veterinary inspection of FIRE BALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SIMPLY FLUKE and TRAVEL DATUK were sent for sampling.

GOOD FOR YOU shifted out at the start and bumped YOUNG LEGEND which in turn shifted out and bumped PING HAI GALAXY. PRANCE DRAGON and SUNSET WATCH were crowded for room on jumping between JUMBO HAPPINESS and COPARTNER SPIRIT which shifted in and then shifted in further after becoming unbalanced as a result of contact with SUNSET WATCH. This incident resulted in PRANCE DRAGON and SUNSET WATCH losing ground. After this, COPARTNER SPIRIT was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From a wide barrier, HAPPY FAMILY, which began awkwardly, was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1100 Metres, SEVENTH SEA shifted in and bumped SUNNY LAD. After this, SUNNY LAD and SEVENTH SEA raced tight. Then making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres, SEVENTH SEA became unbalanced when crowded for room between SUNNY LAD and JUMBO HAPPINESS which shifted in. In this incident, SEVENTH SEA and JUMBO HAPPINESS both became unbalanced. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SUNNY LAD shifted out and bumped SEVENTH SEA which became unbalanced. Passing the 500 Metres, SUNSET WATCH was awkwardly placed behind SUNNY LAD. At the entrance to the Straight, BEAUTY AMIGO shifted in towards the heels of YOUNG LEGEND, resulting in the rider of BEAUTY AMIGO having to straighten his mount. For the majority of the race, SEVENTH SEA travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of SUNSET WATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of JUMBO HAPPINESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. DIAMOND BRILLIANT, YOUNG LEGEND and PING HAI GALAXY were sent for sampling.

ALLIED AGILITY got its head up on jumping, shifted out and brushed GOODLUCK GOODLUCK. AMAZING KIWI began awkwardly. SPECIAL STARS and LARSON bumped at the start. SPECIAL STARS then shifted out, resulting in LARSON, BE READY and EZRA all being crowded for room inside EXPLOSIVE WITNESS which got its head on the side and shifted in. This resulted in BE READY losing ground and being shifted across behind runners shortly afterwards to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover and near the 900 Metres got its head up on two occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPECIAL STARS when being shifted across behind that horse. After the 700 Metres, ALLIED AGILITY was left racing wide and without cover. After the race, C Y Ho stated that ALLIED AGILITY did not feel comfortable in its action throughout the race and lay out under pressure in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of ALLIED AGILITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, ALLIED AGILITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of AMAZING KIWI, K Teetan stated that it was intended for the horse to take up a forward position behind the speed if possible. He said however that AMAZING KIWI began only fairly and then shifted out towards the heels of SPECIAL STARS, resulting in the horse losing ground. He said he rode his mount along for a short distance after this, however, it became apparent to him that AMAZING KIWI would not be able to take up a forward position without racing wide and therefore he elected to obtain a trailing position behind GOODLUCK GOODLUCK in early stages which resulted in AMAZING KIWI racing further back in the field than had been intended. He added AMAZING KIWI travelled only fairly in the middle stages and after being shifted to the outside of runners rounding the Home Turn quickened for a short distance before coming under heavy pressure near the 200 Metres. He said AMAZING KIWI was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race as it did at its last start and based on the manner in which the horse began and its failure to finish off the race, he recommended to connections that they may consider stepping the horse up in distance in its future starts. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING KIWI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of VERY SWEET ORANGE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LARSON and BE READY were sent for sampling.

On leaving the Parade Ring, BEAR AGAIN made contact with a rail. On arrival at the Start, BEAR AGAIN was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. FARSHAD shifted out at the start and bumped GREEN REIGN which was then steadied when crowded for room between FARSHAD and LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT. BEAR AGAIN shifted out at the start and inconvenienced HOLY HEART which raced tight inside SMOOTHIES. From the outside barriers, GOOD OMEN and THE DRIVE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, FARSHAD failed to muster speed. After being ridden along in the early stages, FLASH FAMOUS was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover after the 1600 Metres. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, FARSHAD was awkwardly placed outside the heels of HOLY HEART. TRAVEL FIRST raced wide and without cover until approaching the 1000 Metres at which stage the horse was steadied to obtain cover behind LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT which after the 1100 Metres was taken wider and into a position without cover by BEAR AGAIN which shifted to the outside of SMOOTHIES. After this, LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT continued to travel wide and without cover. At the 300 Metres, BRAVE LEGEND shifted out and bumped LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT which was giving ground, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SMOOTHIES, K C Leung stated that as was the case last start when the horse was successful at Sha Tin, he was able to obtain the lead on SMOOTHIES. He said however SMOOTHIES was pressured at the 500 Metres by BEAR AGAIN which improved to its outside which was not the case at its last start when SMOOTHIES was able to improve into the race without having been pressured to its outside. He said he had to ride SMOOTHIES along after the 500 Metres to maintain its position inside BEAR AGAIN and SMOOTHIES initially quickened satisfactorily, however, over the concluding stages stayed on only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of SMOOTHIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HOLY HEART had bled from both nostrils. HOLY HEART, BEAR AGAIN and FLASH FAMOUS were sent for sampling.

HONG KONG WIN was withdrawn on 7.4.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SEVEN HEAVENS (J Moreira). Before being allowed to race again, HONG KONG WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, M F Poon expressed concern regarding the action of MR LUMIERES. A veterinary examination of MR LUMIERES found that horse suitable to race after the necessary consultations. LOVING A BOOM was slow to begin. HONG KONG BET shifted out at the start and bumped SAUL’S SPECIAL. From wide barriers, SEVEN HEAVENS, MR LUMIERES and CUE THE MUSIC were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Throughout the race, THIS IS CLASS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Z Purton (STRONGER) stated that rounding the Home Turn he was racing behind MOMENT OF POWER and inside THIS IS CLASS which was racing about a neck in advance of STRONGER. He said as THIS IS CLASS was travelling well rounding the Home Turn and he was not in a position to shift that horse out, shortly after entering the Straight he directed STRONGER to the inside of MOMENT OF POWER as at that time he felt that he was racing in advance of GENTLE BREEZE and which was more of a possibility for him to shift that horse in rather than to shift THIS IS CLASS out and improve between THIS IS CLASS and MOMENT OF POWER. He said as he committed to improve inside MOMENT OF POWER, that horse drifted in which resulted in him making contact with GENTLE BREEZE near the 250 Metres which maintained its position inside STRONGER and just to the outside of the heels of WINNER SUPREME. He said should he have continued to attempt to improve inside MOMENT OF POWER, this would have resulted in GENTLE BREEZE being forced across the heels of WINNER SUPREME and GENTLE BREEZE by this time was racing on level terms with STRONGER, therefore he was not able to continue to improve to the inside of MOMENT OF POWER which resulted in STRONGER having to check away from the heels of that horse. He added as a result of MOMENT OF POWER drifting in under pressure after the 300 Metres, this resulted in a run becoming available between that horse and THIS IS CLASS, however, he had already committed to attempting a run inside MOMENT OF POWER and at which stage he did so there was not a run available between MOMENT OF POWER and THIS IS CLASS. He said as a result of not being able to improve inside of MOMENT OF POWER, this resulted in STRONGER being badly held up for clear running until passing the 200 Metres. After considering Jockey Purton’s evidence and after viewing the videos, the Stewards accepted his evidence and took no further action. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MR LUMIERES had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of GENTLE BREEZE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. STRONGER, THIS IS CLASS and LOVING A BOOM were sent for sampling.