Selections and analysis for Sunday's (27/10/24) 10-race fixture at Happy Valley.
Race 1: #3 Country Dancer, #1 The Khan, #5 Spicy So Smart, #10 Cheer For South
Race 2: #1 Noble Pursuit, #4 Fortune Superstar, #9 Winning Steps, #3 Romantic Laos
Race 3: #2 Capital Legend, #7 Sturdy Ruby, #5 Brave Witness, #10 Courier Magic
Race 4: #9 Speed Sword, #1 Denfield, #6 Lucky Planet, #3 Lakeshore Hero
Race 5: #11 Sky Prophet, #8 Smart Fighter, #2 The Perfect Match, #9 Tactical Command
Race 6: #1 Volcanic Spark, #11 Me Time, #7 Charity Gain, #8 Happy Hero
Race 7: #2 Ma Comet, #4 Grand Nova, #1 Colourful Prince, #8 Sight Happy
Race 8: #8 Romantic Son, #1 Reward Smile, #10 Righteous Arion, #9 Lucky Combination
Race 9: #2 Youthful Spirits, #10 Horsepower, #6 Eternal Fortune, #7 Healthy Healthy
Race 10: #5 Lucky Encounter, #1 Copartner Prance, #6 Gorgeous Win, #7 Raging Blizzard
Race 1 - CHAOZHOU HANDICAP
#3 Country Dancer has been catching the eye in his trials leading up to his first run for the season. This will also mark his first try in Class 5, where he will be partnered by Zac Purton, and the pair have drawn nicely low in barrier 3. #1 The Khan would be preferred over 1400m, but he should have more to come after breaking his duck last start. A bit of a class edge on this field holds him in good stead. #5 Spicy So Smart gets barrier 1, which will provide him a decent run throughout. #10 Cheer For South has been disappointing, but he could finally get the race run to suit and may be one to finish in the money at a price.
Race 2 - DONGGUAN HANDICAP
#1 Noble Pursuit, for in-form duo Caspar Fownes and Hugh Bowman, was a dominant winner first-up over 1650m and remains unbeaten second-up. From barrier 3, he will take a lot of beating in what doesn't look to be a harder contest. #4 Fortune Superstar, from the Mark Newnham stable, should be primed to deliver his best effort third-up in Hong Kong, having turned in a strong trial between runs. #9 Winning Steps rises to Class 3 for the first time after an extraordinary last-start win, but given his inconsistency throughout his career, there's a question mark over whether he can reproduce that effort. #3 Romantic Laos is better than his recent form suggests, having had legitimate excuses in his last two starts, and with even luck, he's more than capable of bouncing back here.
Race 3 - FOSHAN HANDICAP
#2 Capital Legend will be suited by the rise in distance on his second run in Class 4 here. If he manages to map a touch closer, he will give himself a good chance to bounce back to winning ways. #7 Sturdy Ruby has had 16 races to win, but despite looking the winner many times, he just can't get his nose in front when it matters. Still, his honesty carries him in good stead here, especially with barrier 1 in his favour. #5 Brave Witness had no luck first-up, racing wide without cover. He's better than that run and deserves a chance to atone. #10 Courier Magic has turned in two decent runs this preparation, but he has a wide draw to navigate.
Race 4 - HUIZHOU HANDICAP (Section 2)
#9 Speed Sword has been dropping down the ratings and now finds himself in Mark Newnham's care after transferring from Frankie Lor. He showed marked improvement in a recent trial and now draws barrier 3, which should allow him to secure an ideal run. #1 Denfield is ready to land another win following his eye-catching second-place finish first-up. He had to drop back from a wide draw and finished strongly under Hugh Bowman. #6 Lucky Planet will make the running as usual, and with barrier 1 in his favour, he should be prominent throughout. His chances, however, will hinge on how much early pressure he faces. #3 Lakeshore Hero is an interesting newcomer for the David Hall stable, having trialled well on multiple occasions. He should be competitive in what looks to be a winnable contest.
Race 5 - HUIZHOU HANDICAP (Section 1)
#11 Sky Prophet has been one of the unluckiest horses in Hong Kong when it comes to barrier draws but comes into gate 5 here. He consistently continues to run on strongly from the back. He's ready to win if he can settle closer to the pace. #8 Smart Fighter is still a maiden after 14 starts but has been knocking on the door this preparation with a couple of promising placings. An inside alley will ensure no excuses. #2 The Perfect Match showed some ability last season and returns to racing after trialling well in blinkers ahead of his seasonal return. #9 Tactical Command has been ultra-consistent for the Mark Newnham stable, and it's hard to see him running a bad race here.
Race 6 - SHENZHEN HANDICAP
#1 Volcanic Spark's first-up run was better than it reads, as he drew wide and was barely put into the race competitively. He drops back into Class 4 here, and earlier intent will bring out the best in him. #11 Me Time jumped favourite first-up and performed well, finishing just a length behind in fourth at this course and distance. He is improving with racing and getting close to a win. #7 Charity Gain ran a strong first-up race for his new stable, David Eustace, and looks ready to progress further. #8 Happy Hero is thriving in his racing since transferring to Mark Newnham's stable. That last-start win marked his first victory in Class 4, and he did it in style.
Race 7 - THE KWANGTUNG HANDICAP CUP (HANDICAP)
#2 Ma Comet looks primed for a win after a string of second-place finishes. He had plenty to do from a wide draw last start but still ran a solid race and has trialled impressively in between runs. #4 Grand Nova closed his season with his first win, defeating Ma Comet, and should have more to offer this term. #1 Colourful Prince returns for his second start back in Class 4, where he is always a threat. He resumes off an impressive trial win and teams up with front-running specialist Luke Ferraris. #8 Sight Happy has been disappointing of late but might be overlooked here and could show improvement.
Race 8 - ZHAOQING HANDICAP
#8 Romantic Son has been trialling well for the David Hayes stable with Zac Purton aboard. In what isn't the strongest race, he looks set to run a solid race on debut from the ideal draw in barrier 1. #1 Reward Smile has endured tough luck in both runs this preparation, held up in the straight each time after jumping from wide draws. He's ready to break through for a win with any luck, though he once again has to navigate a wide gate. #10 Righteous Arion needs to step up on his Class 3 form but is seldom far from the finish and could sneak into the placings in this field. #9 Lucky Combination, another debutant, has shown promise in trials and should get a sweet run from his low draw for jockey Matthew Chadwick.
Race 9 - ZHUHAI HANDICAP
#2 Youthful Spirits is capable of a turnaround after pulling up as a 'roarer' following his first-up failure. He has since been freshened and won a trial impressively, suggesting he can bounce back to form. #10 Horsepower makes his debut for Frankie Lor, having caught the eye in multiple barrier trials, and looks a promising type. #6 Eternal Fortune showed notable improvement on his second local start last time, and another step forward here would not surprise. #7 Healthy Healthy disappointed as a short-priced favourite last start but should offer longer odds here. It would be folly to overlook him in this field.
Race 10 - GUANGZHOU HANDICAP
#5 Lucky Encounter is second-up and should prove a major threat after his strong effort first-up when running on late into sixth behind Wunderbar. The fitness gained from that run and a more favourable draw this time suggest he is primed to go close. #1 Copartner Prance returns to his preferred track and distance. While he's been consistent without winning this season, the drop in grade and a low draw should bring him right into contention. #6 Gorgeous Win continues to perform with credit and looks well-placed again after a solid third last start to Wunderbar. His consistency makes him a strong player. #7 Raging Blizzard, from the John Size stable, returns after a break and makes his Class 2 debut. Although untested at this level, he remains unexposed and could improve further.
