Hugh Bowman is optimistic Raging Blizzard has quality to cope with a rise in grade when John Size’s in-form sprinter bids for a third successive victory when tackling the HK$3.72 million Class 1 TVB Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Raging Blizzard has surged to a rating of 104 after successive Class 2 triumphs against talented opposition over Sunday’s course and distance and Bowman, who sits second with 38 wins behind Zac Purton (82) in the 2024/25 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, believes there is no reason why the Per Incanto gelding will not be extremely competitive again.
“His last two runs, he’s won with authority and he’s a horse that does enjoy coming off the back of extreme speed and I’m not sure if the pace looks quite as hectic as it maybe was for his last outing, but it will still be quick enough for him to find his comfortable running position,” Bowman said.
“I’d like to think he’s going to this race with the same sort of form. You’ve got to leave him alone early and if they go quick enough up front, he’s got an excellent finish on him and the gaps do appear if they’ve gone fast.
“Last time, was especially fast – the opposition – and let’s hope they do the same thing. His form is there for everyone to see and his last two wins have been really authoritative and let’s hope he can do it again.”
Raging Blizzard faces seven opponents – Taj Dragon, Copartner Prance, Lucky With You, Magic Control, Gorgeous Win, Son Pak Fu and Harmony N Blessed.
Fresh from a four-timer at Sha Tin on 31 January, Bowman’s seven-ride book this weekend includes Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Trust in the Class 3 TVB The Fading Gold Handicap (1400m).
Bidding for a berth in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 23 March, the So You Think gelding is pressing for a third win from seven starts this season.
“He’s drawn barrier No 1 which is a great asset but he’s a bit of a quirky horse, though. He’s quite an aggressive galloper and he needs to relax, so it’s just important that he gets smothered up,” Bowman said.
“He needs to relax and get in a rhythm and then he’s got a really strong finish. He’s a model of consistency, but he’s still improving mentally and continues to do so with each start. He will get further but it’s important that he learns how to race properly and once that happens, I can see him climbing through the ratings points.”
Frankie Lor will combine with Zac Purton and Triumphant More, who chases a third victory when he contests the Class 3 TVB Heroes In White Handicap (1200m) against Chris So’s unbeaten Hong Lok Golf and Danny Shum’s last-start winner Blazing Wind.
“He (Triumphant More) is a big horse and even though he’s won twice, he’s still improving,” Lor said. “If the pace is not fast, he can go forward. If not, he can still be close.”
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Lucky Man has recently shown improvement at the bottom of Class 4 and is primed to break through after dropping to Class 5, especially with Purton aboard. Fight Time making his Class 5 debut, he draws well and should produce an improved effort. Regency Happy Star a strong on-pace runner in this field, he could be hard to catch if given a soft lead. Flying Phantom looked unlucky when held up at a crucial stage last start and could make amends with a smoother run. Joyful Life had excuses last start (blood in trachea) and deserves another chance.
Race 2: Meepmeep found the line well late in a slowly run race last start, and with a favourable draw, he is expected to run a bold race. Master Trillion with a better draw and Purton taking the reins, he is one to watch. Gallant Epoch possesses tactical speed and will give them something to chase if allowed to dictate from the front. Euro Rocks stuck on well in a fast run race last start and could cause an upset in a field of this nature, despite the wide draw. Top Time likes to get back and charge home late. He will make his presence felt if the pace suits, which seems likely here.
Race 3: Panda let down well to finish sixth from a wide draw last start. Drawn well over the straight trip, he is primed to make amends. Enjoy Golf has been knocking on the door recently and should play a key role, despite carrying top weight. La Forza resuming from a break, he has trialled well and must be respected with Purton aboard. Colourful Winner has shown ability and gets his chance to finally break through in this field. Country Dancer in career-best form, he is ideally weighted to deliver another commendable performance.
Race 4: Ka Ying Superb has not been beaten far in Class 3 recently and looks ready to run a big race dropping to Class 4, despite the awkward draw. Fun Together if he can control the pace up front from a low draw, he will be hard to run down. Goldentronicmighty he will likely find this field more manageable than his recent starts and improvement is expected. Lucky Generations an underrated type, he could sneak into the placings at odds. Ocean Impact has trialled well for his debut and the betting market will be the best guide.
Race 5: Autumn Vibes a newcomer who has shown promise in several trials, he piques plenty of interest on debut, especially with a strong jockey booking. Great State caught the eye flashing home late last time out and looks a strong contender dropping to Class 4. Ka Ying Power has shown improvement recently and is well weighted to continue his strong run. Vigor Elleegant found one too good at Happy Valley last start and must be respected in this field. Raging Rapids finished strongly into fifth on debut, and with added experience, he could secure a spot in the Top 3.
Race 6: Sight Dreamer an interesting newcomer from John Size’s stable, he is well prepared with several trials and looks poised to deliver a strong performance on debut. Northern Fire Ball with a favourable draw and Britney Wong’s 10-pound claim, he could be hard to run down. Elegant Life capable but unpredictable, he is worth considering if his odds offer value. Fashion Legend has dropped a lot of ratings and is now ideally placed in Class 4 to land his first local win. My Flying Angel stormed home for a slashing third last time out and will make a late surge again if the pace suits.
Race 7: Light Years Charm was badly held up but still finished a solid third last time out. With even luck in running, he can prove hard to beat. Gracious Express has been racing in consistent form in Class 3 and can bounce back to the winner’s list anytime. Aeris Nova his last-start sixth-place finish was better than it reads and he could surprise at value. Beauty Crescent has been knocking on the door and should not be overlooked, despite the awkward draw. Sugar Ball flashed home late into fourth last time out, and from a much better draw, he should map closer to the speed and run well again.
Race 8: Raging Blizzard has scored his last two starts in emphatic fashion and is primed for a hat-trick of wins. Gorgeous Win with close collateral form to Raging Blizzard, he looks the second best in this field. Magic Control was outclassed in a G1 feature last start but could bounce back dropping to Class 1, provided he can see out the 1200m trip. Copartner Prance showed good improvement last start and appears to be a strong chance. Lucky With You was far from disgraced with a solid fifth at G1 level last start and could surprise at odds.
Race 9: Silvery Breeze stormed home for a meritorious third in a slowly run race last start, With a low draw, he is primed to return to the winner’s list. Legend St Paul’s the victim of a poorly judged ride last start, he could make amends by reverting to his positive racing style. Californiatotality a natural front-runner, his recent runs have been encouraging and he looks a major player here. Lo Rider finished strongly into seventh after a tardy start last time out. With a clean jump, he should go close. Enthralled recorded the fastest final 400m sectional time on debut and could improve with the rise in distance second-up.
Race 10: Hong Lok Golf unbeaten from two starts, he appears to have plenty of upside and is poised to secure a third straight win, despite rising to Class 3. Triumphant More scored an easy win in Class 4, though favoured by a slow pace. He should run well again if allowed to dictate the tempo. Righteous Arion was caught wide in his last two starts and could make amends with a smoother run. Blazing Wind secured an overdue win last start and remains a chance despite meeting a strong field. Rising From Ashes turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into second.
Race 11: Sky Trust with versatility in running, he comes off a fast-finishing second and is expected to make full use of a low draw to go one better. Masterofmyuniverse scored a narrow but impressive win in in this class last start. However, the widest draw makes things tricky this time. Storming Dragon attacked the line strongly late last start, and with a better draw, he could figure in the finish. Morgan Success making his local debut, he has trialled well and could surprise at odds. Beauty Glory finished a close second in Class 4 and is ideally weighted to run well again, despite rising to Class 3.