March 26 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
Race 1 (1,800m)
8 Tradition was beaten only 2½ lengths last time. He can improve on that effort second-up.
12 Yeaboi was a winner over this course and distance two starts ago before running third last start. Barrier 12 is a concern, but he stands out on form.
4 Yoda's Choice has run second in four of five starts in this class. He looks set to receive a soft run up front and will be giving a sight.
2 Meepmeep finished a luckless fourth last time. He is still a maiden after 11 starts, but a win looks close.
Race 2 (1,200m)
6 The Khan will relish an inside draw after jumping from barrier 13 over 1,200m last time, where he charged home late into third. This is his first race on the all-weather surface, but he gets his chance to win with a soft run from gate 2.
5 Yeah Buddy can capitalise from a good draw in barrier 3. His recent efforts have been encouraging, and the drop to the cellar grade can bring about sharp improvement.
9 Patch Of Watch broke through for an overdue win last time. The track pattern favoured him on that occasion, but once again, he will be making his own luck up front.
4 The Prime catches the eye stepping into Class 5 and drawing barrier 1, with Hugh Bowman taking the reins. Despite his plain trial recently, he can turn things around.
Race 3 (1,650m)
5 Chill Kaka is starting to hit his straps. He powered home late into second last time. He steps up in distance and a maiden win looks within reach.
9 Spangle Fortune will need luck from a wide draw, but he was a winner over this course and distance four starts ago.
1 Thesis broke through two starts ago before backing it up with a solid third. He has performed well on the all-weather in the past, which puts him in the mix if he gets across from a wide gate.
3 Von Baer can improve over longer. His overseas wins came over 1,400m and he has placed up to 1,600m. This trip will suit.
Race 4 (1,200m)
10 Cheer For South will receive a sweet run from barrier 4. His form, since switching to the all-weather, has been solid. He has posted two seconds but ran a luckless seventh when trapped wide throughout. In a wide open race, he gets his chance to break through.
2 Hinokami Kagura drops into Class 5 for the first time and draws well in barrier 2. A breakthrough win looks close.
4 Sky Prophet arrives off the back of a strong trial. He finished third over this course and trip three runs ago and he can bounce back.
6 Flying Romantic turned in his best effort last start when second over this trip on turf. From gate 1, he should be handy and get his chance.
Race 5 (1,200m)
8 Looks Outstanding caught the eye with a strong fifth on debut, then was crowded at the start second-up and ran a fair seventh last time. He can take a positive step forward, especially with blinkers on for the first time.
3 Natural High led from pillar to post last time. If the track favours leaders, he will take some running down again.
4 Patch Of Time draws ideally in gate 4 as he tries the all-weather for the first time. His last-start second on turf was a good return to form and he can build on that.
2 Solid Shalaa returns after a long break, but his trials have been encouraging and he brings solid course-and-distance form. The mid-draw and booking of apprentice Ellis Wong are both positives.
Race 6 (1,650m)
5 Forever Folks returns to his happy hunting ground after a fast-finishing second over 1,800m. He has drawn well in the middle, while many key rivals have drawn awkwardly, which could give him the edge to get his nose in front.
3 Precision Goal looks set to enjoy a comfortable lead from a soft draw and will be giving his usual bold sight in the run home.
6 Viva Chaleur's form has been improving since dropping into Class 4, with three placings from nine runs, including a last-start third over this course and distance.
1 Stormi will need luck from barrier 13 but shapes as a knockout chance. His last-start eighth was better than it reads - held up at a key stage before finishing just over three lengths off the winner.
Race 7 (1,200m)
3 Rising Force has shown promise at the trials leading up to his debut. He has displayed good gate speed in his work, so he can utilise that and race on the pace from a favourable draw in barrier 3. He looks to be in with a shout.
1 Monta Frutta's recent form at the bottom of Class 3 has only been fair, but he has begun to hit his straps in his last two runs, and this is a much weaker contest.
2 Fortune Warrior has been in good form since transferring to David Eustace. He won well two starts back and will be in the firing line.
6 Vulcanus is on the verge of a Class 4 win on recent efforts, often drawing wide and running on strongly - a pattern likely to repeat from barrier 10.
Race 8 (1,650m)
10 Fighting Machine ran unplaced from a wide draw over 1,400m on turf last time, but his previous form over this course and distance was promising. With barrier 3 in his favour, he can turn his luck around.
14 Lucky Touch's recent form at the top of Class 4 under big weights has been terrific. He was beaten by the barrier last time when forced to steady early before launching late into second. While gate 9 is not ideal, it is not the worst.
13 New Forest is trending in the right direction. He has early speed and looks the likely leader stepping away from barrier 4.
7 Perfect Team will appreciate if there is speed in the race, as he settles midfield and finishes strongly.
Race 9 (1,200m)
5 Gummy Gummy is due for another win after a year and a half but looks to get all the favours, having put the writing on the wall last time with a fast-finishing second. With a ton of speed engaged, he is going to receive a sweet run off the pace from barrier 2 under Bowman and looks hard to hold out.
10 Dragon Air Force will also be suited by a strong tempo. After stringing together back-to-back wins in Class 4, he stepped up to Class 3 last start and missed by a head on the line.
8 Must Go defeated Dragon Air Force in that race and was unlucky last time when caught wide. Give him another chance.
6 Mask Rider has raced just three times in Hong Kong, including a surprise debut win and a close-up third last start. Barrier 3 will provide him with a soft run just off the speed.
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
See something interesting? Contribute your story to us.
Explore more on these topics
