Race:1 (558) D'AGUILAR PEAK HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1200 m

STAR SUPERIOR was withdrawn on 10.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GLORIAM (N Callan). Before being allowed to race again, STAR SUPERIOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
As T Berry was unable to fulfil the engagement on THE HAPPY BUNCH due to being overweight, M Chadwick was substituted as the rider of that horse. T Berry was fined the sum of $5,000.
LOVE CHUNGHWA shifted in at the start and bumped GLORIAM which became badly unbalanced and then shifted in towards the heels of GOOD FOR YOU.
DR RACE and LIGHTNING MISSILE bumped at the start. LIGHTNING MISSILE then shifted out and bumped STARLOT.
From a wide barrier, LETSGOFREE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
Making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres, AUTOPAY got its head up when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed behind DR RACE. AUTOPAY then continued to prove very difficult to settle in the middle stages.
Passing the 300 Metres, AUTOPAY was shifted to the outside of THE HAPPY BUNCH to obtain clear running. LETSGOFREE, which was following, improved to the inside of AUTOPAY, but was then held up for clear running passing the 200 Metres.
Throughout the race, YOUNG EMPIRE travelled wide and without cover.
When questioned, U Rispoli (STARLOT) stated that he was asked to obtain a position one horse off the rail and it was felt that the horse would be able to be positioned in about midfield. He said after being fractious in the barriers he rode his mount along in the early stages and commenced to shift across to race behind LIGHTNING MISSILE near the 1100 Metres. He said he had intended to obtain a trailing position behind AUTOPAY which was racing behind the leaders, however, LOVE CHUNGHWA was ridden along at this time to assume the position behind AUTOPAY which resulted in STARLOT being left three wide and further back in the field than had been intended. He said as it was no longer available for him to obtain a position one horse off the rail, he rode his mount along after the 1000 Metres to obtain a three wide position behind GOOD COMPANION. He said as YOUNG EMPIRE had been racing in a four wide position towards the leaders and had come under pressure prior to the 500 Metres, he believed that shifting to the outside of that horse would have resulted in STARLOT being taken unnecessary wider and for this reason he improved to the inside of GOOD COMPANION rounding the Home Turn. He added after being shifted to the inside of ORIENTAL ELITE after the 300 Metres, STARLOT then finished off the race fairly.
When questioned, J Moreira stated that as it was believed that there was not an abundance of speed previously shown by the horses engaged in this race, it was felt that ORIENTAL ELITE, which had only three race starts, may be able to obtain a more forward position than had been the case in its previous starts. He said for this reason he rode his mount along in the early stages and was able to shift in to race outside LIGHTNING MISSILE making the turn near the 1000 Metres. He said ORIENTAL ELITE raced greenly tonight and when THE HAPPY BUNCH improved around his mount near the 650 Metres, ORIENTAL ELITE was reluctant to maintain its position and he had to ride it along to remain racing behind that horse. He added ORIENTAL ELITE made the Home Turn awkwardly and then gave ground. He said, in his opinion, the horse is very immature at this stage of its racing career. A veterinary inspection of ORIENTAL ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
DR RACE, GOOD FOR YOU and LIGHTNING MISSILE were sent for sampling.

Race:2 (559) MOUNT BUTLER HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1650 m

NEVER BETTER and HONEST HORSE bumped at the start.
ROYAL CHOCOLATE shifted in abruptly on jumping and made heavy contact with HOUSE OF LUCK which became unbalanced.
RED HORSE shifted out and bumped JOLLY GAINS shortly after the start.
From the outside barrier, KIRAM was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
Near the 1600 Metres, JOLLY GAINS shifted in and bumped RED HORSE when being steadied to obtain a position with cover. After this, JOLLY GAINS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of RED HORSE for a short distance.
After the 500 Metres and again near the 400 Metres, KIRAM was awkwardly placed behind GREAT JOY.
Near the 150 Metres, GREAT JOY and HONEST HORSE bumped.
When questioned, A Sanna stated that as ROYAL CHOCOLATE had not performed to expectation last start, he was asked to ride the horse in about a midfield position with cover which was slightly further back in the field than had been the case at its last two starts. He said it was felt that if ROYAL CHOCOLATE were to be ridden along to obtain a forward position from barrier 9, the horse then may not be able to finish off the race strongly and it was felt that there was sufficient pace in the race that ROYAL CHOCOLATE would be able to race well from about a midfield position. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he had hoped to obtain a position between HONEST HORSE and JOLLY GAINS, however, HONEST HORSE was able to maintain its position behind that horse and this resulted in ROYAL CHOCOLATE being left in a three wide position. He said he then steadied ROYAL CHOCOLATE to obtain a trailing position behind JOLLY GAINS after the 1200 Metres and this resulted in ROYAL CHOCOLATE racing further back in the field than had been intended. He added that despite being ridden quietly tonight, ROYAL CHOCOLATE would not relax and because of this did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL CHOCOLATE immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front and right hind legs. Before being allowed to race again, ROYAL CHOCOLATE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
W M Lai (GRAND HARBOUR) explained that he was asked to lead if possible. He said accordingly he rode his mount aggressively for a considerable distance in the early stages, however, GRAND HARBOUR did not show sufficient early speed to be able to immediately cross runners to its inside, namely HOUSE OF LUCK and RED HORSE. He said he had to continually ride his mount along until after the 1200 Metres at which time HOUSE OF LUCK was able to shift in to race on the rail behind the leader CONTRIBUTION and he was able to obtain a position outside that horse. He said the tempo in the early and middle stages was quite quick and because the race was being run at a fast tempo and also having regard to the amount of use he made of GRAND HARBOUR in the early stages, he was not able to improve his position to race directly to the outside of CONTRIBUTION. He added GRAND HARBOUR came under heavy pressure after the 500 Metres and then weakened in the Home Straight.
When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon (GREAT JOY) stated that passing the 500 Metres he was travelling behind NEVER BETTER which was travelling immediately behind HOUSE OF LUCK. He said he noticed that at this time HOUSE OF LUCK was under heavy pressure and therefore passing the 500 Metres he shifted to the outside of NEVER BETTER and improved around that horse and LITTLE ISLAND to be following RED HORSE. He said RED HORSE came under pressure prior to the 400 Metres which resulted in GREAT JOY, which at this time was racing to the outside of NEVER BETTER, being awkwardly placed behind RED HORSE. He said as both NEVER BETTER and RED HORSE were under heavy pressure at this time, he commenced to shift GREAT JOY to the outside of those horses in the early part of the Straight, however, due to RED HORSE not improving into the race, GREAT JOY was badly held up for clear running until near the 250 Metres at which time he was able to shift to the outside of both RED HORSE and LITTLE ISLAND into clear running.
After the race, U Rispoli reported that HONEST HORSE did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of HONEST HORSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, HONEST HORSE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
A veterinary inspection of LITTLE ISLAND and RED HORSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
GREAT JOY, CONTRIBUTION and JOLLY GAINS were sent for sampling.

Race:3 (560) D'AGUILAR PEAK HANDICAP (Sec2) Class 4 1200 m

SHARPMIND was withdrawn on 10.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter APPLAUSE (Apprentice M F Poon). Before being allowed to race again, SHARPMIND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
On arrival at the Start, ROMANTIC JOURNEY, which had kicked a rail in the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.
Shortly after the start, HIDDEN SPIRIT, which was being steadied to obtain cover, shifted out and bumped NOBLE DE BOY, causing both horses to become unbalanced.
From a wide barrier, GOUTEN OF GARO was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
SHOWING CHARACTER lost its right hind plate near the 850 Metres.
At the 300 Metres, GOUTEN OF GARO was bumped by ROMANTIC JOURNEY which shifted out. NOBLE DE BOY was shifted out away from the heels of GOUTEN OF GARO in consequence.
Approaching the 200 Metres, HIDDEN SPIRIT was checked away from the heels of LUCKY KINGDOM which was giving ground abruptly.
When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on LUCKY KINGDOM from the outside barrier. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages and making the turn after the 1000 Metres was racing in a three wide position. He said he had intended to improve forward of BOND ELEGANCE on entering the Back Straight, however, that horse was travelling strongly and he felt that to improve sufficiently to clear BOND ELEGANCE and race outside the eventual winner BINGO, he would have had to make too much use of LUCKY KINGDOM which was having its first start since October last year. He said this resulted in LUCKY KINGDOM racing in a three wide position without cover in the early and middle stages. He added LUCKY KINGDOM came under heavy pressure after the 600 Metres and then gave ground in the Straight.
BINGO and BEAUT BEAUT were sent for sampling.

Race:4 (561) MOUNT BUTLER HANDICAP (Sec2) Class 4 1650 m

SPEEDY WALLY, first Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 10.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). MULTIGOGO was also withdrawn on 10.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter I’M A WITNESS (Apprentice M F Poon). Before being allowed to race again, SPEEDY WALLY and MULTIGOGO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
NAMJONG INVINCIBLE, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly.
I’M A WITNESS and MAGIC AGILITY bumped at the start.
KING BOUNTIFUL was slow to begin.
From the outside barriers, HAPPY AND HEALTHY, ENORMOUS HONOUR and INDIGENOUS STAR were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Passing the 800 Metres, DOCTORS DELIGHT was taken into a three wide position by PLANET STAR when that horse was able to shift away from the rail due to ELECTRIC LIGHTNING, which had been previously been racing to the outside of PLANET STAR, improving its position at this time. Then passing the 750 Metres, PLANET STAR and DOCTORS DELIGHT raced tight.
Upon pulling up, J Moreira immediately dismounted from SEE ME NOW whilst still on the track as he felt the horse was lame in its right front leg. SEE ME NOW was sedated and removed from the track in the horse ambulance and accordingly a thorough veterinary inspection of the horse was unable to be completed. SEE ME NOW will be subject to a further examination once the effects of the sedative have worn off. A further release will be issued at the appropriate time.
When questioned, T Berry stated that although he was initially instructed to obtain the box seat on PLANET STAR from its inside barrier, he was content to try and lead the race if possible as horses had raced well in the earlier races which were ridden on the speed. He also said he did not want to be behind MAGIC AGILITY which was being aggressively ridden to obtain a forward position as he did not believe this horse would be able to maintain a forward position at a critical time in the race. He said he therefore rode PLANET STAR along for some distance in the early stages in an attempt to lead the race. He said approaching the winning post on the first occasion PLANET STAR was at its top speed and when MAGIC AGILITY continued to be hard ridden to obtain the lead, he was left with no option but to allow that horse to cross PLANET STAR after passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said he was still comfortable with this position bearing in mind his initial instructions were to obtain the box seat, however, when MAGIC AGILITY allowed I’M A WITNESS to cross into the lead after the 1100 Metres, this resulted in PLANET STAR being further back than he had hoped. He added as soon as it was available to him, he shifted out from behind MAGIC AGILITY passing the 800 Metres to follow the eventual winner ELECTRIC LIGHTNING. He said PLANET STAR was initially reluctant to improve its position rounding the Home Turn as the horse did not appear to appreciate racing amongst runners, however, after being shifted to the outside of DOCTORS DELIGHT in the early part of the Straight into clear running, PLANET STAR then finished off the race strongly.
A veterinary inspection of KING BOUNTIFUL and INDIGENOUS STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
ELECTRIC LIGHTNING and PLANET STAR were sent for sampling.
<12/4/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>It was reported that upon pulling SEE ME NOW up J Moreira immediately dismounted from the horse whilst still on the track as he felt the horse was lame in its right front leg. SEE ME NOW was sedated and removed from the track in the horse ambulance and accordingly a thorough veterinary inspection of the horse was unable to be completed. The Veterinary Officer has this morning reported that SEE ME NOW was lame in both front legs. Before being allowed to race again, SEE ME NOW will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Race:5 (562) NAM LONG SHAN HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1000 m

TELECOM BROTHERS was withdrawn on 10.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore with medial crack in hoof) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter BIG FORTUNE (U Rispoli). Before being allowed to race again, TELECOM BROTHERS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
On arrival at the Start, C Schofield expressed concern regarding the action of SMART DECLARATION. A veterinary inspection of SMART DECLARATION found that horse to be lame in its right front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, SMART DECLARATION was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, SMART DECLARATION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
AFTER ME began only fairly and shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between PAKISTAN BABY and MONEYMORE which, after also beginning awkwardly, was taken out by MOMENT OF POWER.
SUPER JUNIOR began only fairly and then despite being ridden along in the early stages was slow to muster speed.
Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, PAKISTAN BABY failed to muster speed.
From wide barriers, FALCON TURBO and MONEY BOY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Passing the 800 Metres, BIG FORTUNE got its head on the side and lay in behind HAPPY METEOR when reluctant to maintain its position to the outside of that horse. Then passing the 700 Metres, BIG FORTUNE raced greenly.
Approaching the 600 Metres, SUPER JUNIOR and MONEY BOY bumped.
PAKISTAN BABY lay out passing the 500 Metres.
Passing the 400 Metres, MONEYMORE momentarily raced in restricted room inside AFTER ME which at this time raced tight inside SUPER JUNIOR.
Throughout the race, CALIFORNIA ELITE travelled wide and without cover, lay out making the Home Turn and then in the Straight gave ground.
MOMENT OF POWER and ENCORE BOY were sent for sampling.
<12/4/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that MOMENT OF POWER was lame in its right hind leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, MOMENT OF POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Race:6 (563) THE INDIAN RECREATION CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) (Sec1) Class 3 1650 m

SLEEP EDUCATION was withdrawn on 10.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LUCKY GIRL (T Berry). Before being allowed to race again, SLEEP EDUCATION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR began only fairly.
Shortly after the start, RIGHT HONOURABLE was steadied to obtain a position with cover.
From wide barriers, PRETTY BAUHINIA, BRING IT ON and SALTO OLIMPICO were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Near the 650 Metres, SALTO OLIMPICO was awkwardly placed outside the heels of PRETTY BAUHINIA which was shifted out to improve.
At the entrance to the Straight, RIGHT HONOURABLE was momentarily awkwardly placed behind MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR.
When questioned, N Callan stated that he was instructed to lead on HAPPY SPIRIT as it was felt that the horse races best when ridden in the lead and on the rail. He said from its wide barrier he had to make a lot of use of HAPPY SPIRIT to cross GLORIOUS FOREVER which he was able to do near the 1200 Metres. He said whilst in ordinary circumstances he would have remained racing to the outside of LUCKY GIRL, having regard to his instructions, he then allowed HAPPY SPIRIT to continue on into the lead approaching the 1000 Metres. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SPIRIT immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
After the race, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on LITTLE DRAGON from the horse’s inside barrier and it was felt that the horse would be able to show sufficient speed to race behind the leaders. He said, despite riding his mount along in the early stages, after being able to obtain a trailing position behind LUCKY GIRL, LITTLE DRAGON was reluctant to maintain its position and would not hold its ground inside initially MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR passing the winning post on the first occasion and then inside SILVERFIELD after the 1300 Metres. He said this resulted in LITTLE DRAGON racing much further back in the field than had been anticipated.
SILVERFIELD, PRETTY BAUHINIA and LET’S TAKE IT EASY were sent for sampling.

Race:7 (564) POTTINGER PEAK HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 2 1650 m

PIKACHU was checked on jumping when crowded for room between GENERAL SHERMAN and RICKFIELD which shifted out abruptly. In this incident, GENERAL SHERMAN became badly unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by PIKACHU and as a result shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CIRCUIT GLORY which also became unbalanced.
IMPERIAL GALLANTRY lost its right front plate shortly after the start.
From the outside barrier, PATRIOT HERO was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
Apprentice M F Poon (WINNING FAITH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of IMPERIAL GALLANTRY, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 25 April 2018 and to expire on Thursday, 3 May 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Apprentice Poon was fined $25,000.
Passing the 500 Metres, INFINITY ENDEAVOUR momentarily raced in restricted room inside STAR MAJESTIC.
Near the 250 Metres, INFINITY ENDEAVOUR raced tight inside CIRCUIT GLORY which got its head on the side and lay in.
Near the 50 Metres, K Teetan (PATRIOT HERO) dropped his right rein.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WINNING FAITH, Apprentice M F Poon stated that he was asked to clear IMPERIAL GALLANTRY and LITTERATEUR to his inside in the early stages in order to have WINNING FAITH in as forward a position as possible given that it was anticipated that the race would not be run at a fast tempo. He said however that on jumping WINNING FAITH was slow to begin and because of this, despite being ridden along in the early stages, was required to race much further back in the field than had been intended. He said after initially racing in a three wide position, WINNING FAITH was able to obtain cover behind RICKFIELD near the 1000 Metres. He said the pace of the race in the early and middle stages was slow and when the tempo quickened after the 800 Metres, WINNING FAITH was left flat-footed and was unable to quicken with the remainder of the field. He said WINNING FAITH subsequently finished off the race only one-paced. He added whilst it may have appeared that WINNING FAITH was disappointing, he believed that having to race back in the field after being slow to begin and with the fluctuating tempo of the race at various stages had not advantaged WINNING FAITH. A veterinary inspection of WINNING FAITH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of IMPERIAL GALLANTRY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.
WINNING FAITH, STAR MAJESTIC and CIRCUIT GLORY were sent for sampling.
<12/4/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>WINNING FAITH, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. WINNING FAITH was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C S Shum this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, WINNING FAITH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Race:8 (565) SIU MA SHAN HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1200 m

LUCKY HERO and BACK IN BLACK bumped heavily at the start.
A short distance after the start, BACK IN BLACK was taken out by EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE and then shifted out further, resulting in LUCKY HERO being taken out onto WONDERFUL JOURNEY which in turn was taken out across the running of GENEROUS HEART which was checked when crowded for room inside SUNNY DRAGON which was racing tight inside RAGING BLITZKRIEG. When bumped on the hindquarters by GENEROUS HEART, SUNNY DRAGON became unbalanced and shifted in further, exacerbating the crowding to GENEROUS HEART.
From a wide barrier, IRON BOY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
After initially being clear of WONDERFUL JOURNEY which was being ridden along to obtain a forward position after being hampered at the start, STORM SIGNAL (J Moreira) was steadied making the turn near the 1000 Metres which resulted in WONDERFUL JOURNEY getting its head up when being checked away from the heels of STORM SIGNAL. STORM SIGNAL was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to WONDERFUL JOURNEY. J Moreira was advised that whilst in the opinion of the Stewards he had been initially clear of WONDERFUL JOURNEY to shift across, he had erred in steadying STORM SIGNAL prior to crossing WONDERFUL JOURNEY which resulted in that horse being awkwardly placed on the heels of STORM SIGNAL. He was further advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances.
When being steadied to obtain cover passing the 1000 Metres, SUNNY DRAGON got its head up on a number of occasions and proved very difficult to settle. Then throughout the race, SUNNY DRAGON travelled wide and without cover.
Also for the majority of the race, RAGING BLITZKRIEG travelled wide and without cover.
Close to the finishing line, EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BACK IN BLACK which got its head on the side and lay in. Because of this, C Schofield was not able to fully ride EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE out all the way to the end of the race.
When questioned regarding the performance of LUCKY HERO, Apprentice M F Poon stated that he was asked to ride the horse in a forward position. He said however that after being hampered at the start LUCKY HERO was required to race much further back in the field than had been intended. He said at no stage of the race did LUCKY HERO travel comfortably and he had to continually niggle at his mount to have it maintain its position. He said LUCKY HERO did not quicken when placed under pressure after the 500 Metres and although the horse was awkwardly placed close to the heels of IRON BOY after the 200 Metres, LUCKY HERO at this time was well beaten. He added, in his opinion, LUCKY HERO, which was racing at Happy Valley for the first occasion tonight, was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of RAGING BLITZKRIEG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
LUCKY HERO, BREEDERS’ STAR and BACK IN BLACK were sent for sampling.