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This is Hong Kong's second biggest day of the year with 3 G1s and 2 Class 2s making for a great program.
Race 5, The Chairman's Sprint Prize is the first of the G1s and will be over 1200m. It looks very much like a match race between the handsome grey Hot King Prawn and the talented chestnut 3yo Aethero. There's very little between them in the market so the fun comes in trying to pick the next home. We are going to give the old boy Mr Stunning a go here – he's about to retire but he doesn't know that and is so honest – he's firmed overnight from 31.0 to 18.0. Then you could throw in Thanks Forever and/or Voyage Warrior – both around the 9.0 mark.
Race 7 is the Champion's Mile with 8 runners. Beauty Generation is going for the treble here having won the last two editions of this race and despite a somewhat patchy start to his season, this is the race he's been set for and he's now around evens. Zac Purton rides for John Moore.
The one most fancied to spoil the party is Waikuku – we've been a big fan and he's on 5.1 in from 8.9 overnight for Joao Moreira and John Size. Ka Ying Star has the good draw and may lead under Antoine Hamelin for Tony Cruz and may just prove too hard to run down – 6.9. We have a soft spot for Fat Turtle and he may add a bit of value to the multis – on 18.0.
The QEII Cup is over 2000m with only 7 starters. Exultant is the class here and has done nothing wrong of late except get beaten by his rival today Time Warp in the Gold Cup.
Exultant will be in the hands of Zac Purton for Tony Cruz and they are on evens. Time Warp is by Archipenko who won this race ten years ago. He likes to lead and Joao Moreira, who rode him last time, will have the job of rating him over the 2000m trip.
Playa del Puente is a talented youngster who has come from relative obscurity into the big time in a short time. Blake Shinn knows him and should be able to find a position for him from which he can put in a fast finish. 9.1. Furore has talent but has some negatives against his name and is on 5.7 but if he puts in his best he could be in the finish.
Race9 is the first of the Class 2s named in honour of Silent Witness and is over 1200m. We like Computer Patch who seems destined for bigger things and is on 3.6 for Moore-Moreira. Shining Ace is ultra-consistent and is value here on 9.7, Gold Chest is on 4.5 and our roughie is California Whip on 15.0.
Race 10 honours Bullish Luck and is over 1600m. Preciousship is another horse who is on the way up and comes in here on 5.1 for the Yiu-Ho combination in what is looking like quite an open race. Butterfield is improving with every race and is on 6.2 for Danny Shum and Moreira, Monica (a gelding) is on 7.2 and Band of Brothers is on 17.0.
