Rail - C+3 Course

Race 1

#3 MR GOOD VIBES has only recently dropped into the lowest level of class 5 and in the process indicated he's ready to win a race in this grade.He'll be given another great opportunity here with Karis Teetan behind the wheel and I expect he'll be right in the finish, despite the tricky draw in barrier ten.His effort on the clock at Sha Tin two runs back has him just about winning this event so I'm prepared to take the chance he can find a spot and slot in.
#9 GOOD VIEW GLORY was backed off the map when finishing fourth last start and it was due to the Zac Purton factor.He'd also put the writing on the wall the start prior with a career best performance over this course and trip, plus this grade.With another excellent barrier draw to leave from and blinkers being applied for the first time he only has to recapture that level of output to win.
#4 TACTICAL COMMAND was well punted to win at Happy Valley in February and has been honest ever since.His overall talent has often measured up to the challenges of class 4 but wide barriers and awkward beginnings have generally made it difficult to win.With that in mind, he's worthy of serious consideration from the good draw even though his record at Sha Tin reads poor.
#1 COLONEL got the money the last time he dropped into this grade and he'll again be searching furiously for the lead.He's made a career of jumping straight to the front and attempting to run his opponents in to the ground and with 7lb claiming rider Ellis Wong booked to ride, he'll be hard to stop.The rail in its widest position is another facet that leans in his direction, but remember it's a longer straight at Sha Tin.
#2 KING INVINCIBLE remains a Hong Kong maiden after 15 starts but at the same time displays consistency and heart.He's well placed from the low draw, as was the case last start, and is worthy of a pardon on his first attempt in this grade.With Derek Leung now committed to the saddle, and a debut run at Sha Tin on the cards, he's worth including through all areas of betting, particularly exotics.
Selections : 3,9,4,1,2

R2 - 5,10,11,7,9

R3 - 3,5,4,2,1

R4 - 1,8,4,2,12


Race 5

#4 JOY OF SPRING has been unlucky not to have won a race recently after drawing double figure barriers his past four starts.He's also copped interference leaving the starting stalls on three occasions and was caught off the track his most recent run.He's definitely looking for the 1800m now and is marginally better drawn in gate 8.It's difficult to envisage a finish without his presence judged on the above information and is therefore classified a major player.
#3 FLYING MOJITO is earning the tag of head scratching conveyance because he's always a chance but struggles to win on a regular basis.Nevertheless, he's proven in the past he can win off his current handicap mark, or higher, and has found the line well at three of his past four starts.I like the draw, jockey booking and rise to 1800m and suggest he's worthy of an each way ticket.
#2 ROMANTIC FANTASY can't be overlooked from barrier number four because he's fit, enjoys a claim and is still physically improving.However, he can over race if he's pressured for the lead and therefore become vulnerable in the run down the home straight.His sectional data does however suggest he'll be beaten by a superior turn of foot, unless, he settles better in the run and conserves energy through the first half.
#5 WINNING STEPS had clear excuses at his most recent attempt over 2000m where he was crunched out the gates and forced to settle back.The yielding track made it difficult to make headway that afternoon and he basically made no impression throughout.Conversely, his win prior on the dryer surface was an excellent display of his overall capabilities, something similar here would make him very attractive.
#8 SATIRICAL GLORY remains a maiden from twenty starts but could well give cheek on the lead.The rail position is definitely in his favour today and the return back to 1800m can also assist his cause.Add Zac Purton to the saddle, plus, a long run down the back stretch in which to work across, and he's a viable option for the wider exotics.
Selections : 4,3,2,5,8

R6 - 6,10,11,3,13

R7 - 3,8,1,13,2

R8 - 1,7,4,2,12

R9 - 4,5,6,1,11


Race 10

#7 SKY HEART took care of business with an all the way win recently which coincided with blinkers going on.It's never an easy assignment, as a youngster, beating the older horses but this 3yo is big, versatile and strong.He's always displayed a sprinkling of class and appears to have the gears to match, so with his confidence up and running expect him to take a serious amount of running down.
#3 YOUNG ACHIEVER showed encouraging signs in his recent Hong Kong debut and has since trialled on the all weather in preparation.Zac Purton has committed his services to the former French trainer galloper which is a promising sign for the "Hong Kong Racing Club" and its members.With a trail behind the speed, courtesy of the inside draw, he'll get every chance to close down the leaders when turning for home, and should only further improve with a continuing rise in distance.
#13 SUNLIGHT POWER produced one of the quickest closing 400m splits of the day on a yielding track last start and should be respect.Like multiple contenders in this event he's looking to raise the bar to a new level following an encouraging and winning performance in the lower grade.He's still doing plenty wrong in a number of ways but is a definite chance of rocking the boat if he settles well and behaves.
#4 PATCH OF THETA is yet to miss the frame from 7 career starts and for that reason alone is difficult to overlook.He continues to progress with distinction and was classified unlucky last start when unable to secure clear running for a large portion of the home stretch.The weights are increasing, the competition is becoming tougher and the draw says he may cover additional ground, but he's not the finished product.
#8 LOYAL BOBO recorded solid sectionals during his two previous wins over this course and trip but it was in class 4.He then stepped up to 1600m and class 3 company which ultimately brought him undone.Returning back to 1400m and drawing low appears a much tastier concoction so he's worthy of another chance at this level.
Selections : 7,3,13,4,8