| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
01:00
|
CHAI WAN KOK HANDICAP 1200m
SKY SONG (1) steps into Class 5 for the first time, and he will be peaking third-up run. He fought on bravely for third in his last start and has the right draw here to settle just off the pace. He will be hard to hold out. SHINE BRIGHT (4) is also dropping in grade. He has the bonus of having Zac Purton taking over the reins, and despite the awkward barrier 10, he has enough early to overcome it. NOBLE DELUXE (7) is heading the right way with his form since dropping into Class 5, with his last start third-place finish confirming he’s close to a breakthrough. Each way value. HE WAS YOU (3) maps to receive a good run from his draw, and if ready, he can give this field a shake fresh up. |
|
2
|
01:30
|
KWOK SHUI HANDICAP 1200m
INCREDIBLE MOMENT (6) was well-backed fresh up, and he went close to scoring but had to settle for fourth, after working hard outside the leader. He has the blinkers on for the first time, and he could even find himself in front this time. On top. JUBILANT WINNER (3) was a big winner fresh up here by 2 lengths, and he has been back to the trials since then. He meets a similar field, and the way Jamie Richards is going with his team, he can repeat the dose. ALL'S WELL (2) ended his last prep as a winner and should be much stronger this season. He is likely to settle back, but if the top pick sets up a genuine tempo, then he can have the last say here. BOWSER (8) is making his debut from the Tony Cruz stable, and his form has been very sound against some of his rivals in this. Keep an eye on the market flucs. |
|
3
|
02:00
|
LO WAI HANDICAP 1200m
NOTTHESILLYONE (12) has yet to win in six Class 4 attempts but showed improvement late last season. He cops a wide gate, but this field lacks any real depth, and he could find the top early without using up too much energy. Stick with him. CALIFORNIA STAR (5) usually runs from the back and finishes strongly. He has trialled up nicely, and only needs the gaps to come at the right time to be a big threat here. GIMME FIVE (4) had valid excuses when finishing eighth fresh up. He can make the most of his inside draw, and a form reversal is on the card. Include in all combinations. BITS SUPERSTAR (2) is now with David Hall after switching from Pierre Ng. He made good progress last season and has trialled impressively in the lead-up to this suitable assignment. The market will be an important guide in this race. |
|
4
|
02:30
|
SHA TSUI HANDICAP 1400m
THE HEIR (3) backed up his fresh-up win with another strong run, finishing close up in second place 3 weeks ago. He cops a wide draw, but in a weaker race, he looks well placed to repeat the dose. GOOD LUCK BABE (2) has drawn well and should settle in or near the lead, which suits his racing style. Tony Cruz has him heading in the right direction since he joined his stable, and he should go close to taking this out. WINNING MACHINE (12) was well-found in the market last start but faded late to finish fifth after setting a quick tempo in front. He will be peaking third up from a spell, and may even take them all the way this time. POSITIVE SMILE (10) needed his fresh run, and then improved quickly second-up, finishing fourth with a strong late run. He’s drawn wide again and will likely adopt similar tactics, and if the gaps come at the right time, he should be in the top 4. Include in all combinations. |
|
5
|
03:00
|
THE YAN CHAI TROPHY (HANDICAP) 1200m
ELEGANT LIFE (12) was well-supported first-up for the Caspar Fownes stable but had no luck at all in the home straight, held up on more than one occasion. He maps well from a handy barrier and deserves another chance to prove himself. OLDTOWN (6) only raced 3 times last season but showed hints of talent. His lead-up trial form has been impressive. Zac Purton picks up the ride, which is always a strong lead in itself. Hard to beat. JUBILANT STAR (4) makes his debut from the David Hall stable after having Zac Purton aboard for most trials. He won't lose anything with Hugh Bowman in the irons. He looks ready to rumble on debut. Keep an eye on the market moves. GOOD FORTUNE (5) resumes with blinkers on for the first time after two promising runs last season. He will improve naturally this season, and a recent trial placing will ensure that he can make his presence felt. |
|
6
|
03:35
|
SHAM TSENG HANDICAP 1600m
PEARL OF PANG'S (6) was trapped wide from a tough gate and shared the pace, fighting on gamely strongly to finish runner-up when resuming 3 weeks ago at this course and distance. He has an impressive record at this trip, never missing the top three in four starts, including a win. He has a superior draw this time and can go one better. BULL ATTITUDE (11) set the pace over 1400m here last time out from a wide gate, and understandably weakened in the run home. He should secure a run to suit this time from the pole position, and a form reversal is likely. GLORIOUS SUCCESS (1) dropped back early from a favourable draw last time and finished on late for fourth over 1650m at Sha Tin on the poly track. He is down in class, and up to winning a race at this level, especially with Zac Purton back in the saddle. HAPPY UNIVERSE (8) resumed with a solid third over 1600m at this track, beaten just half a length. He strips fitter and he has to be respected as a top 4 proposition. |
|
7
|
04:05
|
THE CHINESE RECREATION CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) 1200m
SUPER STRONG KID (3) impressed with a good win last time over 1000m down the straight course at this track. Zac Purton stays aboard, and he drops in weight. If he can see out 1200m, then he can win again. YEE CHEONG GLORY (11) returns after an eight-month break, having won on debut over 1200m at this track. He finished runner-up at his only other start and will be a lot stronger this season. A recent trial win suggests he's ready to rumble. ALSONSO (7) showed good speed to lead and finished a solid third when resuming over 1000m at this track. He steps back up to 1200m, and should produce another honest effort. FLYING KNIGHT (8) needed his resuming run over 1200m here, and will be a lot tighter in condition for this. He is likely to be at good odds and can boost any combination wagers. Each way value. |
|
8
|
04:35
|
SHEK WAI KOK HANDICAP 1200m
MR ENERGIA (6) finished strongly into second first-up, with him and the winner pulling clear of the field. That form has since been franked, and with Zac Purton back in the irons, he will have every chance to go one better. FATAL BLOW (12) has trialled impressively for his return on the poly track here. He steps out over this course and distance for the first time, and he should give a good account of himself. Each way value. NEW FOREST (7) can make the most of a nice swing in his draw, and he should push forward early on. He strips fitter and is more than capable of taking them all the way this time. SOLID SHALAA (4) found all sorts of trouble fresh up and was found to be mildly lame after the run. He has a good draw and is expected to bounce back. Include him in all combinations at what should be a decent price. |
|
9
|
05:10
|
SHING MUN HANDICAP 1200m
MASTEROFMYUNIVERSE (7) returns after a three-and-a-half-month break, having started the last campaign strongly with a placing over 1200m at Happy Valley. He has had a couple of quiet trials and should secure the run of the race from a handy gate. On top. LADY'S CHOICE (1) is also back from a three-and-a-half-month spell, having won over 1200m at this track to kick off his last campaign. He is likely to settle close to the pace, or even lead if he wants to, and another honest effort is expected. Each way. DANCING CODE (5) made the most of a good draw when resuming last start, leading for most of the race before finishing a brave second, over 1200m at this track. He has options from a good gate and won't be far away. MID WINTER WIND (9) resumed with a third-place finish over 1200m at this track. He may not have lived up to his early potential, but he still has plenty of time to establish himself again. He strips fitter second up, and any positive market moves should be followed. |
|
10
|
05:45
|
YAU KOM TAU HANDICAP 1400m
THE RED HARE (13) has taken his time to acclimatise to racing in Hong Kong, but he looked a lot better when hitting the line well to finish fifth fresh up 3 weeks ago. The extra furlong will help him, and he could have the last say this time. TIN FOOK (9) was ridden quietly early on last start over 1200m at this track, and ran on resolutely to finish third. He has had a trial since then, and this race maps well for him. Each way claims again. IGOR STRAVINSKY (6) is back from a spell of three-and-a-half months. He made progress in his last campaign and should measure up in this class as well. Watch the market for any positive leads. LIM'S SHAVANO (4) made up some late ground when finishing sixth fresh up 4 weeks ago, and was back at the trials a couple of weeks ago, scoring comfortably. His debut win in Hong Kong was impressive, so don't write him off. |
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