May 10 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
Race 1 (1,600m)
7 Family Fortune has been building toward a win since sliding into Class 5. After closing off nicely for third over 1,400m on turf two starts ago, he backed it up with another strong finish to second over the extended mile on the all-weather. In a race where many others need to show big improvement on recent form, he holds solid claims to break through.
10 Casa Legend was disappointing at Happy Valley, weakening into 10th after settling third in the run. But his best form has always come at Sha Tin and over this course and distance – which boosts confidence for a rebound.
9 Chateau Le Peche won well last start, though that came over 2,000m, so the drop back in trip is a query. But, given his current form, he remains in the mix.
1 Accolade Start has been disappointing overall, unplaced from 17 local starts, but drops into Class 5 for the first time. At his last run, he settled at the rear before closing off well enough into seventh. This downgrade may be what he needs to show something.
Race 2 (1,000m)
6 Lahore is one of many chances in this wide-open contest. There was plenty to like about his debut effort where the three-year-old finished just a neck away in fifth. He struck trouble at a few stages – blundering at the 400m and being hemmed up in traffic late – so there was strong merit in the run. He has trialled impressively since and looks a horse to follow.
1 Alsonso comes out of the same race, finishing a head away in second behind Parents’ Love. He had every chance in the run and showed that a breakthrough win in this grade is close.
11 Winning Diamond makes his debut and has trialled well on several occasions. He looks to have his share of ability and could simply be too sharp first-up.
7 Moon Rocket also comes out of that strong form race as Lahore and Alsonso, debuting with an eye-catching fourth –just a neck off Parents’ Love. A solid trial between runs suggests he will improve second-up and should be finishing well again.
Race 3 (1,400m)
1 Flash Current was caught wide last start and was not much of a threat from his midfield position in an on-pace dominated race. He now looks ready for the rise to 1,400m for the first time, and a sharp trial between runs suggests he can bounce back and secure a second career win in a race lacking depth.
12 Zetta Force is improving and edging closer to his first win. His second placing to Super Express two starts ago reads strongly, and a similar effort sees him right in contention.
2 Riding Together is unplaced from six local starts but has been close-up on several occasions. This is his second go in Class 4 and he will be up on the speed making his own luck, which gives him a solid chance to land in the money.
8 Lucky Statement failed to fire in his two starts back in December and February, but recent barrier trials have shown some promise, and he may show improvement now under race-day conditions.
Race 4 (1,650m)
1 G Liner returns to Class 4 where he should prove far more competitive, especially rising to a distance where he is a two-time winner from five attempts. This is a deep race but, if he can settle handy – similar to when he last won five starts ago over 1800m – he will be well positioned to strike.
11 Meepmeep appears to have found his niche on the all-weather, having raced exclusively on the surface in his last three starts, yielding an unlucky fourth, a close-up third, and a smart maiden win last start. While that win came in Class 5, the rise in grade and drop in weight brings him into contention again.
8 Fashion Legend broke through at this course and distance two starts ago before drawing wide in barrier 12 last time, when he covered ground early and did not have the smoothest run. He can bounce back with a better trip.
13 Lucky Impact is unplaced from eight starts, But he took a big step forward last time with a chequered run, coming from last to finish fourth, beaten only a length. He has a chance to build on that effort.
Race 5 (1,400m)
1 Patch Of Stars is an improving three-year-old who is slowly putting it all together. After picking up his first placing on the all-weather two starts ago with a closing second to Rising Force, he returned to this course and distance for a third time. He finally put it all together, edging out the promising Super Express by a head.
7 Star Brose debuted over 1,200m at Happy Valley from barrier 11, began awkwardly, settled at the rear, but closed off strongly into sixth, beaten just over two lengths. Rising to 1,400m second-up looks a better fit, and he is open to sharp improvement.
3 Lucky Fionn will be much better suited dropping back to 1,400m, after rising to the mile last start following a maiden win over this trip. He is better placed.
2 Never Too Soon has not won for some time. But this marks his fifth try in Class 4 and, off the back of a close second last start, a rise to 1,400m puts him right in the mix as a genuine contender.
Race 6 (1,200m)
2 Little Paradise was ultra impressive on debut, jumping from gate 13, finding the front, and never being headed. A sharp trial between runs, when ridden with patience before winning going away, has him primed to go back-to-back. Given the abundance of early speed on paper, those more patient tactics could be employed again.
7 Pejibaye showed some greenness on debut but finished off with promise. He may still be a run or two away from fully putting it together, but a forward showing would not surprise.
1 Enjoy Golf is long overdue this season, finishing in the placings in six of eight runs – including five straight runner-up finishes. He was no match for Ahren last time, but that form reads well and he maps to get another good run.
3 Mount Everest made an instant impression on debut, then backed it up with a strong third behind Top Throne, which has since proven a good form race. He, too, has trialled well since and remains in the mix.
Race 7 (1,650m)
1 Talents Ambition resumes off a 59-day break. He finished a close-up ninth in the Classic Mile. His chances improve significantly returning to this course and distance, where he thrives.
9 Chill Kaka has a perfect course and distance record. He shoots for three straight wins, though he now leaps into Class 3.
7 Dragon Air Force rises to this trip for the first time after strong efforts over 1,200m. Last start, he drew barrier 11 and settled last before rattling home to finish just a head behind Must Go.
4 Never Peter Out is a four-time winner over this course and trip and cannot be overlooked. There was merit in his last-start second, making strong late ground in a slowly run race to miss by a head.
Race 8 (1,400m)
2 Light Years Charm was trapped wide without cover last start, but still ran on late beaten a head by Hong Lok Golf, who franked the form by winning again last week.
1 Juneau Pride finished a half-length second to South Star last time from gate 10. He carries the same weight despite going up three points in the handicap.
4 Another World raced keenly in the middle stages last time. It left him without a strong finish, though he was only 1¼ lengths away in fourth.
10 New Forest was taken on up front last time, and given the fast tempo, was entitled to weaken. He maps for a much softer run this time and can rebound.
Race 9 (1,200m)
5 One More can show big improvement second-up after turning heads on debut when a luckless eighth over 1,000m, just over three lengths astern, after being held up through the early stages.
9 Ahren steps into Class 3 after a facile maiden win at start three, overcoming barrier 12 and sprinting clear late. He is one to follow.
2 Lifeline Express will settle off the pace as he usually does and launch late. If the race is run to suit, he gets his chance to reel in the leaders and go one better than his last-start second to Geneva.
3 Aeris Nova scored a strong win two back over Crossborderpegasus. He ran on well for third last time. In solid form and can figure.
Race 10 (1,200m)
1 Fast Network lost no marks in the Classic Series, but the mile looked his limit. Dennis Yip dropped him back to 1,200m, reapplied the blinkers, and he has since posted two impressive wins.
5 Invincible Shield chases four straight and was impressive in his first Class 2 run last start, handling the rise to 1,400m smartly. He now drops back in trip, and will be closing in hard late.
2 Bottomuptogether was four lengths second to Fast Network two starts ago before posting an all-the-way win on the all-weather. With more early speed on here, he does not have to lead.
4 Gorgeous Win settled at the rear from a wide draw last start, yet he closed off strongly. This suits better with genuine tempo expected.
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
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