It was a nice debut win by A La King, who posted a good number for his first race start. His final-200m (11.58 equal 9th-best at meeting) was solid and he is obvioulsy open to plenty of improvement. Ernest Feeling (SID) impressed on his debut and is another that has upside. It was a better run from Vector, who missed the start but closed quite well and they might have discovered something there.

It was a good first-up win to Red Brick Fighter, who carried on from his early season form to notch another success. He was the only horse all night to win on the fence and was strong in doing so, and considering he was issued a 7-point penalty, looks well-placed to win again in the grade (Class 4). Hot Chilli Pepper drew wide and went back, but closed well and from a better alley could settle closer and might be one to follow.

Joy Avenue produced some of the best sectionals (22.34 best final-400m) of the meeting to score with some market suport as well!! Too good Dennis Yip, it was impossible to find him on form. The race didn’t rate anything special, but clearly this horse has ability and can be followed going forward.

Mercurial knocked a couple of the major rivals down at a key stage and that was clearly telling in the overall performance. It was a still a good win, but there were plenty of excuses for those in behind. Peak To Peak and Plicklone were both sound enough. M M Johnny (SID) is eligible for a drop in class and in the right race, he will be too good for Class 5 and can be followed.

This was a high rating race, with the tempo that was set being solid throughout. Savaquin was terrific under the weight and remains in the grade following his last win, so he might be able to pinch another one as he will only have to carry 1.5kg more. Farshad was sound, along with Gift Of Lifeline, and the form should stack up well enough out of this event.

Charity Fun enjoyed the run of the race and demolished his rivals to score easily. He is a nice prospect, but will have to raise the bar around 3-4 lengths if he is going to test some of the others headed toward the Hong Kong Derby. Not much else to see here, as they line-up regularly against one another and take turns winning.

The pace was injected mid-race and this event rated about where it should overall. Winning Volatility (SID) was hacing only his fourth local start and his second on the turf and this was a much better run from him. He closed with a race-best final-200m (11.70) and considering he will line up against similar opposition next time, could be one to keep safe. Maldives is not a betting proposition, unless he goes back to Sha Tin, where one might have to reassess.

Scores Of Fun posted his worst winning number to land this event, in what was a “sit and sprint”. Shouson arguably had his chance. Hercules was given a poor ride from Badel, and Stewards did advise him to “maintain advantageous positions” so his mounts “don’t get out of their ground unneccessarily”. Ain’t that the truth!

This was a really good ride from Matthew Poon on Igniting, using the horse’s rolling pace to take full advantage and wear his main rivals down. The race rated okay, and there wasn’t much else that caught the eye, with the exception of Classic Posh, who closed stylishly and might be up to winning in this grade.