03-05-2025
May 4 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
Race 1 (1,000m)
4 Quick Money was strong late into second behind odds-on favourite The All Out on debut, and he looks worth siding with as only a head separated them on the line.
1 The All Out looked to have the race won with ease as the $1.20 favourite but just held on late. He has again drawn the right part of the track, which always helps in these Griffin races. These youngsters are all open to plenty of improvement.
6 Babieca was third to The All Out and Quick Money on debut, racing greenly throughout, but his raw ability saw him finish close-up. Will come on for that experience.
8 Win Method has just the one trial leading into his debut. It was a pass mark, and while he will need time, he looks capable of being somewhere in the mix.
Race 2 (1,200m)
2 Fairy Horse is still in search of a maiden win after 16 starts, but his form has been on the up this season, notching four placings from 10 outings. He now drops back into Class 5, and coming into a better gate this time, gives him his shot.
11 Speedy Smartie was trapped wide without cover last start and was entitled to weaken as he did. His prior third at this course and distance is a much better guide.
5 Flying Romantic settled too far back last time, though he was eye-catching late. His run prior was sound when he sat handy and stuck on well for second.
4 Circuit Victory resumes off a promising trial win, which brings him right into contention on his third attempt in Class 5.
Race 3 (1,200m)
1 Call Me Gorgeous finished a close-up fourth after being held up for a portion of the home straight two starts back, and last time he drew wide in barrier 12 and was trapped without cover.
4 Better And Better makes his debut for the Frankie Lor stable and has shown enough in trials to suggest he can be competitive straight up. His two latest trials with Zac Purton up showed improvement.
7 Lucky Symphony recently ran second to Magnifique, who has since climbed the ratings, and to Crossborderpegasus, after being forced wide at the 700m and left without cover. On the up.
3 Dashing Dragon resumes for his second attempt in Class 4. While there is no form on paper just yet, his recent trials have shown improvement and he may be ready to bring that to race day.
Race 4 (1,600m)
8 Pray For Mir was solid in his first Class 2 test, finishing a head away in third to Californiatotality over 1,800m. He has the option to lead this field if desired, and he is a tough horse to get past when conditions suit. Back to his winning distance enhances his prospects.
5 Hong Lok Golf has been a revelation for the Chris So yard this season, winning four from five, including his last two since stepping up to 1,400m. He is chasing a hat-trick here as he again enters new territory, Class 2 and the mile for the first time.
4 Steps Ahead has been a consistent standout four-year-old this season and comes through the same race as Pray For Mir, finishing second to Californiatotality. He will be up on the pace for a long while and is hard to leave out of the finish.
3 Mickley has been hard to catch, but with Purton in the saddle for the first time, he may be able to recapture some of his earlier form in a race of this nature.
Race 5 (1,200m)
2 Crossborderpegasus was a good thing beaten last start after racing wide without cover throughout, but he fought strongly to miss by the barest of margins on the wire. He has trialled well twice since that second placing and looks set to bounce back in a big way.
3 Super Fortune profiles as the likely leader and may receive a soft-enough run on the pace to give a bold sight.
9 Ballistic Win can be forgiven for his last-start no-show over 1,400m. He raced too keenly back in the pack and lacked a finishing effort. His prior form holds up well in this grade, and the drop back in distance is in his favour.
6 Ka Ying Attack is a three-year-old on the rise who resumed off a four-month break making his Class 3 debut last start over 1,400m, where he faded late into seventh behind Hong Lok Golf. Second-up and back in trip, he looks primed to improve.
Race 6 (1,600m)
7 Wrote A New Page has shown glimpses of ability in three starts so far. The rise to the mile for the first time could unlock further progression.
3 Etalon Or is ready to win when things fall into place. He has not had much luck from wide barriers. Once again he draws wide in gate 11 and will be ridden back, leaving him dependent on tempo and luck.
2 Gallant Epoch will press forward despite drawing out in barrier 12, and while no match for Top Dragon last start, it was a game effort and he remains competitive.
6 Carryon Smiling broke through at long odds two starts ago and backed it up with a better run than it reads into seventh last start, checked at the 200m when building momentum. Back up to the mile suits and he will run his usual honest race from there.
Race 7 (1,400m)
6 Shamus Storm finished third to Mr Cool last start and had things go wrong, racing keenly early before copping interference at the 200m. Purton now takes the reins, and with a barrier advantage this time, he gets every chance to turn the tables.
3 Mr Cool ran on strongly into third on debut over an unsuitable 1,200m at Happy Valley, then took to this course and distance second-up and, despite drawing wide in barrier 11, won like a horse going places. Barrier 13 is a challenge, though.
5 Ka Ying Superb weakened to finish 11th last time after being used up early on the lead. He has improved since the class drop and looks ready to rebound with a more measured ride.
11 Autumn Delight should appreciate the step-up to 1,400m second-up after a sound fifth over 1,200m on the all-weather where he was beaten three lengths.
Race 8 (2,400m) THE QUEEN MOTHER MEMORIAL CUP (G3)
6 Bravehearts boasts a strong second-up record with two wins from three tries and now rises to Group company for the first time in Hong Kong. He looks a knockout chance at the weights.
3 Winning Dragon is not without hope after several solid efforts over staying trips this season. He can be hard to catch but maps well in the small field and can give a sight.
4 Bundle Award has shown plenty of ability to suggest he has a bright future. Following a midfield finish in the Derby, he was strong from the back in an on-pace dominated Class 2 over 1,800m. The 2,400m trip is a query, but his class could carry him a long way.
5 Noisy Boy was disappointing in both the Classic Cup and the Derby, but prior to that, strung together wins over 2,200m and 2,000m. Has trialled well since.
Race 9 (1,400m)
5 Dazzling Fit is a progressive three-year-old, third-up and ready to fire stepping up to 1,400m after two runs over 1,200m. Drawn wide on debut and catching the eye late into sixth, he moves into a mid-draw here and is hard to beat.
1 Spirit Of Peace knuckled badly and lost ground at the start last time, yet still stormed home from last into third for a massive effort under the circumstances. Barrier 12 does make things tricky, though.
11 Amazing Run has drawn horror gates which have not helped his chances. He lost ground at the start and was unable to be fully tested late. He shapes as a knockout chance at odds.
4 Max Que put the writing on the wall last time with a narrow second behind With A Smile, his second runner-up finish from six starts. He is improving with racing and remains in the mix.
Race 10 (2,000m)
2 Family Jewel is very intriguing on the seven-day back-up after winning first-up over the mile with ease. At his only try over 2,000m four runs ago, he ran second to Bravehearts. So there are no queries about the trip.
7 Winning Wing finally broke through for a well-deserved first Hong Kong win over 1,800m last start after several encouraging efforts. He can be followed up on that win, especially from barrier 1.
9 Gold Master, on the other hand, draws out in barrier 10 but was a head away in second to Winning Wing in that race - his first attempt in Class 3 - and now meets him better at the weights. He, too, is a handy type with more to give and is firmly in the mix.
3 Enthralled steps back up to his winning trip, having won three runs back before two solid runs over 1,800m. With luck from barrier 11, he can bounce back.
Race 11 (1,400m)
2 The Boom Box is looking to post a fourth career win after having a chequered run last start when beaten just under a length as the odds-on favourite, hampered at the 50m. He warrants another chance here.
1 Brilliant Express was the winner of that same race, ringing up his third career win in resounding fashion after racing wide without cover throughout.
9 Yuen Long Elite adopted different tactics last start by leading and was only nabbed late into second to Another World. He does not have to lead again, but being prominent will not disadvantage him.
7 Super Infinity is closing in on a Class 3 breakthrough after a third runner-up finish in the grade from six tries last time. He ran a close-up fourth at his first 1,400m test, beaten only half-a-length.
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
