22-04-2025
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
