May 18 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
Race 1 (1,400M)
6 Fairy Horse settled too far back last start after being slow away on his return to Class 5. He still closed off well for seventh. He has been improving steadily and looks ready to strike in what shapes as a wide-open Class 5 contest.
9 Almighty Kick is winless from 12 starts but has not had much going his way with barrier draws. Since sliding down into Class 5, his form has gradually improved.
1 Ka Ying Power has been disappointing overall but gets a few key factors in his favour – barrier 1, drops into Class 5 for the first time, and picks up a strong jockey booking in Andrea Atzeni.
11 Timestorm has drawn poorly in his last three, but has not been far away in the finish. He remains one of the more dangerous swoopers if things fall into place.
Race 2 (1,200M)
9 Patch Of Watch ran a closing fourth at Happy Valley last time, but it was a run full of excuses. He raced ungenerously. A return to this course and distance is a big plus. Expect him to begin quickly, settle near the lead, and improve sharply on that last-start effort.
7 Cheer For South has found his groove at this course and distance, breaking through for his maiden win two starts ago before a solid third at Sha Tin from barrier 1. He is back at his preferred circuit and remains in the mix.
2 Hinokami Kagura resumes and is on his second Class 5 attempt – his first saw him flash home into second from well back. Though a 16-start maiden, he is trending in the right direction and looks well placed to go close.
5 Lucky Generations has been knocking on the door since dropping into Class 5 and, while things have not gone his way in two attempts, he has trialled strongly between runs. First try at this course and trip could suit.
Race 3 (1,200M)
1 Rising Force was ultra impressive winning on debut at this course and distance in late March. He showed good gate speed, as seen in his trials, and kicked strongly in the straight to win going away by two lengths. The three-year-old has not been pushed since – off the scene for 56 days – but has trialled just as sharply between runs and should take a power of beating again.
6 Fun N Fun Together is still chasing his maiden win after 10 starts but looks close to shedding that tag, coming off a neck second to Solid Shalaa at his second go over this track and trip.
2 Natural High broke through stylishly three runs ago from an inside draw but has had little go his way from wide gates since. Last start he was caught deep from the 800m and stuck on for fourth, beaten three lengths. A better barrier can see him bounce back.
3 Fortune Warrior was taken back from a wide draw last time. While never a threat, he closed strongly. He typically races closer to the speed and reverting to those tactics could see him improve.
Race 4 (1,800M)
2 Oriental Smoke has been bursting to win another race since dropping back to Class 4. This shapes as a wide-open contest with multiple chances, and the market should reflect that.
4 Volcanic Spark shares a similar profile, also building towards another win since returning to Class 4 and sliding slightly in the ratings. He has not been quite as consistent as others but has the ability to be a factor in a race like this.
6 Ace War is an interesting runner back at this course and distance, where his best effort came three starts ago with a strong third behind Gold Master. His two subsequent runs had excuses, and as a four-year-old with upside, he shapes as a genuine knockout chance at odds.
5 Youth Power is hard to catch but, if he can replicate his last-start win over this course and trip where he scored by more than a length, he is firmly in the mix again.
Race 5 (1,000M)
3 Heroic Master lines up for his second attempt in Class 4, and there was more merit to his debut run in the grade than the finishing position suggests. Over this distance at Happy Valley, he was crowded at the 700m before being further steadied, eventually finishing ninth, beaten just over two lengths. He can bounce back into winning contention.
1 Fun Elite is a two-time winner from seven starts in Class 4 and has been holding his own in recent runs at the foot of Class 3, behind the likes of Triumphant More and Lifeline Express.
2 Amazing Fun resumes off a lengthy injury-enforced break. He won well on debut over this course and distance before failing to fire on the all-weather second-up, and was subsequently sidelined. Fresh back at the track and trip of his debut win, he is one to watch.
6 Leading Article is first-up following a luckless debut where he was held up badly over the final stages but looked to have more to offer. He may need this run but is one to follow as he progresses.
Race 6 (1,200M)
1 Aurora Patch drops to Class 4 for the first time and looks primed to break through after a series of encouraging runs in stronger company, including placings behind Horsepower and La Forza, and most recently a close-up fifth to Masterofmyuniverse. A sharp trial win between runs suggests he is in top order and ready to take full advantage of the class relief.
4 Come Fast Fay Fay debuted over 1,000m and was slow into stride but made up good ground to finish seventh, beaten under two lengths. The three-year-old looks suited by the step-up in trip and should show improvement second-up.
7 Lucky McQueen has trialled smartly ahead of his debut and, while he will improve with race experience, he appears forward enough to figure first time out.
10 Club Ace has been a touch disappointing overall but has placed in three of his seven starts. His last-start third to Lucky Symphony had merit, closing off well despite being held up for a run late, and he is worth another look.
Race 7 (1,200M)
10 Mr Energia turned in a fast-finishing fourth at this course and distance when resuming 28 days ago, beaten just half-a-length. A solid tick-over trial between runs suggests he is poised to break through.
1 Gummy Gummy has not won in nearly two years but is back in form with three straight placings at this track and trip. He can finally notch another win.
8 Mojave Desert did not get the clearest run late last time but still finished just three-quarters of a length off the winner in fifth. While he has yet to win in Class 3, his form has been consistent since joining Mark Newnham’s yard.
3 Mask Rider has trialled nicely between runs, indicating he is in good shape following a wide run last start when beaten just over two lengths. With a smoother passage, he can be in the frame.
Race 8 (1,400M)
5 Quick Contribution is close to breaking through after a strong last-to-third effort last start at his first try over 1,400m. A cleaner jump should boost his chances.
2 With A Smile broke through at start four after threatening in all three earlier efforts in strong form races, so it was no surprise to see him get the job done despite covering ground.
1 Sugar Ball drops in grade. He boasts two wins from seven starts in Class 4. While more of a 1,200m horse on paper, his third to Light Years Charm over this course and trip four runs ago holds up well.
12 Sight Dreamer has had little luck from wide gates in his past three. His debut third as odds-on favourite behind Flash Current reads well. He could feature.
Race 9 (1,200M)
4 Pakistan Legacy had a torrid trip from barrier 11 last start. The race shape did not help his cause, but he stuck on well to finish fifth, beaten only two lengths. He has been knocking on the door to break his local maiden.
5 Super Infinity was second in that same race two starts ago, closing well late and, while 1,400m last time did not suit, dropping back to 1,200m is key. Expect a rebound.
8 Majestic Express also comes through that race, where he raced keenly towards the rear, was held up in the straight, and still managed to close in for sixth. He has form around Invincible Shield earlier this prep, and has consistently hinted at a breakthrough.
1 Triumphant More had little luck after covering ground throughout in that same contest and was entitled to tire. Drawn better.
Race 10 (1,600M)
9 Definitive is an interesting runner from a speed-map perspective, as he looks likely to either find the front or park up on the pace without much pressure. He will need to lift on his Sha Tin record, but his effort three starts ago was solid, so there is reason to be forgiving.
7 Star Mac was an unlucky fourth behind Family Jewel last time, held up in the straight before closing off well. He has been consistently in the finish, which holds him in good stead.
11 Magnificent Nine remains an 18-start maiden in Class 3 but has placed eight times in the grade, including in his past three since breaking through in Class 4 four runs back. Hard to ignore.
12 Ching has slid down the ratings since last winning 321 days ago. In a race of this nature, could be an each-way play at a price.
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
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