Race 1 – Lam Tin Handicap, HK $810,000
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1000m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 56.68 Standard Time: 57.25 Course/Class record: 56.52 Shanghai Power
Winner: TRONIC MIGHTY (AUS 5yo g Headwater – Kee de Vega) wasn't the fastest away but Keith Yeung was able to use the inside draw to his advantage, punching through to hold a position on the back of the leader. He travelled comfortably in the run as he enjoyed the run of the race, with the pace quick through the middle stages. Yeung peeled off the back of the leader turning for home and after taking some time to wind up in the run, he eventually ran to the lead with 100m to run. He got to the lead and was strong enough late to hold off a late challenge, getting the job done by a half-length.
Runner-Up: G ONE EXCELLENT didn't have the early pace to match it with his rivals, drifting back in the run to settle in the back half of the field. He was being niggled along by Vincent Ho in the run and began to improve along the inside as they passed the 400m point. Ho cut the corner before sliding across and into the clear early in the straight, setting out after the leader. He stormed home late in the race to be a threat late, but he ran out of time to reel in the leader.
Run Of The Race: NEXTMODEL used up plenty of petrol in the early stages to run to the lead from barrier 7. He set a quick tempo throughout the race and was still right there at the finish, ending up in third place. A strong effort albeit a losing one.
Disappointment: SHANGHAI POWER raced wide throughout the race but did have cover sitting in behind the hot tempo. He was under heavy pressure a long way from home and ran out of juice late in the race. He plodded to the line finishing in 9th place and beaten 6-1/2 lengths.
Comparison: Well inside standard and not far off the course and class record.
Market Mover: TRONIC MIGHTY had good support late in betting with TOWARDS SUCCESS also backed at big odds.
Race 2 – Ibrox Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.22 Standard Time: 1:09.95 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: HIGH RISE SOLDIER (AUS 7yo g Snitzel – Tara From The Cape) got away well and was caught in an awkward position early on as Vincent Ho pressed on from barrier 8. He was a touch wide heading around the first turn, but was able to slot in one off the rail as they travelled down the back stretch, sitting just off the pace. Ho improved to be in the one-out-one- back position as they turned off the back, and remained within striking distance of the leaders as the pace ramped up around the home turn. Ho peeled out three-wide on straightening and the gelding quickly took the lead, but was challenged with 100m to run. He responded to the challenge, holding off his nearest rival and claiming victory by a neck.
Runner-Up: SIGHT HERO got away well but let the pace roll ahead as Luke Currie slotted in about midfield in the run. The gelding raced along the inside rail down the back straight before popping out with 600m remaining and beginning to improve into the race. He built good momentum as they swung for home sticking on gamely to challenge for the lead inside the final 100m. It looked as though he would blow straight past the leader, but he couldn't quite get his nose in front at any stage and was forced to settle for second position. Currie did throw in a protest against the winner, but the Stewards were of the opinion that contact in the final stages was only minimal.
Run Of The Race: HIGH RISE SOLDIER showed plenty of grit and toughness over the closing stages, fighting off a late challenger to win by a neck. He's a horse that could rise in grade and be competitive again.
Disappointment: WINE AND WIN surged forward from gate 7 to lead the field under Angus Chung and set a genuine tempo in doing so. The gelding was waving the white flag shortly after straightening and would end up finishing in 11th place, beaten 5-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Well inside standard.
Market Mover: COMPASSION SUPER was heavily backed late in betting. PROSECCO was also supported.
Race 3 – Parkhead Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 2200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 2:14.42 Standard Time: 2:17.30 Course/Class record: 2:15.25 Donc Je Suis
Winner: BRIGHT KID (AUS 8yo g Show A Heart – Exedra) was slowly away from barrier 4 and was roused along by Matthew Chadwick to improve his position around the first turn. He settled near the tail of the field, but the tempo was solid through the first part of the race, suiting the gelding. Chadwick popped off the fence down the back straight as the pace slackened, keeping his momentum up as mid-race moves began to be made passing the 800m point. The local hoop weaved his way through traffic, keeping his momentum up and out of harm's way to be within striking distance as they turned for home. He stuck on powerfully out wider on the course to take the lead with 150m to run and never looked back. He careered away form his rivals for an easy 3-3/4 length victory.
Runner-Up: VINCY got away on terms and was nudged along by Vincent Ho early on to hold a prominent position, eventually settling midfield as they headed down the home straight on the first occasion. Not much changed through the middle stages until the race began to change with 800m remaining. As the mid-race moves came, Ho began getting to work aboard the gelding and improving him three-wide to stay in touch with the leading bunch. He was responding well to the pressure and loomed up early in the straight. He was no match for the winner who bolted clear to score, but he stayed on well to finishing a length clear of second place.
Run Of The Race: You can't go past BRIGHT KID as the run of the race. It was a brilliant ride from Chadwick and a strong performance over the concluding stages by the gelding. He bolted in and can do it again.
Disappointment: CIRCUIT ELITE enjoyed a great run on the back of the leader throughout the race, but was probably disadvantaged when the mid-race moves came and the leaders fell back in his face. Angus Chung was held up slightly as he tried to work his way into the clear, and the gelding failed to finish the race off strongly, ending up in 7th place and beaten 5-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: A new course and class record, smashing the previous time.
Market Mover: KUNGFUMASTER PANDA, CIRCUIT ELITE and WONDER YEARS were all specked.
Race 4 – Queen's Park Handicap, HK $1,725,000
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1800m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:50.02 Standard Time: 1:49.85 Course/Class record: 1:48.33 Success Allstars
Winner: FLYING SILVER (IRE 3yo g Gleneagles – Bright Snow) jumped away well and put himself in a great spot right from the outset. Hugh Bowman let the pace go earl on, slotting into a midfield position with he pace good through the first part of the race. Bowman moved three-wide down the back and had cover, having to do no work as his rival took him into the race. Bowman peeled off that runner's back and got moving with 500m remaining, urging the gelding along as they turned for home. He stuck on gamely down the outside, wearing down the leader in the final 50m to gain the upper hand an inch away for a half-length victory.
Runner-Up: FOXHUNTER WAY jumped brilliantly from an outside barrier and went forward under Vincent Ho to settle on the outside of the leader in running. The pace was solid early on, before slowing down the back straight. The leader skipped a length and a bit clear of Ho, who began to feel for his mount to make back that margin around the final turn. He responded well to range up and hit the front 200m from home, but he was unable to hold off the three-year-old who got over the top of him in the closing stages.
Run Of The Race: FLYING SILVER claimed his maiden victory this evening in good style as he dropped down into Class 5 company for the first time. The son of Gleneagles relished the rise in distance and a similar set up at his next outing will see him very hard to beat.
Disappointment: GRAND POWER was urged along out of the barriers to take a forward position, but was a under heavy pressure a long way from home and did not respond to the urgings of Luke Ferraris. The gelding did pull up with plenty of excuses though, with the gelding displaying an irregular heart rhythm and had bled from both nostrils.
Comparison: Outside the standard time.
Market Mover: FORTUNE TRIPLE was heavily backed.
Race 5 – Ibrox Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.36 Standard Time: 1:09.95 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: RATTAN KINGDOM (AUS 5yo g Per Incanto – Summer's Day) got away on terms and was racing up on the pace early on as they rounded the first corner, eventually slotting into a perfect position on the back of the leaders. Currie stayed away from the rail through the middle stages, remaining in a perfect position as he popped out three-wide turning into the home straight. He let down powerfully out wider on the course to burst to the lead with a furlong to run and never looked like being run down, going on to win by 1-3/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: OWNER'S PRAISE was a touch slow into stride and settled at the rear of the field under Derek Leung. The gelding travelled well through the middle stages, but due to his position in running, he was held up with 500m to run and had nowhere to go at a crucial stage. Leung continued to stay along the inside rail though and it worked out well as his rivals spread wider on the course. He quickened brilliantly in the straight and was strong right to the line, running into second place after being last on straightening.
Run Of The Race: The win of RATTAN KINGDOM was superb, but the run of OWNER'S PRAISE must be highlighted also. He hit the line full of running after being held-up at a vital stage and unable to improve when others did. Keep an eye on him.
Disappointment: FLAMING PASSION found himself in a brilliant position down the back straight, racing on the back of the leader and to the inside of the eventual winner with 600m to run. He had every possible as they turned for home, but was just plain in his run to the line, finishing in 9th place and beaten 5-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Way inside standard.
Market Mover: HARDLY SWEARS had good support, while money also came for HARMONY N HOME and LORIZ at double figure odds.
Race 6 – The St Andrew's Challenge Quaich (Handicap), HK $1,725,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1000m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 56.14 Standard Time: 56.70 Course/Class record: 55.85 Stoltz
Winner: CALIFORNIA DEEPLY (AUS 3yo g Deep Field – Murtle Turtle) got away on terms but drifted back from the wide draw early on as the pace was very fast through the opening stages. Matthew Chadwick had the gelding under pressure a very long way from home as the field stretched out around the turn. He was 7 lengths off the pace as they passed the 400m point but was beginning to make up ground as they turned for home. Chadwick got the three-year-old to the middle of the track and he stuck on well with an unobstructed run, bursting through late to stick his nose in front right on the line and steal victory by a head.
Runner-Up: PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN jumped well and was niggled along early on by Vagner Borges, with the gelding caught wide and without cover early in the run. Borges eventually slotted in on the back of the leading pair as they turned off the back, travelling comfortably around the turn as the Brazilian hoop popped off heels on straightening. He quickened well to hit the front with 150m remaining and looked the winner with 50m to run, but just tired late in the race, with California Deeply pouncing in the final stride.
Run Of The Race: Although the win of CALIFORNIA DEEPLY was sensational, I want to follow PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN out of the race. He worked hard to find a position early in the race and was only just nabbed on the line. Keep following him.
Disappointment: ATOMIC FORCE had backing just prior to the start and got into a good position without much hassle early on. Angus Chung gave him every opportunity turning for home, but the gelding didn't have much to offer in the closing stages. He would end up in 9th place, beaten 6-1/4 lengths.
Comparison: Well inside the standard time.
Market Mover: Plenty of market moves saw ATOMIC FORCE with good support, SUPER COMMANDER and PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN were backed and DINKUM had fans at long odds.
Race 7 – Glasgow Handicap, HK $2,640,000
Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.26 Standard Time: 1:09.30 Course/Class record: 1:08.46 Harmony And Rich
Winner: REWARDING TOGETHER (AUS 6yo g Pierro – Bella Rossie) jumped well off an inside draw and initially held an on-pace position around the first turn, before being shuffled back to a more midfield spot heading down the back. Matthew Chadwick was niggling at the gelding through the middle stages with the pace quick in front and continued to ramp up the pressure with 500m left to run. Chadwick stuck closer to the inside on straightening as the gelding got through his gears in the straight. He started to make good ground inside the final 150m and ran over the top of the leader to score by a half-length.
Runner-Up: PING HAI GALAXY bounced out of the gates and showed good pace early on to settle in a fantastic spot on the back of the leader after jumping from a tricky barrier. Harry Bentley had the gelding racing well through the middle stages, stalking a hot pace around the turn as the Englishman began to urge the flashy grey along turning for home. He quickened nicely on straightening and hit the front a furlong from the finish, getting over a length clear with 100m remaining, but he couldn't hold off the winner who had one final crack at him.
Run Of The Race: PING HAI GALAXY was brilliant in defeat, racing near the hot tempo and kicking clear in the straight, almost looking home in the final stages. The gelding was passed late in the race, but it was a strong effort in defeat.
Disappointment: NAVAS TWO dropped back to 1200m today and settled just worse than midfield under Derek Leung. He looked to be travelling well as they turned into the straight, but the gelding didn't offer much in the closing stages, being only fair to the line in finishing 10th, beaten 7-1/2 lengths. He did pull up with blood in his throat, but it was still a disappointing performance.
Comparison: A new course/class record.
Market Mover: PING HAI GALAXY and SEIZING THE MOMENT both had good support.
Race 8 – Isle Of Skye Handicap, HK $1,900,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1800m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:48.78 Standard Time: 1:49.40 Course/Class record: 1:47.91 Leap Of Faith
Winner: NEARLY FINE (AUS 5yo g Exosphere – Shemakhan) got away fairly but drifted back to the tail of the field early on for Hugh Bowman. The Australian jockey watched the race unfold ahead of him as the pace was quite genuine throughout the early and middle stages. He ended up a long way off the lead down the back straight, being 8-3/4 lengths with 800m remaining, but the field began to pack up once again at the end of the back straight. Bowman was able to track into the race beautifully around the outside with cover, with the champion jockey still sitting motionless as the field turned into the straight. Bowman asked for an effort and the gelding sprinted quickly, weaving his way through traffic to burst through a gap at the 100m point. He quickly gobbled up the leader and pulled away for an emphatic last-to-first victory by 1-1/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: TIANCHI MONSTER was another who eased back from the awkward alley shortly after the jump, settling in the back half of the field as they sorted their order out. Matthew Chadwick improved a touch down the side of the course, before taking off with 800m to run. He improved his position slightly, but didn't roll to the lead as he enjoyed a comfortably run with cover right around the turn and into the straight. Chadwick peeled out into the clear on straightening and the gelding closed off well to claim second position, but he was unable to match it with the winner.
Run Of The Race: It was a great performance from NEARLY FINE who bolted clear to win comfortably in the end. It was a brilliant steer from Hugh Bowman, but the gelding was equally impressive in the way he sprinted turning for home.
Disappointment: There was some late money for INTREPID WINNER, who I thought would enjoy the genuine tempo over 1800m. Instead, he was under the pump a long way from home and never responded to the urgings of Harry Bentley, drifting out of contention around the turn and finishing back in 10th place, beaten 6-1/4 lengths.
Comparison: Way inside standard.
Market Mover: INTREPID WINNER and LUCKY DIAMOND both had their fans at double figure odds.
