Race:1 (173) KOKURA HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1650 m

MANAGEMENT STAR began awkwardly and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners.
COOL ARMY began very awkwardly and lost ground.
From wide barriers, SHOWING CHARACTER and ROOKIE STAR were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.
Passing the winning post on the first occasion, WONDERFUL TIGER commenced to prove difficult to settle and for some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres was awkwardly placed behind LUCKY STORM.
Near the 1150 Metres, ROOKIE STAR got its head up when awkwardly placed behind SPINNING DANCER. ROOKIE STAR then shifted out when continuing to prove difficult to settle. COOL ARMY, which was racing tight inside ROOKIE STAR, was crowded for room near the 1000 Metres when ROOKIE STAR shifted back in marginally.
After the 900 Metres, MONEY WINNER raced tight inside SPINNING DANCER after shifting out away from the heels of TRAVEL AMBASSADOR.
Near the 450 Metres, COOL ARMY was bumped by MANAGEMENT STAR which shifted out.
Near the 150 Metres, MONEY WINNER was shifted in away from the heels of LUCKY STORM in an endeavour to obtain clear running to the inside of that horse. MONEY WINNER then raced tight inside LUCKY STORM over the concluding stages when that horse shifted in under pressure. SHOWING CHARACTER, which was racing to the inside of MONEY WINNER, was awkwardly placed inside that horse as a consequence. Because of this, both MONEY WINNER and SHOWING CHARACTER were unable to be ridden out over the concluding stages.
After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on LUCKY STORM at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY STORM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
A veterinary inspection of VARA PEARL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
DUTCH WINDMILL and WONDERFUL TIGER were sent for sampling.

Race:2 (174) FUKUSHIMA HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1200 m

On arrival at the Start, G van Niekerk expressed concern regarding the action of HAPPY SOUND. HAPPY SOUND was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.
RAY’S CALL began only fairly and shortly after the start lost ground as a result of being steadied away from the heels of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which shifted in.
From wide barriers, HAPPY HAPPY, THE SYLPH and NEVER BETTER were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
After being ridden along in the early stages, HAPPY SOUND, which began awkwardly, failed to muster speed and then a short distance after the start, G van Niekerk, the rider of HAPPY SOUND, adjusted his left foot in the iron. This resulted in HAPPY SOUND racing back in the field.
Near the 1150 Metres, RAY’S CALL was momentarily shifted in away from the heels of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which shifted in.
Approaching the turn near the 600 Metres, AMBITIOUS SPEEDY got its head on the side and lay in across the heels of HAPPY HAPPY. This resulted in AMBITIOUS SPEEDY being awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY HAPPY for a short distance.
After the 450 Metres, HAPPY HAPPY was awkwardly placed behind RAY’S CALL.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TRENDIFUL, K Teetan stated that after having to ride his mount along for a short distance in the early stages, TRENDIFUL was able to obtain the lead on the rail. He said TRENDIFUL travelled strongly and, in his opinion, travelled better than it did at its last start when successful. He said he placed his mount under pressure in the early part of the Straight, however, TRENDIFUL immediately came off the bridle and, despite being fully tested in the Straight, weakened noticeably over the concluding stages. He added the manner in which TRENDIFUL gave ground indicated to him that the horse may have bled and for this reason he eased it down over the final 150 Metres when it was well out of contention. Mr K H Ting, the trainer of TRENDIFUL, stated that he had ridden the horse in track work both prior to its last start success and again in the lead up to tonight’s race. He said if anything, TRENDIFUL’s work had improved since its last start success and after drawing an inside barrier he believed that TRENDIFUL would be very difficult to beat. He said having regard to the manner in which TRENDIFUL gave ground in the Straight, he was of the opinion the horse may have experienced some internal issues. He added other than that, he was at a loss to explain the horse’s performance which he described as being very disappointing. The performance of TRENDIFUL, a last start winner and favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TRENDIFUL 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 TRENDIFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on REGENCY HONEY at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, REGENCY HONEY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
A veterinary inspection of YOUNG DREAMER immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, YOUNG DREAMER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
TRENDIFUL, PEACE ON EARTH and REGENCY HONEY were sent for sampling.

Race:3 (175) NAKAYAMA HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1000 m

REAL GIANT began only fairly.
LA BOMBA, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly, resulting in its rider becoming unbalanced and LA BOMBA losing ground.
GENERAL IRON began awkwardly.
SPECIAL STARS made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly. FLYING NOBLE, which was following SPECIAL STARS, was inconvenienced in consequence.
After the 500 Metres, LUCKY LUCKY got its head on the side and lay out.
After the race, Z Purton, who was having his first ride on LUCKY LUCKY, sated that based on the manner in which the horse lay out in the middle stages, he is of the opinion that LUCKY LUCKY would perhaps be better suited when able to race on the rail to help it around the track. He said in the Straight LUCKY LUCKY was inclined to shift out away from other runners and gave ground over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY LUCKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
MR RIGHT, GENTLE BREEZE and LOOK ERAS were sent for sampling.

Race:4 (176) CHUKYO HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1200 m

G van Niekerk (LOOKING GOOD) was fined the sum of $2,000 for presenting himself to be weighed out with the incorrect saddle cloth number.
CHAMPION SUPREME began only fairly.
LAMAROSA shifted in at the start and bumped OPEN HOUSE
Shortly after the start, NOBLE DELIGHT shifted out, resulting in MANFUL STAR being taken out onto GOLDEN GLORY and causing C P POWER to be crowded for room inside GOLDEN GLORY which became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by C P POWER After this, both GOLDEN GLORY and C P POWER were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
From the outside barriers, I’M THE CONQUIST and RUMBA DELAGO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
After the 300 Metres, MANFUL STAR was shifted in away from the heels of CHAMPION SUPREME in an attempt to obtain clear running.
Approaching the 150 Metres, OPEN HOUSE raced tight inside NOBLE DELIGHT which was giving ground.
The whip carried by C Y Ho, the rider of OPEN HOUSE, became entangled in the reins when being changed into his right hand passing the 100 Metres.
Near the 50 Metres, RUMBA DELAGO was shifted in away from the heels of MANFUL STAR which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHAMPION SUPREME. Neither RUMBA DELAGO nor MANFUL STAR was able to be fully tested over the concluding stages.
OPEN HOUSE was unable to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race when disappointed for a run between VICTORY POWER which shifted out after being brushed by CHAMPION SUPREME and LAMAROSA which shifted in.
Throughout the race, NOBLE DELIGHT travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground.
When questioned regarding the improved performance of LOOKING GOOD, Mr F C Lor, trainer of the horse, stated that despite working well in the early part of this season, LOOKING GOOD’s two starts this time in had both been very disappointing. He said because of this he applied blinkers to LOOKING GOOD in a barrier trial in the lead up to tonight’s race and whilst the barrier trial, in his opinion, was just satisfactory, the horse had picked up in its track work since the trial with the blinkers continuing to be carried in a number of pieces of track work. He said he also elected to race LOOKING GOOD at Happy Valley for the first time tonight in the hope that it might find an easier race than would be the case were it to race at Sha Tin. He added, in his opinion, the application of the blinkers together with racing at Happy Valley for the first occasion were the principal reasons for the horse’s improved performance.
When questioned regarding his riding of VICTORY POWER, Apprentice C Wong stated that he was instructed to utilize the horse’s inside barrier and either lead or take a trailing position if other horses showed more speed than VICTORY POWER. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode VICTORY POWER along in the early stages to ensure that the horse was able to obtain a forward position. He said making the turn after the 1000 Metres he was racing outside the leader GRAND HARBOUR and inside NOBLE DELIGHT. He said NOBLE DELIGHT took some time to muster speed sufficient to cross VICTORY POWER and after the 900 Metres VICTORY POWER commenced to travel keenly. He said when NOBLE DELIGHT did not proceed forward of VICTORY POWER, he believed he would have had to restrain the horse too heavily to allow NOBLE DELIGHT to cross VICTORY POWER and take a trailing position and therefore he continued to hold his position between GRAND HARBOUR and NOBLE DELIGHT. He said it was not until near the 600 Metres when NOBLE DELIGHT commenced to gain more of an advantage over VICTORY POWER, however, at this time he was reluctant to allow that horse to cross given it was at a late stage of the race. Apprentice Wong was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, having in mind his instructions that it was acceptable for him to take a trailing position, in the circumstances he should have made an attempt to steady VICTORY POWER to take a trailing position behind NOBLE DELIGHT which would have allowed VICTORY POWER the opportunity to obtain cover and to shift to the outside of NOBLE DELIGHT at a later stage of the race to obtain clear running.
After the race, U Rispoli reported that I’M THE CONQUIST was making an abnormal respiratory noise during the race. An endoscopic examination of I’M THE CONQUIST showed a substantial amount of blood in its trachea. Before being allowed to race again, I’M THE CONQUIST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
After the race, it was noted that LAMAROSA had bled from both nostrils.
A veterinary inspection of NOBLE DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
CHAMPION SUPREME, LOOKING GOOD and GOLDEN GLORY were sent for sampling.

Race:5 (177) HANSHIN HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1650 m

On arrival at the Start, Apprentice H T Mo stated that OUR HERO did not feel comfortable in its action. OUR HERO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that he could detect no obvious abnormalities with the horse. Apprentice Mo advised that he was not comfortable to ride OUR HERO based on how it felt when proceeding to the barriers and accordingly OUR HERO was withdrawn from the race by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, OUR HERO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
GODSPEED shifted out at the start and hampered ALL YOU KNOW.
Shortly after the start, PEARL WARM WARM and CHAPARRAL STAR raced tight.
ENORMOUS HONOUR and HAPPY ROCKY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
After initially being ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position from a wide barrier, GENTRY was left racing wide and without cover after the 1300 Metres and was then steadied to obtain cover after the 1100 Metres.
Passing the winning post on the first occasion, JOLLY GAINS momentarily raced in restricted room between FINE WITH ME and GENTRY.
Passing the 1400 Metres, FINE WITH ME got its head up when being checked away from the heels of GENERAL DINO.
After the 1300 Metres, JOLLY GAINS was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1000 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead, however, continued to race three wide and without cover. JOLLY GAINS consequently gave ground after the 500 Metres to finish tailed out. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY GAINS immediately following the race revealed the horse to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, JOLLY GAINS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
In the middle stages, PEARL WARM WARM travelled keenly in the lead.
ENORMOUS HONOUR raced with its head on the side and was reluctant to shift out in the early part of the Straight.
Passing the 400 Metres, GENERAL DINO was awkwardly placed behind JOLLY GAINS which was giving ground.
After being shifted to the inside of PEARL WARM WARM passing the 300 Metres, GODSPEED shifted out towards the heels of that horse near the 250 Metres, resulting in GODSPEED being awkwardly placed for a short distance.
A Badel (ALL YOU KNOW) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the approaching and passing 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out under pressure when not clear of CHAPARRAL STAR, causing that horse to be checked away from the heels of ALL YOU KNOW and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. A Badel was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 28 November 2018 and to expire on Monday, 3 December 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).
When CHAPARRAL STAR was checked passing the 50 Metres, that horse shifted in abruptly, resulting in some inconvenience to ENORMOUS HONOUR and HAPPY ROCKY.
Close to the finishing line, ISHVARA shifted in and bumped GODSPEED.
A veterinary inspection of GENTRY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
ALL YOU KNOW and ENORMOUS HONOUR were sent for sampling.

Race:6 (178) THE JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION TROPHY (HANDICAP) (Sec1) Class 3 1200 m

Shortly after the start, DOUBLE VALENTINE and CEREFINO bumped.
From wide barriers, DARING FIT and SUPER LEADER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.
Passing the winning post, HAPPY TIME was awkwardly placed inside the heels of AMBITIOUS HEART which shifted in under pressure.
In the Straight, SUPER LEADER lay in under pressure.
A veterinary inspection of CEREFINO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of DARING FIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.
AMBITIOUS HEART and COUNTRY STAR were sent for sampling.
<15/11/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>CEREFINO, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. CEREFINO 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, CEREFINO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
DARING FIT, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant finding, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. DARING FIT was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer P O’Sullivan 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, DARING FIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
The Veterinary Surgeon reported that EXTREMELY FUN was lame in its left hind leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, EXTREMELY FUN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Race:7 (179) KYOTO HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1800 m

DYNAMIC EAGLE and CHEERFUL GIGGLES were crowded for room shortly after the start between HAPPY SPIRIT and TIANCHI MONSTER (M Chadwick) which shifted out. M Chadwick was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that he had made some effort to straighten TIANCHI MONSTER in this incident, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners.
From the outside barriers, HELENE CHARISMA and HO HO FEEL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Passing the winning post on the first occasion, DYNAMIC EAGLE was shifted out away from the heels of RULE THEE after being awkwardly placed behind that horse After this, DYNAMIC EAGLE was left racing wide and without cover and when proving very difficult to settle was consequently allowed to improve its position after the 1000 Metres.
After the 850 Metres, HAPPY SPIRIT commenced to give ground abruptly. CHEERFUL GIGGLES, which was following HAPPY SPIRIT, was unable to avoid the heels of that horse and blundered badly near the 750 Metres after clipping the heels of HAPPY SPIRIT. HAPPY SPIRIT then continued to give ground abruptly and after the 600 Metres was retired out of the race. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SPIRIT immediately following the race revealed the horse to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY SPIRIT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When HAPPY SPIRIT was giving ground, NAMJONG PLUS was shifted in away from the heels of that horse after the 700 Metres, resulting in HELENE CHARISMA momentarily racing tight inside that horse.
Shortly after entering the Straight, RULE THEE and SANGRIA bumped. RULE THEE then shifted in, resulting in SANGRIA being awkwardly placed inside that horse near the 250 Metres at which point BIGWOOD, when improving into running outside of DYNAMIC EAGLE (S de Sousa), was taken out by that horse which shifted abruptly under pressure approaching the 200 Metres. The Stewards accepted that DYNAMIC EAGLE had shifted out abruptly when being ridden out and after shifting out was momentarily corrected by its rider who stopped riding DYNAMIC EAGLE and straightened the horse. S de Sousa was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he reacts as quickly as possible to his mounts shifting ground so as to ensure that he does not cause interference to other runners, wherever circumstances permit.
After the 250 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA was shifted to the inside of BIGWOOD after being disappointed for running between that horse and SANGRIA. HELENE CHARISMA was then shifted to the inside of DYNAMIC EAGLE and for a considerable distance after the 200 Metres was unable to obtain clear running. Then passing the 100 Metres, HELENE CHARISMA was shifted further to the inside of TIANCHI MONSTER to obtain clear running.
Passing the 100 Metres, BIGWOOD shifted out under pressure and bumped RULE THEE. BIGWOOD and RULE THEE then raced tight over the concluding stages and bumped again close to the finishing line.
Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of D Whyte (HELENE CHARISMA), 5th 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.
Apprentice C Wong (CHEERFUL GIGGLES) was fined the sum of $5,000 for using the whip on the horse when it was out of contention. Apprentice Wong was advised that this was the second time that he had been penalized for this breach of the Rules and that should he offend again in the near future, the Stewards would give consideration to imposing a more significant penalty.
After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that LUCKY TIME was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY TIME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
A veterinary inspection of SANGRIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
RULE THEE and BIGWOOD were sent for sampling.
<15/11/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>HAPPY SPIRIT, which was retired out of the race after the 600 Metres, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. HAPPY SPIRIT was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K L Man this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. As previously advised, HAPPY SPIRIT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.

Race:8 (180) TOKYO HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 2 1650 m

VOLPINO began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of BEAUTY PRINCE. After this, VOLPINO was shifted across behind runners.
SUPER CHIC shifted out at the start and bumped SHARP SAILOR.
From the outside barriers, LITTERATEUR and FAST MOST FURIOUS were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
A short distance after the start, JADE FORTUNE shifted out and bumped BEAUTY PRINCE.
Passing the winning post on the first occasion, LITTERATEUR and SHARP SAILOR raced tight.
Making the turn after the 600 Metres, LAND GRANT brushed the running rail and became unbalanced.
When being shifted to the inside of LAND GRANT passing the 300 Metres, RED WARRIOR raced tight inside that horse which got its head on the side and shifted in under pressure before being corrected by its rider.
Throughout the race, JADE FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover.
A veterinary inspection of JADE FORTUNE and LAND GRANT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
RED WARRIOR, SUPER CHIC and TURIN REDSTAR were sent for sampling.