Race:1 (65) BEGONIA HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1200 m

WORLD CITY lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and missed the start.
ARGENTUM began awkwardly and made contact with the inside of its barrier.
GENEROUS BOBO shifted in soon after the start and made contact with FOREVER POSH.
From a wide barrier, DIAMOND LEGEND was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
Approaching the 1100 Metres, LOOK ERAS was steadied when tightened for room between MASSIVE MOVE and JUNGLE KING, both of which shifted ground.
At the 1100 Metres, ARGENTUM, which was being steadied to obtain cover, was inconvenienced by GENEROUS BOBO which shifted out.
Approaching the first turn near the 1000 Metres, JUNGLE KING shifted out slightly and made contact with the hindquarters of MASSIVE MOVE. As a consequence of the contact on its hindquarters, MASSIVE MOVE became unbalanced and then shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in JUNGLE KING being crowded and severely checked which in turn caused GENEROUS BOBO to be taken in onto the heels of FOREVER POSH. In this incident, GENEROUS BOBO clipped the heels of FOREVER POSH and blundered badly. As the Stewards were satisfied that the incident was not due to any carelessness exhibited by any rider, no further action was taken.
RUGBY DIAMOND and MASSIVE MOVE travelled wide and without cover until approaching the 600 Metres.
At the entrance to the Straight, ARGENTUM was steadied away from the heels of WORLD CITY and then shifted to the inside of that horse to obtain clear running.
At the 150 Metres, THE LEGEND was steadied when disappointed for running between RUGBY DIAMOND and I’M THE WON FOR U.
After passing the 100 Metres, GENEROUS BOBO and REGENCY HONEY brushed which resulted in both horses becoming unbalanced.
Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of U Rispoli (FOREVER POSH), 4th 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.
A veterinary inspection of JUNGLE KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of WORLD CITY immediately following the race confirmed the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported.
LOOK ERAS, DIAMOND LEGEND and ARGENTUM were sent for sampling.

Race:2 (66) CASSIA HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1200 m

Whilst behind the barriers, HURRICANE KID had its right front plate refitted. HURRICANE KID was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.
CATCHMEIFYOUCAN lost its left front plate at the start.
MASSIVE MILLENNIUM began awkwardly.
HAYMAKER began only fairly.
GOLD TALENT was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
Soon after the start, TREASURE AND GOLD was also steadied from a wide barrier and shifted across behind runners.
Passing the 1100 Metres, DOUBLE DOUBLE was steadied away from the heels of GOLD TALENT which shifted in.
Approaching the first turn, CATCHMEIFYOUCAN shifted in and made contact with SHOW MISSION.
After being crossed by SHOW MISSION on the first turn near the 1000 Metres, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM got its head up and proved difficult to settle for a short distance.
IDYLLIC WIND was left racing wide and without cover after the 900 Metres.
HAYMAKER made the Home Turn awkwardly.
Near the 250 Metres, Apprentice M F Poon (HAYMAKER) momentarily dropped his left rein.
After passing the 200 Metres, HURRICANE KID was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CARRY TO WIN when being shifted out to obtain clear running.
After passing the 100 Metres, as K Teetan (HURRICANE KID) was attempting to draw his whip in his right hand, the butt of his whip became momentarily caught in the racing silks of C Schofield (CARRY TO WIN).
After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DOUBLE DOUBLE had bled from both nostrils.
A veterinary inspection of GOLD TALENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
KWAICHUNG BROTHERS and SHOW MISSION were sent for sampling.

Race:3 (67) DIANTHUS HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1650 m

From wide barriers, WINASWEWISH and AGIAAL were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
Passing the 1200 Metres, CELESTIAL ARROW got its head up and proved difficult to settle.
Approaching the 700 Metres, FINE WITH ME was checked away from the heels of AMAZING ALWAYS.
When questioned, C Schofield stated that CITY WINNER settled back in the field as anticipated, however, came under pressure as far out as the 1000 Metres to maintain its position. He said, despite being hard ridden in the middle stages, CITY WINNER showed no response and was very disappointing. A veterinary inspection of CITY WINNER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of CELESTIAL ARROW immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.
LITTLE ISLAND and WAH MAY BABY were sent for sampling.
<28/9/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>CITY WINNER, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. CITY WINNER was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer Y S Tsui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, CITY WINNER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Race:4 (68) MAGNOLIA HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1650 m

After being slow to begin, VICTORY FOLLOW ME was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover at the start.
HAPPY FRIENDSHIP began awkwardly.
Passing the winning post on the first occasion, EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of G-ONE UNION.
Approaching the 1300 Metres, SPICY DOUBLE commenced to prove difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of BORN TO RACE.
Near the 1100 Metres, HAPPY FRIENDSHIP was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of SPICY DOUBLE. Then at the 1000 Metres, HAPPY FRIENDSHIP was steadied when again awkwardly placed inside the heels of SPICY DOUBLE. VICTORY FOLLOW ME, which was following, was checked away from the heels of HAPPY FRIENDSHIP.
Over the concluding stages, HAPPY FRIENDSHIP raced tight inside MY GIFT.
Approaching the finishing line, Z Purton, the rider of VICTORY FOLLOW ME, was obliged to stop riding and straighten his mount when it shifted in towards MY GIFT.
For the majority of the race, NO LAUGHING MATTER travelled wide and without cover.
When questioned, K C Leung stated that the only explanation he could offer for the performance of EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA was that the horse did not appear to appreciate racing amongst horses during the event. He said EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA finished off the race only one-paced and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of G-ONE UNION immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, G-ONE UNION will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
BORN TO RACE, LE PEGASE and GOBI STORM were sent for sampling.

Race:5 (69) OSMANTHUS HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1000 m

OCEAN ROAR lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began only fairly.
RIVERSIDE BIRD was slow to begin.
FLYING FORCE began only fairly.
VERY RICH MAN was left racing wide and without cover from the 700 Metres.
Making the turn at the 600 Metres, LUCKY LUCKY (J Moreira) commenced to lay out which enabled OCEAN ROAR to improve between the leader LUNAR ZEPHYR and LUCKY LUCKY. J Moreira explained that due to its inexperience, LUCKY LUCKY found it difficult to negotiate the first turn after being hard ridden to take up a forward position. He said after OCEAN ROAR improved to be racing between LUNAR ZEPHYR and LUCKY LUCKY, his mount continued to lay out, subsequently made the Home Turn awkwardly and then raced a little greenly when placed under pressure in the Straight.
NOBLE DE BOY (N Rawiller) shifted out on the Home Turn and bumped DR RACE which became unbalanced. N Rawiller was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.
After the 200 Metres, when directed out to avoid causing interference to JUNZI, LUCKY LUCKY shifted out and hampered VERY RICH MAN.
When questioned, C Schofield (DR PROACTIVE) stated that he followed BEAUTY CONNECTION into the Straight and after balancing his mount he initially chose to continue following BEAUTY CONNECTION as, being one of the favourites for the event, he expected that horse to quicken and be in the finish. He said he was also aware that VERY RICH MAN, which was racing to the outside of BEAUTY CONNECTION, had been racing wide and without cover and as he expected that horse would weaken in the Straight, he felt that to follow BEAUTY CONNECTION was the better option. He said however that when BEAUTY CONNECTION did not accelerate as he expected, after the 300 Metres he endeavoured to shift off the back of that horse to improve into narrow running between BEAUTY CONNECTION and VERY RICH MAN. He said however that DR PROACTIVE got its head on the side and was reluctant to shift out from behind BEAUTY CONNECTION until near the 200 Metres at which stage the run, which existed between BEAUTY CONNECTION and VERY RICH MAN, had closed due to VERY RICH MAN shifting in. He said he then elected to direct DR PROACTIVE to improve to the outside of VERY RICH MAN, however, a short distance later VERY RICH MAN shifted out suddenly which caused him to steady his mount and then attempt to improve to the inside of VERY RICH MAN. He explained over the concluding stages, due also to LUCKY LUCKY shifting out, he was not able to find clear running on DR PROACTIVE until just prior to the winning post.
When questioned regarding the performance of BEAUTY CONNECTION, Z Purton stated that the horse took up a prominent position as anticipated to the outside of OCEAN ROAR and trailing the early leaders LUNAR ZEPHYR and LUCKY LUCKY. He said BEAUTY CONNECTION initially travelled comfortably in this position, however, when LUCKY LUCKY, which was racing directly in advance of BEAUTY CONNECTION, shifted out on the first turn, his mount was taken out by OCEAN ROAR which shifted out to improve into a position vacated by LUCKY LUCKY at which stage BEAUTY CONNECTION dropped the bit and did not travel comfortably. He added, despite being hard ridden rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, BEAUTY CONNECTION did not close off as anticipated and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY CONNECTION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of OCEAN ROAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
LUCKY LUCKY, JUNZI and NOBLE DE BOY were sent for sampling.

Race:6 (70) THE CITI SPRINT CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) (Sec2) Class 3 1200 m

BRAVE LEGEND began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped heavily with BREEDERS’ STAR, resulting in that horse being severely hampered and taken out onto NUCLEAR POWER which was also hampered and shifted out and bumped heavily with DOUBLE VALENTINE which, after beginning awkwardly, then lost further ground.
YOUNG EMPIRE and GRACE HEART bumped at the start. After making contact with GRACE HEART, YOUNG EMPIRE became unbalanced and shifted in, hampering WINNING SUPREME and WINNERS FOLLOW ME.
From the outside barrier, WINNERS PIONEER was steadied at the start and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
Passing the 1100 Metres, BRAVE LEGEND shifted out and brushed BREEDERS’ STAR which in turn shifted out and inconvenienced NUCLEAR POWER.
Approaching the 800 Metres, BREEDERS’ STAR commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out away from the heels of WINNING SUPREME which was taken out by STARLIGHT.
When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon stated that when crowded for room soon after the start, NUCLEAR POWER became unbalanced. He said whilst it was intended to ride NUCLEAR POWER in about a midfield position, when caught three wide outside BREEDERS’ STAR approaching the first turn, he elected to steady his mount and shift in behind BREEDERS’ STAR to obtain cover which resulted in NUCLEAR POWER settling further back in the field than had been intended. He said as the race was run at a slow tempo in the early stages and developed into a sprint home, NUCLEAR POWER was disadvantaged by the tempo of the race and in all the circumstances he felt the horse closed off the race in a reasonable manner. A veterinary inspection of NUCLEAR POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
STARLIGHT and GRACE HEART were sent for sampling.

Race:7 (71) VERBENA HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1650 m

WHITE MAGIC was withdrawn on 26.9.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GREEN ENERGY (Z Purton). Before being allowed to race again, WHITE MAGIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
SIR REDALOT began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped GOLD LAND which became unbalanced and shifted out, inconveniencing GOODHEART SUCCESS and THUNDER STOMP.
From the outside barrier, GREEN ENERGY was steadied after travelling a short distance and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
Soon after the start, GONNA RUN and ART OF RAW lost ground when crowded for room between OUTLAWED (Apprentice M F Poon) and KIRAM, both of which shifted ground. A short distance later, KIRAM was also hampered due to GOLDEN SLEEP (W M Lai) shifting out. W M Lai was advised to exercise more care. Apprentice Poon was advised to take appropriate measures to ensure that other runners are left with comfortable racing room.
Near the 1300 Metres, GREEN ENERGY commenced to over-race and became awkwardly placed inside the heels of LOTUS STRIKES BACK.
After leaving the 1200 Metres and also near the 1000 Metres, GREEN ENERGY was again awkwardly placed inside the heels of LOTUS STRIKES BACK which was inclined to lay in.
Approaching the 1000 Metres, GOLD LAND was left racing wide and without cover.
Passing the 900 Metres, GONNA RUN was steadied away from the heels of KIRAM which became badly unbalanced and was hampered when taken in by GOLD LAND (M Chadwick) which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening. M Chadwick was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise more care.
At the entrance to the Straight, GOLD LAND was hampered when awkwardly placed outside the heels of ART OF RAW which was bumped and taken out by GOLDEN SLEEP which shifted out around the heels of OUTLAWED to improve. W M Lai was severely reprimanded for the acute manner in which he shifted his mount out at this stage of the race.
THUNDER STOMP, OUTLAWED and KIRAM were sent for sampling.

Race:8 (72) WISTARIA HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1200 m

EXTREMELY FUN was withdrawn on 26.9.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (abscess on mouth) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ARM RUNDA (S Clipperton). Before being allowed to race again, EXTREMELY FUN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
As the start was effected, the blindfold, which had been applied to GENERAL IRON and was removed just prior to the start being effected, became caught in T Berry’s left arm before being dislodged after travelling 200 Metres.
MASTER VIKING, which was slow to begin, was crowded for room on jumping between POWERMAX and SO FAST which shifted in.
Soon after the start, STAR OF JOY was steadied when racing in restricted room between HAPPY BAO BEI and SHANGHAI MASTER.
From wide barriers, DUKEDOM and ARM RUNDA were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
SO FAST raced wide and without cover until the 600 Metres at which stage MASTER VIKING was left racing wide and without cover.
On the turn near the 500 Metres, POWERMAX was hampered when tightened for room inside WHO ELSE BUT YOU which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider.
After being held up for a run in the early part of the Straight, GENERAL IRON was shifted back in near the 250 Metres in an endeavour to obtain clear running.
Passing the 200 Metres, SHANGHAI MASTER was momentarily crowded for room between CHARITY GLORY and MASTER VIKING (Apprentice H T Mo) which shifted out under pressure. After being straightened by its rider and shifted back in to relieve the tightening to SHANGHAI MASER, MASTER VIKING shifted in further, resulting in GENERAL IRON, which was endeavouring to obtain clear running between HAPPY BAO BEI and MASTER VIKING, being checked when unable to proceed into this run. In all the circumstances, Apprentice Mo was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst he had responded in an appropriate manner by shifting in to relieve the tightening to SHANGHAI MASTER, he allowed his mount to shift in further than was necessary.
Approaching the 100 Metres, HAPPY BAO BEI was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SO FAST which shifted out slightly under pressure.
Over the final 100 Metres, CHARITY GLORY hung in under pressure and proved difficult to ride.
Close to the finishing line, HAPPY BAO BEI shifted out and made contact with MASTER VIKING.
After the winning post, when being pulled up, Apprentice M F Poon was dislodged from SO FAST, however, did not sustain any apparent injury.
BEST STEP and CHARITY GLORY were sent for sampling.