Luke Middlebrook
Trainer Francis Lui's thriving five-year-old, All Is Good, aims to extend his winning streak to five when he resumes in the Class 3 Handicap over 1650m at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
It took 15 starts for All Is Good to shed his maiden tag, but he has not looked back since achieving that feat in early May. Posting a winning hat-trick in Class 4 in his final three runs for the season, All Is Good made his Class 3 debut first-up on the opening day of this season and was confidently backed to get the job done as the $1.8 favourite. He did so easily, cruising clear by a decisive 1.50 lengths over 1400m at Sha Tin.
All Is Good hasn't raced since then but has also not missed a day of work. He has trialled well twice ahead of Wednesday's race, and Lui has found another winnable race for him. The likely leader, Outgate, could prove hard to run down based on his win two starts ago, while you can overlook his last start effort as he was used up in the early stages and understandably faded in the stretch.
Class-dropper, Prime Minister, warrants respect and so too does Pierre Ng’s entrant, Quantum Patch, who seems to be improving all the time with more race experience.
In Race 8 over 1200m, four-year-old gelding Denfield has drawn an all-important low gate for his fourth-up assignment.
Trained by Danny Shum, the gelding has faced challenges with wide and awkward draws throughout the majority of his 10-start career. However, this week he comes into barrier No 2, offering jockey Vincent Ho a better chance of luck compared to recent races.
In his last start, Denfield raced from barrier No 8, marking his first foray into Class 3 after an impressive second-up win in Class 4. Despite racing wide throughout, he was only beaten by 2.50 lengths.
Having demonstrated tactical versatility, Ho will have options aboard Denfield depending on the race's early unfolding. However, it seems likely that he will map just off the leaders – O’Liner and Colourful Emperor - and have the last crack at them.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Nordic Combined more than capable of winning again in this race after he scored a big win last start when first-up off a stable change. He could have more to come. Ernest Feeling last start winner who remains in the same grade and has trialled well since transferring to Jamie Richards’ yard. Charming Steed looks a solid good chance based on last start. Brilliant Pioneer every chance last start but still ran a good race when second. Gets every chance again here from gate 3. Happy Tango will win in this grade very soon. Trialled okay recently and should run a race.
Race 2: Cordyceps One placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. Always dangerous in Class 5 and should be in the finish. President’s Choice down in class in this race and should perform better. Purton rides and he should be going close if he runs up to prior Class 4 form. Splendid Star go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Maps to suit his pattern from gate 3. Get The Monies down in class here and can surprise up in distance and blinkers on first time. Nice Birdie video replay showed last run was very good.
Race 3: M Unicorn caught the eye last start when running home well from a wide draw. Fair to say he was beaten by the wide alley but can bounce back from a mid-draw here. Club Soda second start and will be fitter. First-up run was a pass mark, finishing close up, and Purton rides from gate 2 for Size here. Happy Angel consistent form lately and can score here. Begins fast from gate 3 and will give a sight. Master Tornado will win in this grade very soon. On-pace for a long while from pole position. Palace Pal remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here.
Race 4: Prosperous Smile newcomer who looks a winning chance in this race after turning in several impressive trials. Not many win first-up over 1000m at the Valley, so he has history against him to a degree. Circuit Seven showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Purton takes over the reins and will run a race here. Harmony Fire bled last start and has been rested. Very well rated now back into Class 4, and can win if he’s healthy. Gorgeous Vitality had excuses last start and forget the run. Ace Talent is better than recent form indicates and can improve.
Race 5: Durham Star was an easy last start winner and finds a race where he can repeat the dose should he show up in the same form. Win Win Fighter looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start from a wide draw. Comes into mid-draw and should improve. Killer Instinct looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Should run a race for Vincent and Caspar from a low gate. Super Elite has finished close up recently and can run well. The rise in distance looks key to his chances here. Fortune President last start winner who retains good form and can run well again.
Race 6: Golden Rise turned in a good debut run and looks to have ability for the Size yard. Should come on plenty for that run and Purton jumps on second-up. High Percentage looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Drew wide last start and was ridden for luck. Comes into gate 4 and chances look strong. Solid Shalaa had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. Jumbo Legend good performance when storming home for third place over 1000m last start. Rising to 1200m second-up suits, can bounce back anytime this class. Scotch Tycoon turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into fourth.
Race 7: All Is Good racing in career-best form, winning his last four races, and gives the impression he still has more to come. Races first-up off a good trial and this isn’t an overly strong race. Outgate can lead in this race and be hard to run down like he did two starts ago. Last start, he was used up early and faded late in the straight. Quantum Patch caught wide last start and still ran well. Prime Minister drops down in grade and start following. Eighteen Palms fresh up from a break and should run well. Barrier 12 is far from ideal however.
Race 8: Denfield caught wide last start and still ran well. Comes into barrier 2 here, which should make a world of difference, and gets his chance to win a Class 3. Sugar Sugar had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Colourful Emperor a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. Purton takes over the reins and a win appears imminent. Brave Star looks a solid good chance based on last start but barrier No 10 is tricky. Never Too Soon well supported last start and won accordingly – questions remain if he can go on with it or not.