With five winners from the past four Sha Tin meetings, Alexis Badel hopes Ping Hai Galaxy can extend the Frenchman’s productive streak when the veteran gelding contests the Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
One of Hong Kong’s fastest horses, Ping Hai Galaxy led throughout last start to land the Class 2 The Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m) on Sha Tin’s dirt course on 3 December, defeating Flying Ace by a short head.
“He was great last time, that was a very good win,” Badel said. “He’s always been a very fast horse out of the gate, great early speed. He’s a lovely horse, strong body type, so I’m hoping he can carry on this way.
“I think he has the ability to do well over 1000 metres. It’s more about having the race that suits him – he likes to run free, he likes to do his own pace so if you can get him into a nice rhythm, I think he’s going to run well.”
Trained by John Size, Ping Hai Galaxy carried 57.5kg last start, but rises to 60kg when he faces Kurpany, Whizz Kid, We Are Hero, Astrologer, Carroll Street, Invincible Sage, Dream Winner, Wonder Kit and Ima Single Man in this weekend’s speed contest.
With a pair of Class 3 victories, David Hall’s Invincible Sage rises to Class 2 for the first time and will jump from barrier seven under six-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton.
“He seems fine, and we’ll find out how he handles Class 2 at the weekend,” Hall said. “He’s two from two, he’s ready, and the programme is there for him to run in that race. It’s a straight track 1000m again so let’s see what he’s made of.
“The Class 3 races are a bit shallow at the moment, but the Class 2 contests are a bigger hurdle to jump. He’s done what he’s had to do and he’s ready to go back to the races, so it’s good that he’s got this Class 2 1000 (metres) to do it.”
Hall will also saddle Ka Ying Victory in the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Beloved Collection Handicap (1200m) when the talented gelding clashes with Wunderbar, who is also unbeaten after two starts.
“His (Ka Ying Victory’s) trials have been good enough and he’s ready to go back to the races. He’s a three-year-old running in Class 3 and coming out of Griffin form, so it can be a bit questionable,” Hall said. “It looks like a strong race, so it will be interesting to see what he can do.”
Ka Ying Victory will be partnered by Purton, while Size-trained Wunderbar will be ridden by James McDonald.
“He (Wunderbar) is very promising, he gave me a beautiful feel. He feels like he’s very untapped and what he’s done so far, he just feels like he’s scratching the surface. He’s doing everything with plenty in hand – he’s got a bit up his sleeve from what he’s been doing,” McDonald said.
“This is a big step up, being six furlongs (1200m) for the first time and facing some very tough, competitive horses but he’s got good potential and he’s very well educated.”
Unbeaten in two starts on Sha Tin’s dirt surface, Smokey Bear will attempt to provide Michael Chang with his stable’s sixth win of the season when he contests the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Goldstyle Handicap (1200m) under Keagan De Melo.
“He found a good field last time and he put them to bed quite easily, he’s on the improve on the dirt and you just don’t know how good he is yet. Maybe he can improve a little bit more – which I think he would have to – and we can see another good run,” the South African said.
“Hopefully he can make the step up in class. His work has been pretty good going into the race.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Nordic Combined generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Easy winner two starts ago and backed it up with an okay run. Piques interest coming to 1400m at Sha Tin, which should suit. Baebae Tsoi down in class here and can surprise. Trialled well and is a course and distance winner. Soaring Tower had excuses last start when dislodging the rider and forget the run. All Is Ready go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Should map soft to get his chance rising to 1400m. Beat Hollow form is good and must be rated a solid chance.
Race 2: Regent Glory had genuine excuses last start when badly checked in the straight and consider again. Prior, form was good and getting close to a win. Aca Power was an easy last start winner and must be respected to repeat the dose. Barrier 1 might not be ideal however. Lean Master has improved since the blinkers were added and can go on with it. Shanghai Style newcomer who trialled okay and can run well, watch the betting. Magic Supreme caught wide last start, chance on best.
Race 3: Loyal Bo Bo ran out of condition last start and will be fitter now. He deserves another chance after showing promise at the trials prior to his first start. Patch Of Theta newcomer who has trialled well for debut and could run a big race. Multisuper should be highly suited by the drop back in distance, expect better with J-Mac in the saddle. Glory B making debut and recent trial was a pass mark, well prepared and watch the betting. Falcon Court well prepared for debut and is worth considering.
Race 4: Turtle Again more than capable of winning again in this race after breaking through easily last start. He can go on with it. Happy Hero was eased early before catching the eye late last start after drawing wide and ridden for luck. Better chance at this track and distance. Classic Archi has ability and is always dangerous in this grade, start to follow. Copartner Era had genuine excuses last start when caught wide, give a chance to improve coming into barrier 4. Colourful Baron has finished close up recently and can run well.
Race 5: Smokey Bear was an easy last start winner and he could be good enough to repeat the dose. Racing well after a stable change. Sports Legend showed improvement at a recent trial, leading all the way to score a by a big margin, and might be ready to show something third-up in Hong Kong. Mark The Moment had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Good Buddy drawn well and should gain a good run. Capable here. Toronado Phantom is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time. Will get back from the draw and be running on late.
Race 6: Jumbo Fortune backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well. Has to go close here for leading trainer Pierre Ng. Owners’ Praise can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and looks to get the sweet from barrier 4 under J-Mac after jumping from a wide stall last start. Endeared has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race. Again, he cannot draw a gate! War Of Courage good performance when returning to form last start. High Percentage remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after showing some promise at Happy Valley.
Race 7: Dream Winner recent barrier trial was good impressive, suggesting a big run can be expected as he returns to his pet track and distance. He gets his chance to improve here. Invincible Sage highly promising galloper who appears to have a great chance to win. Up in class but has untapped potential. Whizz Kid looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Carroll Street is back in form and is worth considering on an each-way basis. Wonder Kit consistent performer of late and worth considering. Back in trip is the query.
Race 8: Aestheticism last start winner who remains in the same grade. The penny has dropped and he can go on with it. Holy Lake has improved since the blinkers were added and remains a winning chance. However, the wide draw is the concern. Lucky Eternity looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Barrier 13 is the query but he can run well. Super Wise Dragon could sneak a place in a race like this. J-Mac should enhance his chances. Club Soda from astute yard and watch betting support as blinkers go on first time here.
Race 9: Karma promising type who continues to improve, looks well placed to bounce back for the win here after a slashing run behind Chill Chibi at the Valley last start. Master Of Fortune last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Speed Dragon had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Blinkers go on first time in Hong Kong here, which he wore overseas. Beauty Fit has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Beautyverse go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay.
Race 10: Wunderbar unbeaten to date but this is toughest test as he rises in class and distance, Still, he looks to have good upside for the John Size yard. Mugen a last start winner who trialled well since but will need luck from the wide draw. Ka Ying Victory nice 3yo with a good chance here but this is much harder than the Griffin races he won last term. Not Usual Star will be suited by the switch back to the turf track and could run a cheeky race under the apprentice claim. Excellent Fighter Resuming, looked well in a recent trial.