Race 1 – Lyndhurst Handicap, HK $810,000
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1650m - Track Good
Time: 1:39.77 Standard Time: 1:40.30 Course/Class record: 1:38.91 All Joyful
Winner: TO INFINITY (NZ 4yo g Darci Brahma – Italic) was snagged back immediately after jumping and landed in a position one off the rail near the tail of the field. The pace was genuine through the first half of the race with no change to the order down the back straight. The gelding continued to travel strongly approaching the 400m point, but was still 6-1/2 lengths away as they swung into the straight. The gelding tracked into the race beautifully under Derek Leung as he cut the corner and weaved through traffic at the top of the straight. The local hoop got the gelding to the outside and he let down brilliantly, getting over the top of the leader in the final 50m to score by a short head at massive odds.
Runner-Up: JOLLY HONOUR was away on terms and settled in a midfield position as the runners from out wide showed good pace to cross early on. Silvestre De Sousa has the gelding in a nice position along the inside rail through the middle stages and began to make a move as they turned off the back. The Brazilian jockey was able to get off the inside and work into the race three-and-four-wide as they turned for home. The gelding had all the momentum turning for home and hit the front with a furlong to run. He broke clear from the rest of the field but was gunned down in the final few strides. He had to settle for second but did put a massive gap back to third.
Run Of The Race: TO INFINITY hadn't showed a lot in his 8 starts leading into tonight, hence his starting price of $76. He was given a great steer by Derek Leung to shed the maiden tag tonight.
Disappointment: OUR CREED was up running on the genuine tempo and couldn't stick on over the closing stages. He was already under heavy Luke Ferraris pressure as they turned for home and couldn't go on with the job, tiring inside the final furlong and drifting out of contention. He ended up finishing in 10th place, beaten 11 lengths.
Comparison: Well inside the standard time.
Market Mover: FIERY FLYING had good support while ONE STEP AHEAD was also specked at double figure odds.
Race 2 – Old Bailey Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.30 Standard Time: 1:09.95 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: ONE FOR ALL (AUS 4yo g No Nay Never – Mystical Tale) was one of the first into stride and just had too much pace for his rivals, taking the lead as they headed around the first turn. The pace was good and Silvestre De Sousa was able to hold the lead as they sorted their order out. He was travelling strongly as they approached the home turn and turned into the straight over a length in front. He quickened well when De Sousa popped the question to extend his lead early in the straight, but there were rivals out after him. He was beginning to tire inside the final 50m, but he held on to score by a head.
Runner-Up: HARMONY N HOME got away well and landed in a midfield position as they sorted their order out. It got a bit messy through the middle stages as Zac Purton had to check off heels, but he was able to rally through once again as they turned off the back. He was within striking distance as they swung into the straight and the sea's parted, allowing Purton perfect run through after the leader. He was there to be beaten if good enough, but despite Harmony N Home's best efforts, he was unable to reel in the winner.
Run Of The Race: ONE FOR ALL was a great run from the front, being able to handle some pressure up front before kicking clear turning for home and having enough in the tank to hold off the late challenge.
Disappointment: There were no disappointments in this event.
Comparison: Inside the standard time.
Market Mover: HAPPY TRIO was the best-backed runner.
Race 3 – Elgin Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1000m - Track Good
Time: 57.04 Standard Time: 57.10 Course/Class record: 56.39 Gentle Breeze
Winner: ATOMIC ENERGY (AUS 3yo g Sooboog – Charleah) jumped quickly from barrier 2 and showed good speed early on to be running up front early on, before easing out of the speed battle as they turned off the back. The gelding didn't seem to be handling the turn as Chung wrestled to get the gelding travelling as they turned into the straight, ending up out near the centre of the track on straightening. He wasn't reeling in the leaders in any great hurry in the straight, more wearing them down as they ran inside the 100m mark. He finally took the lead inside the final 50m and had enough left in the tank to score by a short head.
Runner-Up: MOMENTUM GALAXY jumped well and was able to get across from barrier 7 and land just off the pace early on, before drifting further back to be a little worse than midfield. He was still a mile back passing the 400m point, but Derek Leung was able to improve nicely as they turned into the straight. Leung was able to get off the eventual winner's back with 150m to run and was coming home fast late in the race, but he was unable to catch the winner.
Run Of The Race: ATOMIC ENERGY broke his maiden in good style tonight. He sat close to a hot speed and did plenty wrong around the turn, but still stuck on gamely for a good win. He can go on with the job now.
Disappointment: KOWLOON EAST STAR showed good pace early on to land close to the lead on settling down. He looked to be in a brilliant spot as he turned for home, but he didn't have much to offer when Zac Purton pressed the button. He finished 4-1/2 lengths in last place, but he was found to have bled from both nostrils post-race.
Comparison: Just inside standard.
Market Mover: KOWLOON EAST STAR was well-backed late in betting and jumped the $2.40 favourite.
Race 4 – Staunton Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1800m - Track Good
Time: 1:49.42 Standard Time: 1:49.60 Course/Class record: 1:48.10 Acclaimed Light
Winner: RIGHT AS RAIN (NZ 5yo g Rios – Ransom Claim) jumped away well and was able to slide across to the inside rail with ease early on. The pace was good as they travelled down the side of the course with no change to the order, with the five-year-old travelling well under Karis Teetan. The Mauritian hoop began niggling the gelding along as they turned off the back straight, with the son of Rios responding as they worked around the home turn. The field swung wide into the straight and left the inside rail wide open for Teetan to make his run, going underneath his rivals in the straight. He was sticking on well at the finish, closing strongly to grab the tiring leader and score by a neck in a good effort.
Runner-Up: HAPPY ANGEL got away well and showed good early speed to roll straight to the front under Alex Badel. He was left alone out in front but was setting a genuine tempo through the early stages of the race, before slowing the pace gradually through the middle stages. Badel continued to hold a length advantage over his rivals through the middle stages as he quickened the tempo again heading into the straight. He was still in front with 200m to run and looked to be doing it well, but the flashy grey just began to tire close to home. He was unable to hold off the winner who came up the inside of him.
Run Of The Race: HAPPY ANGEL set a good pace out in front and almost led from barrier-to-box. A strong effort and a horse worth following.
Disappointment: No disappointments in the fourth race.
Comparison: Just inside the standard time.
Market Mover: REACH GOAL had good support late in betting, while LUCKY DIAMOND was specked at double figures.
Race 5 – Old Bailey Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.94 Standard Time: 1:09.95 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: MY INTELLIGENT (AUS 5yo g Holy Roman Emperor – Tequilakoko) jumped swiftly and rolled straight to the front for Dylan Mo as they turned into the back straight. He raced a touch keen down the back straight, setting some quick sectionals and stretching the field right out through the middle stages. He was still going quick, but Mo had a better hold of the gelding as they turned off the back, with the local hoop getting over a length in front as they turned for the finish. Mo waited until the gelding was balanced in the straight before pressing the button with the gelding sticking on gamely under hard riding. He was tiring late in the race but had done enough through the middle stages to hold off his rivals and get the job done by a neck.
Runner-Up: VICTORY SCHOLARS was another who was smartly away for Angus Chung, getting across relatively easily from barrier 9 and landing outside the leader in running. He was travelling well despite the quick tempo set, but Chung just let the leader pinch a break on him as they turned off the back straight. The gelding was there to win if he was going well enough, but the leader had too much up his sleeve and held on for the victory.
Run Of The Race: MY INTELLIGENT set a quick tempo through the early and middle stages but managed to just keep on running. The swoopers were never in play and he was ridden brilliantly to the finish by Dylan Mo. A great win.
Disappointment: NOBLE ONE was slowly away then was walloped by a rival on jumping, seeing him race at the tail of the field early doors. He was just too far back to make an impression on the finish, but did finish off well to end up in 7th place, beaten 4-1/4 lengths. Worth forgiving after what happened at the start, but a disappointing run tonight, nonetheless.
Comparison: Just a tick inside standard.
Market Mover: VICTORY SCHOLARS and NOBLE ONE were both supported late, along with MY INTELLIGENT at double figures.
Race 6 – Chancery Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1650m - Track Good
Time: 1:39.80 Standard Time: 1:40.05 Course/Class record: 1:38.83 Flying Elite
Winner: SIXTH GENERATION (AUS 4yo g Per Incanto – Xanadu) got away welland slid across to land in the box seat as they headed into the first turn, landing one-out-one-back for Vincent Ho. The pace was only moderate early on, but went up a notch with 1000m remaining as the leader was taken on. Things settled again down the back as the four-year-old was still travelling well under Ho. Passing the 500m point, the local jockey began urging his mount along, shifting three-wide and building his momentum as they turned into the straight. The pair ended up near the centre of the track in the straight, but were running home the strongest as they took the lead 150m from the finish. He didn't look like getting beat once he got to the front, scoring comfortably by a half-length.
Runner-Up: PACKING SUCCEEDER got away on terms and got across to be one off the rail shortly after the jump, settling in a midfield position heading down the side of the course. Zac Purton tracked the eventual winner right throughout the middle stages and looked to be travelling better than the winner as they swung into the straight. He ran on well and was doing his best work over the closing stages but couldn't catch the winner.
Run Of The Race: It was a strong win from SIXTH GENERATION who was ridden brilliantly by Vincent Ho. He got moving at the right time and was strong through to the line in a great effort.
Disappointment: CORDYCEPS ONE raced in a brilliant position for much of the race under Karis Teetan, sitting outside the leader early on before enjoying a cosy run one-out-one-back. He looked to be travelling well approaching the home turn but didn't offer much when asked for an effort in the straight. He weakened out of contention to finish in 8th place, beaten 4-1/2 lengths.
Comparison: Inside standard.
Market Mover: ENSURED was the best-backed runner.
Race 7 – The Police Cup (Handicap), HK $1,725,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.08 Standard Time: 1:09.95 Course/Class record: 1:08.68 Speed Vision
Winner: LUCKY EIGHT (AUS 4yo g Pride Of Dubai – Hussy Five Oh) got away well off the inside and landed in a brilliant position on settling down. Karis Teetan was initially on the back of the leader, but with a rival keen heading into the back straight, he found himself sitting just off the pace through the middle stages. Teetan was able to continue along the rail as they turned for home, and much like his winning ride earlier in the card, the Mauritian stuck close to the inside on straightening. Teetan went underneath his rivals in the straight, chasing down the leader with 50m to run and pulling away for a comfortable victory.
Runner-Up: MAJESTIC KNIGHT wasn't the fastest away but was ridden along by Zac Purton to take up a front-running position heading around the first turn. The gelding took off though down the back straight, racing keenly and pulling Purton to a clear lead through the middle stages of the race. The champion hoop was able to get the gelding to come back underneath him turning off the back, and still held the lead as they turned for home. Purton headed toward the middle of the track on straightening, but had fought off the early challenge. He was still in front with 100m to run, but the eventual winner went right past him along the inside, with Purton having to settle for second.
Run Of The Race: MAJESTIC KNIGHT did well to hold on for as long as he did when not much went right today. He was a touch slow away and was forced to press on from the draw, he then over raced down the back straight and was still only half-a-length off winning. Watch for him next time out.
Disappointment: GORGEOUS VITALITY found himself a long way back in the run as is his usual racing style, but despite the fast tempo he didn't finish off as we had seen over the short course. He was very plain to the finish and ended up 4-1/4 lengths back in 7th position.
Comparison: Way inside standard.
Market Mover: MAJESTIC KNIGHT had strong support, while HERO STAR was backed at double figures.
Race 8 – Arbuthnot Handicap, HK $2,900,000
Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1650m - Track Good
Time: 1:39.05 Standard Time: 1:39.40 Course/Class record: 1:37.97 Tsar
Winner: SAVAQUIN (NZ 6yo g Savabeel – Sequin) got away well and Hugh Bowman was able to work across with ease, landing in a great position just off the pace. The speed was solid through the first half of the race, leaving Bowman in a great position to strike as they turned off the back. Bowman found himself in a tricky position as they approached the home turn, sitting three pairs back along the inside, but the Australian hoop was able to get off the inside and begin working his way into the clear at the top of the straight. He got a lovely run through to hit the front 100m from home and held off the swoopers late, scoring by a half-length on the line.
Runner-Up: GORYTUS was immediately taken to the back of the field on jumping, settling in fourth-last under Jerry Chau. The field stretched out as they headed down the back straight with Chau spotting the leader 7 lengths at the halfway stage of the race. The local hoop began to improve heading off the back and was working into the race nicely, moving three-wide and continuing wider as they turned for home. He was one of the widest in the straight and ran on strongly over the closing stages, but he gave the winner too much of a head start.
Run Of The Race: The race shaped perfectly for SAVAQUIN and he made the most of it, scoring by a half-length. He may not be one to follow in the near future, but he will find another winnable race soon enough.
Disappointment: PACKING AWARD had a great run in transit and looked to be working into the race nicely at the top of the straight. The gelding failed to fire when Hewitson asked for an effort though, fading out of the race and finishing in 9th, beaten 3-1/2 lengths.
Comparison: Well inside standard time.
Market Mover: PACKING AWARD and GORYTUS were both backed.
Race 9 – Hollywood Handicap, HK $1,725,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:08.97 Standard Time: 1:09.75 Course/Class record: 1:08.68 Speed Vision
Winner: EASON (AUS 4yo g Written Tycoon – Prete A Partir) wasn't the fastest away from the barriers but landed in a good position with the aid of an inside draw. The pace was fierce through the opening stages, and Badel was urging the gelding along through the middle stages to keep in touch with the leading division. He was able to tack onto the back of the pack coming to the turn but was still spotting them 6 lengths at the top of the straight. The Frenchman was able to get into the clear 150m from home and stuck on boldly over the closing stages to score by a neck, getting over the tiring leaders late in the race.
Runner-Up: ALLGREEKTOME got away quickly and surged forward from an outside barrier to sit on the outside of the leader as they turned into the back. They set a slick pace out in front, but he appeared to be travelling well as they turned off the back with 600m remaining. Vincent Ho quickly ran to the front 200m from home as the gelding stretched a length in front close to the finish. The fast tempo caught up to him though with 50m to run as he began to tire close to the line, with the top weight coming over the top late to steal victory.
Run Of The Race: It took a while for ALLGREEKTOME to score a maiden victory, but he backed up that performance well today. He looked home with 100m to run but just felt the pinch late. They ran quick time though and he's definitely one to follow.
Disappointment: NORDIC DRAGON was taken back from the wide draw under Hugh Bowman and was never sighted in the run. He was a mile back at the halfway point of the race and was last as they turned into the straight. The gelding did finish off the race well along the inside part of the track before finding trouble late, but after jumping a $6.10 chance, he was disappointing.
Comparison: Well inside the standard time.
Market Mover: No market moves to speak of with ALLGREEKTOME jumping the favourite.
