Latest news with #VoyageSamurai
New Paper
13-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
May 14 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis
Race 1 (1,800m) 9 Yeaboi has been the victim of wide barriers in both runs this prep but has finished off strongly each time. This marks his first try at the course and distance and, though drawn in barrier 10, he does look ready to turn in a peak effort. 8 Mr Aladdin stuck on well from an awkward alley last time to hold second, though he remains a 21-start maiden. A win is within reach. 10 Leather Master broke through at his 20th attempt last start over this track and trip. The margin of over a length last start bodes well for his chances again. 2 Kingly Demeanor can bounce back at any time in Class 5, boasting two wins from eight attempts in the grade. He has early speed and can give a bold sight if he gets things his own way. Race 2 (1,000m) 7 Parents' Love has hit his straps this season, collecting three wins and six placings from 11 starts. His last run marked his first Class 3 attempt, which he took in his stride with a solid third. He looks likely to map well on the lead again and gets a genuine chance to pick up a win. 1 Stellar Express has trialled well and drops back in both trip and class - two factors that could bring out his best. 4 Seasons Wit bounced back to form last start, sitting wide throughout but still charging to finish second. If he can slot in with cover from barrier 1, he will be right in the mix. 5 Looking Bright is a newcomer who has trialled smartly, showing good gate speed. A forward showing first-up would not surprise. Race 3 (1,650m) 5 Midori Fuji has his fifth attempt in Class 4. He put the writing on the wall last start with a fast-finishing second to Happy Daily at this course and trip, suggesting he is close to breaking through. 1 Sunday's Serenade is chasing a hat-trick of wins and looking to maintain his unbeaten record at Happy Valley. Since switching from Sha Tin, the city circuit has clearly brought out the best in him. 10 Super Sicario has shown little on paper but has never drawn well in five starts. He has caught the eye at times and, with a more favourable gate and a rise in distance, he could improve sharply at odds. 12 Courier Magic's last start was moderate, but his earlier form was solid enough to warrant respect. From barrier 2, he can enjoy a sweet run in transit. Race 4 (1,650m) 5 Soleil Fighter returns to his pet track and distance, where he boasts an outstanding record of three wins and four placings from nine attempts. He was last seen resuming from a two-month break over 1,400m at Sha Tin in his first try at Class 2 level, and he turned in a very promising run, finishing runner-up to Invincible Shield. He looks well placed to go one better. 1 Helene Feeling looks primed to improve in a race of this nature following a string of solid efforts at Sha Tin, placing behind the likes of Bundle Award and Voyage Samurai. 4 Californiatotality won a strong Class 2 over 1,800m last time. He enjoys rolling forward and still appears to have points in hand. 3 Telecom Fighters is a hard horse to catch, but he will again be setting the pace and will take some running down if left alone in the lead. Race 5 (1,200m) 4 Sight Happy resumed from barrier 11 last time and was held up for a run in the straight, albeit checking in just under three lengths to finish seventh. Second-up from a much better draw, expect a more forward showing. 1 Galaxy Witness drops into Class 4 off a mark of 60. He has been running on well in recent starts and commands attention back in this grade. 3 Fortune Whiskey continues to race well this season since joining David Eustace. His last-start third showed he is still holding his form. 11 New Power has placed in three of his last five starts and is knocking on the door for another win. With his consistent form, he has to be around the mark again. Race 6 (1,200m) 8 Bienvenue is a 3YO who has shown ability. There was plenty to like about his first spin around the city circuit last time, when he closed strongly against the race shape, finishing a neck runner-up. 1 California Deeply drops to Class 4 and, while his recent form reads moderately, he has been close-up in better races. This marks a notable dip in opposition and he can improve. 5 Incredible Moment led throughout before being checked at the 100m and unbalanced, yet still finished a respectable fourth on debut. Fitness and experience should bring him on. 7 Harmony N Home was a winner two starts ago and backed it up with another solid effort when wide throughout last time. He remains a live chance. Race 7 (1,200m) 3 Swagger Bro drew an inside gate and finished a close-up third three starts ago while in his last two starts, wide barriers forced more negative tactics - yet he still closed off with purpose despite traffic issues. 7 Glory B draws perfectly in barrier 4 and has been a model of consistency this season. He again shapes as a solid hope with Hugh Bowman booked to ride. 10 Solar River comes off a strong effort where he led everywhere bar the line, collared late by Fatal Blow. With natural improvement and tactical speed, he remains a leading chance. 6 Beauty Thunder produced his best run yet last start with a neck-second over this course and trip. He is starting to hit his straps with racing, and a drop in the ratings can see him build on that effort. Race 8 (1,800m) 8 Joy Of Spring needs to race closer to the speed to boost his winning chances. Fourth-up at his preferred course and distance, he draws well enough to revert to those tactics. Wide alleys in his last two starts saw him snagged back and ridden for luck - both runs were strong late. 3 Excellence Value ran second at his first try over this course and distance last start. He has done little wrong in six local starts and shapes as a serious contender. 2 Rocket Spade resumed over the extended mile from barrier 11 and was taken back early before finishing strongly for second. That was a promising effort full of merit and sets him up well second-up. 9 Chain Of Gold is a hard horse to catch but his form reads well. He had little luck in running from wide gates at this track in his past two starts and closed off strongly for fifth last time. He is worth including at odds. Race 9 (1,200m) 2 Crimson Flash donned the blinkers for the first time on his fifth Hong Kong start and was ultra impressive, surging home from midfield to score dominantly. The 3YO has hit his straps and looks worth sticking with while the iron is hot, especially after a sharp trial. 1 Lucky Eight has been knocking on the door with a string of runner-up finishes, including back-to-back seconds to Beauty Infinity and Power Koepp. He deserves another chance and must be included. 3 Storm Rider has taken to Happy Valley well since being switched to this course and distance three starts ago, closing in hard on debut at the course and trip before consecutive seconds. With the right run, he will be in the thick of it again. 7 Northern Fire Ball is chasing back-to-back wins after collecting his second win from nine starts last time. He rises to Class 3 and, while this is another level, he is progressive, though some early pressure could test him. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
South China Morning Post
19-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Frankie Lor chases Class Two double with in-form pair at Sha Tin
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen will chase a Class Two double at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon with in-form pair Voyage Samurai and Bottomuptogether headlining the handler's all-out assault on the 10-race card. Lor, who has a runner in each of the weekend's races, will hope Voyage Samurai is ready for the 1,800m of the Class Two Hong Kong Lions Cup. An all-the-way winner over a mile last start, Voyage Samurai finds himself in a strong contest featuring the likes of Five G Patch, Helene Feeling, La City Blanche, Winning Dragon and Bundle Award. 'I think he can handle the 1,800m because he has a big stride and he can keep on well on the speed. Since we put the blinkers on, he has improved,' said Lor of his five-year-old, who has sported blinkers in his past three starts for a fourth, a second and a win. Last-start winner Voyage Samurai headlines Sunday's 11-runner Class 2 Lions Cup at Sha Tin! 🏆 #HKracing Fields 👉 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 17, 2025 The only jockey to salute aboard Voyage Samurai with five successes, Derek Leung Ka-chun retains the ride and the pair jump from gate four. Bottomuptogether also begins from barrier four in the Class Two Kowloon Bay Handicap (1,200m) as he tackles Sha Tin's all-weather track for the first time. Successful in the grade over the Happy Valley 1,000m three starts back, Bottomuptogether has done just about everything but win over six furlongs at Sha Tin this season. After three seconds and a third over the turf 1,200m, Lor has opted to roll the dice on the dirt. FOUR more wins to go! 😏 A new all-time Hong Kong wins record is looming as @zpurton posts his 1,810th Hong Kong victory with a double at Happy Valley aboard favourite Bottomuptogether in the Class 2 dash... 🎯#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 15, 2025 Zac Purton sticks with the four-year-old son of Shamus Award and they do battle with the likes of Copartner Prance, Beauty Waves and Stellar Express. 'He usually trials very well on the dirt. He can lead or he can sit second. There aren't too many Class Two 1,000m or 1,200m races, so we need to try the dirt. He's in good form,' said Lor, who has had a winner at the past five Sha Tin meetings. One of the gallopers successful in that streak was South Star, who will look to make it two victories on the bounce in Sunday's Class Three Ho Chung River Handicap (1,400m). A convincing winner at the course and distance on March 30, South Star steps up in grade and will again be partnered by Andrea Atzeni. Nice win, South Star! @Atzenijockey guides Frankie Lor's youngster to a stylish first win at his third start... 👊#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 30, 2025 Triumphant More is another in-form galloper among Lor's full weekend book, with the four-year-old chasing a fourth win of his debut season in the Class Three Ngau Tau Kok Handicap (1,200m). Second at the course and distance last start, Triumphant More looks well placed to help Lor, who sits seventh in the trainers' premiership, add to his 35 victories so far this campaign. The affable handler also saddles up Silver Destiny, Dreaming Winner, Fun N Fun Together, Beauty Live, Lucky Impact and Victory Moments this weekend. Looking forward, Lor expects to have two runners on Champions Day next weekend – Lucky With You in the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) and Happy Together in the Group One Champions Mile. The latter will face one less international raider after Lake Forest was withdrawn by William Haggas on Thursday.
