Race:1 (254) FANTASTIC LIGHT HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1800 m

AMAZING AGILITY began only fairly and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners.
TAI SMART shifted out at the start and bumped LET US WIN.
Shortly after the start, LOTUS STRIKES BACK shifted in and brushed BRING IT ON.
From the outside barriers, JE PENSE and HAY RUN were steadied in the early stages and shifted across to obtain cover.
Despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, CLOUD NINE failed to muster speed and consequently raced towards the rear of the field.
Passing the 1600 Metres, KING’S MAN momentarily raced tight between CIRCUIT HASSLER and BRING IT ON which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of KING OF MONGOLIA.
CIRCUIT HASSLER was held up for clear running until approaching the 300 Metres.
Approaching and passing the 300 Metres, LOTUS STRIKES BACK was directed out to obtain clear running.
Passing the 300 Metres, KING’S MAN was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of BRING IT ON.
Near the 250 Metres, TAI SMART got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of LET US WIN.
Close to the finishing line, CIRCUIT HASSLER raced in restricted room between VICTORY BOYS and SERGEANT TITANIUM which drifted out under pressure.
Throughout the race, SERGEANT TITANIUM travelled wide and without cover.
After the race, G Mosse reported that AMAZING AGILITY did not feel comfortable in its action throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING AGILITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, AMAZING AGILITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
A veterinary inspection of KING OF MONGOLIA and JE PENSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
CIRCUIT HASSLER, SERGEANT TITANIUM and VICTORY BOYS were sent for sampling.

Race:2 (255) ABLE FRIEND HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1200 m

Just prior to the start being effected, ENCOURAGING became fractious, turned its head to the left and made contact with the outside of its gate, resulting in the horse being very slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, ENCOURAGING will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that there was blood present at the left nostril of ENCOURAGING. However, an endoscopic examination of that horse did not show any blood in the trachea and accordingly ENCOURAGING was not deemed to have bled.
ALWAYS WIN began awkwardly and lost ground.
FLYING LOVER began awkwardly.
For some distance after the 1000 Metres, ARM RUNDA proved difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SIMPLY BRILLIANT. For some distance after this, ARM RUNDA continued to travel keenly.
Approaching the 900 Metres, ALCAZAR was left racing wide and without cover.
In the Straight, SIMPLY BRILLIANT got its head on the side and lay out under pressure.
After the race, M Chadwick stated that ALWAYS WIN did not stretch out properly at any stage throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of ALWAYS WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of ALWAYS WIN, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ALWAYS 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 WINSTON’S LAD and GOLDEN SUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
KEY WITNESS and SIMPLY BRILLIANT were sent for sampling.
<11/12/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>ALWAYS WIN, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings.  ALWAYS WIN was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer T P Yung this morning.  He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg.  As previously advised, ALWAYS WIN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.

Race:3 (256) FLYING DANCER HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 1 1400 m

DUNDONNELL, which was fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently was slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, DUNDONNELL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.
RACING SUPERNOVA began only fairly.
NOTHINGILIKEMORE began awkwardly.
Making the Home Turn, GIANT TREASURE got its head on the side, lay out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WINNER’S WAY.
Throughout the race, DASHING FELLOW travelled wide and without cover and made the Home Turn awkwardly.
Approaching the 250 Metres, GIANT TREASURE and SOUTHERN LEGEND raced tight.
C Schofield (JOLLY BANNER) dropped his whip after passing the 200 Metres.
SOUTHERN LEGEND and NOTHINGILIKEMORE were sent for sampling.

Race:4 (257) THE LONGINES HONG KONG VASE (Sec1) Group One 2400 m

Whilst in the saddling stalls, DANEHILL KODIAC had its left front plate refitted. DANEHILL KODIAC was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.
KISEKI shifted out at the start and bumped CHEMICAL CHARGE. A short distance after this, KISEKI was steadied away from the heels of MAX DYNAMITE which shifted out.
From the outside barriers, SMART CALL and GOLD MOUNT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, EAGLE WAY got its head up when being steadied to allow HIGHLAND REEL to cross.
After the 1300 Metres, KISEKI travelled wide and without cover.
Passing the 1000 Metres, the ear plugs carried by TIBERIAN became dislodged.
Approaching the 200 Metres, GOLD MOUNT and KISEKI bumped.
J Crowley (SMART CALL) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of GOLD MOUNT, causing that horse to be hampered and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. J Crowley was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Monday, 11 December 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 21 December 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).
The performance of HELENE CHARISMA, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HELENE CHARISMA 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 TIBERIAN and EAGLE WAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of KISEKI immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg.
HIGHLAND REEL and TALISMANIC were sent for sampling.

Race:5 (258) THE LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT (Sec1) Group One 1200 m

LET’S GO DONKI began awkwardly and lost ground.
SIGNS OF BLESSING began only fairly.
THEWIZARDOFOZ and PENIAPHOBIA bumped at the start.
From the outside barrier, THE RIGHT MAN was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
When being steadied to obtain cover behind THEWIZARDOFOZ near the 1000 Metres, STORMY LIBERAL travelled keenly.
Passing the 700 Metres, NOT LISTENIN’TOME was left racing wide and without cover.
LUCKY BUBBLES had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.
Passing the 300 Metres, ONCE IN A MOON, which was giving ground, momentarily raced in restricted room between BLIZZARD and LUCKY BUBBLES (H Bowman) which shifted out. H Bowman was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.
MR STUNNING and D B PIN were sent for sampling.

Race:6 (259) LORD KANALOA HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 2 1200 m

HARRIER JET began only fairly.
PERPETUAL JOYANCE began awkwardly.
Shortly after the start, PERPETUAL JOYANCE and SEA JADE raced tight between MIDNIGHT RATTLER and MYTHICAL EMPEROR, both of which shifted ground.
From wide barriers, LINE SEEKER and JING JING WIN were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
G Mosse (BLOCKER DEE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of TEAM FORTUNE, resulting in that horse being taken in onto LOCKHEED, causing LOCKHEED to be hampered when unnecessarily crowded for room. When LOCKHEED lost ground in this incident, JING JING WIN got its head up and shifted out when being checked away from the heels of that horse. G Mosse was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Monday, 11 December 2017 and to expire on Monday, 18 December 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).
Passing the 900 Metres, TEAM FORTUNE raced tight between BLOCKER DEE and MIDNIGHT RATTLER which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MOMENTUM LUCKY. A short distance later, BLOCKER DEE commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted in when being checked away from the heels of WAH MAY FRIEND, resulting in TEAM FORTUNE being crowded for room before BLOCKER DEE was able to be directed to the outside of WAH MAY FRIEND. G Mosse was reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that BLOCKER DEE’s racing manners at the relevant time played a large part in this incident, nonetheless, in the circumstances, he should have reacted quicker, in order for BLOCKER DEE to have been shifted to the outside of the heels of WAH MAY FRIEND rather than to the inside of that horse.
Passing the 700 Metres, LOCKHEED was awkwardly placed outside the heels of HARRIER JET which shifted out after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of TEAM FORTUNE.
Rounding the Home Turn, HARRIER JET was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JING JING WIN which shifted out.
Passing the 300 Metres, HARRIER JET was taken out by LOCKHEED which shifted out to obtain clear running. HARRIER JET was then hampered when awkwardly placed outside the heels of LOCKHEED (J Moreira) which shifted out further near the 200 Metres. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.
PERPETUAL JOYANCE shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages.
Throughout the race, WAH MAY FRIEND travelled wide and without cover.
A veterinary inspection of MIDNIGHT RATTLER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
LOCKHEED, WAH MAY FRIEND and PERPETUAL JOYANCE were sent for sampling.

Race:7 (260) THE LONGINES HONG KONG MILE (Sec1) Group One 1600 m

KARAR began very awkwardly, shifted out and made heavy contact with SATONO ALADDIN, resulting in both horses becoming badly unbalanced.
LANCASTER BOMBER shifted in at the start and bumped JOYFUL TRINITY.
From a wide barrier, BEAUTY ONLY was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
LANCASTER BOMBER lost its right front plate after the 1500 Metres.
Passing the 1100 Metres, SICHUAN DAR momentarily raced in restricted room between LIGHTNING SPEAR and LANCASTER BOMBER which got its head on the side and lay in before being shifted back out to relieve the tightening.
Approaching the 1000 Metres, KARAR commenced to travel keenly and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUTY GENERATION.
Passing the 1000 Metres, HELENE PARAGON shifted in when awkwardly placed behind JOYFUL TRINITY.
Making the turn after the 900 Metres, SATONO ALADDIN commenced to travel keenly and was shifted out away from the heels of BEAUTY ONLY. SATONO ALADDIN was then allowed to improve its position wide and without cover.
Approaching the 500 Metres, ROLY POLY raced tight between LANCASTER BOMBER and BEAUTY ONLY.
Approaching the 300 Metres, SICHUAN DAR was shifted out across the heels of LANCASTER BOMBER.
For the majority of the race, both CONTENTMENT and ROLY POLY travelled wide and without cover.
After the race, J Moreira stated that it had been intended for SEASONS BLOOM to be ridden in about a midfield position, however, the horse did not show sufficient early speed despite being ridden along and consequently raced further back in the field than had been anticipated. Following the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on SEASONS BLOOM at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SEASONS BLOOM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
Also after the race, Z Purton reported that BEAUTY ONLY did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY ONLY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY ONLY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
A veterinary inspection of SATONO ALADDIN immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.
SEASONS BLOOM, BEAUTY GENERATION and WESTERN EXPRESS were sent for sampling.

Race:8 (261) THE LONGINES HONG KONG CUP (Sec1) Group One 2000 m

DEAUVILLE and WERTHER bumped at the start.
BLOND ME was crowded for room on jumping between SECRET WEAPON and SMART LAYER, both of which shifted ground.
From wide barriers, STAPHANOS and SECRET WEAPON were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
For a considerable distance after the 1700 Metres, NEOREALISM proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed behind TIME WARP.
After the 1600 Metres, ROBIN OF NAVAN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DEAUVILLE.
After the 1500 Metres, BLOND ME travelled keenly.
After the 1400 Metres, ROBIN OF NAVAN commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of GARLINGARI.
After the 1300 Metres, POET’S WORD proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions.
Approaching the 300 Metres, STAPHANOS was shifted to the outside of WERTHER after being disappointed for running between that horse and ROBIN OF NAVAN which shifted out. When STAPHANOS shifted out, SECRET WEAPON was directed out away from the heels of that horse.
A veterinary inspection of DEAUVILLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
TIME WARP and WERTHER were sent for sampling.

Race:9 (262) JIM AND TONIC HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1400 m

RIGHTEOUS MATE bounded in the air as the start was effected and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of REGENCY BO BO which became unbalanced. RIGHTEOUS MATE, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong today, will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test before being allowed to race again.
Shortly after the start, ULTIMATE DREAM was momentarily crowded for room between DIAMOND KING and REGENCY BO BO which shifted out when being ridden along.
From the outside barriers, MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR and MR POTENTIAL were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, TOP BEAUTIFUL got its head up on a number of occasions when proving very difficult to settle.
Making the turn after the 900 Metres, BULB ELITE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of TOP BEAUTIFUL.
In the early part of the Straight, CALCULATION hung in and then passing the 300 Metres, when continuing to hang in, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AFFLUENCE START when disappointed for running inside SPICY SURE which shifted in slightly. After this, CALCULATION continued to hang in and proved reluctant to shift to the outside of SPICY SURE. Over the concluding stages, CALCULATION continued to lay in and proved difficult to ride.
Throughout the race, DIAMOND KING travelled wide and without cover.
When questioned, A Badel stated that he was asked, from a wide barrier, to ride AFFLUENCE START positively in the early stages as the horse was having only its second race start in Hong Kong and the track today appeared to be favouring horses which were able to race in a forward position. He said he allowed AFFLUENCE START to improve its position wide in the early stages and at no stage did he have to ride the horse along to be able to take up a forward position. He said AFFLUENCE START was able to cross runners to its inside easily in the early stages and approaching the 900 Metres was left racing to the outside of REGENCY BO BO. He said as he had not made any use of AFFLUENCE START, he felt that there might be an opportunity to cross REGENCY BO BO making the first turn after the 900 Metres as the tempo of the race did not appear to be overly quick. He said after establishing a margin over REGENCY BO BO, it became apparent to him near the 800 Metres that the rider of that horse was not going to hand up the lead and therefore he continued to race outside REGENCY BO BO. He added he was unaware at this time that AFFLUENCE START and REGENCY BO BO had established a margin over the remainder of the field. A Badel was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have shown more judgement than he did on this occasion in continuing to pursue the lead when it was available for AFFLUENCE START to remain racing directly outside REGENCY BO BO rather than in advance of that horse.
A veterinary inspection of PLAY WISE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea.
A veterinary inspection of HIGH FIVE and TOP BEAUTIFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
SPICY SURE and REGENCY BO BO were sent for sampling.

Race:10 (263) MAURICE HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 2 1600 m

SACRED ELIXIR was withdrawn on 9.12.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (right front suspensory branch injury) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PRAWN BABA (Z Purton). Before being allowed to race again, SACRED ELIXIR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
KEEN VENTURE began awkwardly and lost ground.
RISE HIGH began only fairly.
DR LISTENING was crowded for room on jumping between CIRCUIT GLORY and SIMPLY INVINCIBLE which shifted out. Then from wide barriers, both SIMPLY INVINCIBLE and DR LISTENING were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
RIVET was crowded for room on jumping between CITRON SPIRIT and TIME TO CELEBRATE, both of which shifted ground.
C Y Ho (GONNA RUN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1500 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of KEEN VENTURE, causing that horse to be checked. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 20 December 2017 and to expire on Sunday, 24 December 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Ho’s good race riding record.
RISE HIGH proved very difficult to settle for some distance after the 1500 Metres when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PRAWN BABA.
At the entrance to the Straight, RATTAN was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CITRON SPIRIT.
In the early part of the Straight, HAPPILABABY lay in under pressure.
Passing the 350 Metres, RIVET and KEEN VENTURE raced tight.
C Schofield (RATTAN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 100 Metres he shifted his mount out when not clear of CIRCUIT GLORY, causing that horse to be hampered and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 23 December 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 28 December 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Schofield was fined $22,500.
Over the concluding stages, DR LISTENING raced in restricted room between KEEN VENTURE and HAPPILABABY.
For the majority of the race, HANG’S DECISION travelled wide and without cover.
Throughout the race, HAPPILABABY travelled wide and without cover.
TIME TO CELEBRATE and RATTAN were sent for sampling.