CHAI WAN KOK HANDICAP
#1 Sky Song drops into Class 5 for the first time and looks well placed to capitalise third-up with solid race fitness under his belt. He ran well for third last start and now draws ideally to settle just off the pace and prove hard to hold out late. #4 Shine Bright is another class-dropper who can find improvement, especially with Zac Purton taking over. While barrier 10 is awkward, his recent trial win suggests he has the early speed to offset it. #7 Noble Deluxe is trending the right way since slipping into Class 5, and his third placing last time out confirms he’s on the cusp. #3 He Was You resumes in the cellar grade and from gate 3 maps to settle handy. That gives him the chance to box on strongly in a race that suits.
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KWOK SHUI HANDICAP
#6 Incredible Moment was the subject of a strong betting move first-up and, while he didn’t place, there was merit in his fourth after working hard on the pace. Mark Newnham applies blinkers for the first time, and with little early speed engaged, he maps to get every chance. #3 Jubilant Winner scored impressively by over two lengths first-up at this course and trip, his first taste of success, and has since trialled well. This doesn’t look any tougher, and Jamie Richards appears to have him thriving. #2 All’s Well broke through in the final run of last season at his fourth attempt. He typically gets back in the run and will need things to fall his way, but he shapes as a horse with more wins ahead. #8 Bowser resumes for a new stable under Tony Cruz and has trialled nicely against some of these.
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LO WAI HANDICAP
#12 Notthesillyone remains winless from six attempts in Class 4 but only began hitting his straps late last season. He rises in grade after a narrow third in Class 5, where he attempted to make all and was only collared late, which they’ll attempt again. #5 California Star typically gets back in the run and charges home late, and his trial for return was full of promise. With improvement to come, he can build on his lightly raced record this season. #4 Gimme Five had excuses when resuming and finishing eighth. Prior, he was an all-the-way winner in Class 5 and can settle on speed again with early luck. #2 Bits Superstar switches from Pierre Ng to David Hall and was in good form at the back end of last season. He’s trialled well when leading and may be ridden with intent if he begins cleanly.
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SHA TSUI HANDICAP
#3 The Heir followed up his first-up win with another good performance, where he and the winner, Solid Win, gapped the rest. He’s going to require some luck from his outside draw, but with this not being the strongest race, he remains well placed in Class 4 to win again. #2 Good Luck Babe draws nicely and should roll forward to lead or sit handy, which suits his pattern. Tony Cruz has him trending the right way since acquiring him. #12 Winning Machine was bet into favouritism last start, fading late into fifth after being on pace in a strongly run race where backmarkers were favoured. A different race shape here could help him lift on that effort. #10 Positive Smile showed good improvement first-up with a closing fourth to Max Que. He draws wide again and will be ridden similarly, looking to make his presence felt late.
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THE YAN CHAI TROPHY (HANDICAP)
#12 Elegant Life was well backed first-up for his new stable under Caspar Fownes but never got a clear crack at them in the straight, held up badly behind runners. He maps kindly from barrier 3 and deserves another chance to show his hand. #6 Oldtown was only sighted three times last season but hinted at ability, and his quiet trials for return have been eye-catching. Zac Purton takes the ride, which is a strong lead. #4 Jubilant Star debuts for David Hall, having had Purton on for most trials, but Hugh Bowman takes over from the inside draw. He looks ready to run well straight up. #5 Good Fortune resumes with blinkers on for the first time after two encouraging runs last season, and with natural improvement, can take a step forward.
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SHAM TSENG HANDICAP
#6 Pearl Of Pang’s is primed to go one better after a narrow second last start where he raced wide on the pace from a tough draw. He now moves into a more favourable gate which should allow him to slot in for a better run. #11 Bull Attitude was used up early from a wide draw last start and understandably weakened late. From barrier 1, a more conservative ride could see sharp improvement. #1 Glorious Success threatened to win in Class 3 last season but it didn’t materialise. He now drops into Class 4 for the first time, is second-up, and reunites with Purton, who rode him to a narrow second at this course and trip prior. #8 Happy Universe finished strongly into third first-up, beaten only half a length, and stays in the mix with natural improvement.
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THE CHINESE RECREATION CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)
#3 Super Strong Kid is a talented four-year-old on the rise who resumed with another commanding win down the straight. He now faces fresh tests, stepping up to class 3 and stretching out to 1200m, which may add to his price, and the way he powered through and past the line in a trial between runs suggests he’ll relish the extra trip. #11 Yee Cheong Glory showed promise in two starts last season, winning on debut before finishing a close-up seventh when thrown into Class 3. He’s trialled well three times in the lead-up and barrier 1 gives him every chance. #7 Alsonso steps back up in trip following a string of solid efforts over the minimum and should be around the mark again. #8 Flying Knight is trending the right way with racing and looks one to include at odds.
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SHEK WAI KOK HANDICAP
#6 Mr Energia was strong late into second first-up, with he and the winner clearing out from the rest. The form has since stood up and with Purton back on, having guided him to victory two starts ago, he gets every chance to go one better. #12 Fatal Blow has trialled well for his return on this surface and looks poised for a forward showing stepping out over the course and trip for the first time. He remains untapped and has scope to build on his Class 3 record. #7 New Forest moves into a much more favourable draw after jumping from barrier 11 first-up. He’s a natural speedster who should roll forward and try to pinch it from the front despite the drop back in trip. #4 Solid Shalaa had excuses first-up, held up in running and pulling up lame. Worth another look with a cleaner trip.
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SHING MUN HANDICAP
#7 Masterofmyuniverse is a progressive four-year-old from the John Size yard who won four from 10 last term. He’s been given two quiet trials to prepare for his return and from barrier 3 looks set to land a good run off what should be a genuine tempo. With Purton in the saddle first-up, he shapes as a key player. #1 Lady’s Choice is tough and honest, and from barrier 4 he’ll roll forward and give a sight as usual. #5 Dancing Code ran well first-up, leading until the 200m before holding on for second. He’ll strip fitter and has shown he can take a sit if required. #9 Mid Winter Wind hasn’t lived up to the hype of his explosive debut win, but his first-up third behind Dancing Code was encouraging and he’s in the mix again.
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YAU KOM TAU HANDICAP
#13 The Red Hare remains unexposed in Hong Kong having raced just four times. He turned in a strong first-up effort over 1200m behind Sky Trust, ridden quietly before closing off well, and the rise in trip is ideal second-up. He’s heading the right way. #9 Tin Fook had decent support first-up and showed marked improvement at his second local start, running on for third in the same race as The Red Hare. A tick-over trial keeps him coming along and he maps well. #6 Igor Stravinsky hit form at the end of last season with a second and breakthrough win. He steps back up to Class 3 now but looks ready to hold his own after settling in. #4 Lim’s Shavano is a bit of a wildcard. His debut was a write-off but his first-up effort over 1000m was better. He looks to be on the right path now.
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