Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 21 May.
Endued (#4) was never a chance from his position in running last time, settling last from barrier 12 in his first outing for the Benno Yung yard. There was market support, and he closed off well. If he can settle closer in the run, he’s going to take serious improvement and should be well and truly on a winnable rating now.
Selections: 4-7-1-10
U S S Constitution (#5) is 0 from 14 in terms of wins and placings, but this marks just his second attempt in Class 5. His first run in the grade was full of hard luck—drawn widest at this course and distance, he raced wide from the 800m and then copped a nasty check at the 300m in what was a messy race overall. He does need to lift, but gets another chance to make his mark. However, drawn widest again is far from ideal, though he still shapes as a genuine each-way proposition.
Selections: 5-7-4-12
Soaring Bronco (#8) has remained in solid form since finally shedding his maiden tag four runs ago. He was stretched to 1800m last start but still ran well, closing in late for fourth. Dropping back to a more suitable trip, he’s capable of featuring again.
Selections: 8-1-2-11
Mighty Commander (#2) was a very tough watch for backers last start when just over a length away in third to Amazing Award. He was caught wide without cover throughout and then couldn’t be fully ridden out late when crowded between the winner and runner-up. He gets his chance to bounce back in a big way here.
Selections: 2-7-10-4
Lean Master (#6) returns to Happy Valley where he’s best performed, following a series of solid efforts at Sha Tin including a third to Ahren two starts ago and a late-fading fourth to Little Paradise last time out—both strong form references for a race of this nature. He’ll jump, run, lead and prove hard to get past. #
Selections: 6-4-12-7
Draco (#11) had a horrid run in transit last start, suffering interference early before being taken very wide by an unruly runner. Despite that, he was only beaten just over three lengths into seventh—good merit to the performance—and a kinder trip here from barrier 4 brings him right back into contention.
Selections: 11-7-6-2
King Miles (#5) is worth sticking with with despite back-to-back runner-up finishes. Two starts ago he was less than a length behind Crimson Flash, who has since won again, while last start he jumped awkwardly, settled rearward, and was the best closer against the race shape—storming home late behind Chateauneuf. If he can make early use of barrier 3, he looks very hard to hold out late.
Selections: 5-6-8-10
Super Unicorn (#11) has been in and out of form since his dominant five-and-three-quarter length victory earlier this season—a win that saw him whacked with a 12-point ratings hike. He now steps out for the first time for trainer Mark Newnham, who has a proven track record with stable transfers, and Super Unicorn could well be the next success story.
Selections: 11-12-7-6
Dragon Four Seas (#9) drew wide in barrier 10 on his first try in Class 3 last time out. After being bumped at the start and taking a few strides to muster, he surged forward and worked hard to find the lead around the 600m. He held it until the 200m before the early effort told and he faded to sixth, beaten just over a length. His win prior came when ridden with a sit, and those tactics may be employed again—if so, and with a kinder race shape, he can bounce back.
Selections: 9-3-1-10