Bentley hopes Majestic Star can strike again

Harry Bentley is optimistic Majestic Star can continue his emergence as one of Hong Kong’s most versatile horses when he returns to turf competition and Happy Valley for the Class 2 Guangzhou Handicap (1200m) on Sunday.

Twice a winner on Sha Tin’s dirt surface and also twice successful on Happy Valley turf, Majestic Star has risen from 69 to 99 in the handicaps under trainer Danny Shum and Bentley believes the I Am Invincible gelding is primed to perform strongly again.

“He was mightily impressive on the All Weather last time (at Sha Tin on 9 October) and he comes here in really good form,” Bentley said, referencing Majestic Star’s Class 1 win over 1200m when carrying 123lb and the rise to 134lb this Sunday.

“He was always going to get punished for a win like that, but he’s a very big horse and I don’t think carrying extra weight is going to be too much of a problem. I’m delighted with the draw (barrier No 2) I’ve got. There looks to be plenty of pace in the race, which is going to help and we should get a nice sit behind the pace.

“Campione is obviously a natural contender in the race but he’s got a very wide draw in (barrier) No 12, so that’s going to make life difficult for him but I think still he’s got room for improvement, this horse (Majestic Star). He’s doing everything right, I’m very happy with his trackwork. He’s coming into the race in fine form.

“He’s a very well- balanced horse and the tight bends don’t bother him at all, so the track seems to suit him.”

Tony Cruz-trained Campione, who finished fourth to Majestic Star last start, will look to boost G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) aspirations under Matthew Poon.

With six wins and 21 minor placings from 72 runners this season, Pierre Ng is intent on building on his stable’s impressive momentum with veteran Kungfumaster Panda in the Class 4 Kwangtung Handicap Cup Handicap (1800m) for Zac Purton.

“He did a brilliant run, a brilliant race, ridden brilliantly by Zac last time and hopefully he can (do) it again this time,” Ng said, referring to the eight-year-old’s last start win at Happy Valley on 12 October.

“This time we’ve got a wide draw (barrier No 9) and hopefully he can handle that difficulty and hopefully he’s good enough again.”

In the throes of establishing himself as a fully-fledged trainer, Ng, 39, has made a strong early impression.

“It’s hard but we’ve managed to get more runners now and hopefully we get more and more results later on. We have a lot of Griffins and PPs that aren’t ready yet, so we just have to get them ready and hopefully get results,” Ng said.

Zac Purton, a runaway leader in the 2022/23 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 31 wins, has nine rides on Sunday and partners Lyrical Motion in the Class 4 Huizhou Handicap (1000m) for Chris So.

“He’s drawn well enough and if he can get out of the gate like he did in his trial (at Happy Valley on 14 October), he can get into a nice spot and give himself a chance,” Purton said.

“It’s a weaker grade of race, so if he can reproduce one of those races from last season it will hold him in good stead but time will tell.”

Derek Leung continues his association with Nimble Nimbus in the Class 3 Zhaoqing Handicap (1650m), hopeful of partnering Ricky Yiu’s gelding to successive wins after his first-up Happy Valley triumph on 5 October.

“Last time, he won good. We had a good position and it worked out well and this time I hope it will be the same – we will just see the situation,” Leung said.

“I believe he’s good enough in Class 3 and he can still improve a bit. I think he will run good again.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Methane change of trainer recently and can improve taking the Class drop under Purton off the back of a strong trial. Drawn wide, but he has a class edge. Circuit Spiritanto last run suggested a win was very near and he will map to get every winning chance. Sure Win Win finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and he comes into a low draw to be a chance. Flash Famous ran the second fastest sectional time last start. Amazing News ran the fourth fastest sectional time last start.

Race 2: Speedy Fortune has trialled well for debut and should be rated a winning chance from barrier 1. He looks talented. Mega Bonus has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Purton takes the ride from a good draw. Hardly Swears looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Commanding Missile change of trainer recently and can improve on the class drop. Sight Hero last start winner who remains in the same grade, can run well again with luck in the run.

Race 3: Kowloon Great caught the eye last start when running home well. Coming into barrier 1 can see him map handier and go close to winning. Kungfumaster Panda was an easy last start winner and must be respected again. If he shows up in the same form, commands respect. Super Hong Kong can improve second-up from a break and from a good draw. Vincy ran the third fastest sectional time last start and can surprise in a race like this. Wonder Years generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.

Race 4: Red Impact has a better chance on this track and should run well from barrier 1 under Purton. Over The Moon improving type and getting close to a win, he will map a winning chance. Happy Jai Jai fresh up from a break and should run well from his low draw. Jade Phoenix a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, he can give a sight but could be telling late. Yee Cheong Warrior last start winner who remains in the same grade, chance to run well again.

Race 5: Red Impact has a better chance on this track and should run well from barrier 1 under Purton. Over The Moon improving type and getting close to a win, he will map a winning chance. Happy Jai Jai fresh up from a break and should run well from his low draw. Jade Phoenix a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, he can give a sight but could be telling late. Yee Cheong Warrior last start winner who remains in the same grade, chance to run well again.

Race 6: Jumbo Legend more than capable of winning again in this race after shedding his maiden tag in fine style last start. He can go on with it. Shining Fortune looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start. Purton takes the ride and he can atone. Shadow Runner change of trainer recently and can improve. High Cloud down in class here and can surprise, start to follow. Gang Of Brothers go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. He can bounce back.

Race 7: Five G Patch more than capable of winning again in this race after winning impressively over 2000m last start. Nearly Fine racing in career-best form and must be rated a good chance again if he can see out the distance. Copartner Elites video replay showed last run was very good, as the jockey made a mid-race move, and he can improve. Natural Storm well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. Above is a distance specialist who looks a big chance to improve into the placings on best form. 

Race 8: Possibly the most open race on the card. Nimble Nimbus well supported last start and won accordingly and he may be able to go on with it. E Legend will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well at, potentially, a price. Zone D is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time and gets Purton in the saddle. Drawn wide, but gets back anyway. Escape Route generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Round The Earth finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and appears to be improving.

Race 9: Rewarding Together had genuine excuses last start when caught wide, but that shouldn’t happen here as he comes into a low draw and back to his bets track and distance. Majestic Star was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Grateful Heart good performance when returning to form last start. Harmony And Rich will find this easier than last start (Group race) and could improve. Campione disappointing last start, when beaten as odds-on favourite and had every chance, but worth giving another chance here.

Race 10: A few in-form horses go head-to-head here. Winning Icey winner of last two starts impressively, and looks to have plenty more to come. Street Scream racing in career-best form, also winning his last two, and will map to get every winning chance from the low gate. All Beauty talented galloper who is resuming from a break and should be running well. Stradale newcomer who has trialled well for debut but has drawn wide, might just need the run. Power Koepp showed no interest last start, forget the run and consider again.