SHA TIN 🇭🇰

Race 1️⃣ Kung Hei Handicap (Class 5) 1200M

A tricky opener where I’ll fire two darts at the prize. SPEEDY FORTUNE makes a relatively swift return following a fine second to Plentiful at Happy Valley. His sole win in 29 starts came over C&D, back in 5/23 when trained by John Size. Now with David Eustace, the son of Pariah is well handicapped and ideally drawn on the rail.

HO HO STAR (Each Way) remains a maiden but is well drawn and more than capable of making an impact. Zac Purton seemingly prefers Sterling Wongchoy but the selection impressed in his latest trial, and from gate 5, Matthew Chadwick has a strong pace to aim at.

Race 2️⃣ Fat Choi Handicap (Class 4) 1200M

MASTER PHOENIX (Best Bet) came close to winning on debut but was denied by the more experienced Patch Of Time. Stepping up in distance the last twice has brought respectable runs but I’m hopeful the return to 1200M will see him to better effect. Luke Ferraris takes the reins on the son of Divine Prophet and gate 2 gives him every chance of success.

Race 3️⃣ Good Fortune Handicap (Class 4) 1600M

SUNDAY’S SERENADE remains a maiden but is lightly raced and consistent for Jamie Richards. His runs this season have been encouraging and he finished an excellent second to Gold Master, 12 days ago. He goes up 1Ib for that and Karis Teetan keeps the faith. That was his first try at today’s trip and there’s no reason why he can’t repeat that effort.

CIRCUIT MIGHTY (Each Way), a 3-time course winner at 1400M, is a speculative pick at juicy odds. The son of El Roca is 0-18 going back to 5/23, but as a result, races 13Ib below his last winning mark. Stepping up in trip for the first time in over a year looks a positive move, with Andrea Atzeni keeping faith following a never nearer 5th, on his latest start.

Race 4️⃣ Centenary Vase (G3 Handicap) 1800M

Many chances on their best form but ENSUED gets the vote. Formerly trained in England by James Fanshawe, he boasts 4 wins from 11 local starts, including the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse, in November. Far from disgraced since, in deeper contests, the John Size 5YO can return to the winners circle.

Race 5️⃣ Prosperity Handicap (Class 4) 1400M

Brilliant Express has failed to justify favouritism on his last 4 starts, though in fairness has done little wrong, having been narrowly denied on three occasions. Nevertheless, I’m going to oppose him with SKY DEEP, a lightly raced son of Deep Field, trained by Caspar Fownes. Beaten a whisker last time over track and trip, he can gain compensation under Antoine Hamelin.

Race 6️⃣ Chinese New Year Cup (Class 2) 1400M

YOUNG CHAMPION has failed to add to his brace of wins last season, but looks well placed under Zac Purton. Things haven’t quite gone to plan lately for the John Size 5YO but the addition of blinkers can hopefully turn things around.

Race 7️⃣ Fat Choi Handicap (Class 4) 1200M

Dragon Four Seas won last time and has to be considered off 6Ib higher. Fun N Fun Together is well drawn and connections try cheek-pieces for the first time. Jamie Richards saddles debutant, Yee Cheong Glory, a promising sort according to his barrier trials, and Zac Purton rides. KA YING RADIANCE (Next Best) was an unlucky favourite on debut but wasn’t beaten far. Purton jumps ship, but the son of All Too Hard remains interesting and gets the vote under Keith Yeung.

Race 8️⃣ Hong Kong Classic Mile (4YO) 1600M

🥇 PACKING HERMOD

🥈Fast Network

🥉 Rubylot

A cracking line-up for the Classic Mile. The 4YO Series opener is surprisingly not on Zac Purton’s glittering résumé but he can remedy that with Packing Hermod, one of four lining up for trainer, Francis Lui. The son of Rubick won his first three starts under Purton and lost little in defeat when runner-up to Green N White in this season’s Panasonic Cup. He won a hot Class 2 on his next outing and warmed up for the Classic Mile when a never nearer 4th to Rubylot, 19 days ago. The winner, trained by David Hayes, is joint top-rated with my selection and they dominate the market. At level weights and with a more favourable draw, I’d expect PACKING HERMOD to gain revenge. Rubylot must be respected under Brenton Avdulla but I’ll split the pair with Fast Network (Each Way) for Dennis Yip. More known as a sprinter, the Wrote gelding stepped up to the mile last time and ran well for third behind Dragon Joy and Markwin. The distance remains a query but Christophe Soumillon is a superb pilot and he could be the main threat to the selection.

Race 9️⃣ Red Packet Handicap (Class 3) 1600M

FALLON has yet to run badly this season but hasn’t won in over a year. A hold-up type, he invariably gets there too late or finds trouble in running. On this occasion, the excellent Christophe Soumillon takes the reins, giving him an excellent opportunity to stop the rot.

LEGEND ST PAUL’S (Each Way) has been a model of consistency in 4 runs and overcame gate 12 to register a maiden victory following successive near misses. Though rising in grade, the Frankie Lor inmate carries 13Ib less than last time, draws a good gate in 2 and is reunited with Derek Leung.

Race 🔟 Yue Yee Handicap (Class 3) 1200M

SUNNY DA BEST was unlucky on his penultimate start but gained compensation last month. The son of Proisir overcame trouble in running to secure victory and looks capable of going back-to-back with Zac Purton retaining the ride.

Race ⏸️ Kut Cheong Handicap (Class 3) 1400M

SOLID WIN is lightly raced and got off the mark on his last start. He won win some authority and the fourth, Yuen Long Elite, rubber stamped the form with a win of his own on Sunday. The selection is up in class but only carries 121Ib and entitled to improve. Mickael Barzalona takes the reins for Ricky Yiu.