Hong Kong Racing Tips

We only have 7-runners for the opening 5-furlong handicap, but this is a competitive heat, and I would still expect there to be plenty of speed from the moment that the gates open. Majestic Express was a winner of a 5-furlong maiden handicap in Australia when he was trained by Brad Widdup (he was known as Souttar during his time down under). He ran a time of 56.70s to win that race at Kembla Grange back in October and I think that he has shown more than enough ability to think that he will be able to win races in Hong Kong. He finished 4th in a 6-furlong barrier trial at Sha Tin on 9th April, which was a respectable enough run, for all that he shaped like a horse who is going to need more time, so I will leave him alone for now.

The key piece of form seems to be a race run over this course and distance on 27th March when Beauty Waves got the better of Harmony Fire and Heroic Master. There is a significant swing at the weights for the 2 placed horses, but I still think Beauty Waves is the horse to stick with, especially in this small field. He tracked the early pace set by Harmony Fire before being driven alongside in the final furlong to win a shade cosily. Zac Purton was keen to get him into a good early position that day, but once there, he could be called the winner a long way from home and although it was his first win in Hong Kong (on his 6th start), I would be happy to back him to double his tally. Heroic Master had more ground to make up and did run on well alongside the inside rail, but the sectionals show that Beauty Waves was faster at the start and the end of his race and the 7lb swing at the weights is unlikely to be enough to stop him.

Selection: Beauty Waves
Exacta: 1-2

Lean Master and Circuit Seven both have recent wins on their CVs, which is quite a rare thing in this field. However, they have both been drawn wide, which makes things more difficult, especially for Lean Master, who likes to be ridden forward to sit behind the leader. He was drawn in stall 12 last time and the early exertion needed to get him to the front clearly left its mark as he faded to 5th place in the closing stages. Sergeant Pepper has a better draw in stall 2 and we can forgive his last run when he really didn’t seem to be suited by the All-Weather track at Sha Tin. With his riders claim, he is a long way below his last winning mark, but he hasn’t won a race this season despite having plenty of chances and even at this level it is hard to back him with confidence.

I like watching the Barrier trials at this time of year and I think that is the best angle into this race with the newcomer Grand Nova for John Size. He finished 5th in a Barrier trial at Sha Tin at the start of April when he chased home the 87 rated Raging Blizzard. He settled nicely behind the early leader and although he was short of room in the closing stages, I was impressed by the way he picked up again when driven forwards when the gaps finally came. He showed more than enough ability to suggest that he will be competitive on an opening mark of 52 and his connections could not have found a weaker opportunity for him to make a start.

Selection: Grand Nova (Win & Place)