The pace was decent enough but nothing special overall. Golden General (SID) has been good his last two starts and is close to a win. Overall, it was a pretty standard Class 5 but from a better draw Golden General will settle closer and can win in this distance range. Ka Fortune was first-up and just peaked on his run. 

This was a really weak race, the worst of the day. All The Way ran on well, along with Comfort Life, but I have a strong suspicion that the track was better out there. That is not the norm. Overall, I won’t be taking much notice of this event. 

This race rated about where it should for the grade. The pace was solid (-0.58 inside standard first-600m) and it set up nicely for the swoopers. Red Brick Fighter (SID) had an economical run around midfield but was held-up in the straight and arguably would have won. He was first-up and will strip fitter and can win in this grade. 

It was a solid debut from Courier Wonder who attained a soft lead and demolished rivals by over 5-lengths. Although comparing 1200m vs 1400m, his first sectional (400m Vs 600m) compared in line with Mighty Giant (winner of Race 10) and Courier Wonder came home (final 600m) 3.5-lengths slower, but that underscores a terrific debut. With natural improvement he should handle the 14-point rise and looks destined to rise much higher in the ratings overall. The times and margins don’t lie, he’s got the hallmarks of a very, very good horse. 

Note: Bundle Of Energy returned with blood in the trachea. This race rated well. Beauty Angel enjoyed a nice run in transit and proved too good. He was $4.20 into $2.80 and won like a favourite should, and with the 7-point penalty will be hard to beat in Class 3. Jimmu hit the line with a race-best final-200m (11.82) and he looks ready to win. He makes the SID file. 

Surprisingly, this rated as the best race of the day. The pace was brutal, which set up for a big number. Literally, most horses were empty late and hence Great Treasure was able to pick up the pieces. Helene Wisdom Star was a part of the brutal pace, on his Hong Kong debut, and ran very well after tiring late. It was a good run. I’m not sure that we will get a race run like that much in the furture, but nonetheless, it rated well and I will trust the form out of it.

I was a little surprised at how well this race rated and there will be some gems of horse to come out of it. The pace was solid and Sunny Star on his fifth career start came through to win well. He will be winning more races. Robot Warrior (SID) was having his second career start and his final-200m (11.32) was the third-best at the meeting. He might be ready now and won’t mind a step up in trip. Overall, the form should stack up well.

It was a nice win by Baltic Success and this was clearly the better of the two 1000m races. However, it was also quite a messy race with significant interference at different stages. Joyful Heart was working home well before he ran in to a deadend and it looked as though he was entered here to get a drop in class. They only dropped him one point, so they might have to wait longer for that. 

Zac Purton gave Lockheed the perfect ride and he notched his first Hong Kong win at start 24. It worked out well for him in the running and he has always shown promise, but has rarely delivered so it will be interesting to see if he can go on with it? Biz Power closed stongly again (race-best final-200m of 11.37) and he might be looking for 1400m? But he was checked at a key stage and should have won anyway. The ride on Ping Hai Bravo in the home straight was poorly judged. 

Mighty Giant’s win here rated in line with his impressive first-up win, but this time he took a sit on an easier tempo and was still too strong. Interestingly, both Sky Field and Lucky Express each looked to peak on their runs. Their final-400m was basically identical, both from 400-200 and the 200 to the post. At this stage, I think each is better suited over 1200m. Maximus (SID) was very good. The race-shape was against him, he was strong through the line, and will be better over further. He was 4 from 4 in Europe and I don’t know what his best trip will be, but it won’t be long before he makes his presence felt.