Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday 24 May.
1 Flying Amani drops into Class 5 for the first time, gets blinkers on for the first time and maps for a sweet run from barrier 4 with Purton back in the saddle.
Selections: 1-6-7-2
14 Come Fast Fay Fay piques interest as Zac Purton rides for Jimmy Ting for the first time since December last year, aside from the Little Paradise rides. It is a meaningful booking for a horse still looking for a touch more luck in his races.
Selections: 14-2-8-1
14 Same To You has been running well in races that have not suited, including last time from barrier 12. Barrier 3 is the upgrade he has been looking for and he can be more prominent in the run.
Selections: 14-12-4-5
8 Leading Dragon maps to lead comfortably here and barrier 3 should allow him to get there without much pressure. The three-year-old comes off two good placings at the track and distance since the tongue tie went on, and today he looks ready to break through.
Selections: 8-3-10-14
2 Big Return has found peak form at the track and distance with back-to-back wins, giving him a perfect two-from-two record over this course and trip. He arrives in form and looks capable of completing the hat-trick.
Selections: 2-9-1-7
3 Harold Win is back into Class 4 for the first time this season after 11 runs in Class 3, where he has generally found it too tough despite running well. He is much better placed in this grade, while barrier 3 and the reunion with Jerry Chau are positives.
Selections: 3-14-1-4
11 The Golden Knight had no luck last start when racing very wide and without cover throughout. It was simply a run to forget. Before that, he strung together back-to-back wins at the mile. The 1,800m is a fresh test, but he gets a better run today and is worth another look.
Selections: 11-7-2-4
1 Romantic Warrior chases history as he tries to become only the third horse to complete the Triple Crown, and it will take a serious performance to beat him. His last defeat on home soil came in this race in 2023, when he was a much younger horse. He led that day and has not done so since, and barrier 4 should allow him to get the perfect run off stablemate Romantic Thor and Numbers.
Selections: 1-2-4-7
4 Beauty Bolt has been trialling very well since his failure in the Derby. The drop back in distance is key to his chances, with both of his wins coming over 1,400m, and Purton returning to the saddle is another positive.
Selections: 4-9-5-8
13 Almighty Lightning failed on a rain-affected track last start when well backed into favourite in a race of this nature. He gets another chance today.
Selections: 13-5-2-7
4 Without Compare is first-up since his first Hong Kong win, when he was given an excellent ride by Jerry Chau from barrier 12 at Happy Valley. James McDonald takes over today from barrier 2 and the untapped four-year-old can pick up where he left off.
Selections: 4-5-7-6