Race:1 (29) SAI WAN HO HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1650 m

V CHEVALIERS was crowded for room on jumping between SUNNY DELIGHT and KING TOURBILLON, both of which shifted ground.
YEE CHEONG WARRIOR was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
After passing the winning post on the first occasion, DRAGON PRIDE was steadied to obtain a position closer to the rail.
After being crossed by CHARIZARD passing the 1300 Metres, KING TOURBILLON travelled keenly and got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed behind that horse.
At the entrance to the Straight, JADE PHOENIX was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of KING TOURBILLON when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running.
Approaching the 200 Metres, CHARIZARD shifted in and brushed SUNNY DELIGHT. Then after the 200 Metres, SUNNY DELIGHT and CHARIZARD raced tight.
After the race, Z Purton reported that it was intended for JADE PHOENIX to be ridden in a forward position tonight. He said just prior to the start being effected JADE PHOENIX became fractious, lunged at the front gates and because of this began only fairly. He said after this he rode his mount along in an endeavour to attempt to obtain a forward position, however, when JADE PHOENIX did not show any early speed, he shifted his mount across behind runners approaching the winning post on the first occasion to obtain cover.
Also after the race, A Badel stated that KING TOURBILLON did not travel strongly in the middle stages. He said as far out as the 1000 Metres KING TOURBILLON was under pressure to hold its position and he had to ride his mount vigorously from near the 600 Metres in an attempt to have it improve into the race. He added that despite being ridden out rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight KING TOURBILLON did not respond to his riding and was disappointing in tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of KING TOURBILLON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
SUNNY DELIGHT, YEE CHEONG WARRIOR and CHARIZARD were sent for sampling.

Race:2 (30) CAUSEWAY BAY HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 2 1650 m

JUMBO FORTUNE began only fairly.
SUNNY STAR shifted out on jumping and brushed RISE BRETHREN.
BERLIN TANGO and PRIME MINISTER were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
Approaching the 1200 Metres, JUMBO FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of RISE BRETHREN.
Passing the 1200 Metres, FA FA got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed behind TELECOM FIGHTERS.
K C Leung was fined the sum of $5,000 for using the whip on PRIME MINISTER when that horse was out of contention.
JUMBO FORTUNE, TELECOM FIGHTERS and RISE BRETHREN were sent for sampling.

Race:3 (31) NORTH POINT HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1000 m

The Veterinary Officer reported that on arrival at the Start FABULOUS EIGHT was found to be lame in the right front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, FABULOUS EIGHT was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, FABULOUS EIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
LUCKY GOR began only fairly.
As the start was effected, CALIFORNIA FOREST turned its head to the right and consequently began only fairly.
GLORY BO BO became unbalanced on jumping after bumping SUPER COMMANDER.
Near the 650 Metres, PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN was awkwardly placed inside the heels of NEXTMODEL.
Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SEE U AGAIN shifted out away from the heels of NEXTMODEL. GLORY BO BO, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence.
Passing the 200 Metres, LUCKY GOR was shifted in away from the heels of SUPER COMMANDER.
PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN and LUCKY GOR were sent for sampling.

Race:4 (32) TAI HANG HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1800 m

CIRCUIT ELITE lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected, bumped the outside of its gate and consequently lost ground.
OWNERS’ STAR began only fairly.
PASSING FASHION and SUCCESS ALLSTARS brushed on jumping.
From the outside barriers, SUCCESS ALLSTARS, FORTUNE TRIPLE and REGENCY MASTER were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Despite being ridden along in the early stages, PASSING FASHION was slow to muster speed and near the 1600 Metres was steadied to obtain cover.
Approaching the 1600 Metres, WAH MAY LUCK shifted in, resulting in GO BALLISTIC being tightened for room and in turn shifting in and bumping SMART COUSIN.
A Badel (WAH MAY LUCK) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the wining post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SMART COUSIN, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily hampered and having to be checked away from the heels of WAH MAY LUCK. A Badel was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 5 October 2022 and to expire on Monday, 10 October 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Badel was fined $30,000.
After passing the winning post on the first occasion, GO BALLISTIC was left racing wide and without cover.
After the 900 Metres, CIRCUIT ELITE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMART COUSIN and was shifted out and allowed to improve its position. When CIRCUIT ELITE shifted out, GO BALLISTIC was taken wider. GO BALLISTIC was then steadied and shifted in to obtain a trailing position behind CIRCUIT ELITE, however, was again left racing wide and without cover after the 700 Metres.
OWNERS’ STAR was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn.
LOYAL AMBITION was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and then on entering the Straight was shifted out away from the heels of GRAND POWER to obtain clear running.
Passing the 200 Metres, SUCCESS ALLSTARS shifted in when racing tight inside GRAND POWER and brushed WAH MAY LUCK. GRAND POWER then shifted in and bumped SUCCESS ALLSTARS approaching the 150 Metres.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SMART COUSIN, A Hamelin stated that his mount travelled well in the early and middle stages, however, when placed under pressure near the 600 Metres did not pick up as he thought it should. He said he had to ride his mount vigorously after the 600 Metres to maintain its position and then in the early part of the Straight SMART COUSIN commenced to weaken. He said he continued to ride SMART COUSIN along, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SMART COUSIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SMART COUSIN, which finished at the rear of the field tonight in contrast to its most recent start when placed second and beaten a short margin, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SMART COUSIN 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 GO BALLISTIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
CIRCUIT ELITE and LOYAL AMBITION were sent for sampling.

Race:5 (33) SHAU KEI WAN HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1200 m

Prior to the start being effected, CIGAR BUDDIES became fractious and lunged at the front gates, resulting in the gates opening. CIGAR BUDDIES then travelled strongly until being able to be pulled up near the 900 Metres. The Veterinary Officer reported that given the manner in which CIGAR BUDDIES made heavy contact with the front gates, that horse was not suitable to race and accordingly CIGAR BUDDIES was withdrawn by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice. Before being allowed to race again, CIGAR BUDDIES will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
THE MULTIPLIER was slow to begin.
RAGING BLAZE began only fairly.
SMART LEADER shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in FORTUNE HERO being hampered and taken out and in doing so bumping the hindquarters of HAPPY FAT CAT.
From an outside barrier, HEARTY WISH was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, SMART LEADER got its head on the side and lay out. After this, SMART LEADER continued to race with its head on the side.
Making the turn after the 600 Metres, THE MULTIPLIER lay in and brushed the running rail.
Near the 500 Metres, HEARTY WISH was awkwardly placed behind POLARIS WINNER.
After the 500 Metres, RAGING BLAZE became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of SMART LEADER.
At the entrance to the Straight, HAPPY FAT CAT and EUROMISSILE bumped.
When questioned, C Y Ho stated that as the connections of THETA HEDGE was somewhat disappointed with the manner in which the horse finished its most recent race off when ridden in the early stages to obtain a forward position, he was asked tonight from the outside barrier to shift THETA HEDGE across behind runners and obtain a position with cover as it was felt that this would provide his mount with the best opportunity to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of THETA HEDGE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of THE MULTIPLIER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
FORTUNE HERO and ISLAND SURPRISE were sent for sampling.

Race:6 (34) FORTRESS HILL HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1650 m

GIFT OF LIFELINE shifted out at the start and bumped COPARTNER ELITES.
INCANTO PREPARED was crowded for room on jumping between STORM LEGEND and THE ANOMALY which shifted out. After this, INCANTO PREPARED was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
From the outside barrier, ROBOT WARRIOR was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
Passing the winning post on the first occasion, STORM LEGEND shifted in and brushed COPARTNER ELITES.
In the early and middle stages, MY ECSTATIC travelled keenly in the lead and proved very difficult to settle.
Near the 650 Metres, PACKING FAMOUS raced tight outside GIFT OF LIFELINE which attempted to shift out and improve into tight running between PACKING FAMOUS and MAJESTIC VICTORY. When PACKING FAMOUS maintained its position, GIFT OF LIFELINE was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAJESTIC VICTORY near the 550 Metres.
Near the 450 Metres, INCANTO PREPARED and GIFT OF LIFELINE raced tight.
Passing the 300 Metres, THE ANOMALY and STORM LEGEND raced tight.
Approaching the 150 Metres, COPARTNER ELITES was shifted out away from the heels of MY ECSTATIC to continue improving.
When questioned, M F Poon (PACKING FAMOUS) stated that he was instructed to sit in about 4th or 5th position if possible. He said he was told that if PACKING FAMOUS did not begin well as it has done at some of its races, he should not ride his mount along as PACKING FAMOUS has previously proved difficult to settle when ridden along in the early stages. He said PACKING FAMOUS did not begin as well tonight as it did last start and MAJESTIC VICTORY, which was drawn inside PACKING FAMOUS, showed more speed than PACKING FAMOUS in the early stages. He said he commenced to shift his mount across to obtain a position behind COPARTNER ELITES which was being hard ridden in the early stages and as he did this STORM LEGEND commenced to shift across in advance of PACKING FAMOUS with a view to clearing his mount. He said as he felt that he would have had to ride PACKING FAMOUS along to prevent STORM LEGEND from crossing and given his instructions, he allowed STORM LEGEND to cross PACKING FAMOUS and obtained a trailing position behind that horse which resulted in PACKING FAMOUS being ridden slightly further back in the field than had been intended.
After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on PACKING FAMOUS 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, PACKING FAMOUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
A veterinary inspection of MY ECSTATIC and INCANTO PREPARED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
STORM LEGEND, THE ANOMALY and PACKING FAMOUS were sent for sampling.

Race:7 (35) CHAI WAN HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1200 m

After being saddled, it was noted that DIAMOND BRILLIANT had sustained a minor abrasion to the left nostril. DIAMOND BRILLIANT was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.
SUPER DOBBIN shifted out at the start and bumped DIAMOND BRILLIANT.
RISING FROM ASHES was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.
Passing the 1100 Metres, SUPER MISSION shifted out and hampered SUPER DOBBIN which then raced tight inside DIAMOND BRILLIANT.
THE RUNNER was ridden along for a considerable distance in the early and middle stages to obtain a forward position and travelled wide and without cover until approaching the 600 Metres.
Passing the 200 Metres, DROPS OF GOD was steadied and shifted to the outside of STREET SCREAM after being disappointed for running between that horse and SUPER MISSION which shifted out.
STREET SCREAM and SUPER MISSION bumped near the 175 Metres.
When questioned, Z Purton (DROPS OF GOD) stated that approaching the 500 Metres he was following SUPER MISSION, the favourite for tonight’s race and which appeared to be travelling strongly. He said at this time DROPS OF GOD was racing inside the heels of STREET SCREAM which came under pressure prior to the 400 Metres after travelling wide throughout the race. He said given the manner in which SUPER MISSION was travelling, he expected that horse to quicken rounding the Home Turn and STREET SCREAM to commence to give ground and therefore he continued to follow SUPER MISSION rounding the Home Turn. He said he did give consideration to shifting to the outside of STREET SCREAM prior to the Home Turn, however, at this time he believed that he would have had to steady DROPS OF GOD to be in a position to clear that horse’s heels and shift out, therefore he felt that following SUPER MISSION was the better option. He added that STREET SCREAM quickened at the top of the Straight to maintain its position outside SUPER MISSION and this resulted in DROPS OF GOD then being held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LIKE THAT, J Moreira stated that his mount travelled well throughout the race. He said after being held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn behind DIAMOND BRILLIANT, he was able to obtain clear running at the entrance to the Straight. He added he placed LIKE THAT under immediate pressure, however, the horse did not quicken as well as anticipated and then in the Straight was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of LIKE THAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
SUPER MISSION, STREET SCREAM and DROPS OF GOD were sent for sampling.

Race:8 (36) QUARRY BAY HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1200 m

M M NEBULA began awkwardly.
CORDYCEPS ONE and DURHAM STAR bumped on jumping. CORDYCEPS ONE was then steadied a short distance after the start when crowded for room between DURHAM STAR and HARMONY N HOME which, after being bumped on the hindquarters by CORDYCEPS ONE, became unbalanced and shifted out. In this incident, DURHAM STAR also became unbalanced after being bumped by JUMBO LEGEND which shifted in.
TURIN WARRIOR shifted in at the start and hampered MELBOURNE HALL.
From the outside barriers, TRIUMPHANT RETURN and OCTOCONNECT were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.
Near the 1050 Metres, M M NEBULA commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GANG OF BROTHERS which was being steadied to obtain cover behind COLONEL.
After being ridden along to obtain a forward position from a wide barrier in the early stages, WOOD ON FIRE travelled wide and without cover until the 700 Metres.
After the 1000 Metres, TURIN WARRIOR was steadied to obtain a trailing position behind TRIUMPHANT RETURN when racing wide.
Making the turn after the 600 Metres, JUMBO LEGEND shifted in and bumped the running rail and became unbalanced.
H Bentley, the rider of 5th placegetter, HARMONY N HOME, pleaded guilty to a charge of having failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards [Rule 100(2)]. H Bentley was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 12 October 2022 and to expire on Monday, 17 October 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).
A veterinary inspection of WOOD ON FIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
DURHAM STAR and GANG OF BROTHERS were sent for sampling.