The first two sectionals were pretty quick and the race set up nicely for those midfield or worse, including the winner Manna From Heaven. Speed To Exceed (SID) was handy on a solid tempo and battled pretty well, and considering it was only his seventh career start he should be winning in this grade in the short term and makes the SID file. It was some win by Manna From Heaven after sitting wide throughout!

This rated as the best race on the card, which doesn’t often happen for a Class 4. Superbella has posted a figure here which would see him competitive in Class 2 company and he hasn’t shown anything like this before. His final-200m (11.52) was the 10th-best at the meeting and the overall time well inside of standard. I have to trust what I see I suppose!

NOTE: Grateful Heart returned with blood in the trachea. The pace was solid enough and the first-three home came from well back in the field. Massive Pocket’s final-400m (22.37) was a meeting-best. The rest probably ran to their mark and Grateful Heart obviously had issues and wasn’t at his best.

NOTE: Saul’s Special returned lame the next day. Keep You Warm hadn’t posted a win in Hong Kong so he did it in good style following a string of consistent efforts. I’m not sure what to make of the win (it was another big win on the night), Keep You Warm was hard ridden all the way and drew clear. Divine Regulus (SID) hit the line with an 11.34 final-200m (4th-best at the meeting) and he is eligible for a lower-grade and can win in Class 4, with a senior rider.

The pace was very strong and that didn’t help Sea Elite who was three-wide with no cover and had a clear excuse, so he will keep for another day. Vigor Champ lapped up the strong pace through out and swept down a good part of the track. Jiangxi Stamina (SID) made his run on inferior ground and from well back, and importantly gets a drop in class now (class 5).

This race didn’t rate very well. Goodluck Goodluck was afforded a soft lead and duly won, thankfully! Peak To Peak is weak and had every possible chance. Star Of Wuyi was taken back from a wide gate in a slowly run race and ran very well all things considered, he makes the SID file and can be followed especially with the same rider booking.

This was another race that didn’t rate well overall and with Fearless Fire winning, that would also suggest that it wasn’t much chop. There were a couple of horses with excuses but I have my doubts around the strength of this race.

The pace was slow early here and it became a sprint home, which meant it didn’t rate all that well overall. So I don’t want to trust this form too much although Amazing News was solid off a slow pace. His final-200m (11.24) showed there is some ability there.

This race rated well and it was a good win by Telecom Fighters, who managed to lead from start to finish setting a reasonable tempo through out. Helene Wisdom Star (SID) was held up towards the rear but hit the line very well indeed and he is ready to win now. Exceptional Nice isn’t far from a win either.