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May 31 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
May 31 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis

New Paper

time30-05-2025

  • Sport
  • New Paper

May 31 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis

Race 1 (1,400m) 1 Circuit Mighty makes his Class 5 debut and, while winless in 734 days, he has returned to form at the bottom of Class 4 in recent starts. Barrier 4 ensures an ideal map for Zac Purton, who takes the ride. 9 Lucky Generations was eased back early from barrier 12 last time and settled last before winding up strongly into sixth. He is starting to make his mark, now that he has slid down the ratings. 3 Gluck Racer needs a bit of luck from barrier 12 but commands respect on the downgrade as a two-time winner from four attempts in Class 5, and the drop back in trip from 1,800m also checks boxes. He is one to start following again. 8 Flying Romantic has been hinting at a breakthrough win in recent runs and now third-up, he should be ready to fire. Race 2 (1,200m) 5 Flowing Riches has trialled up well ahead of his debut and, although awkwardly drawn in barrier 10, he looks worth a punt first-up at a decent price. 6 Straight To Glory made a good impression on debut over 1,000m with a close-up fourth. He receives a jockey upgrade with Hugh Bowman taking over and draws a nice inside gate as he rises to what looks a more suitable distance. 1 Courier Aladdin looked a horse going places after a smart debut win last season but disappointed into 11th in his only run this term. He has had breathing issues, which remain a query, but now resumes for a new stable having transferred to Manfred Man. 3 Lucky Archangel maps for a soft run from his inside draw and may pinch a place, as he did two starts back at this course and distance when third to Sea Sapphire. Race 3 (1,200m) 3 Diriya was a close-up fourth on debut after being held up from the 400m until passing the 300m. Natural improvement second-up and barrier 1 can see him take a positive step forward. 1 Lucky Symphony needs to beat another wide draw to score, as he did last start when breaking through impressively. He remains a key player. 9 Ka Ying Warrior resumed with a late-fading fifth to Lucky Symphony. Purton takes the reins second-up and, from an inside draw, he maps to get every chance. 5 Incredible Moment was not beaten far after leading in two runs at Happy Valley. He is third-up now and the switch to Sha Tin could unlock further improvement. Race 4 (1,650m) 9 Meepmeep backed up his Class 5 maiden win with a strong showing back up in grade, charging home late into second from the widest draw. If he can settle closer in the run, as he did when winning two back, he is right in this, even if he has to contend with barrier 11. 5 Precision Goal has been a model of consistency at this course and trip this season. While he has climbed in the ratings, he continues to run to his mark. 14 Lucky Impact blew the start last time, and now finds himself at the foot of Class 4 on the minimum weight, getting his shot before dropping into Class 5. 1 New Forest steps into Class 4 for the first time and looks the likely leader. Some of his Class 3 runs have been solid from the front, including a third to Never Peter Out five runs ago. Race 5 (1,400m) 1 Dazzling Fit is a horse going places. After two encouraging runs over 1,200m, he broke through impressively when moving to 1,400m last start. Just a three-year-old, he looks set to win his way into Class 3 and is one to keep tabs on for next season. 3 Solid Win, who scored five starts ago in a race of this nature, did not quite measure up in four Class 3 attempts. But, back in Class 4 and off a strong trial, he looks ready to re-enter the mix, especially with barrier 1 in his favour. 5 Gallant Epoch had a wide gate last time and was posted without cover throughout before fading to 11th. He is better than that and can give a sight with a softer run. 4 Mr Cool comes into gate 10 after copping barrier 13 last start, where he was only fair from back in the field following his second-up maiden win. His trial form suggests he can bounce back. Race 6 (1,600m)THE LION ROCK TROPHY (G3) 6 Sunlight Power ran a slashing third to Red Lion in the Champions Mile. Back under handicap conditions, he looks well placed with a favourable swing in the weights to Red Lion, giving him an edge to pick up his first feature race. 1 Red Lion shapes as an interesting proposition following his surprise Champions Mile win, where he was gifted a soft time in front. He has shown tactical versatility in the past and, from barrier 1, he will not have many excuses. 9 Johannes Brahms resumes off a closing sixth in the Derby. The mile looks his ideal distance, as seen in his big win three runs ago. 4 Beauty Joy is a hard horse to catch on his day but, with Purton on from gate 4 and under handicap conditions, he should go well. He ran third in this race last year. Race 7 (1,200m) 8 Stellar Swift has turned in two strong efforts back in Class 3 over 1,400m since winning three runs ago in Class 4. Most recently, he flashed home into seventh from a wide draw. The drop back in trip and soft draw give him his chance. 1 Masterofmyuniverse made amends for a luckless third two starts ago with a dominant win last time as Purton climbed back aboard. Not done in the ratings yet, he remains the one to beat. 4 Infinite Resolve makes his debut for the Mark Newnham stable and has caught the eye in his trials. He is one to keep a close watch on. 3 Super Legends, with the apprentice claim, may take up the running in a race lacking early speed and, if given a soft lead, could prove tough to reel in. Race 8 (1,200m)THE SHA TIN VASE (G3) 2 Helios Express will be all the rage to get back into the winner's enclosure for an overdue and deserved win with no Ka Ying Rising, having placed seven times behind him this season. 3 Lucky With You was up against it at Group 1 level last start but had excuses, covering ground when taken wide mid-race. Better suited under these conditions and can bounce back to his earlier form. 5 Patch Of Theta also gets conditions to suit. While he has yet to win at 1,200m, he has placed in all three runs over the trip and looks an interesting proposition dropping back in distance. 6 Magic Control led too quickly from an outside gate last start and was outclassed in Group 1 company. He is better placed in this grade. With a more measured ride like the one that saw him win four runs back, he can turn things around. Race 9 (1,400m) 5 Yuen Long Elite has a good draw and should find the front with relative ease. He has been itching to break through for his first Class 3 win and looks capable of going one better than his last two runner-up efforts in strong races. 1 Crossborderpegasus is a very nice horse with three wins from four starts, but he is proving a nightmare ride for his jockeys by doing plenty wrong in his races. A gear tweak is applied, but he still overdoes things in his trials. 3 Everyone's Star broke through for his first Hong Kong win at attempt four last start in a slowly run race that suited him perfectly. He can win again, but barrier 12 will make him earn it. 7 California Bay had a wide draw on debut and was ridden quietly, but he found the line well into eighth and was not beaten far. He maps closer from a better gate and can acquit himself well. Race 10 (1,650m) 11 Talents Ambition rises in class but he is also second-up, so should strip fitter. His swift turn of foot makes him hard to hold out from his low draw. 6 Soleil Fighter can show good early dash on his first spin on Sha Tin's all-weather track, which will be an advantage, and it does look a surface that will suit him. He raced twice on alternative surfaces before import, yielding one win, which adds confidence. 2 Californiatotality is aiming for a treble after notching his seventh win last start. He is mostly untested on the surface, racing just once on it back in February 2024 where he was not disgraced. 3 Capital Delight loves to get back and charge home over the 1,200m on this track. His luckless second to Sword Point four runs ago is a good reference for this. Race 11 (1,600m) 9 Flying Luck has had two promising runs in Class 3. He drops back to his best distance after a strong third over 1,800m and, if able to make use of his mid draw early, will be hard to hold out. 1 Winning Gold showed a change of tactics last start when rolling forward to sit handy and proved too tough to edge out. Similar tactics will need to be applied again from barrier 10. 7 Magnificent Nine gets the services of Andrea Atzeni and barrier 3. He raced too keenly when a closing fourth to Winning Gold last time, due to the slow tempo. 4 Gentlemen Legacy did not disgrace on debut with a close-up seventh. He will enjoy more ground second-up.

April 23 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis
April 23 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis

New Paper

time22-04-2025

  • Sport
  • New Paper

April 23 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis

Race 1 (1,200m) 4 Lucky Generations was a luckless ninth on his first try in Class 5 after copping a nasty check at the 200m. He can improve at his second attempt in an open contest. 1 Gimme Five is a 17-start maiden but has placed five times, including a last-start third at the bottom of Class 4. Now in Class 5 and drawn ideally in barrier 4, he gets his best chance to break through. 5 Island Golden looks good with Hugh Bowman aboard, barrier 1 and the blinkers coming off. With a record of one win and a third in Class 5, he can figure again. 8 Hoss will need luck from barrier 11. But, with Zac Purton back in the saddle and a genuine tempo to suit, he will be charging late as usual. Race 2 (1,800m) 9 Mr Aladdin he has been hinting at a breakthrough since sliding into Class 5. He receives a solid jockey upgrade in Bowman and, despite drawing gate 11, they should be able to cut across early and find a sweet spot with a genuine pace expected. 7 Verbier broke through last start. He is untested at this trip but his recent form holds him in good stead. 3 Kingly Demeanor warrants respect as a two-time Class 5 winner. From barrier 1, he will get every favour in the run. 8 Super Hong Kong will likely drift back from barrier 12, and Purton sticking would boost his chances. The 1,800m is his minimum trip but he should be letting down late. Race 3 (1,200m) 1 Fortune Whiskey has won two from seven since joining David Eustace. He had excuses in his last two runs but still held merit despite finishing sixth and seventh respectively. Returning off a freshen-up, he looked well in a recent trial and barrier 2 gives him every chance to bounce back. 3 Swagger Bro lines up for his third attempt in Class 4 after a luckless eighth last start. Purton takes the reins which boosts his chances, though barrier 11 is tricky. 4 Top Peak returned to form last start when closing strongly for fourth against the race shape. He can improve again with Bowman aboard and barrier 3 in his favour. Newcomer 7 Incredible Moment has trialled well ahead of his debut. It is never easy to win first-up in Hong Kong, but he has potential. Race 4 (1,000m) 7 Super Sixty won two starts ago before drawing wide in barrier 10 last time, when he closed off well into fourth. He comes into barrier 1 and can bounce back. 5 Plentiful has been in great form this season, winning three from 10, and comes off a narrow last-start second. With Andrea Atzeni back and drawn in barrier 2, he looks a major player again. 6 All's Well ran on well into sixth, beaten only 1½ length on debut. Can improve second-up. 1 Thunder Prince is close to a breakthrough in Class 4. His last-start fourth at his second attempt in the grade puts him firmly in the mix under Bowman. Race 5 (1,200m) 1 Jumbo Treasure is a nice 4YO who stepped up to 1,200m third-up and scored a dominant all-the-way win. This does not look tougher, and he should be moving into Class 3 with back-to-back wins. 10 Bienvenue has shown promise, including two seconds in strong races. Purton takes over the reins and a switch to the city circuit may spark further improvement. 3 Flying Wrote jumps from barrier 1 and the inside draw is a big plus - as seen two starts back when he was narrowly beaten into second from gate 1. 12 Draco has been consistent since joining Ricky Yiu, posting two thirds from four runs. Atzeni takes the ride, which might be the push he needs to break through. Race 6 (1,650m) 11 Courier Magic has been knocking on the door for a win since joining Manfred Man's stable, but things went pear-shaped last start when he copped a bad check at the 200m. He gets another chance with Alexis Badel taking the reins. 5 Firefoot showed a good return to form when third last start. He can follow up with another strong run as he reunites with Purton. 2 Sky Vino has another tricky draw to overcome after a late-fading fourth from barrier 11 last time. Senior rider Bowman will replace the apprentice. 4 Ace War came with a closing third two starts ago before an excusable 12th when things did not go his way. A soft run from barrier 1 gives him a chance to bounce back. Race 7 (1,200m) 5 King Of Fighters is edging closer to a breakthrough Hong Kong win, having finished second twice in five of his local starts. With Purton taking over from barrier 3, he can shed his maiden tag. 6 Power Koepp is on the seven-day back-up. He has clearly turned a corner with an impressive Class 4 win two starts back and a solid second here last week. From barrier 2, he maps ideally again. 3 Beauty Infinity pulled up with blood in the trachea last start, hence the poor run. He is better than that and had scored here the start before, so he can bounce back provided he is healthy. 4 Lucky Eight has trialled sharply after a last-start second. He is not without claims. Race 8 (1,000m) 9 Sparkling Fellow was badly held up from the 350m to the 50m before finding clear air and closing in strongly for third last time. He looks ready to break through. 7 Casa Of Honor jumped from barrier 10 at this course and distance, mapping close to the speed and staying on well for third on debut. He can improve. 2 Youthful Spirits has finished runner-up in his last two starts. He will jump and lead as usual and give another honest sight. 12 Parents' Love steps into Class 3 for the first time after a strong season with three wins and five placings from 10 starts. He will be setting the tempo. Race 9 (1,800m) 3 Beauty Alliance returns to his happy hunting ground following a disappointing 12th in the Hong Kong Derby. Boasting a perfect two-from-two track-and-distance record and having trialled well since the Derby, he looks poised to return to the winner's enclosure. 7 Excellence Value can get the run of the race from barrier 1 as he steps up in trip, after winning his first local race two starts ago over 1,650m, followed by a close-up third. He looked sharp in a recent trial. 4 Fallon missed by a neck last start when rising to 2,200m, so the drop back to this distance should suit. He had a win and a second from two starts at this course and trip. 8 Charity Gain adds cheekpieces for the first time as he chases his first Class 3 win. He maps well from barrier 2, and dropping back in trip looks key to his chances. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

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