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Race 1 – Great Harvest Handicap, HK $780,000
Class 5 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.17 Standard Time: 1:10.20 Course/Class record: 1:09.17 Alloy King
Winner: ALLOY KING (AUS 5yo g Zoffany – Terhaab) was quickly into stride under Antoine Hamelin, settling outside the leader in the early stages, before finding the leader's back as they turned into the back straight. He travelled well for Hamelin as the pace was good throughout the middle stages of the event. He travelled into the straight under a strong hold and came off the leader's heels shortly after straightening, going up to challenge the for the lead and taking it with 100m left to run. The five-year-old pulled away over the concluding stages and won very easily in the end, with the official margin 1-1/2 lengths.
Runner-Up: DAY DAY RICH was one of the first out of the barriers and used the inside draw to his advantage, taking up a leading position down the side of the course before becoming the outright leader as they entered the back straight. He raced a touch keen through the middle stages, setting a good pace and keeping his rivals chasing. Blake Shinn pushed the button with 350m to go, trying to pinch a break on the turn as they straightened for the judge. He slipped away in the early stages of the straight and was still in front with 100m to go, but just ran into one better on the day. A great performance, with third place a further 1.75 lengths back.
Run Of The Race: ALLOY KING set a new course and class record with his fantastic win. A great ride by Antoine Hamelin, stalking the leader before pushing the button and sprinting well in the straight. He can go on from this now.
Disappointment: AFTER ME was well in the market at $8.40 and seemed to be under the urgings of Alex Lai for the majority of the 1200m event. The gelding came under pressure a long way from home and didn't respond to heavy riding. Lai told stewards the gelding felt unbalanced in his action, with a veterinary examination finding him to be lame in his right front leg.
Comparison: A new course/class record.
Market Mover: There was good money late for SHANGHAI POWER as well as GOLDEN MISSION.
Race 2 – All Joyful Handicap, HK $780,000
Class 5 – Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:39.17 Standard Time: 1:40.25 Course/Class record: 1:38.91 All Joyful
Winner: VIVA POPCORN (GB 4yo g Farhh – Stoneacre Sarah) jumped on terms but was shifted behind runners in the early stages, settling in second last position as they headed down the side of the track. Purton was able to improve his position as he moved into the three-wide trail turning into the back straight. He was able to sit just worse than midfield and was still under a strong hold until passing Purton said 'go' at the 400m point. He quickened immediately, slicing his way between runners as they straightened for home and taking the lead with 150m left to run. He ran in slightly under pressure, but Purton straightened him up and he pulled away over the final 100m to win in fine style by 0.75 lengths.
Runner-Up: OFF THE REEL jumped well from barrier five and was able to find a forward position on the rail as they passed the winning post for the first time. As the field settled down, he found himself in a lovely position just off the pace with the gelding travelling well under Vincent Ho. He found some trouble as Vincent Ho tried to improve his position with a wall of runners ahead of him as he tried to build momentum turning into the straight. Ho was able to push his way into the clear with 250m remaining and he chased hard all the way to the line, running into second position.
Run Of The Race: VIVA POPCORN was very good in winning and was aided by a lovely ride by Zac Purton. He was strong through to the line and looks to have more in store over the coming season. OFF THE REEL was very good running into second and may have been able to get the win had he not been caught in traffic as Vincent Ho attempted to make a run on the turn.
Disappointment: SUPER KIN jumped as the equal favourite at $4 but was caught three-wide throughout the event. He came under pressure from the 600m and hung out from under pressure from that point on. Joao Moreira couldn't offer any explanation for the poor performance, with a veterinary examination unable to find any abnormalities.
Comparison: Well inside standard time.
Market Mover: SUPER KIN and SHANGHAI GRACE were the two horses well supported late in betting.
Race 3 – Tiger Prawn Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.63 Standard Time: 1:09.80 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: HAPPY GATHERING (AUS 5yo g Hinchinbrook – Dashie Diva) jumped well from barrier four and was pushed along by Matthew Chadwick in the early stages, settling along the rail on the back of the leader. He travelled well throughout the race with the pace good through the middle stages. Chadwick started to go to work on the gelding on the point of the turn and stuck to the inside of the track as the leader ran wide on the turn. It took him a while to catch the leader, digging deep to take the lead passing the 100m pole and pulling away over the concluding stages to win by a length.
Runner-Up: TRADER was fast away and was able to cross to the lead as they turned into the back straight as Zac Purton revved up the gelding out of the gates. He was left alone once he got to the front, with nobody going up to challenge for the lead throughout the race. He kept the field running, setting a good pace throughout but was still under a good hold as they straightened for the judge. He led for a long way but was just overrun by the horse who followed him throughout the race, while he finished a length clear of third position.
Run Of The Race: It's hard to go past HAPPY GATHERING as the run of the race, as he was given a peach of a ride by Matthew Chadwick. He chased hard in the straight and proved too strong in the final stages of the 1200m event to win comfortably.
Disappointment: AMAZING NEWS was rated a decent chance by the market, jumping as a $9.70 chance. He jumped fairly and was ridden up to find a great spot just off the pace as they turned into the back straight, but the gelding didn't quicken when Joao Moreira asked for an effort, with Moreira easing the gelding to the finish line. A post-race veterinary examination found the horse to have mucus in his throat.
Comparison: Inside the standard time.
Market Mover: TRADER was a $10 chance when markets first opened and he was well supported throughout, jumping as the $4.40 favourite.
Race 4 – Tiger Prawn Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.48 Standard Time: 1:09.80 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE 3yo g Acclamation – Folk Melody) turned in a great performance on debut. After jumping from the outside barrier, Joao Moreira crossed to sit off the pace, albeit three-wide and without cover. He travelled well down the back despite facing the breeze out deep but was able to improve his position under his own steam to get in line with the leaders before Moreira asked for an effort with 450m to go. He was in for a fight as they turned for home, going stride for stride with A Smile Like Yours, before taking the lead with 150m to run and pulling away over the final stages, winning in fine style by 1-1/2 lengths.
Runner-Up: A SMILE LIKE YOURS was caught wide early in proceedings after jumping from barrier 10, but Karis Teetan pushed on to sit on the outside of the leader down the back straight. He travelled well when he go to the front, but came under pressure a long way from home and appeared to be somewhat struggling as they turned into the straight. He took the fight to the eventual winner but ran out of energy over the concluding stages and had to settle for second position.
Run Of The Race: What a debut performance from ROMANTIC WARRIOR. After sitting three-wide and without cover, the three-year-old showed tremendous heart and ability to pull away over the final stages to record his first win. He looks to have plenty of class about him and he's the one I want to follow out of this race.
Disappointment: HAPPY GOOD GUYS travelled in a great spot throughout the race but didn't quicken when asked by Jerry Chau and weakened over the final 150m to finish 5.5 lengths away in tenth position. Not want you wanted to see if you backed the $6.30 chance.
Comparison: Inside standard time, but slower than the earlier Tiger Prawn Handicap in Race 3.
Market Mover: A SMILE LIKE YOURS was the one punters wanted late.
Race 5 – Flying Elite Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:39.63 Standard Time: 1:40.00 Course/Class record: 1:38.83 Flying Elite
Winner: ALL JOYFUL (NZ 5yo g Shocking – Katchme If Youcan) jumped on terms but opted out of the speed battle early, with Vincent Ho instead slotting in behind the pace and staying one off the fence as they headed down the side of the course. Once the field had sorted their order out, the five-year-old found himself midfield between runners, and just had to be checked off heels mid-race. Ho took off with 500m to go and the gelding quickened immediately, slicing his way through the field to only be a couple of lengths off the lead as they turned into the straight. He dug deep in the straight, taking the lead with 150m left to run and sticking on well to the line, drawing away to win comfortably in the end by 1-1/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: LOYAL BABY jumped well from an outside barrier but did have cover as Chad Schofield took a position just worse than midfield. He travelled well under Schofield, as they began to make a move with 500m to go, with the gelding having to make a long and sustained run around the outside of the field. He stayed on well in the straight despite the tough run and was very impressive running into second position.
Run Of The Race: LOYAL BABY was my run of the race. After being posted wide the trip, he stuck on well to finish in second position and with a more favourable draw next start, he may be able to challenge for the win.
Disappointment: If you backed SUN OF MAKFI, I'm sorry. The five-year-old did not have any luck whatsoever in the run, clipping heels as they passed the winning post for the first time. He was held up behind traffic as Alex Badel attempted to build some momentum into the straight, which saw the gelding run to the line relatively untested. Although the finishing position was disappointing, the run was full of excuses and there are no reasons to jump off him yet.
Comparison: Inside the standard time.
Market Mover: SMART FOLKS was well supported late in proceedings, halving his quote to jump a $17 chance.
Race 6 – The Longines Cup (Handicap), HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1000m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 56.70 Standard Time: 56.80 Course/Class record: 55.98 Harmony N Blessed
Winner: HARMONY N BLESSED (AUS 5yo g Magnus – Fly To Win) was quickly into stride and was pushed along right out of the gates by Zac Purton to go forward and eventually take the lead outright with 600m to run. Despite using up a lot of energy to take the lead, he was still under a strong hold until Purton pushed the button on the point of the home turn. He was made to fight for his win, being challenged from the 150m point on his outside but he didn't give in, fighting off the challenger to win by a nose on the line.
Runner-Up: HARMONY FIRE was ridden up out of the gates much like the eventual winner but settled in behind the leader in the middle stages. He was able to regain some energy on the turn and then launch an attack on the leader as they straightened, going up to eyeball the leader with 150m to go. He fought hard down the stretch and put in a good dive on the finish line to make things interesting, but he just couldn't get his nose in front, going down in a tight photo finish.
Run Of The Race: It was a tough and gutsy performance by HARMONY N BLESSED, using up plenty of petrol tickets early before having to fight off his rivals in the straight. They ran good time and if he's able to draw a more inside barrier at his next outing, he'll be able to make it a hat-trick of wins.
Disappointment: BRILLIANT FORTUNE started on the third line of betting at $7.20 but was caught wide and without cover for the entire event. He was making good ground early in the straight, but the tough run caught up to him late, drifting out to finish 4 lengths back in ninth position.
Comparison: Just inside standard time.
Market Mover: CANTSTOPTHEFEELING was well backed late in betting.
Race 7 – Tiger Prawn Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.37 Standard Time: 1:09.80 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: STORMTROUPER (AUS 5yo g Toronado – Moretti) jumped well from the inside barrier but opted out of the speed battle early, with Zac Purton allowing the gelding to find his feet in a midfield position. He travelled well throughout and was aided by the good speed set up front but needed some gaps to open as he was still stuck on the fence with 350m left to run. He got the breaks he needed early in the straight and chased down the leader with ease, taking the lead with 100m to run and pulled away with ease to win by 1-3/4 lengths with Purton riding hands and heels to the finish line.
Runner-Up: WHISKY NEAT was quickly into stride as Blake Shinn pushed him along early to take up a leading position early in the race. Shinn was able to get cover with 800m left to run as a runner came from the outside to cross him, allowing him a much easier run in transit. Shinn came off the leader's heels with 500m left to run and began to improve his position, albeit already under pressure from Shinn. He took the lead for a brief period from the 200m mark, but again he just ran into one better on the night, holding on to second position by half a length.
Run Of The Race: It's hard to go past the performance of STORMTROUPER who appeared to win with plenty in hand. He ran good time, and his racing pattern allows him to draw both inside and outside barriers in races going forward. A great performance and a horse I want to follow coming out of the meeting.
Disappointment: GOOD SHOT started as the second favourite runner, jumping as a $5.70 chance. He raced a touch keen, sitting just off the pace and along the running rail, before running up behind the leader as they turned for the judge. He didn't quicken as anticipated in the straight, with Karis Teetan telling stewards he believed the poor finish was due to the gelding's inability to settle in the run.
Comparison: Inside standard time.
Market Mover: JOYFUL WIN was the best backed runner late in betting.
Race 8 – Speed Vision Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.10 Standard Time: 1:09.50 Course/Class record: 1:08.68 Speed Vision
Winner: DIAMOND BRILLIANT (AUS 7yo g Not A Single Doubt – Aringarosa) pinged out of the gates and was able to get into a perfect position behind the leading pair as they rounded the first turn. Zac Purton elected to stay off the fence in the middle stages, and with 650m left to run, he was able to improve to sit on the leader's hindquarters. He ambled up to the leader as they straightened under a strong hold, with Purton allowing the horse to balance up before asking for an effort. He took the lead with 200m remaining and was strong to the line, keeping his rivals at bay to win by a neck.
Runner-Up: FAMILY FOLK was able to get across from barrier six and settle just one off the rail in a midfield position after a nice piece of riding from Harry Bentley. He travelled well down the back straight but just had to be niggled at with 600m to go to keep in touch with the leaders. Bentley was able to push his way into the clear on the point of the turn and challenge for the lead, but the winner was just too strong over the final stages.
Run Of The Race: It was a well rated ride from Zac Purton aboard DIAMOND BRILLIANT, notching up his fourth win of the meeting. He got into a great position and was too strong late in the race, inching away from his rivals to win well once again.
Disappointment: DECISIVE TWELVE jumped on the fourth line of betting at $9.50 and went to the lead from barrier three. He set a good tempo but wasn't going too hard out in front, but he weakened quickly once in the straight. He went from leading early in the straight to finishing 11th and beaten 6-1/4 lengths.
Comparisn: Inside standard time.
Market Mover: DIAMOND BRILLIANT and WOOD ON FIRE were supported late in betting, as well as TELECOM ROCKET who was specked at longer odds.
Race 9 – Telecom Fighters Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:38.76 Standard Time: 1:39.75 Course/Class record: 1:38.55 Telecom Fighters
Winner: FA FA (NZ 4yo g He's Remarkable – Calypso Miss) wasn't the fastest into stride and was bumped upon jumping, but it was a great piece of riding by Vincent Ho, crossing to the rail and improving his position to settle midfield as they went down the side of the track. He travelled well through the middle stages of the race got into a great rhythm as Ho started to make some moves with 500m left to run. He travelled strongly into the straight as Ho pushed his way into clear galloping room and he began to let down beautifully, reeling in the leader and taking the lead with 150m to run and pulling away to win by three quarters of a length.
Runner-Up: MEANINGFUL STAR jumped well from barrier one and was able to use the gate to his advantage, settling in behind the leading pair without having to spend any energy at all. He travelled beautifully under Joao Moreira, who stalked the leader throughout and never let him get too far away. He responded well to Moreira's riding with 500m left to go, improving his position to go up and sit outside the leader. He chased hard and did a great job running into second position, he just ran into one better on the night.
Run Of The Race: Wow, what a run by FA FA. After a less than ideal start, Vincent Ho was fantastic in getting him into a great position early in the race. The gelding let down strongly once in the clear, and he looks a galloper on the rise.
Disappointment: PIANO SOLO jumped as an $11 chance on the fourth line of betting and came across from his outside draw to sit on the outside of the leader. He came under pressure with around 500m left to travel and didn't respond to the urgings of Matthew Poon, with the gelding sliding back through the field to finish 12-1/4 lengths last. A veterinary examination post-race did not find any abnormality.
Comparison: Well inside standard time.
Market Mover: PARTERRE was well supported just prior to the jump.
