Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 17 September.
2 Silver Spurs steps into Class 5 for the first time and is well placed to capitalise after an eye-catching trial. The drop in grade and a low draw in barrier 3 give him every chance to break through.
Selections: 2-1-9-8
9 Golden Luck can go close fresh despite a tricky draw in barrier 11. He won first-up last season off a similar mark and ended the term with encouraging efforts, notably a luckless sixth when held up.
Selections: 9-4-3-5
12 Atomic Beauty capped last season with three straight placings, including a close-up second to S J Tourbillon at this course and trip after doing all the work from gate 11. He resumes from barrier 1 and maps to get the win.
Selections: 12-9-8-1
8 Victor The Rapid did his best work late into sixth last week over 1200m after being eased back from a wide gate. He’s unproven at this trip locally but was a 1400m horse pre-import, so the rise in distance holds no major concerns.
Selections: 8-4-3-9
1 Master Champion was backed off the map into favouritism last week, only just missing after being held up for most of the straight. He draws barrier 1 again and can go one place better.
Selections: 1-4-3-7
3 The Perfect Match must be taken on trust given his long list of health setbacks, but there’s no doubt about his ability. He resumes off two quiet but good trials and draws barrier 1, the same gate he scored from five starts ago under Hugh Bowman, who reunites with him here.
Selections: 3-4-11-2
9 Healthy Healthy was luckless in his final run last campaign, held up late, and his recent trials suggest he’s returning in good shape to be in with a winning shot.
Selections: 9-1-4-7
7 Steps Ahead ran a cracking second on his first try at this course and distance, only narrowly denied by Hong Lok Golf after a similar close-up third behind the same rival at Sha Tin. He resumes with strong claims to go one better.
Selections: 7-6-1-8