Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday, 25 May.
Quick Money (#1) remains the one to beat after a strong debut second to The All Out, then going one better with a soft win second-up. The rise to 1200m now looks ideal, and he’ll be hard to hold out.
Selections: 1-8-4-10
Invincible Ibis (#7) is a three-year-old newcomer for the Mark Newnham stable who has trialled well enough ahead of his debut to suggest he’s in with a chance. He’s drawn ideally in barrier 2 while key rivals have drawn wide, so he should receive a favourable run in transit which boosts his chances.
Selections: 7-10-3-2
Loveisintheair (#10) finally gets to the bigger track at Sha Tin where his chances of breaking through for a first win look to be seriously boosted. He’s been turning in a series of get-back, run-on efforts at Happy Valley and has consistently caught the eye—hard to hold out with more room to wind up here.
Selections: 10-9-1-6
Packing Hermod (#1) is hard to oppose even sitting at the top of Class 2 with a heavy impost. The talented five-time winner from nine starts was last seen bouncing back in a big way with blinkers on for the first time. He’s trialled sensationally ahead of his return and puts a perfect two-from-two first-up record on the line.
Selections: 1-2-6-7
Super Love (#3) drew wide in his first 1400m test last start, was taken back to find cover, and found the line well into sixth. He now comes into barrier 3, which gives Karis Teetan the chance to settle him closer in the run, as he has shown the ability to do in prior starts.
Selections: 3-1-6-4
Mister Dapper (#6) was given an ill-judged ride last start when asked to lead, so his fifth-place finish was better than it reads. He draws well in barrier 4 and, with a more measured steer, can bounce back in a big way.
Selections: 6-7-5-11
Shamus Storm (#3) looks set to get one of the runs of the race from barrier 2, and that bodes well for his chances to finally break through for a maiden win after going close in all four starts, including a narrow head defeat last time out.
Selections: 3-4-1-10
Voyage Bubble (#1) will bid to become just the second Hong Kong Triple Crown winner after victories in the G1 Stewards’ Cup and G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup. He has stamina to prove at this trip, but horses shouldn’t be penalised for what they haven’t yet tried. He gets the nod of approval here from his good gate.
Selections: 1-2-4-10
Justifying (#10) was disappointing last start when beaten as a $1.20 favourite, after creating a big impression on debut with a sizzling all-the-way win. There weren’t any clear excuses on the day aside from perhaps immaturity and the sharp rise in the handicap second-up. If his trial between runs is any guide, he may be ridden with a sit this time to help him finish off better.
Selections: 10-4-13-2
Gold Master (#8) is poised to secure one of the runs of the race from his low draw, which can prove vital in this highly competitive field. Last start, he jumped from barrier 10 and was solid holding second throughout, only missing by a nose in a tight finish—he can go one better here.
Selections: 8-1-6-7
Super Express (#11) is a talented three-year-old with a future. After a dominant debut win, he was narrowly beaten into second after jumping from gate 11 and sitting second in a fast-run race. He now steps into Class 3, which presents more depth, but his trial win between runs suggests he’s in fine fettle for the challenge.
Selections: 11-7-8-5