Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 28 May.
Sky Prophet (#4) was unsuited rising to the extended mile last start and had some excuses in running, but his effort over this distance prior—when a close-up second under Hugh Bowman—reads well. He reunites with Bowman here and looks set to bounce back.
Selections: 4-5-8-6
Ragnarr (#6) steps back up to 1200m after two good runs over 1000m—a fast-finishing second two starts ago and an unlucky sixth last time from barrier 12. Moving into a middle draw with the distance rise brings him right back into contention.
Selections: 6-4-9-7
Beauty Viva (#1) steps out for his third start in Class 4 and looks ready to win after putting the writing on the wall last time with a fast-finishing second. He was held up from the 400m until passing the 300m and closed off strongly—he’ll be hard to hold out with clearer running.
Selections: 1-10-8-7
Island Buddy (#6) has drawn no lower than barrier 9 in his last five runs, which, given his on-pace profile, means he’s been made to work hard early. His first try at this course and distance last start was encouraging—leading from barrier 12 before being swamped late into fourth, beaten only half a length.
Selections: 6-5-9-3
Prestige Good (#1) has been holding consistent form since finding his way into Class 4, with three successive third-place finishes. He maps to get one of the runs of the race here in what shapes as a fiercely competitive contest.
Selections: 1-5-11-12
Tactical Command (#3) strung together back-to-back wins before being undone by wide draws in his two most recent runs. Despite that, his efforts were still credible given his positions in running, and moving into a better draw here gives him the chance to return to a more favourable map and bounce back to winning form.
Selections: 3-2-10-1
Lucky Touch (#6) struck traffic in the straight last time out before finding clear air and charging late into second when it was too late. He gets another chance here, having been itching to break through in Class 3 since moving into the grade three starts ago.
Selections: 6-3-5-7
Sky Vino (#3) finally draws a gate after three successive wide barriers since his breakthrough win four starts ago. From barrier 4, he maps to get one of the runs of the race given his on-pace profile and looks the one to beat.
Selections: 3-6-8-4
Watch This One (#11) lines up for his fourth local start after rearing at the jump last time and never threatening thereafter. His trial since has been encouraging, and from barrier 2 he’s well placed to run a much-improved race given his close-up finishes prior to that mishap.
Selections: 11-3-8-10