| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
07:05
|
ADMIRALTY HANDICAP 1200m
AUTUMN VIBES (5) heads the ratings after being given time to mature and looks the runner to beat. He was unsuited last start when failing to settle, but has trialled well since and a change of stable could spark a turnaround. TELECOM POWER (10) produced a powerful late burst to just miss over 1650m last time and another barnstorming finish can put him right in the finish. STORMY KNIGHT (4) is interesting dropping down the ratings and tackling cellar grade for the first time. He failed to place last season but was often competitive and can improve sharply here. ALWAYS FLUKE (6) resumes after 11 weeks and showed enough last campaign to suggest he can make his presence felt fresh. MARVEL AND GOLD (2) is worth respecting stepping into Class 5 after finishing last season with a close-up sixth. He was held up late and could be suited by this assignment. |
|
2
|
07:35
|
KWUN TONG HANDICAP 1650m
FIREFOOT (7) looks the one to beat after a recent trial win and should get every chance to dictate from the pole position. His best form would make him hard to peg back. PRECISION HOPE (9) has had two trials to prepare for his return and was building towards a win last campaign. Barrier 2 is ideal for a horse who likes to finish strongly. DECISION LINK (5) resumes after a break and has shown enough in the past to be competitive, with excuses for his two defeats following his last win. Stick with him. CASA ROCHESTER (4) has been knocking on the door, finishing less than a length away from the winner last start, and gets a weight drop here. He will be charging late. MIGHTY STEED (1) appeals fresh after placing first-up before winning second-up last prep. With Zac Purton aboard again and a good draw, he can make his presence felt. PRECISION HOPE (9) resumes from a spell, and he is another who will be hitting the line hard late. Keep him safe. |
|
3
|
08:05
|
ADMIRALTY HANDICAP 1200m
VIGOR ELLEEGANT (7) looks ideally placed to put in a big run here, mapping perfectly from barrier 3 and is returning off an encouraging trial. He has already won once from two attempts in Class 5 and gets Jerry Chau back aboard, making him the one to beat. ORIENTAL SURPRISE (11) remains a maiden but has been consistent around the placings and won a recent trial. Barrier 2 gives him every chance to finally break through fresh up. WINNING DIAMOND (10) could improve sharply under new trainer David Eustace after a better trial. He has also dropped in the ratings and has the ability to feature despite the wide gate. LEAN MASTER (2) resumes after a short break and has since won a trial on the Sha Tin AW. He should be competitive with any improvement. LAKESHORE HERO (1) has a strong fresh record, winning first-up last season, while Purton stays aboard after riding him into second at his final run. He deserves plenty of respect on an each-way basis. |
|
4
|
08:35
|
KWUN TONG HANDICAP 1650m
SUNDAY'S SERENADE (4) looks ideally placed to return to the winner’s list after finishing his last campaign with a solid effort for second. His current mark is appealing, Zac Purton takes the ride and this looks a winnable assignment. Each way. SKY DEEP (2) should get every chance from barrier 1 and could find the front as there is not much known pace engaged here. He is peaking at the right time off a long break, and he can take this out. THE LION KING (11) sits right at the bottom of Class 4 and this looks a genuine opportunity to make his mark. There have been enough encouraging signs and Atzeni retaining the ride is a positive. Stick with him. ROMANTIC LAOS (7) has struggled to win but was only beaten by half a length over 1800m last time, and he can go close again. AMAZING GAZE (10) resumes after three months off and has been sharpened by two trials, including a recent placing. He can make a strong return, so keep him safe in all combos. |
|
5
|
09:10
|
CENTRAL HANDICAP 1650m
VIOLET STAR (5) looks ready to take another step forward after breaking through late last campaign. He then drew awkwardly and still battled on strongly into fifth over this course and distance at his most recent run. He is perfectly drawn in the ace, and will be ready to rumble fresh. DO YOUR PART (4) resumes after finishing a close fourth over 1400m at Sha Tin and looks capable of making an immediate impact. FORTUNATE SON (10) was below his best when finishing out of the money over 1800m here last time, but his stronger form makes him one to watch closely at some top 4 value. SAMARKAND (8) has been given a couple of trials to prepare for his return and having Zac Purton take the ride catches the eye. Keep him safe. GENERAL REDWOOD (12) gets in nicely at the weights and remains relatively unexposed, with 2 wins from 7 starts. He has scope to improve further and can make his presence felt. Include in all combos in an even contest. |
|
6
|
09:45
|
KOWLOON TONG HANDICAP 1000m
JUMBO BLESSING (6) looks the one to beat after signing off last campaign with a breakthrough win over 1000m here, which was long overdue. He remains lightly raced and gives the impression there is plenty more to come, especially now that he has settled in life in Hong Kong. Barrier 3 should allow him to get the right run, and have the last say again. BEAUTY SHOW (2) has been knocking on the door, placing in 5 starts last season, and a recent trial where he finished in the minor placings, suggests he has returned in good order. Further improvement is expected as a 4YO, so expect a big run fresh. Check the markets. DAY DAY VICTORY (9) creates plenty of interest as James Cummings’ first runner in Hong Kong, and he has trialled well enough to make an immediate impact. HARMONY FIRE (8) won first-up at this meeting last season and looks capable of making his presence felt again while SUPERB KING (3) resumes off a trial win and has the ability to feature prominently. Include them in combos. |
|
7
|
10:15
|
TSIM SHA TSUI HANDICAP 1200m
LEADING DRAGON (4) gets the nod after a couple of leads point his way. He should be able to find the front without too much pressure and that is an advantage for his Happy Valley debut. Pierre Ng’s stable has started the season well, which adds further confidence to his winning claims. ROBOT LUCKY STAR (1) looks the main danger after 2 solid efforts for the new yard late last season. He was beaten 3 lengths over 1000m here last time but drops down in class, and rates highly. KING OBERON (8) is rarely far away and looks ready for his return. He should secure a favourable position and with a recent trial under his belt, he will be ready to rumble fresh up. FORERUNNER (2) was narrowly beaten over 1200m here last time before his spell, and he can figure in the top 4 fresh up. COPARTNER FLEET (3) has improved with each recent outing, finishing fifth last time out beaten by 2 lengths. He looks better suited here and can be the value runner, capable of causing an upset. |
|
8
|
10:50
|
WAN CHAI HANDICAP 1200m
MOTOR (3) looks a big winning chance after finishing his last campaign in superb fashion, winning 3 of his final 5 starts. He comes to hand quickly, and a recent trial placing suggests he is ready to fire fresh. TYCOON RESOURCES (4) is an obvious danger. He won his first 3 starts before things went wrong at Sha Tin, but he has plenty of scope, and a recent trial win indicates he has returned well. His behaviour pre-race is the only query for us. ACE CHAMPION (11) was building towards a breakthrough late last season and his final effort when finishing out of the money was better than it looked after being badly held up. His trials have been encouraging and he can give this a big shake. AURIO (1) resumes after 9 weeks and has previously performed well fresh, including a placing first-up over 1200m. He has the ability to figure in the finish. HARMONY N BLESSED (2) arrives off a narrow win over 1200m here 8 weeks ago. This 10YO gelding still has something to offer. Keep him safe. |
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