Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 5 March.
Won over this course and distance two starts ago before backing it up with an eye-catching closing fifth over 1800m. The return to his winning trip is key to his chances, and he should be hard to hold out late.
Selections: 3-2-1-6
Piques interest on his stable debut for Cody Mo. A change of scenery might be just what he needs to recapture his best form, having led all the way five starts ago to score over Sight Hero—a result that has since proven to be strong form. Barrier 1 enhances his chances.
Selections: 10-11-5-1
Tries Happy Valley for the first time and looks primed to break through. His form reads exceptionally well, with placings behind Johannes Brahms and Embraces in recent starts, and this is his chance to get on the board as David Eustace calls upon Ryan Moore to get the job done.
Selections: 3-2-5-6
Makes his Happy Valley debut and brings strong form since breaking through three starts ago, having finished second and third subsequently in stronger races at Sha Tin. He gets barrier 1 and Hugh Bowman in the saddle, making him the one to beat.
Selections: 4-1-11-5
Will have to earn it from barrier 10, but he is knocking on the door for another win, having finished runner-up in his last three starts, including twice behind the in-form Fortune Whiskey. He’s the one to beat.
Selections: 1-6-7-4
Is improving with racing, and now third-up, he looks ready to strike. Second-up, he closed in nicely from eighth to be beaten less than a length into third. Barrier 4 should afford him the right run for Luke Ferraris to extract a win from Mark Newnham’s three-year-old.
Selections: 5-1-11-2
Comes to the city circuit for the first time and will be looking to go one better after his narrow defeat to impressive debut winner Mid Winter Wind.
Selections: 4-8-6-3
Deserves another chance after being used up early from a wide draw last time, leaving him entitled to weaken in the straight. The speed map is in his favour here, and he should give a sight.
Selections: 7-8-10-4
Is well drawn in barrier 4 under Hugh Bowman and is set to receive all the favours in running. He has been in solid form this season, notching three placings from four starts, and a win looks close.
Selections: 2-5-8-4