The pace was only steady and they didn’t post a very good time here, with the final-400m quite slow. As a consequnece, only three of the top-10 final-400m’s at the meeting came from horses in this event. Speedy Optimist looks as though he wants further than 1000m, he just boxed-on in the home straight. Prawn Yeah Yeah was third-up and down in this class for the fifth time, and he might be able to pick one up in this grade soon. 

They ran a muddling tempo in this race and it didn’t rate as anything special. A couple of horses pulled up lame and Wicker was tailed off following a wide and testing run. It was certainly a better run from Socket Elite who was 1200m up to 2200m and there might be a race for this son of Savabeel, but he needs to strike similarly weak opposition. Overall, I’m not that enthused with the race as a collective.

The pace was slow and it clearly suited Colonel who had a nice time racing on-pace and he sprinted well enough to land the prize. It was the perfect race-shape for him and I’m not sure that he will go on with it from here? However, Yee Cheong Warrior (SID) was only having his second race start and he produced a much better performance to finish 2nd. His final-200m (11.08) off a slow lead-speed was the meeting-best. Here Comes Ted also ran well. I think Yee Cheong Warrior being a son of Animal Kingdom might be even better suited over further. 

Considering the pace was only steady, this race rated okay. Lady First was given every possible chance by Moreira and once again, he was incredibly weak over the final-200m, with that increment nearly 0.8 seconds slower than those of the first two horses (Best For You and Zhan Jiang Rocks) past the post. I’m really not sure that he will get a better chance to win one. Royal Racer didn’t get the race run to suit and produced some slashing final sectionals and his winning isn’t over. Judy’s Star doesn’t stay a mile I don’t think. 

This was an incident-paced race that didn’t rate very well and with half the field being put out of business with a race fall, I’m not going to take too much notice of the form out of it. That is, with the exception of Noble Desire, who was significantly impacted by the fall and still produced the race-best final-200m (11.76), but he probably needs a better barrier and a thin race at this level. However, overall, it’s hard to take much out of this one.

This was one of the better races on the card and the pace set was even through out. Leap Of Faith never travelled at any stage, and I’m starting to wonder if he is better suited racing outside of horses? On face value, while the pace was steady, he was still disappointing. Delightful Laos hit the line quite well but he lacks early pace. Smiling City was wide the trip but lack lustre when it counted. Overall, there was not a great deal to take from the event. 

The pace was genuine and this race rated okay. Lobo’s Legend seems better suited to Happy Valley and got the right run, with High Rise Soldier continuing to run well. Savaquin (SID) caught the eye. He settled back in the field but closed strongly with a race-best final-200m (11.16). He looked a nice prospect in Australia prior to leaving for Hong Kong and it shouldn’t take him long to salute, although Sha Tin and/or further would be preferable. The form should work out okay from this race.

The pace was only even but they actually came home strongly, upgrading the win by Sky Darci. He is a nice prospect and sustained an excellent final-800m (45.66). The 11-point penalty will make it tougher for him but he is clearly a progressive individual. Igniting delivered a nice debut and he might be better suited over 1400m. Not much else to see here.