For a Class 5 this race didn’t rate too badly overall. The benefit of a run, the 10lbs claim (4.5kg) and the right race-shape helped Gouten Of Garo notch his second Hong Kong win from 34 starts. Flying Monkey (SID) handed up a good spot mid-race before unleashing a race-best final-200m (11.44) and it is easy to argue that he could have won. La Bomba is a money muncher, he’s an “anti-SID” entry. 

This was the best race of the night by my ratings and as I suspected with Faithful Trinity, he was just as good if not better with a solid pace and I should have given him even more respect, as he is clearly much-improved with trainer Chris So. The 5-point penalty for the win may not stop him either, especially if an apprentice claimer used. All You Know was good again. Incanto Prepared, somehow ran straight into a backside turning for home, so the fact he balanced up and ran on with the second-best final-200m (12.12) was very good. He makes the SID file. 

A fast first sectional was set here before a mid-race move took place by Badel on Sacred Ibis when the pace slackened too much. Naboo Star has shown an incredible turn-of-foot (11.28 last-200m was the third-best at meeting) over the concluding stages. He will be winning more races, has a lot of scope for improvement, and I think will be even more suited to faster run races overall. Sacred Ibis has zero gate speed which doesn’t help his chances in general, but he is ready to win. Blastoise boxed on okay too. The form should work out okay out of this one.

This was the worst race on the card where they dawdled infront before sprinting home – Purton controlled things to suit aboard Ares. Namjong Sings was our main play and very costly with Badel not being able to capitalise on a good barrier. He is ready to win but probably needs a leading jockey on board to get him going early. Namjong Sings and Authentic Champ (also a play) each produced the best final-400m (22.48) at the meeting. Those are the two horses to follow from the race, but I am concerned with how badly it rated overall. Authentic Champ is definitely looking for more ground as well.

It was a decisive win by Regency Master who was our biggest bet of the season when first-up and we should’ve have gone again! The pace profile was quick, slow, good, but it didn’t matter, as Regency Master clearly had a class edge on this field and travelled like a winner a long way from home. He got a 7-point penalty for the win, which is a gift and will be winning again and short notice. Zhan Jiang Rocks has won 1/22 but left the impression that he will be winning in this grade in the not too distant future. 

Note: Sell My Sole – Had an irregular heart rhythm. This was a pretty poor race, although it was won in some style by Stock Legend, who blew the start by a good 6+ lengths. That said as good as the effort was to the eye, he ran home over some ordinary stock. It was a shame for Sell My Sole as he found the right run and we never got to see him anywhere near what he is capable of. I doubt that the form out of this one will be anything special and I’d be wary falling into Stock Legend in the future at too short a price. 

Note: Poised to Strike – pulled up distressed post race. The pace was decent and once again they came home in a slow time over the final-400m. With 1.3-lengths covering the first-seven past-the-post, and given it was a race that didn’t rate as anything special, I doubt that the form will prove to be very strong. Mig Energy went well below his previous number and should have won with that run. It was no surprise to see Winning Endeavour hit the line well, but that runner-up slot ends any thoughts that might have existed for him to get a drop in grade. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time for the winner, Mehboob. Stick with Telecom Jac when he gets up in trip, as I suggested in a previous SID. 

It was a nice win by Classic Unicorn and he got the right run, pressuring mid-race and breaking up the would-be chasers. I’m not sure what the ride was all about with Golden Dash (SID) who was basically last and off the track the whole way. It was some run considering he posted a final-200m of 11.32 off a hot tempo. However, the leader just broke away mid-race (31.98 from the 800m to the 200m) and clung on. But, he is good at doing that and those traits are not dissimilar to many other good sprinters. Most of these will line up again, although I prefer Highland Fortune over 1200m.