Race 1 – Shenyang Handicap, HK $810,000

Class 5 – Turf – Distance 1800m - Track Good

Time: 1:47.61 Standard Time: 1:48.40 Course/Class record: 1:47.37 Incredible

Winner: OWNERS' STAR (GB 7yo g Farhh – Manilla Bay) got away on terms and settled in a midfield position when fully into stride under Vagner Borges. The pace was good down the back stretch, and Borges was able to close the gap slightly and end up just off the speed with the leader slowing the tempo turning off the back. Borges stuck to the inside as they swung for home, coming through along the rails to loom up to the leader at the furlong pole. He stuck on brilliantly to hit the front inside the final 100m and hold his competitors at bay to score by a neck.

Runner-Up: THIS IS CHARISMA jumped well and worked across from barrier 5 and settled just off the pace through the middle stages. Zac Purton stayed away from the rail as the field condensed turning off the back and was travelling kindly with cover around the turn. Purton came off heels at the top of the straight and the gelding strode to the lead under his own power, with Purton waiting until the 300m point before asking for maximum effort. He kicked a length clear midway down the straight, but couldn't sustain the effort and was over-run in the final 75m. He stuck on gamely to hold on for second.

Run Of The Race:  OWNERS" STAR proved far too good in the run to the line, and after an economical run in transit, he hit the line full of running to take the win.

Disappointment: MISTER MONTE was keen to settle in the lead and was part of a quick tempo set through the opening stages. He was able to catch a breather turning off the back straight under Angus Chung, but offered little response when Chung asked for an effort early in the straight. He tired out of the race and ended up back in 9th place, beaten 10-3/4 lengths.

Comparison: Inside the standard time.

Market Mover: AMAZING NEWS was the best-backed runner.

Race 2 – Chongqing Handicap, HK $1,080,000

Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1000m - Track Good

Time: 56.45 Standard Time: 56.40 Course/Class record: 54.94 United We Stand

Winner: BIG ME (AUS 4yo g Your Song - Miss Eisenstadt) briefly reared at the start and was slowly away, before copping another bump shortly after jumping and settled in the back half of the field. He was racing out toward the centre of the course and was being niggled at by Luke Currie with 600m to run. He was improving his position out near the centre of the track and quickened well when Currie pushed the button with 400m remaining. He was rolling about under pressure, but he hit the lead inside the final 150m and proved far too strong over the closing stages, pulling away to win by 1-1/4 length on debut.

Runner-Up: FLYING HIGH jumped a touch awkwardly and settled in a midfield position under Matthew Chadwick. Despite being midfield, he was in a favourable position toward the outside rail and was travelling nicely when the field linked up with the course proper. Chadwick was forced to move from toward the grandstand rail, to out near the centre of the track to obtain clear running, and by that time the winner was off and gone. He closed off well despite copping a bump at about the 150m point, putting his nose down on the line to grab second in a tight photo finish.

Run Of The Race: BIG ME was absolutely superb on debut. He missed the start, did plenty of work in the run and still managed to win convincingly. He appears to have a bright future in Hong Kong.

Disappointment: UNITED WE STAND was another who was slowly away from the barriers and settled toward the tail of the field. He improved his position through the run under Luke Ferraris, but didn't offer much when Ferraris pushed the button with 400m remaining. He finished in 10th place, beaten 4-3/4 lengths.

Comparison: Just outside the standard time.

Market Mover: BIG ME jumped a well-backed favourite at $2.80.

Race 3 – Chengdu Handicap, HK $1,080,000

Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good

Time: 1:08.87 Standard Time: 1:09.30 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight

Winner: BEAUTY TYCOON (AUS 4yo g Written Tycoon – Keena) got away on terms and was ridden along by Alex Badel in the opening stages and settled just off the speed on settling down. The speed was hot through the middle stages and Badel was enjoying a cosy run in behind the speed, with the French hoop able to get away from the rail and get a clean run into the straight. Badel came off heels at the top of the straight and Badel pushed the button, with the gelding lengthening nicely to hit the front at the 300m point. It looked as though he'd be challenged inside the final 100m, but he held his rivals at bay comfortably to win by 1-1/4 lengths in fine style.

Runner-Up: ONE VOICE jumped on terms but drifted back off a hot tempo set early on, settling just worse than midfield on settling down. He travelled well around the turn and Vincent Ho got him into the clear as they swung into the straight with the gelding building up the revs and eating into the margin early in the straight. He looked as though he was going to run straight past the leader, but peaked on his run in the closing stages and had to settle for a clear second.

Run Of The Race: BEAUTY TYCOON did plenty wrong first-up and looked as though the run under his belt would settle him down a touch, with the gear changes looking as though they were attempting to do the same thing. It worked, and he won impressively, beating a nice horse in the process. Don't forget ONE VOICE, he just peaked on the run late first-up after a bleed and will benefit greatly from the run.

Disappointment: There were no real disappointments in the run, but WE ARE HERO just went too fast out in front and paid for it over the concluding stages.

Comparison: Well inside the standard time.

Market Mover: ONE VOICE jumped a solid favourite at $2.20.

Race 4 – Jinan Handicap, HK $1,080,000

Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1400m - Track Good

Time: 1:21.66 Standard Time: 1:22.05 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair

Winner: PERFECT PEACH (AUS 4yo g Sebring – Fashion) jumped well and was running near the front in the opening stages, before the pace poured on and Lyle Hewitson took a trailing position just off the pace. The pace was good through the middle stages and Hewitson was enjoying a cosy run in behind the speed. The field began to swing wide in the straight and Hewitson remained with cover until straightening, getting into the clear and letting down well to hit the front with 200m to run. He stuck on gamely out wider on the course to hold the lead and get the win by a head, with the inside horse not going down without a fight.

Runner-Up: COMPASSION SPIRIT jumped brilliantly and showed good pace early on, before taking a sit in behind the leaders as the pace came from the outside. He enjoyed a lovely run in transit with the gelding travelling comfortably throughout the middle stages. Purton tried to push his way into the clear at the top of the straight but was forced to cross back to the inside as the Australian hoop tried to make a move. He quickened beautifully once he got into the clear and was neck-and-neck with the winner with 100m to run. The winner was just too strong in the end, with the pair putting a gap back to third place.

Run Of The Race: COMPASSION SPIRIT was first-up for the season today and quickened well at the top of the straight. He was just a touch flat in the closing stages, but looks as though he'll benefit greatly from today's run.

Disappointment: OVER THE MOON drifted back from the wide draw and settled toward the rear of the field. Keith Yeung took off with about 600m to run and sustained a long run into the straight. He couldn't sustain the run over final 200m and weakened in the final stages, finishing back in 10th place, and beaten 5-1/2 lengths.

Comparison: Inside standard time.

Market Mover: SMILING COLLECTOR was well-supported, while SPLENDID LIVING had good backing at double figure odds.

Race 5 – Nanning Handicap, HK $1,080,000

Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1600m - Track Good

Time: 1:34.83 Standard Time: 1:35.10 Course/Class record: 1:33.78 Morethanlucky

Winner: OSCAR GLORY (NZ 5yo g Per Incanto – Centree) was quickly into stride and was urged along by Angus Chung in the early stages, going through to take the lead early in the race. Chung was left alone out in front and was able to dictate the race to suit himself, leading clearly by a length throughout before quickening nicely turning off the back. He travelled well into the straight under a strong hold and had most of his rivals under pressure as the turned for home. He responded well when Chung finally pressed the button and kicked strongly to hold his rivals at bay. He went on to win by a half-length in gutsy fashion.

Runner-Up: KASI FARASI got away well and landed in a perfect spot in behind the speed, settling just off the pace as they travelled down the back straight. He was a touch keen under Ruan Maia early on, but settled much better as they began turning off the back with 800m to run. He travelled comfortably around the turn and enjoyed a cosy run into the straight and popped off heels and into the clear on straightening, ending up toward the centre of the track. He kept on gamely to the line, but couldn't overrun the leader at the finish and was forced to settle for second.

Run Of The Race: It was an impressive ride from Angus Chung aboard OSCAR GLORY, making his own luck and riding the race to suit him out in front. He was rated perfectly out in front and notched up his first win since June 2021 after threatening a number of times last season.

Disappointment: ROCKPAPERSCISSORS was caught wide early on from barrier 8, but was able to slot in about midfield as they passed the 1000m point. He had every opportunity on straightening, but was very one paced in the finish and weakened late in the race to finish in 8th place, beaten 6-1/2 lengths.

Comparison: Inside the standard.

Market Mover:  OSCAR GLORY was the best-backed runner.

Race 6 – Shanghai Handicap, HK $1,725,000

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good

Time: 1:08.71 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.28 Reve Parisien

Winner: HAPPY SHARING (NZ 5yo g All Too Hard – Woman In Love) broke cleanly and showed plenty of pace in the early stages, rolling forward under Luke Ferraris in the early stages, before taking a sit in behind the speed turning out of the back straight. He looked as though he was racing a touch keenly in the run, sliding forward on the turn to sit on the leader's hindquarter. He tracked into the straight nicely and took the lead under his own steam with 400m remaining, kicking clear to lead by about 2 lengths with 200m to run. He stuck on gamely over the final stages, holding off the fast-finishing second placegetter to take victory.

Runner-Up: MIDORI BEAUTY jumped as the favourite and was slowly away, settling at the tail of the field under Zac Purton. The pace was good through the middle stages, but Purton still found himself a clear last with 600m remaining. He was still last on straightening with Purton getting the gelding into the clear near the outside, quickening impressively to range up to the leader. He was running about under pressure in the straight. He went again once he finally got balanced up, but he had already thrown the race away and had to settle for second.

Run Of The Race: MIDORI BEAUTY couldn't have tried harder to throw the race away, and still almost won. He was slow away, settled at the rear, and then ran out in the straight despite Purton's best efforts to keep him straight. He was only three-quarters-of-a-length away in a race he tried so desperately to lose. He'll benefit from the run and is worth following.

Disappointment: NABOO LEGEND was on debut in Hong Kong, bringing over solid formlines form New Zealand. It's always difficult for horses to perform well first-up in Hong Kong in Class 3, but the gelding didn't help himself in the run, over racing and being keen throughout the middle stages. Vincent Ho tried to get him going in the straight, but he was weak late and finished 7 lengths away in 9th.

Comparison: Inside standard.

Market Mover: LUCKY EIGHT had plenty of support and SPARKLING KNIGHT was specked at double figures.

Race 7 – The National Day Cup (Handicap), HK $3,900,000

Group Three – Turf – Distance 1000m - Track Good

Time: 56.05 Standard Time: 55.90 Course/Class record: 54.96 Super Wealthy

Winner: SUPER WEALTHY (AUS 7yo g Epaulette- Well Hidden) got away quickly from the outside draw, but drifted back slightly in the early stages with Zac Purton not keen to lead. Purton enjoyed an economical run in behind the leaders as he travelled down the grandstand rail, and although he found himself in last place with 400m to run, he was only 1-3/4 lengths off the leader. A gap appeared passing the 400m point and Purton was able to slice his way through it, quickening brilliantly when Purton pressed the button inside the final 300m. He hit the front with 50m to run and went on to win comfortably by a neck, making it back-to-back wins in the National Day Cup.

Runner-Up: CORDYCEPS SIX got away on terms but didn't show as much pace as some of his rivals drawn inside him. Alex Badel allowed the gelding to stride freely down the straight, closing the gap on the leaders throughout, before asking for maximum effort as the passed the 400m point. He lengthened well to wrestle the lead away with a furlong to go, but he couldn't hold off the winner who had the final crack at him in the closing stages.

Run Of The Race: SUPER WEALTHY has to get today's run of the race. On reviewing this race, it looks as though most of his rivals made their move too early in the run, with Purton ending up last with 400m to go. Purton then had the energy to make one last dive at the leader, which he passed with ease inside the final 50m. A great ride and a great win.

Disappointment: MASTER EIGHT continues to be fancied in these sorts of races, but also continues to come up short. He jumped well under Matthew Chadwick and landed in a favourable position down the Sha Tin straight, leading right along the grandstand rail. He came under heavy pressure with 400m to run and didn't offer much of a response to the urgings of Chadwick, finishing in 5th and beaten 2-1/4 lengths.

Comparison: Just outside the standard time.

Market Mover: CORDYCEPS SIX was well-backed and jumped the $1.90 favourite.

Race 8 – Shanghai Handicap, HK $1,725,000

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good

Time: 1:09.11 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.28 Reve Parisien

Winner: ORIENTAL SMOKE (AUS 5yo g Artie Schiller – I'm Mary Too) got away okay from barrier 2, but found himself in a midfield position with plenty of pace coming across from the outside stalls. They set a good tempo through the middle stages, and Zac Purton was in a great position just off the speed, with the leading jockey just beginning to move away from the inside as they swung into the straight. Purton was forced to shoulder his way into the clear and he began getting to work aboard the five-year-old. He took a while to wind up, but he finally got on terms with the leader with 150m remaining and took the lead inside the final 100m. He was too good at the finish, holding his rivals at bay to win again by a length.

Runner-Up: SUPER FORTUNE jumped well and was ridden forward by Angus Chung, crossing from the wide barrier to lead the field with 1000m remaining. He didn't slow the tempo around the turn, keeping the field running through the middle stages and forcing some of his rivals to come under pressure as they turned for home. Chung held the gelding together until the 300m point when he asked for an effort, with the gelding responding well initially. He was just left wanting in the final stages, with the winner coming over the top of him late, but a strong effort to hold onto second.

Run Of The Race: This has to go to ORIENTAL SMOKE yet again. The runner-up had a big weight swing in his favour, yet Zac Purton was able to get the best out of this fella and storm over the top of him yet again. He'll now have to rise to Class 2, but based off his last two outings, there's no reason why he couldn't be competitive up in grade.

Disappointment: SAKEWIN enjoyed a nice run throughout the race after getting onto the back of the leader through the middle stages. Despite the economical run, there wasn't much left in the tank when Matthew Chadwick asked for an effort, and the gelding began to weaken out of the race with 200m remaining. He finished in 6th, beaten 4-1/4 lengths.

Comparison: Just outside the standard time.

Market Mover: ORIENTAL SMOKE jumped a solid favourite at $2.10.

Race 9 – Beijing Handicap, HK $2,900,000

Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1600m - Track Good

Time: 1:34.00 Standard Time: 1:34.35 Course/Class record: 1:32.96 Not Usual Talent

Winner: ALL FOR ST PAUL'S (AUS 6yo g Magnus – So Enticing) got away fast from an outside barrier and went straight to the lead under Matthew Chadwick, crossing to the lead relatively easily in the opening 300m of the race. The speed was quite good down the back straight as Chadwick was taken on slightly in front, but he was able to slow the tempo around the turn and catch a breather. He slingshot off the turn impressively to extend the lead to about a length as they turned for home. He looked a sitting duck with 200m to run, as Money Catcher came off his back to mount a challenge, but the six-year-old was able to kick back strongly when challenged late in the race. He held off the challenge to score by a neck in a tough performance. 

Runner-Up: MONEY CATCHER got away well off the inside and landed in a perfect position on the back of the leader. Zac Purton couldn't have asked for a better run in the race, remaining on the back of the leader throughout the run, before getting off the leader's back at the top of the straight to mount a challenge. Purton threw everything he had to get Money Catcher across the line, but the winner was just too strong.

Run Of The Race: It was a very tough effort from ALL FOR ST PAUL'S who kicked strongly to hold off the challenger to take victory. He had every right to fold in the straight, but continued to respond to the urgings of Matthew Chadwick. A gutsy victory.

Disappointment: MR ASCENDENCY drifted back from the wide draw and settled at the tail of the field in the three-wide trail. Vagner Borges began improving into the straight, being the widest runner on straightening, but the run was short lived as he peaked on the effort and began to lose ground on the leaders. He finished back in 10th place, beaten 5-3/4 lengths, with Borges blaming the slacking tempo through the middle of the race for the gelding's poor performance.

Comparison: Inside standard.

Market Mover: Plenty of money flying about in this race. BOURBONAIRE and ALL FOR ST PAUL'S had plenty of support, with CHARITY GRACE and CHARITY GO being specked at double figures.

Race 10 – Tianjin Handicap, HK $1,725,000

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good

Time: 1:21.46 Standard Time: 1:21.75 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship

Winner: AMAZING VICTORY (AUS 4yo g Sizzling – Stitchery) got away on terms and landed in a great spot under Lyle Hewitson, settling just off what was a hot speed through the opening stages. The field were strung out as they turned off the back straight, and Hewitson was left racing without cover despite being only one horse off the fence. The pace continued to slow around the turn and Hewitson was able to close the gap on the leader and peeled three-wide as they swung into the straight. He lengthened beautifully at the top of the straight to hit the front with 300m remaining and quickly put up some 2 lengths on his rivals. He never looked like being mowed down as he went on to claim victory by 1-1/4 lengths.

Runner-Up: HORSESAIN BOLT drifted back from the awkward draw and found himself a whopping 9 lengths off the leader as they turned off the back straight. Matthew Poon started to get a wriggle on with 600m to run and was one of the widest horses on straightening, with the gelding sticking on well out near the centre of the track. He came from well back to finish off the race strongly and capture second position.

Run Of The Race: HORSESAIN BOLT finished off the race strongly from well back in the run. He did have the pace to suit in running, but the rivals he settled close to at the back of the field didn't get close to him at the finish. A strong run and he's a horse worth following.

Disappointment: ALL RICHES went forward from barrier 11 and set a fast tempo out in front. He tried to catch a breather through the middle stages, but the energy spent in early in the run cost him dearly late. He stuck on well when Matthew Chadwick asked for an effort at the top of the straight, but he was running on empty inside the final 200m and ended up in 7th place, 4-1/2 lengths away.

Comparison: Inside standard.

Market Mover: ALL RICHES and HORSESAIN BOLT were well-supported in the last.