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RACE ONE – STARSHIP EIGHTY (EW)

The Pierre Ng 5YO is 0-16 but runs off a career low mark. He never bettered fifth place last season but has returned in fine form and picked up third on this surface last month. Gate 12 is a negative but he’s worth chancing in a typically open, basement grade affair. Karis Teetan takes the reins.

RACE TWO – LUCKY RUBY (NB) / TURBO POWER (EW)

A back to back winner over track and trip in 2021 but 0-17 since. The handicapper has given the Zoustar a chance however, dropping him 6Ib ahead of his reappearance. This, allied to the booking of Zac Purton, augurs well. A beaten favourite when last seen but encouraging signs in recent trials with the champion onboard – the latest, a runner-up to Spicy So Smart with Gluck Racer (winner on Sunday) back in third, is noteworthy. Of course, Hong Kong being Hong Kong, all positives might come to nought and we could see the likes of Turbo Power salute. A winner at Sha Tin on debut, the Francis Lui 5YO has subsequently racked up 27 runs without success, but very well handicapped for the season’s leading trainer. The son of Mizzen Mast could sail home with Lyle Hewitson booked for the first time.

RACE THREE – BOOM ALLIANCE

Trained by Ralph Beckett in the UK where he reached a rating in the mid 80s. More ‘miss than hit’ after 15 local runs but returned with an encouraging third to Bear Slam over track and trip. Far from guaranteed to build on this, given his lack of consistency, but very well treated if he can. Nicely drawn under Lyle Hewitson.

RACE FOUR – STAND UP (BB)

The son of Ilovethiscity can get on the board at the twelfth time of asking, and deserves to, following a luckless first season. He finished runner-up in four consecutive races over track and trip, beginning with an agonizing defeat to Fiery Diamond in the last stride. Three runs later, up 6Ib and drawn 12 of 12, he met 44 rated, Adefill – the winner going onto land the hat-trick off 50 and 62 for Ricky Yiu – looking back, it was mission impossible for the selection. He signed off the campaign with a close-up fifth to Sergeant Pepper on turf at Happy Valley but will appreciate returning to his optimum surface. Zac Purton, onboard for his winning trial last month, takes the reins and the Frankie Lor 5YO should be well primed, having been declared for a similar event earlier this month before Typhoon Koinu intervened. Of the others, Happy Fat Cat won last time out and well drawn to execute his front running tactics. He’s a hard horse to predict but also hard to catch on a going day. Red Desert is also interesting. The son of Oasis Dream has gone 33 races without victory but finished second on his return and 44Ib below his last winning mark of 93, so the back-class is there. Brenton Avdulla, hero of the hour aboard Sight Success in Sunday’s Premier Bowl, maintains the association for John Size.

RACE FIVE – COOL BLUE

Another looking to shed the maiden tag and caught the eye last month when a never nearer fifth over C&D. Came desperately close to winning last season when pipped by Smokey Bear in a blanket finish. He’s lightly raced with just eight starts – 4 on turf, 4 on dirt – but it’s the latter where he’s shown most sparkle. Derek Leung, who hasn’t enjoyed the best of seasons thus far with 3 wins from 74 starts, makes way for Zac Purton. Dangers include the top-weight, Flying Dragon for Dennis Yip. He finished third on his seasonal return, two places ahead of Cool Blue, and his second up record is encouraging – winning over C&D in 2021 and runner-up over 1000M last year. All wins have come over track and trip and he’s 3Ib below his last winning mark. Harry Bentley takes the reins from the two gate. I’ll also include Magic Supreme with Matthew Chadwick onboard. At 8YO he’s been round the block a few times but wins (5-51) in his turn and made a pleasing seasonal debut when fifth to Street Conqueror at Happy Valley. Purton jumps ship but he’s won twice over track and trip, the latest a convincing success off a 3Ib higher mark – admittedly two years ago, but he also threw in good runs on this surface last season.

RACE SIX – CAPTAIN WIN (EW)

Captain Lose might be more appropriate given his modest 1-24 profile, but the Pierre Ng 6YO runs off an attractive mark. The selection has raced predominantly on turf but shown his effectiveness on the rare times he’s encountered this surface. Andrea Atzeni has adapted well to the demands of Hong Kong jockeyship, and teamed up with the trainer to win on I Give, earlier this month. The selection is price based – the choice for many, albeit at a short price, will be Adefill, a three-time winner on the surface last season. The Ricky Yiu 5YO has impressed in recent barrier trials and a winning return under Karis Teetan could be on the cards.

RACE SEVEN – SPIRITED EXPRESS

As quality goes, the highlight of the evening with Spirited Express the speculative pick. The Ricky Yiu 5YO began the season with a fine fourth to Helene Feeling and only Super Sunny Sing came between him and victory this month. Lyle Hewitson takes the reins for the first time with strong winning prospects despite a double-digit barrier. A son of No Nay Never, he was nearer last than first on his solitary dirt run, but far from disgraced. The selection is a better animal now, 10Ib higher and winner of a pre-season trial on the surface. In a fascinating feature, Youthful Deal, makes his belated dirt return after his original plan was blown off course by Typhoon Koinu. Frankie Lor still harbours Golden Shaheen aspirations for his charge, who is unproven at this longer trip. Handsome Twelve is most definitely proven, with all four victories at this distance under Zac Purton. He began his season with a highly encouraging sixth to The Golden Scenery and will relish the return to dirt, where he’s reunited with the champ. Another to consider is Rise Brethren for Jamie Richards. The Lope De Vega gelding returned with an excellent third to Helene Feeling at Happy Valley. Purton jumps ship but Keagan De Melo is riding high and a big run is anticipated.

RACE EIGHT – SELF IMPROVEMENT

Self Improvement justified favouritism on his seasonal bow but was made to work by the game runner-up, Ever Rocks. The former has more to do, up 6Ib and breaking from the 12 gate, but remains unexposed after a handful of local runs and Zac Purton takes the reins once more. In a quality finale, debut winner Galaxy Patch looks a serious player but switching to dirt asks a question. Packing Bole justified favouritism on debut but has beaten just one rival in two runs this season. Shining Fortune is close to a class drop but can’t be discounted from the plum draw under Alexis Badel.