Basically a renewal of a very ordinary bunch of griffins. At the moment, this lot would struggle to be competitive in Class 5. It’s a little hard to know just how good they given they all raced on faster ground on the grandstand side, so the 21.80 second final-400m was okay, but as mentioned, it has to be taken into context of the day. 

This race didn’t rate well. Demons Rock finally won a race, which might reflect the quality (or lack) of the event as well. Many of these will line up against each other in the future but as a collective, there was nothing special to take from the race. 

Note: Helene Leadingstar was lame the next day. It was a very disappointing run from the favourite but obviously there were excuses. The pace ramped up from the 1200m but he clearly should have performed better. It was a good win to Chefano, who enjoyed the front-running role and was dominant in the end. There are not too many 2400m races in HK, so this will obviously be a keen form-lead for the G1 Champions And Chater Cup coming up.

This race rated pretty well, albeit down the straight course, which can be a little tricky to rely on going forward. Kinda Cool (SID) was a play for us and he was very good on his debut. He could have easily won but Fantastic Eight had a dream run through out and with race fitness/experience was too good on the day. Dream Team ($14 to $9.70) came in for support and ran well. I expect the form to hold up okay out of this race. Flying Spirit will fly under the radar a touch, and might be one to keep an eye on over further. 

The pace was genuine and it was a nice enough win to Quadruple Double, who was issued a 6-point penalty for the win so he stays in the grade and will be competitive in Class 3 again. Happy Alumni is probably the best horse in this race and can win, but his manners are poor and he cant be relied upon. Mig Energy missed the start and ran on well. He is close to a win. This race rated well, and I will be trusting the form, but I am concerned about the manners of those that were the better runs in defeat.

Note: M M Johnny was found to be lame next day. This race rated about where it should. The winner was well backed ($17 in to $8) and it was a good lead on a galloper that was well held on his prior outing over the course and distance, but that was on a sealed and completely different all-weather track. (hence Goldie Flanker’s effort…..so market predicting this performance was just too good!)

Back to the turf where the early pace in this race was brutal and it took its toll! Galactic “travelled keenly” and was beaten early. So, keen on this pace that he was never going to be a factor, but he seemed beaten at the 700m….so it was very ordinary run. All that said, the winner Decisive Action was very good. He posted the 2nd-best final-200m of the race so I would be happy to follow him again, potentially over further. 

This race was the best of the day, with the pace being solid throughout. London Hall was a play and bitterly disappointing, the rider putting it down to the ‘firmer’ track. Perhaps, but his performance rated 15-lengths worse than his previous run which was his beaten margin! I am not sure, but it was significantly worse than anything he has turned in for some time. Most of these might line up against each other in the near future. 

This race didn’t rate well. The pace was even on the quick track and the leader, Momentum Happy was too good. Three of the better runs in the race were Sam’s Love, Circuit One and Spicy Grill. Given how the race rated, I am not sure how much the overall form can be relied upon, and suffice to say Party Genius had every possible chance and I’m not sure I would want to take a short price about him going forward. 

Back to the all-weather and this deep surface seemed to really suit Silver Fig. The all-weather track visibly raced very different to how it has on other days this season. Silver Fig is exceptionally good when he is on song and has conditions to suit, but we have said that before in the past and it has been a longtime between victories!!

The pace was slow for the first two sections of the race and they picked it up from the 800m, making it hard for those midfield or worse. That said, Juneau Park peaked on his run inside the final-200m and he should have hit the line better, though he never got the race shape to suit. I doubt that he wins even if he settled closer though. Guy Dragon (SID) had a worse run and finished much better and he did particularly well to finish 5th. It was amazing to see the field so strung out given the slow early tempo actually… it suited those close to the pace. Strange race all round.