HANDSOME REBEL is certainly the horse to beat here in the fifth race. There are a couple of key factors including the drop back down in grade to Class 4 and the booking of Zac Purton that are significant. Importantly though, if he can find the form that saw him finish 2^nd  to Thou Shall Sing over the track and distance four runs back, then he is the runner for the others to get past. But, one must also remember he is a Hong Kong maiden after 20 starts! STRIKING MR C and SKYEY SUPREME bring the same form line through Little Thunder and that must be respected. Striking Mr C might get some pressure in the lead, but if the track is suiting those racing on the pace and close to the rail, then he warrants an upgrade. There does look to be good pace in the event however and that pressure might be the undoing of a few, conversely the first horse “to the spot” might be able to dominate. From that perspective of leaders going too hard, Skyey Supreme might get a better and more suitable race-shape but the outside gate is very tricky – where will he get to in the running? STAR SUPERIOR also ran on quite well from the same form race (626), but his ‘get-back’ style also makes it difficult for him to win. All things considered, the best early prices are with Skyey Supreme and Striking Mr C, but play small as I respect Handsome Rebel’s chances a lot, he’s just come up extremely short in betting early on. Consider taking a quinella with Handsome Rebel also.