Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday, 6 April.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tests his mettle over 2000m for the first time but looks well placed in a weak race, having scored just three starts ago. Since then, he\u2019s stepped back to the mile after an 1800m run and has been eye-catching late from wide barriers, clocking the fastest final sectional in both subsequent efforts.\nSelections: 2-8-11-1<\/p>\n
Has been in good form since a stable change but hasn\u2019t been suited up to the mile in his last two runs. Two starts ago, he was badly held up, while last time he raced on the pace in a fast-run race and only faded late into fifth. The drop back to 1400m is key to his chances of bouncing back here.\nSelections: 2-5-7-6<\/p>\n
Is a three-year-old with ability, but he was up against it on debut from barrier 10, racing greenly throughout before being held up in the straight. He closed off well into sixth, beaten just over three lengths by Crossborderpegasus\u2014an up-and-comer who has since trialled smartly.\nSelections: 5-2-9-6<\/p>\n
Is getting close to a win. The four-year-old has placed second and third in his last two starts over 1400m, and now stepping up to the mile\u2014over which he scored his sole overseas win\u2014looks ideal for him to put his best foot forward.\nSelections: 3-2-6-1<\/p>\n
Closed in hard and fast for third behind Akashvani last start, which was a solid run against the race shape after breaking his maiden at start two. He draws a better gate than Akashvani here, which gives him an edge.\nSelections: 2-1-7-9<\/p>\n
Is a promising four-year-old who was solid first-up off a three-month break from barrier 10, ridden quietly before flashing home late into second behind Lifeline Express. Much will come down to position in running, but he should strip fitter here and has what it takes to turn the tables.\nSelections: 3-1-6-5<\/p>\n
Should prove hard to wear down in a race lacking early speed, where he looks likely to dictate on his own terms. This shapes as his best chance to break his Class 2 duck after four attempts, with his last-start second to Sunlight Power reading strongly.\nSelections: 5-1-2-4<\/p>\n
Had plenty go wrong last start when finishing eighth as a beaten favourite, just under three lengths off the winner. Bumped and hampered early, he was used up to find an on-pace position in a fast-run race that favoured backmarkers. He gets another chance here and has trialled well between runs.\nSelections: 7-9-5-4<\/p>\n
Saw his winning streak come to an end last start but lost no admirers, finishing third to Armour War Eagle with only half a length between them. That was his first go at 1400m and he can take another step forward second-up at the trip as he moves into barrier 2 and has Zac Purton in the saddle.\nSelections: 1-2-4-10<\/p>\n
Is an up-and-comer for the John Size yard, with two wins and a last-start second to the talented Hong Lok Golf on his Class 3 debut. He now tackles the mile for the first time but should relish the extra ground and looks well placed to go one better.\nSelections: 9-2-8-10<\/p>\n