This was clearly the worst rating race of the day. The tempo was quite quick through the first two sections and Manful Star sustained a good final-600m (33.94) to win. The issue for Manful Star is that he lacks early pace and that will make it hard for him up in grade, although he wil be competitive in a C4 if the race shape suits. Note: First Beaut was found to be lame the next day. 

The pace built from the 1200m and the first-four turning into the straight fought out the finish due to the ‘soft’ first two sectionals. However, most of these are well exposed and I’m not sure there is much upside to many of them. 

On raw times they were outside of standard but after adjustments, the pace was solid enough here and this will be a good form race. Murray’s Partners was having just his second career start and he closed with a race-best 11.81 final-200m. He has promise and should be winning when back in C4 company in this distance range. He makes the SID file. 

They went fast early here, then there was an ‘anchor drop’ around the turn but Happy Force led from start to finish and was solid. This win rated on par with his previous win. Right Choice was under hard riding throughout and he might need blinkers or further. He has upside but is still learning his craft. Victorious Leader was allowed to find his feet early before running on stoutly (11.64 final-200m). He makes the SID file but he probably needs to get to a mile and draw well.

A fast tempo was set and the fact Picken managed to hold on makes me believe that the track favoured those on-pace and close to the rail. Fun Times was good and isn’t far off a win. Fantastic Show….. well there wasn’t much intent to put him in the race early and he ran on extremely well. HIs last-600m was around six lengths faster than the winner. He is by Not A Single Doubt, so maybe the cusion in the track helped but he will be one worth watching closely next start.

A very fast tempo was set here so any pattern was offset. The winner, Tornado Twist, is a talent and has more upside but also had the right trip in a race run to suit. Conversely, What A Legend going for home prior to the turn given they had gone that quickly early was not very smart. Besta Luck was too keen with the blinkers on and was a forgive.

This was an incredible win from Dark Dream and it rated well enough to have made him highly competitive in a HKIR Cup! He will take some beating in the Derby off this win. Perhaps Harmony Victory sat too close to the solid tempo and his ‘fails’ have been when ridden prominently. However, this was all about the winner who sustained an excellent final-400m and was in a different league to his opposition at his second Hong Kong start. 

The track was clearly rain-affected by this stage and Victory Machine worked hard to lead but still won. Waikuku was some performance, on Hong Kong debut, sitting four-wide without cover and only narrowly failing to win. He makes the SID file along with Biz Power (formerly with Freedman) who posted some excellent closing sectionals at his first start for Chris So. 

This was an outstanding win from Styling City who would have been a good thing beaten when badly held-up and looking to build momentum. He got D Whyte out of trouble and should have won far easier than he did. Styling City could be something a little special and I strongly doubt 1,000m is his best trip. He looks like he wants 1400m. Lean Perfection is ready to win but needs 1,200m. 

This was another event where the first two sectionals were the fastest, in relation to standard, yet King Opie who was on-pace prevailed. Consequently, Home Run didn’t get a track to suit but was very good in defeat and he is close to a win. Another eye-catching run came from Winning Endeavour at his second Hong Kong start. He makes the SID file and the fact he bucked the track pattern and posted an excellent final-600m (35.25 race-best) means he can be followed.