Luke Middlebrook's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, September 15, 2024
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(Sunday, September 15, 2024)
Race 1: #3 Family Jewel, #7 Smart Beauty, #4 Midori Burly, #5 Mister Dapper
Race 2: #12 Ho Ho Star, #8 The Khan, #6 Dragon Delight, #9 Super Joy
Race 3: #4 Super Infinity, #9 King Oberon, #10 Affirm, #1 Exuberant
Race 4: #5 Cervin, #13 Charmander, #2 Perfect Peach, #10 Cool Blue
Race 5: #2 Aeroinvincible, #1 Enjoy Golf, #5 Handsome Bomb, #3 Coming Patch
Race 6: #1 Amazing Fun, #11 Crazy Treasure, #4 Regent Glory, #9 Hero Star
Race 7: #4 Devas Twelve, #2 Top Peak, #5 Mission Voice, #6 Lucky Impact
Race 8: #3 Packing Bole, #1 Capital Delight, #4 Self Improvement, #5 Talents Ambition
Race 9: #4 Magic Control, #6 Stellar Express, #1 Carroll Street, #11 Savvy Brilliant
Race 10: #3 Star Mac, #6 Lo Pan Spirit, #2 Sunlight Power, #13 Greenwich
Race 1 - HONG TUNG HANDICAP
#3 Family Jewel backs up quickly after a luckless eighth-place effort last week. He was only beaten a little over two lengths, having been blocked for a run when it counted in the straight. A clearer path this time could see him atone. #7 Smart Beauty found his best form last season, even if it was in Class 5. He looks more than capable of holding his own in this Class 4 field. #4 Midori Burly should benefit from barrier 1 and has shown improvement in his recent trial. Expect him to be in the mix on resuming. #5 Mister Dapper looked sharp in his trials and reunites with Karis Teetan. Keep an eye on him for a bold showing.
Race 2 - WAH FU HANDICAP
#12 Ho Ho Star charged home into second last week after jumping from a wide gate. Backing up quickly, he draws well in barrier 3 this time and gets a key jockey upgrade with Zac Purton on board. He’ll be tough to beat. #8 The Khan is having his second run in Class 5 and was well-backed when finishing a close fourth last start. His recent trial was promising, and he’s ready to make an impact. #6 Dragon Delight will map well. He benefits from the 7lb claim from apprentice Ellis Wong, which could help him strike fresh. #9 Super Joy is erratic at the start but has the ability to win a race like this with a clean jump.
Race 3 - KWONG FUK HANDICAP
#4 Super Infinity showed promise in three starts last season and returns in what looks like a very winnable race. After a sharp trial, he’s primed to give the thriving Mark Newnham stable another win. The one to beat. #9 King Oberon delivered his best effort yet when finishing second to the talented Courier Aladdin. He’s trending in the right direction and is a serious contender. #10 Affirm enjoys leading the field and will give them something to chase, but a win has been elusive after 13 attempts. Barrier 3 is a big help. #1 Exuberant has the class for this grade but is still an unknown at Sha Tin.
Race 4 - WAH FU HANDICAP
#5 Cervin gets a rare inside draw for once, and with Hugh Bowman now in the saddle, he ticks a lot of boxes. #13 Charmander found form late last season after switching to David Hall’s stable. If he’s to break through, an early-season contest like this could be his chance, especially with Zac Purton electing to ride. #2 Perfect Peach was in stellar form last season for trainer Michael Chang, highlighted by a course and distance win. Barrier 4 keeps him right in the mix. #10 Cool Blue has been underwhelming, but a stable change to Cody Mo might ignite some improvement.
Race 5 - MEI TUNG HANDICAP
#2 Aeroinvincible returns to Class 4, where he boasts a strong record. His last start was disappointing, but the rain-affected track wasn’t to his liking. A strong trial win suggests he’s ready to bounce back. #1 Enjoy Golf has upside, having broken his maiden two starts back before a solid third to end the season. #5 Handsome Bomb thrived over 1400m last start, winning comfortably, and is worth following again. #3 Coming Patch is hit-or-miss but was unlucky last time out and is worth keeping an eye on, especially from barrier 1 under Vincent Ho.
Race 6 - HING WAH HANDICAP
#1 Amazing Fun made a statement with his debut win down the straight in July. He’s trialled well and looks set to continue his winning ways. #11 Crazy Treasure showed gradual improvement last season for the Mark Newnham stable. He is wound up with two good-looking trials and can take the next step. #4 Regent Glory is an honest performer on dirt, finishing his last campaign with a win and a close second. He’ll be in the thick of it again. #9 Hero Star looks the likely leader with Britney Wong’s 10lb claim. A well-timed ride could see the pair pinch this from the front if left alone to dictate terms.
Race 7 - THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)
#4 Devas Twelve ended last season on a high note, and with Zac Purton sticking aboard, he’s a major player here after an eye-catching trial. #2 Top Peak is the most accomplished runner in the field, with two wins from nine, and excels at this track and trip. #5 Mission Voice hails from the in-form Mark Newnham stable and broke through for his first win at the end of last season. He has more to offer this campaign. #6 Lucky Impact ran a solid fourth when well-backed on debut last season and is one to follow.
Race 8 - OI TUNG HANDICAP
#3 Packing Bole is back to his preferred track and distance, and with little pace in the race, he should dictate terms. #1 Capital Delight excels fresh, winning three from six, and will be rattling home late. #4 Self Improvement had excuses last start on turf after racing wide and fading but should bounce back on dirt, especially having trialled strongly. #5 Talents Ambition broke through in his final run last season over further but remains a progressive type for Mark Newnham.
Race 9 - LOK WAH HANDICAP
#4 Magic Control had just one run last season but arrived with solid credentials, having won three of five in Australia, including a Group 3 at Moonee Valley. Now in Cody Mo’s stable, his trial win over Ka Ying Rising suggests he’s primed to make a winning return. #6 Stellar Express was consistent last campaign, though winless, and deserves respect. #1 Carroll Street, who thrives fresh, will benefit from the class drop, where he boasts strong stats. #11 Savvy Brilliant debuts for Frankie Lor. He has shown sharp gate speed in trials and gets the services of Zac Purton for his first Hong Kong start.
Race 10 - YIU TUNG HANDICAP #3 Star Mac returns to a more suitable trip after a forgettable 4YO Classic Series campaign. His recent trial was eye-catching, and this looks right up his alley. #6 Lo Pan Spirit showed plenty of promise last season with two wins from four, and his recent trial suggests he’s ready to fire fresh. #2 Sunlight Power finished last season strongly, and if within striking distance early, he’s a major threat. #13 Greenwich cruised to the line in first in a recent trial, hinting a forward showing first-up could be in store.