April 9 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis
Race 1 (1,650m)
7 Tradition has been improving since entering Class 5. He settled near the rear over 1,800m on the all-weather before charging home into fourth last start, while his prior run at this course and distance saw him caught wide from the 700m yet still finish in fourth.
1 Cervin has been given a freshen-up since he led and weakened over 1,800m at Sha Tin in Class 4 last time. The drop back into Class 5 and return to this course and distance will work in his favour.
2 Ninja Derby looks better placed returning to Class 5, where he is a two-time winner from seven starts. He failed to meet expectations in recent Class 4 starts but those market signals bode well for his chances in this weaker contest.
10 Verbier stuck on gamely for third last start. In a race that lacks tempo, he will get another opportunity for a placing.
Race 2 (1,200m)
4 Loveisintheair can put his best foot forward third-up after being beaten only 2½ lengths at both his last two runs. If he can settle a touch closer in the run, that will enhance his winning prospects.
2 Northern Fire Ball can improve on his last-start effort over 1,000m, where he was only beaten just over three lengths. The rise to 1,200m is in his favour.
11 Triumphant Warrior jumped from barrier 11 and charged home into the placings at his last two starts. Although still a maiden, he is not without hope if the race shape suits.
5 Spicy Spangle won at his second outing for Cody Mo last start and may be able to go on with it.
Race 3 (1,800m)
2 Harmony Galaxy needed every bit of the home straight to try and reel in Highland Rahy last week but just missed on the line by ½ length. He looks ready to post his first win in this easier contest on the quick back-up.
11 Me Time made good ground in a slowly run race into fourth last time. His overall form this season at this course and distance has been solid, and a more genuine tempo will suit.
9 Yoda's Choice broke through with an all-the-way win at the top of Class 5 over this distance on the all-weather last start. He is back in Class 4 but is able to go on with it.
3 Can't Go Wong checked in a better-than-it-reads sixth last start after copping a check. He is capable of showing up in a race like this and holds each-way claims.
Race 4 (1,200m)
10 Good Prospect strung together back-to-back seconds from inside draws two and three starts ago before drawing wide in gate 11 last time, but he still ran a fast-finishing fourth. The improving three-year-old gets his chance to break through from barrier 1.
2 Gameplayer Elite is starting to find his feet since dropping into Class 4 and produced his best effort yet when flashing home into second last time. He looks close to breaking through.
7 Exceed The Wish turned in his best effort yet in the same race as Gameplayer Elite, where he did not get the clearest run but was only 1¾ lengths away in sixth. He appears to be trending the right way.
11 Young Horizon is better over 1,400m, but a string of luckless runs from wide draws shows his form is sound. He can run a cheeky race with better luck.
Race 5 (1,000m)
4 Colourful King came on from his first-up effort to his second-up run, scoring impressively at this course and distance. The David Eustace-trained three-year-old meets a similar field and can bring up back-to-back wins.
3 Eternal Fortune has trialled well following his fast-finishing fourth. He has yet to break through at this course and distance in five runs but has placed four times, which holds him in good stead.
2 Youthful Spirits ran a nose second to Colourful Prince last time. He should give his usual bold sight.
8 Watch This One turned in a fair fourth first-up, beaten only 2¼ lengths by Colourful King. With fitness and race experience on his side, he looks set to improve.
Race 6 (1,200m)
1 Stellar Swift will find this much easier. He has been dealt tough draws of late, but at his last start from barrier 11, he stuck on well for fourth. Moving into barrier 2 presents a golden opportunity.
4 Galvanic resumes after a string of thirds. A moderate race like this gives him a genuine chance to bounce back for an overdue win.
6 Club Ace is not without a chance either.
12 Telecom Power is verging on a Class 5 drop but has been putting in some encouraging runs. He has been hard to catch, but on an each-way basis, he cannot be ruled out.
Race 7 (1,650m)
5 Gallant Epoch visits Happy Valley for the first time and brings solid recent form - he beat Master Trillion two starts back, who in turn finished ahead of Sky Vino last start, and was only collared late in his last all-the-way attempt. He will give a bold sight again.
4 Sky Vino shed his maiden tag two starts ago at this course and distance before switching to 1,400m, where he drew an outside barrier and closed off into second. The return to the extended mile is ideal, and he can go one better.
1 Quantum Patch warrants respect as he dips into Class 4 for the first time. His form had tapered off a touch recently, but this easier company gives him a chance to recapture his better form.
9 Jumbo Fortune's last three placings suggest he can turn in another competitive effort.
Race 8 (1,650m)
10 Flying Fortress is building towards a win. The last run was a strangely run race where he did not receive the smoothest of trip but stuck on late in the straight to run fourth. Worth another chance.
11 Good Luck Win is coming off his second win, where he overcame barrier 11 to sit handy and kick clear by over two lengths. He rises in class but his honest profile against inconsistent rivals gives him a solid chance on the light weight.
8 Ivy League is on the seven-day turnaround and may get a soft enough time on speed in a race lacking tempo to give a bold sight.
1 Outgate returns to Class 3 where he boasts a strong record, and the switch to this course and distance is a major plus - he is a two-time winner from eight attempts.
Race 9 (1,200m)
8 Golden Rise has been consistent since the blinkers were applied four starts ago, collecting a win and three placings - including his last-start third, which was his first go in Class 3. He was held up before darting home late into third, beaten just under a length.
3 Prestige Always might find 1,200m on the sharp side, but he brings strong form and could run a race fresh first-up, especially with blinkers reapplied.
4 Super Joy N Fun ran second last time. That run suggests another win is around the corner.
9 Charming Babe broke through for his first win locally last start near the top of Class 4 after three runs in the grade. He surprised at odds, but the penny may have dropped and he looks capable of building on that.
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
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