Race:1 (635) NAM SANG WAI HANDICAP (Sec2) Class 4 1200 m

ANGELS HUNTER began only fairly.
FANTASY SPRING shifted out at the start and brushed FLYING HIGH which began awkwardly. Then after travelling a short distance, FANTASY SPRING shifted in and bumped JAZZ STEED.
SPONTANEOUS shifted out on jumping and brushed YEE CHEONG BRAVE.
From wide barriers, CHIRON and HAPPY MATADOR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Approaching the 800 Metres, THE BEST HERO and AHEAD A HEAD bumped.
FLYING HIGH got its head on the side and lay out making the turn after the 700 Metres.
Passing the 250 Metres, FLYING HIGH and SPONTANEOUS brushed. FLYING HIGH was then awkwardly placed inside the heels of SPONTANEOUS approaching the 200 Metres.
YEE CHEONG BRAVE was badly held up for clear running passing the 200 Metres and then near the 150 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of FANTASY SPRING after being very awkwardly placed behind that horse. When YEE CHEONG BRAVE shifted out, ARES, which was giving ground, was inconvenienced.
AHEAD A HEAD had some difficulty obtaining clear running after the 200 Metres.
Throughout the race, ALL IS GOOD travelled wide and without cover and then making the Home Turn lay out.
After the race, H W Lai (THE BEST HERO) stated that after obtaining a position behind the speed, he was able to obtain clear running at the entrance to the Straight. He said THE BEST HERO then weakened noticeably over the concluding stages which he attributed to the horse having its first start since 26 September 2021. He added that THE BEST HERO appeared to pull up well after the race and he was of the opinion that the horse would improve for tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of THE BEST HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of HAPPY MATADOR immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY MATADOR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
A veterinary inspection of ARES and FANTASY SPRING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
THE BEST HERO, SPONTANEOUS and CHIRON were sent for sampling.

Race:2 (636) LAU FAU SHAN HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1200 m

LUMEN BABA was withdrawn on 3.5.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TOUCH FAITH (L Currie). Before being allowed to race again, LUMEN BABA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
MASTER OF FUN bounded in the air as the start was effected and lost ground. MASTER OF FUN then raced greenly in the early stages and making the turn after the 700 Metres hung out. A veterinary inspection of MASTER OF FUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The barrier manners and performance of MASTER OF FUN, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER OF FUN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
ACA POWER shifted out at the start and bumped TRONIC MIGHTY.
TELECOM MISSILE lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began only fairly.
Shortly after the start, REGENCY GEM raced in restricted room between TELECOM MISSILE and GENERAL TRUMP which shifted in.
From a wide barrier, BOYS PARTY was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
Passing the 150 Metres, FORTUNE HAPPINESS, which had been laying in, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of TELECOM MISSILE (B Shinn) which shifted in under pressure. B Shinn was reprimanded and told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.
Close to the finishing line, GENERAL TRUMP shifted in and bumped TOUCH FAITH.
Throughout the race, FORTUNE HAPPINESS travelled wide and without cover.
After the race, J Moreira stated that after beginning awkwardly, he had to ride REGENCY GEM throughout the race as the horse was reluctant to maintain its position. He said REGENCY GEM did not travel strongly at any stage and then in the Straight did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of REGENCY GEM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
Also after the race, K C Leung stated that he had ridden GOLDEN MISSION in a barrier trial in the lead up to tonight’s race and that trial had only been fair. He said GOLDEN MISSION travelled satisfactorily in the early stages, however, came under pressure after the 700 Metres to maintain its position. He said after being headed by FORTUNE HAPPINESS rounding the Home Turn, GOLDEN MISSION immediately commenced to give ground and then did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN MISSION immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported.
REGENCY GEM, TOUCH FAITH and GENERAL TRUMP were sent for sampling.

Race:3 (637) HUNG SHUI KIU HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1800 m

ILLUSTRIOUS began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped HEROIC CHAMPION, resulting in ILLUSTRIOUS losing ground. After this, despite being ridden along, ILLUSTRIOUS failed to muster speed.
TURF BRILLIANT began only fairly and then shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CROWN AVENUE, resulting in TURF BRILLIANT losing ground.
From wide barriers, SMILING FACE, SKY GEM and ORIENTAL AMIGO were all shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
In the early part of the Straight, STAR OF GLORY got its head on the side, lay in and inconvenienced HEROIC CHAMPION.
Passing the 300 Metres, LOYAL AMBITION was awkwardly placed outside the hindquarters of TURF BRILLIANT which shifted out.
Near the 50 Metres, STAR OF GLORY shifted out and inconvenienced MOONLUCK which in turn shifted out, resulting in TURF BRILLIANT being taken out onto LOYAL AMBITION which was hampered.
After the race, Z Purton stated that although FLYING MIGHTY, which was having its first start on the All Weather Track tonight, was required to race in a three wide position, the horse had cover at all times, however, came under pressure prior to the Home Turn and then did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of FLYING MIGHTY immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported.
Also after the race, V Borges stated that after being left racing wide and without cover near the 1400 Metres, SPEED FORCE came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then did not respond to his riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SPEED FORCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of LOYAL AMBITION and ILLUSTRIOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
LUCKY VICTOR and PRIME STAR were sent for sampling.

Race:4 (638) LAM TEI HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1400 m

VICTORY MORE began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of WONDERFUL TIGER.
THIS IS CHARISMA began only fairly, shifted out and brushed the hindquarters of BRAVE POWER which then became unbalanced and shifted in, resulting in THIS IS CHARISMA being hampered.
SEA MONARCH shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of SUPER KIN.
From the outside barrier, RED BRICK GLORY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Despite being ridden along in the early stages, MISSION SMART was slow to muster speed. Then approaching the turn near the 900 Metres, MISSION SMART commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LONDON LUCKYSTAR. TRAVEL GLORY, which was following MISSION SMART, was awkwardly placed behind that horse in consequence. MISSION SMART then got its head up making the turn after the 900 Metres awkwardly.
After the 900 Metres, SEA MONARCH and GARLIC HERO were left racing wide and without cover. SEA MONARCH then lay out making the turns.
Near the 650 Metres, TRAVEL GLORY became unbalanced when crowded for room between DESTIN and BRAVE POWER which was bumped by VICTORY MORE as that horse improved into tight running between BRAVE POWER and WONDERFUL TIGER. In this incident, TRAVEL GLORY bumped the hindquarters of DESTIN which became unbalanced.
Passing the 300 Metres, VICTORY MORE was steadied away from the heels of LONDON LUCKYSTAR when disappointed for running between GARLIC HERO and LONDON LUCKYSTAR which improved into tight running outside SUPER KIN.
Approaching the 200 Metres, SEA MONARCH raced tight inside MISSION SMART which shifted in.
Passing the 200 Metres, THIS IS CHARISMA and GIVE WAY PLEASE brushed. Then approaching the 150 Metres, GIVE WAY PLEASE raced tight outside WONDERFUL TIGER which shifted out.
A veterinary inspection of DESTIN and SUPER KIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
BRAVE POWER and MISSION SMART were sent for sampling.

Race:5 (639) NAM SANG WAI HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1200 m

MOERAKI stumbled badly at the start.
THE MULTIPLIER shifted out on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of E BROTHER. THE MULTIPLIER then lost ground when crowded for room between E BROTHER and BIG HAPPINESS which shifted out.
From a wide barrier, OVERSUBCRIBED was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Despite being vigorously ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, COOLCELEB failed to muster speed.
Near the 900 Metres, MOERAKI was awkwardly placed outside the heels of BIG HAPPINESS when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse.
Shortly after entering the Straight, SUPER WIN DRAGON and MOERAKI bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced.
Passing the 200 Metres, THE MULTIPLIER was shifted out away from the heels of HAPPY TANGO which was giving ground. THE MULTIPLIER was then shifted out further away from behind YELLOWFIN near the 150 Metres to obtain clear running.
Over the latter stages, NOBODY KNOWS raced with its head on the side and lay out under pressure.
Throughout the race, E BROTHER and WHISKEY NEAT travelled wide and without cover.
After the race, K C Leung stated that after being crossed by E BROTHER approaching the 800 Metres, BIG HAPPINESS resented the kickback and then gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of BIG HAPPINESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BIG HAPPINESS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BIG HAPPINESS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
Also after the race, Z Purton stated that YELLOWFIN travelled very strongly in a forward position and after coming under pressure passing the 400 Metres then weakened out of the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of YELLOWFIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
After the race, L Hewitson said that HAPPY TANGO travelled very well in the early and middle stages and after placing the horse under pressure rounding the Home Turn, he anticipated that it would finish the race off strongly. He said however that HAPPY TANGO immediately came off the bridle on entering the Straight and then was very disappointing in its failure to close the race off over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY TANGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of WHISKEY NEAT immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, WHISKEY NEAT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
Following the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on COOLCELEB at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea.
E BROTHER, LADY FIRST and SUPER WIN DRAGON were sent for sampling.

Race:6 (640) MAI PO HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1650 m

LAPUTA and SMART PATCH were slow to begin.
CHATER PINS began only fairly.
STAR OF YUEN LONG shifted out at the start and bumped ROYAL CAMPBELL.
From a wide barrier, EL VALIENTE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Passing the 1200 Metres, CHATER PINS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EL VALIENTE.
LAPUTA lost its left hind plate in the middle stages.
After the 700 Metres, FLYING ON THE TURF, which was laying in, raced in restricted room inside UNITE SPIRIT which got its head on the side and lay in away from AMAZING TEENS.
Rounding the Home Turn, AMAZING TEENS and UNITE SPIRIT raced tight as UNITE SPIRIT attempted to improve to the outside of STEEL WIN. After being unable to shift out, UNITE SPIRIT was directed to the inside of STEEL WIN and then was held up for clear running until passing the 250 Metres at which time UNITE SPIRIT and STAR OF YUEN LONG brushed. UNITE SPIRIT then shifted out under pressure passing the 150 Metres and in doing so inconvenienced STEEL WIN.
Passing the 150 Metres, EL VALIENTE momentarily raced in restricted room between SMART PATCH and CHATER PINS which got its head on the side and lay out under pressure.
After the 100 Metres, K Teetan (CHATER PINS) dropped his left rein.
A veterinary inspection of FLYING ON THE TURF immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FLYING ON THE TURF, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING ON THE TURF 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 HANG’S DECISION, STEEL WIN and EL VALIENTE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
SUN OF MAKFI, AMAZING TEENS and UNITE SPIRIT were sent for sampling.
<5/5/2022 Additional Veterinary Reports>EL VALIENTE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. EL VALIENTE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C Fownes 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, EL VALIENTE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Race:7 (641) TIN SHUI WAI HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1650 m

EMERGING began only fairly.
SKYEY SUPREME shifted in at the start and bumped TRUE LEGEND.
From wide barriers, A LA KING, FUNCTION PATCH and ULTRA EXPRESS were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
M F Poon (SKYEY SUPREME) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of TRUE LEGEND, resulting in that horse being taken in and causing APACHE PASS to be crowded and in turn taken in which resulted in ROMANTIC COMBO, BEAR SLAM and SO WE JOY being unnecessarily crowded for room and for ROMANTIC COMBO to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled so as to prevent causing further interference to both BEAR SLAM and SO WE JOY. M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 11 May 2022 and to expire on Monday, 16 May 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Poon’s good race riding record. After this incident, ROMANTIC COMBO was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1200 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead after the 1000 Metres.
Passing the 1200 Metres, LEAP OF FAITH commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind BEAR SLAM and then after the 1000 Metres was left racing wide and without cover.
Near the 650 Metres, LEAP OF FAITH shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of APACHE PASS.
Approaching the 400 Metres, ROMANTIC COMBO became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by TRUE LEGEND (K Teetan) which attempted to shift out from behind SKYEY SUPREME. This resulted in ROMANTIC COMBO becoming unbalanced and TRUE LEGEND losing ground. K Teetan was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. After the race, K Teetan stated that after this incident TRUE LEGEND came under pressure and then did not respond to his riding over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of TRUE LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TRUE LEGEND, favourite for tonight’s race and which finished towards the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TRUE LEGEND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
In the Straight, SO WE JOY lay in under pressure.
Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of M Chadwick (ULTRA EXPRESS), 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.
After the race, it was reported that A LA KING had bled from both nostrils.
TRUE LEGEND, APACHE PASS and ROMANTIC COMBO were sent for sampling.

Race:8 (642) TUEN MUN HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1200 m

BAND OF BROTHERS and FLYING DRAGON began only fairly.
From wide barriers, CAPTAIN WIN and RESOLUTE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
After travelling a short distance, SUNNY BOY shifted in towards the hindquarters of LIGHTNING BOLT. Then passing the 1000 Metres, SUNNY BOY raced tight outside HONG KONG WIN.
Making the turn after the 700 Metres, FLYING DRAGON was awkwardly placed inside the heels of PRIVATE ROCKET which shifted in. After this, FLYING DRAGON got its head on the side and lay out and near the 600 Metres inconvenienced LIGHTNING BOLT.
After initially shifting to the outside of HARMONY N BLESSED in an attempt to improve between that horse and PRIVATE ROCKET near the 250 Metres, HONG KONG WIN was shifted to the inside of HARMONY N BLESSED which resulted in HONG KONG WIN being awkwardly placed inside the heels of that horse which was commencing to give ground. MERCURIAL, which was racing to the inside of HONG KONG WIN, also raced in restricted room inside that horse. After this, MERCURIAL was eased after the 200 Metres when continuing to race tight inside HONG KONG WIN.
For the majority of the race, LIKE THAT travelled wide and without cover.
KA YING MASTER and LIGHTNING BOLT were sent for sampling.

Race:9 (643) YUEN LONG HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 2 1650 m

BEAUTY FIT began only fairly.
DELIGHTFUL LAOS was slow to begin.
Shortly after the start, RED DESERT and MONEY CATCHER bumped.
Approaching the 200 Metres, DELIGHTFUL LAOS shifted out under pressure and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of RED DESERT. DELIGHTFUL LAOS was then shifted out abruptly away from the heels of THE ROCK after the 100 Metres to continue improving.
When questioned, L Ferraris (BUDDIES) stated that he was instructed to lead tonight’s race from the outside barrier if possible. He said he was asked to ride BUDDIES positively in the early stages and it was felt that he would not have to make too much use of the horse as BUDDIES would have sufficient natural speed to be able to clear runners to its inside. He said he was further told not to restrain BUDDIES as the horse races best when able to maintain a rhythm. He said after riding his mount positively in the early stages, he commenced to shift across to clear CHANCHENG PRINCE which was drawn to the inside of BUDDIES. He said when CHANCHENG PRINCE was ridden along to clear runners to its inside, this resulted in BUDDIES having to take some time to be able to clear that horse. He said he was able to shift across in advance of CHANCHENG PRINCE after the 1200 Metres and near the 1100 Metres he looked to his inside to establish whether he would be able to continue forward to clear KINGS SHIELD which was racing on the rail and to lead the race. He added at the 1000 Metres it became apparent to him that KINGS SHIELD was not going to hand up to BUDDIES and therefore he remained racing to that horse’s outside rather than attempting to continue forward of that horse and obtain an outright lead. He said given that he had not ridden BUDDIES along at any stage to cross runners to its inside prior to this, he was reluctant to steady his mount after the 1000 Metres as he believed that this would have been contrary to his instructions. He said he therefore allowed BUDDIES to maintain its momentum and race outside KINGS SHIELD and in advance of that horse. He said whilst he was aware that the race was being run at a faster tempo that he would have preferred, he was of the opinion that given the manner in which BUDDIES was racing at the relevant time, he would have had to restrain his mount in order to come back to race on terms with KINGS SHIELD. L Ferraris was told that his explanation would be reported, however, he was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made some effort to try and ease the tempo being set by BUDDIES given that the race was being run at a good tempo. A veterinary inspection of BUDDIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BUDDIES, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BUDDIES 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 BEAUTY FIT and CHANCHENG PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
THE ROCK, BERLIN TANGO and KINGS SHIELD were sent for sampling.