Rail - A Course
 

Race 1

#12 SNOWALOT has been a solid contributor for most of the season and picked up a long overdue win last start.The win was achieved at Happy Valley and could've realistically been by a bigger margin had he jumped cleanly.He remains well rated and should secure the run of the race which makes him a difficult opponent to beat.
#14 SOARING TOWER won his first start back in November 2020 and in the process recorded fast time.Since then, form has continued to regress with the unacceptable performance stamp branded on numerous occasions.Riders have also suggested his action isn't right but with blinkers recently applied he's starting to turn things around.He's a risky conveyance for obvious reasons but if he remains focused, he'll win.
#3 JUNE PLANET enjoyed a solid preparation at Conghua prior to his Happy Valley debut and is now ready to kick of his career at Sha Tin.Trainer Casper Fownes has again varied his training regime by trialling him at Conghua and Sha Tin, in preparation for today, and I'd expect him to run well.Vincent Ho has allocated plenty of his time from the very start and he rides again.
#8 SWEET DIAMOND showed ability last season by winning a nice class 4 race at Sha Tin.Shortly after, he made an unexpected breathing noise and completely lost all form.Throat surgery followed in December 2022, which by all reports was a success, with a solid block of training and three nice trials following thereafter.
#5 FLAMINGO TRILLION has participated in five barrier trials prior to today's debut and should be given some respect.He possesses natural speed, has trialled with maturity and seemingly holds a turn of foot.Karis Teetan knows him well and it would be naive to completely ignore his presence.

Selections : 12,14,3,8,5

R2 - 8,5,11,1,3

R3 - 8,1,3,4,10

R4 - 3,1,2,4,6

R5 - 10,3,5,9,6

R6 - 9,1,2,8,13

Race 7

QUEEN'S SILVER JUBILEE CUP
(Gp1 - 1400m - Set Weights)

#3 LUCKY SWEYNESSE is at the peak of his powers going in to this mouthwatering contest and although the race could go one of three ways, he gains the on top selection.James McDonald shall jump aboard in replace of Zac Purton, who remains loyal to CALIFORNIA SPANGLE, and the final furlong promises to be a battle royale to the wire.Zac Purton has suggested during the week that LUCKY SWEYNESSE is literally airborne, and may still have a little more to give, and I agree.
#1 CALIFORNIA SPANGLE is the guaranteed leader from the inside draw and that secures the dictatorship style he wants.He's an easy ride and with all the necessary attributes required to lead throughout at pace, he'll be near on unstoppable.I'm anticipating however that James McDonald and LUCKY SWEYNESSE attempt to get in his face, a fair way out, which potentially makes for a fascinating tactical battle.
#2 WELLINGTON is the reigning sprint champion and boasts the outright superior turn of foot.Ryan Moore got a taste of the aforementioned power when they crunched the field to win the 2022 Hong Kong International Sprint in December.The 1400m is not beyond his capabilities but it does enable the opposition to hold him at bay.
#5 COURIER WONDER is tackling the 1400m for the first time and is clearly going the best he's gone for a while.Whether he's got the ticker to roll the more fancied runners is a long priced debate, but it's worth remembering he was tactically versatile as a youngster.A spot outside the leader maybe on offer, should they wish to roll the dice, and from there he could make a deeper impression.
#4 WAIKUKU has nothing to prove following a long distinguished career and over the past few seasons has been hindered by injury.Efforts during that period often fell short of what's required at this level but he continues to bring home prize money.It's difficult to envisage the 8yo causing an upset but stranger things have happened.

Selections : 3,1,2,5,4

Race 8

BMW HONG KONG DERBY
(Gp1 - 2000m - Set Weights)

#2 BEAUTY ETERNAL has made a fast meteoric rise to his current handicap mark of 94 points and can now be tested at the highest level over 2000m.The rise in distance is always a questionable component leading into the Hong Kong Derby but a large majority of runners cope without issue.He's as exciting a horse as we've seen in Asia's World City at this point of his career, but he does faces a number of different components and challenges today which he must overcome.Nevertheless, he's entitled to start favourite and it'll take a massive effort to defeat him.
#5 SWORD POINT has performed with versatility and distinction during the first two legs of the 4yo Classic Series and is considered a top chance.Hugh Bowman is eying off a third Hong Kong Derby and shall be aided by an excellent barrier, which shall allow his mount to travel effort free during the opening and crucial first half.He was proven abroad over 2000m before shipment to Hong Kong and a faultless preparation has been completed.
#3 SUPER SUNNY SING is eyeing of a picket fence following his own personal rise to stardom and is every chance of getting it done.Jockey Vincent Ho is enjoying another fabulous season and searches for a second Derby win following the almighty performance of GOLDEN SIXTY.A conservative approach has been announced from the potentially sticky gate and if he finds cover and rhythm he'll be joining in to win.
#6 TUCHEL is the horse I've tipped throughout the series and I wasn't disheartened by his last start fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup.Although he was beaten by a superior turn of foot, following an economical run, he'll be majorly advantaged by a different race style and increase to 2000m.A set back late last year put him behind the eight ball going into this series, but he's fitter now and shouldn't be dismissed.
#8 GALAXY WITNESS has enjoyed an ideal preparation leading in to the Derby and possesses the last half sectional data to deal with most of today's opponents.He's been specificity trained for this coveted event and I wouldn't be surprised if connections are feeling quietly confident.He'll need pace on and no doubt luck as he looks to weave his way through the field, but expect him to find the line with power an quite possibly better than most.

Selections : 2,5,3,6,8

R9 - 14,5,4,8,6

R10 - 3,6,14,8,5