Bowman believes 'Loveisintheair'

Loveisintheair is trending in the right direction and jockey Hugh Bowman hopes John Size’s three-year-old gelding can make further headway when he lines up in the Class 4 the France Galop Cup Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

Across three starts, the chestnut has finished sixth, fifth and most recently third, and Bowman – a winner of 58 races in Hong Kong this season – has faith the youngster possesses the right tools to furnish into a quality racer and ascend the city’s handicap.

“Last time I was able to build him through his gears and he was better. I would expect a better performance again this week,” Bowman said. “He’s a nice progressive horse, I think, he’s far from the finished article just yet. He has taken really good progression.”

Slightly slow away last start at Happy Valley on 9 April, Loveisintheair saved ground before rallying late along the inside rail to miss by under a length. Bowman, 44, is second in this season’s jockeys’ championship. He recently won the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) atop Red Lion for Size on FWD Champions Day in April.

“He’s (Loveisintheair) a really nice horse. He’s certainly better than Class 4 but he’s still learning. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him move to Sha Tin before the end of the season and perform well over 1400m. I think he’ll get a mile down the track but I’m not suggesting he needs that just yet.

“We haven’t seen the best of him but you can see that he’s improving and I’d like to think that we’ll see a good improvement from last start to this start,” Bowman said.

A two-time Hong Kong Derby-winning jockey, Bowman takes eight rides at the city circuit’s nine-race programme, including course and distance winner Mighty Commander in the Class 4 Saint-Cloud Handicap (1650m) for trainer Caspar Fownes.

“He’s quite a consistent horse. He can have a few little issues at the start getting into stride but from a good draw (No 4), it’d be lovely if we could land fourth or fifth somewhere. He always runs well,” Bowman said.

Keith Yeung is aiming to go one better aboard Perfect Pairing for championship-leading trainer Size in the Class 4 The French May Trophy Handicap (2200m) tomorrow night.

“I just sat behind the field and hugged the rail – he (Perfect Pairing) finished off strongly (last start). It was just a bit of bad luck because the winner got going on the outside and we had to wait for a gap to open in the straight. He still finished really nicely,” Yeung said. “It seems like he handles this distance very well.”

Luke Ferraris retains the ride aboard Chateauneuf in the Class 3 ParisLongchamp Handicap (1200m) for trainer David Hayes after finishing third on 16 April. The Fastnet Rock gelding led last start before missing by 0.75 lengths.

“It was a good run. It wasn’t really the plan to go to the front but he left the gates really well and there was a lack of speed in the race,” Ferraris said. “It was a better run than it looked. He seems to have come through it well.”

Ferraris has 37 wins this term and Chateauneuf faces noted frontrunners Superb Capitalist and Lucky Planet among the 12-runner finale at Happy Valley.

“We have No 1 draw and the pace in the race should help us. If he can get a nice run in transit and the gaps open at the right time, hopefully he can reproduce it,” Ferraris said.

Fortunate Son turned his form around to grab third on 16 April and jockey Harry Bentley reunites with the gelding in the Class 3 Deauville Handicap.

“That day just went nice and smooth and we’re hoping for much of the same again this time,” Bentley said. “I think if he can get the right conditions in the race then he’s going to run another big race.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Tattenham showed tactical speed from a wide draw and finished third last start. He looks ready to make amends with a favourable draw. The Khan found the line well late in his last two outings, and with Bowman aboard, he should deliver a commendable performance. Harry’s Hero backing up quickly from a strong effort last week, he must be considered a strong chance. Tradition with a more conservative racing style, he can make his presence felt if the pace suits. Podium had genuine excuses last start (raced wide) and can improve with a smoother trip

Race 2: Ace Talent stuck on well for third off a fast tempo last start. From a good draw, he should enjoy a smooth trip and give them something to chase. Day Day Victory broke through easily in this class last time out and is poised to go back-to-back from a low draw. Happy Tango was not beaten far last start and can surprise better-fancied rivals if he finds his best. Ragnarr his last run suggests a win is just around the corner. However, he will need some luck from a wide draw this time. Speedy Fortune well placed with the apprentice claim, he could place at long odds.

Race 3: Hakka Radiance is edging closer to a maiden win and appears well weighted in this marathon contest. Serangoon finished third over this track and distance last start despite a wide draw. With a better gate, he could make amends. Management Folks stormed home for a brilliant win last time out and a double looks within his reach. Rosewood Fleetfoot capable but unpredictable, he could cause an upset on his day. Can’t Go Wong his recent runs have been encouraging and he should run well despite carrying top weight.

Race 4: Goko Win finished strongly on his Class 4 debut last time out and looks ready to return to the winner’s list from a low draw. Galvanic has finally drawn a decent gate and could prove to be a value choice. Majestic Delight has trialled well since his third-place finish last start, with further improvement expected. Good Prospect in consistent form recently, he must be considered among the better chances. Circuit Duffy the drop in distance works in his favour and he could be hard to run down if given a soft lead.

Race 5: Mighty Commander sat on the speed and finished sixth off a frantic tempo last start. With a more measured ride, he could secure a spot in the Top 3. Setanta with the drop in class, he is primed to make an impact, following a fast-finishing third in Class 3. Amazing Award caught the eye charging home strongly last start and commands respect. Stormi ran on well for third in a slowly run race last time out. With a genuine tempo, he can go two places better. Satirical Fan a natural frontrunner, he’s well drawn for a favourable trip and should not be overlooked.

Race 6: Aurio has performed well at the bottom of Class 3 and looks primed to break through dropping to Class 4, especially with Purton aboard. Telecom Power comes off a strong second over this track and distance and is ideally weighted to go one better. Ace Power has the ability and could cause an upset if he finds his best form. Loveisintheair charged home strongly to finish third last start, but the wide draw remains a concern. Super Charizzard used strange tactics last start; can place at odds if back to a more positive racing style.

Race 7: Jumbo Fortune seems to get all the favours in this race and is primed to make a return to the winner’s list. Owners’ Praise flashed home into second in a race dominated by the leader last start. He could go one better with a genuine tempo. Iconical led from start to finish last time out and could repeat the dose if he can cross early from a wide draw. Ivy League could have an edge over his rivals on his Class 4 debut, making him an intriguing runner to watch. Comet Splendido will relish the drop to Class 4, where he boasts a great record of two wins from six starts.

Race 8: Lucky Touch closed off well for fourth last start in a race that has since proven strong form. With Purton taking the reins, he shapes as a strong contender. Highland Rahy a dangerous frontrunner in great form, he will be hard to peg back if allowed an uncontested lead. Fortunate Son finished strongly into third last start and appears well weighted to run another bold race this time. Quantum Patch was narrowly beaten last start and should not be overlooked, despite returning to Class 3. Samarkand an underrated type, he could surprise at odds if he gets a smooth trip.

Race 9: Lucky Planet secured back-to-back victories in Class 4 in emphatic fashion recently and remains a leading contender despite stepping up to Class 3. Chateauneuf finished a close third in a fast run race last start. He could make amends with a more measured ride. King Miles produced an improved effort last start, and with Purton aboard, he could go one better this time. Beauty Infinity has not been beaten far in his recent starts and could cause an upset in this wide-open contest. Fast Responder will find this field more manageable compared to his recent runs at Sha Tin, and improvement is expected.