Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 12 March.
Returns to a course and distance where he thrives, and his first-up run on the all-weather over 1200m was full of promise, checking in a close runner-up. On his fourth attempt back in Class 5, he is poised to bounce back with another win.
Selections: 3-11-4-1
Ran his best race yet last time, and there was strong market support on that occasion to suggest further improvement was expected. He crossed two lengths behind in third over 1400m at Sha Tin, and he looks set to continue on his upward trend.
Selections: 10-6-1-8
Is improving with racing for the John Size stable and put the writing on the wall fourth-up last time from barrier 10, where he sat handy and was game late into third.
Selections: 4-1-2-7
Looks the one to beat after his luckless second-place finish to Harmony N Home last week, where he was held up for some time in the concluding stages before dashing strongly late to miss by just half a length.
Selections: 2-8-4-5
Was tightened for room early last time, forcing him to settle further back than usual. He made good late headway into sixth, beaten two and a half lengths, so there was still plenty of merit to his run. This is one of the more competitive races on the card, but he can bounce back.
Selections: 4-11-1-8
Has been catching the eye in his barrier trials leading up to his debut, and the Frankie Lor-trained three-year-old gives the impression he will be in with a winning chance first-up.
Selections: 7-1-2-9
Looks set to get the race run to suit, having shown last start that he can settle midfield and pounce late when finishing a strong second to Beauty Destiny. That was his third local start and his best run yet, and he can take another leap forward here.
Selections: 6-11-2-8
Returns to Happy Valley after two encouraging runs at Sha Tin, including a close third behind The Boom Box two starts back—a form line that reads well here. He has shown the ability to race prominently in the past, including when settling third in the run and going down narrowly to Storming Dragon four starts ago.
Selections: 3-4-5-2
Is on the seven-day turnaround after winning by over two lengths at this course and distance. With little speed engaged on paper and key rivals likely to settle behind him, he gets a prime opportunity to map similarly to last week and prove hard to beat again.
Selections: 10-8-9-4