| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
12:30
|
KUNG HEI HANDICAP 1200m
WINNING HEART (1) has been knocking on the door for a long time now, finishing 1.3L off the winner in stronger company most recently. He drops back to C5 today where he was right on the cusp. Draws a nice gate today and can finally get the job done now. STERLING WONGCHOY (5) just missed last start over this course and distance and gets Zac Purton in the saddle today. He's inching closer to his maiden victory and he finds a very suitable event today. Just has to repeat what he did last start to be going close. HO HO STAR (10) finished 2L away as favourite last time out and as steps up in trip once again today. He's trialled nicely since that effort and he should get his chance from the barrier. Ticks plenty of boxes and should be right in the finish. SPEEDY SMARTIE (4) gets Bowman in the saddle today and won't be far away. |
|
2
|
01:00
|
FAT CHOI HANDICAP 1200m
MASTER PHOENIX (5) drops back to the 1200m journey today off a 33-day break. He has trialled well in that time and he draws beautifully for Ferraris. Can sit close to the speed and shed the maiden tag. JOYFUL TREASURE (4) is a lightly raced gelding who turned in an improved effort over this track and trip last time out, finishing 2L off the winner. He maps for a lovely run once again for Hewitson and he looks to get every chance off the inside barrier. Can make his presence felt if he continues on his current trajectory. SAVVY TWINKLE (6) was solid on debut when running on from beyond midfield, beaten 2.3L. Leung hops in the saddle after trialling the gelding early in his career. Can run an improved race. CLUB ACE (8) steps out in trip for the first time and was given a very quiet trial recently. Bowman sticks from that effort though and he's worth including. |
|
3
|
01:30
|
GOOD FORTUNE HANDICAP 1600m
LUCKY FIONN (9) has just missed in both runs this campaign, sitting close to the speed first-up before flying home from the back most recently. He steps up to the mile for the first time today but that doesn't appear an issue. Right on the cusp of a maiden win and today looks his day. SUNDAY'S SERENADE (13) is another maiden galloper looking for a maiden win, finishing 1.3L off the winner over this course and distance last time out. He remains down in the weights and he draws a little better for Teetan this time. May be able to take closer order and land the knockout blow. SUNSTRIDER (1) drops back in trip off a 23-day break after a 3L defeat over 1800m at The Valley last time out. He also drops back in grade today in a big tick for his chances and Bowman hops in the saddle. Can bounce back to winning ways. SWEET SMILE (14) gets Purton in the saddle and steps out to the mile for the first time. Can put his best foot forward. |
|
4
|
02:00
|
THE CENTENARY VASE (HANDICAP) 1800m
One of the features of the day and ENSUED (6) looks well placed back to this level. He won the Sa Sa Ladies' Purse over this course and distance before good runs in the G2 lead-up and the HK Vase. Freshened and back to this trip look ideal and Purton sticks from his most trial. Will take plenty of beating. STUNNING PEACH (10) has bypassed the 4YO Classic Mile to run here following a 1.5L defeat in C2 company most recently. He is a course and distance winner previously and he drops 7kg on his latest effort. Still a progressive type and it wouldn't surprise to see him get the job done today. HAPPY TOGETHER (2) stormed home in the January Cup at Happy Valley to just miss out on the victory, beaten 0.5L. He draws much better today and getting back to Sha Tin is a big tick. Has gone close in similar events previously and has winning claims. CHANCHENG GLORY (4) comes through some hot G1 races and has to be included in this easier assignment. |
|
5
|
02:35
|
PROSPERITY HANDICAP 1400m
BRILLIANT EXPRESS (4) put himself in a handy position last time out but just bumped into one better, beaten 0.2L. This looks a relatively weak C4 and he's an improving type. This shapes similarly to last start and he just needs to hold his form to be getting the job done. SKY DEEP (6) sat close to the speed and just missed when nabbed on the line, beaten a nose. He's trialled well since then and he should be close to the speed from the barrier. Can go one better without surprising. PHOENIX LIGHT (1) stormed home from the back to be 1.3L off the winner last start despite jumping a $44 chance last time out. Soumillon rides now and he draws the best gate he's seen in a long time. Expecting him to put his best foot forward. ZETTA FORCE (10) disappointed last start but did pull up with an issue. He's trialled well since then and he can bounce back to form. |
|
6
|
03:05
|
THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CUP (HANDICAP) 1400m
YOUNG CHAMPION (5) jumped the $2.40 favourite in a similar race 19 days ago and bumped into one better, finishing 0.5L off the leader in a strong effort. He's trialled well since that effort and he now gets the blinkers on for the first time. Purton remains in the saddle and he can go one better this time. AURORA LADY (11) is building through the grades nicely and only just missed over 1200m here last time out when leading the field. He was favourite there when beaten a nose and he now drops 8.5kgs. Will take plenty of catching from the front. GREEN N WHITE (3) wasn't disgraced in G3 company last time out when only 2L off the winner. He rides in grade today, but he maps for a lovely run and Bowman hopping back on board is a big tick. Can put his best foot forward. DROMBEG BANNER (2) can roll forward from out wide and if he gets it all his own way up front, he'll be very hard to run down. |
|
7
|
03:40
|
FAT CHOI HANDICAP 1200m
YEE CHEONG GLORY (7) looks a smart horse on debut for the Jamie Richards stable with Zac Purton booked to ride. Purton has been on board for his last 3 trials and he sticks with the gelding today. He draws well and he can make a winning start to his career. KA YING RADIANCE (4) ran home strongly on debut over this course and distance when jumping favourite. He's trialled well since that effort and he again draws nicely today. Up in weight, but he has plenty of upside and he should be right in the finish. DRAGON FOUR SEAS (3) was far too good over this course and distance 19 days ago as he ran over the top to win by 0.8L. He's likely to get back again from the barrier, but he's improving with racing and he'll be flying late in the race. INVINCIBLE LUCKY (8) has plenty of versatility and has been very close to winning his past couple. Expected to be in the finish. |
|
8
|
04:10
|
THE HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE 1600m
The feature of the day now and the first leg of the prestigious 4YO Series. PACKING HERMOD (1) looks the top seed after giving his rivals weight and a head start most recently and running them to within 1.5L. He looks perfectly placed under the conditions and Purton is 3/3 when partnering. The one to beat. JOHANNES BRAHMS (6) looks a horse who will love the mile trip for the first time. He closed off strongly last time out and that looks a key form race for this. Barzalona comes over to ride and he can play a major role. RUBYLOT (2) beat home Hermod and Johannes last time out but draws out this time, as well as rises in weight. He's an improving galloper though and he is versatile. Hard to knock on recent form and should get his chance. FAST NETWORK (5) enjoyed the mile for the first time last start and draws to get every chance. CAP FERRAT (7) was impressive in his HK debut and has been kept fresh for this. Can go close with a favourable barrier. |
|
9
|
04:45
|
RED PACKET HANDICAP 1600m
SILVERY BREEZE (2) has ended up a long way back from wide draws his past couple, just missing out on the win in a blanket finish last time out. He now gets Purton in the saddle today. Drawn wide again, but is knocking on the door of another victory and this looks a suitable race. LEGEND ST PAUL'S (13) is a nice horse on the way up, finally shedding the maiden tag last start as the $1.90 favourite. He's turned in a nice trial since then and Leung hops back in the saddle. Maps for a lovely run on the speed and he'll be hard to mow down. FALLON (7) showed he was back to form with a 1.8L defeat over this track and trip 19 days ago. He gets Soumillon in the saddle now from an inside barrier and he'll be in the finish if he can hold his form. EMBRACES (3) is looking to make it three wins in-a-row and has to be included. Watch for him late. |
|
10
|
05:20
|
YUE YEE HANDICAP 1200m
SUNNY DA BEST (11) just missed two back before a good win over this course and distance last time out, scoring by 0.5L as the $2.80 favourite. Up in grade now, but he drops 6.5kgs and Purton remains in the saddle. Progressive type who can win again. RUN RUN SMART (10) was very good last start when out to 1200m, finishing only 0.5L off the winner as a $22 pop. He's trialled well since that effort and he maps for a similar run today. He drops in weight though and a repeat effort will see him hard to hold out. BEAUTY LIGHT (13) just missed last start at Happy Valley and comes to Sha Tin for the first time today. He drops 8.5kg for the rise in grade and he has enough speed to offset the barrier. Can make his presence felt. LUCKY EIGHT (5) will need some luck from the barrier but he's racing well and is right in the mix. |
|
11
|
05:55
|
KUT CHEONG HANDICAP 1400m
ENDEARED (7) ran over the top to win impressively last start at this track and trip as favourite, scoring by 2L. He's been kept up to the mark with recent trials since then and he draws a much better gate today. Drops in weight and can bring up back-to-back victories. PACKING ANGEL (3) is looking for the hat-trick following a 0.8L victory here most recently as a $2 chance. The form out of that race has been superb and Purton remains in the saddle. Has plenty of upside and he can continue on his winning ways. ANOTHER WORLD (9) is another progressive type lining up here after a narrow win most recently. He draws better today and he's unbeaten over this track and trip. Can continue to improve and should be right in the finish. KAHOLO ANGEL (2) is usually thereabouts and is sure to be finishing off strongly at the finish. |
