BEAT THE CLOCK HANDICAP
#2 Blazing Wind steps into a more suitable contest after tackling stronger fields in recent starts, where he has been well supported and on the cusp of breaking through for his maiden victory. James McDonald remains in the saddle, drawing ideally in barrier 1, and gets every opportunity to capitalise. #5 Divine Moonlight debuts off the back of sharp barrier trials, displaying notable early speed. Despite the wide draw in barrier 13, Blake Shinn will aim to secure the lead, and the tempo could work in his favour. #11 Meepmeep remains a maiden for the John Size stable but has been performing creditably. He endured a wide run over 1400m two starts back and followed up with a closing seventh over 1200m at Happy Valley after being steadied early. A smoother trip here will see him figure in the finish. #3 I Am The Boss has been racing on-pace in longer contests recently, and while the drop back to 1200m raises some questions, his strong form makes him a contender if he adapts to the sharper trip.
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PENIAPHOBIA HANDICAP
#12 Bienvenue showed significant improvement last start with the addition of blinkers, despite drawing wide and being ridden for luck. He charged home late into second behind Masterofmyuniverse, a formline that stands out as promising. He looks ready to break through. #11 With A Smile has been progressing well in his trials and appears to have potential for the Chris So stable. Barrier 1 and Zac Purton in the saddle first-up provide the perfect conditions for him to score for the in-form yard. #1 Sky Joy is a progressive three-year-old who impressed when breaking through strongly at his second career start. Drawing well in barrier 4 ensures he maps ideally in the run. #7 Quick Contribution may have only finished sixth on debut, but he showed glimpses of potential despite some excuses in transit. Expect improvement second-up as he builds on that experience.
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HELENE PARAGON HANDICAP
#1 Flying Luck stands out as the form choice. Having won impressively four starts ago, he hasn’t had much go his way in three subsequent runs, but the switch to jockey Blake Shinn can ensure he gets every chance to go one place better. #4 Matsu Victor has drawn wide, but the long straight run provides James McDonald the opportunity to find a favourable position. His form, which includes a win over Flying Luck two starts ago and a third in their last meeting, holds him in good stead. #2 Ballistic Win steps up to the mile for the first time after a consistent season, having placed third in four of six starts. Barrier 4 ensures a smothered run. #6 Mighty Strength dons blinkers for the first time. While his recent form has been mixed, he has shown ability in six career outings and has been ticking over with two sound trials between starts.
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WAIKUKU HANDICAP
#5 Brilliant Express didn’t enjoy the best run in transit last time when unplaced as the odds-on favourite. He has since returned to the trials, performed well, and deserves another chance. #6 Etalon Or is knocking on the door for his first career win, having finished second to Ka Ying Attack in his last two starts, including a narrow defeat after overcoming barrier 14. He moves into a slightly better draw this time, which boosts his prospects. #9 Strathpeffer shifts to barrier 2 from 12, and after winning from the same gate two starts ago, he backed it up with a brave second despite racing wide throughout from an outer alley. #2 Leslie benefits from a jockey upgrade as James McDonald takes the reins. The gelding drops back to Class 4, where his solid form makes him a strong contender.
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SEASONS BLOOM HANDICAP
#6 Shamus Storm made a strong impression on debut, racing three-wide with cover from a wide draw before finishing a clear second, leaving a good gap to third. With barrier 3, he maps to get a more economical run and looks poised to go one better. #7 Noble Fans should further improve second-up, as many John Size-trained horses do, after closing well for a 1.5-length third at this course and distance on debut. #2 Jolly Ruler faces a wide draw but has some positives, including James McDonald taking the ride and a perfect record at this level. A solid trial between runs adds to his claims. #4 Mr Energia is another with a tough draw but remains a contender, especially with Zac Purton sticking with him after a fast-finishing second last time out.
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THE CENTENARY SPRINT CUP (G1)
#1 Ka Ying Rising chases his second Group 1 triumph and an extraordinary ninth consecutive victory following his dominant half-length success in December’s G1 Hong Kong Sprint. It will take a significant dip in form to see him toppled. #3 Helios Express makes another attempt to dethrone Ka Ying Rising, having placed behind him in all three starts this campaign, including a gallant second in the Hong Kong Sprint. #4 Howdeepisyourlove ran on strongly for fifth in the Hong Kong Sprint before capturing the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy over 1000m. His sharp turn of foot will serve him well here in what shapes to be a moderately run race. #8 Magic Control takes on Group 1 company for the first time and has done everything right since joining Cody Mo’s yard. Tackling 1200m for the first time in Hong Kong, his early speed should ensure he is competitive.
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SOUND PRINT HANDICAP
#9 Light Years Charm has caught the eye in two local starts without breaking through, first flashing home late into fifth after encountering traffic issues in the straight, and then running on strongly from a wide gate to finish 1.75 lengths fourth, recording the fastest final 400m and 200m of the meeting. Moving into barrier 1 with Zac Purton booked to ride strengthens his chances. #13 Armour War Eagle recovered well after blundering at the start last time, charging home late for fourth. Trainer Mark Newnham has been steadily guiding him towards a win this season. #7 Liveandletlive will likely excel over further in time, but his debut over 1200m was respectable. With natural improvement second-up and the step up to 1400m, he can make an impression. #12 Patch Of Cosmo had little luck in his first attempt at 1400m last start but remains worth considering at odds for this race.
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THE STEWARDS' CUP (G1)
#5 Galaxy Patch endured a tough run in the G1 Hong Kong Mile, finishing an unlucky seventh after drawing the widest barrier and encountering traffic issues in the straight. This small-field contest with a likely moderate tempo presents an ideal opportunity for him to break through at the top level. #1 Voyage Bubble has cemented his status as Hong Kong’s rising star miler following his commanding win in the Hong Kong Mile. His tactical early speed allows him avoid trouble on-pace, and stepping away from barrier 4 ensures another smooth run. #8 Patch Of Theta is an exciting prospect on the rise after a dominant victory in the Chinese Club Challenge Cup (Handicap). While this is a step up to Group 1 level under set weights, his rapid improvement places him firmly in the mix. #3 Beauty Eternal showed grit in the Hong Kong Mile, leading the field and giving a bold sight before fading late into fourth, beaten only two lengths. The small field here will play to his strengths.
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MR VITALITY HANDICAP
#4 Bundle Award checks plenty of boxes for the in-form John Size stable, heading into this race third-up after two promising efforts. He closed strongly for ninth on debut from a wide draw behind Johannes Brahms, before finishing a close-up third to Packing Angel second-up. With barrier 4 and James McDonald booked to ride, he is ready to win. #9 Romantic Son steps up to 1400m for the first time, which remains an unknown, but his current form over 1200m suggests he is on the verge of a win. #3 Sy Trust possesses good ability but has breathing issues, as evidenced when he pulled up as a roarer in his last outing. He set a strong early pace and understandably faded late, finishing a respectable seventh, 2.5 lengths off the Mickley. He has trialled well in the interim. #10 New Forest debuts for the Mark Newnham stable and should race handy from barrier 3, based on his Australian form. His lead-up trials have been encouraging, and he is expected to acquit himself well.
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ABLE FRIEND HANDICAP
#2 Stunning Peach was touted last season as a leading Derby contender. After two luckless runs over the mile at Sha Tin and 1800m at Happy Valley this preparation, where he was unable to show his true ability, he now steps up to what should be his optimal trip—the Derby distance. #5 Bravehearts is thriving since joining the Mark Newnham stable and comes into this race with strong credentials, having won at this course, distance, and grade last start. He is far from finished yet. #6 Romantic Thor is improving with racing in Hong Kong. He placed third behind Bravehearts on his second local start last time and is one of seven four-year-olds in this race seeking to assert Derby claims. Blinkers are applied for the first time, a gear change worth noting. #3 Mickley presents as an intriguing runner on the seven-day back up. Since his first local win three starts ago, he endured a luckless run in the straight before closing into sixth last week. Testing the Derby distance for the first time, this outing will offer clarity on his standing among his peers.
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AEROVELOCITY HANDICAP
#14 Meowth pulled off a long-odds win on debut two starts ago, and he backed it up with a narrow second-place finish to Swift Ascend, which is a solid formline here. He’s been kept ticking over with a standard barrier trial between runs and can go one place better. #6 Majestic Express didn’t have much luck from a wide draw last time, but his fourth-place finish was full of merit, making up four and a half lengths on the lead speed inside the 400m, ultimately finishing just 0.75 lengths behind the winner. #8 Halo Of Success has drawn barrier 11 in both of his local starts, but he moves into barrier 2 here, which can improve his luck in the run and ensure a more favourable trip. His last-start fifth, beaten by just one length, suggests he’s heading in the right direction. #3 Invincible Shield is a promising newcomer for the Francis Lui stable. The former Australian galloper arrives on the back of four straight wins and has impressed in his local trials, suggesting he’s primed for a strong debut.
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