Luke Middlebrook
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday for a 10-race turf fixture.
A stand out on the card, three-year-old gelding Innoconstruction looks all set to shed his maiden tag for trainer Francis Lui in the Class 4 1000m Handicap (Race 4).
Innoconstruction is on his third career start this week and has impressed in his first two starts at this track and distance since making his racetrack debut on 1 January. On each occasion, Innoconstruction has played second fiddle, going down by a nose first-up while missing by just 0.50-lengths second-up.
On that occasion, however, he lifted his feet up off the ground as the gates crashed back and began fairly, subsequently losing ground when crowded for room between two horses. He was on the back foot because of this, but stormed home late while the winner had the perfect run throughout.
Innoconstruction strikes a highly winnable race on Sunday where, with luck in his favour, he stands out as the one they all have to beat with champion jockey Zac Purton remaining in the saddle.
One race later in Race 5, progressive four-year-old Ching can double the dose in the Class 4 1600m Handicap.
The Michael Chang-trained gelding has shown ability since day one, but it took five starts to shed his maiden tag after numerous hard luck stories in prior runs. Rising to this distance for the first time 29 days ago, the son of Frosted took it all in his stride, settling back in the field but letting down swiftly to draw away easily by 1.50 lengths.
Ching meets no tougher task this week and appears to have the upside required to offset the handicapper. With seemingly more wins to come, he looks on track to soar his way up into Class 3.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Fortune Master every chance last start but still ran a good race as a beaten favourite. Barrier 2 here with Purton remaining in the saddle provides every hope. Ernest Feeling last start winner who remains in the same grade and should be able to go on with it. Smart Folks another easy last start winner and must be respected. Circuit Spiritanto can upset some more fancied rivals on best form, he can give some cheek on-pace. Travel Glory had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race.
Race 2: Go Go Sixteen last start winner who rises in class but he looks to have taken big improvement from a stable change and can measure up. Kowloon Great was an easy last start winner and must be respected to go on with it. Management Folks racing well with excellent sectional time rankings and should be playing a part in the finish. Boom Alliance has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve under Bowman. Winning Steps good performance when storming home for third place last start and drawn low, he gets favours.
Race 3: Cordyceps Six looks a solid good chance based on his last-start fourth in the Classic Mile and he should be sharp back in trip and with blinkers back on. Barrier No 2 ensures his chance. Beauty Joy should be highly suited by the drop back in distance while reuniting with Purton is a positive. He’s erratic, has 61.5kg to lump, but is hard to beat when he puts it all together. The Golden Scenery well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. Blaze Warrior can upset some more fancied rivals on best form. Beluga nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance.
Race 4: Innoconstruction good performance when storming home for a nice second last start while third-up now against moderate opposition stands him out very hard to beat. Flying High always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level, the testing mate- rial. Denfield having third start and may improve here from a conducive gate for the straight course. Equilibrium Turbo has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve after trialling well recently, knockout claims at an each-way quote. Summit Cheers backing up quickly from last week, can run well.
Race 5: Ching more than capable of winning again in this race after things fell into place fifth-up and he drew away for a convincing win. He can go on with it. Flying Mojito good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, but again he may be dictated to by a wide draw. Turquoise Alpha had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Barrier No 1 should ensure a dream run. Darci Joy good performance when returning to form last start. Gold Tack best run to date was last start and appears to be improving.
Race 6: Prince Of Porty debut run was good, winning well down the straight, and has trialled well since. He should get a soft from barrier 2 under and, if good enough rising to 1200m, will be hard to hold out. Easy Snip blinkers made the difference last run, checking home a luckless second, and can go on with it. Green N White newcomer who has trialled well for debut but barrier No 13 is awkward. He clearly has ability, however. Red Titan last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Moduleconstruction turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability.
Race 7: A small field and plenty of genuine winning chances. Trillion Win narrowly beaten last start and goes close. Carroll Street resuming from a break and trialled well recently. He could be hard to hold out late with the right run. Ping Hai Galaxy won two starts ago and has a chance. Ima Single Man had excuses last start when racing wide without cover but the straight course could suit under the 4.5kg apprentice claim. Whizz Kid should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way; however, his best form has always been at Happy Valley.
Race 8: Five G Patch rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up as he looks a handy stayer in the making. Running Glory narrowly beaten last start by Senor Toba in a G3 race and goes close here. Butterfield has a top jockey in the saddle and that will help back in Class 2 and looking well in a recent trial. Rise Brethren finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and will be making a strong, late bid here. Enjoying has early speed and can always surprise with the right run.
Race 9: Supreme Lucky rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up after stringing together two impressive wins in Class 4. Youthful Deal was not disgraced last start when beaten by a very smart horse and barrier No 4 should provide all hope in the run. Magniac turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability, while he has trialled impressively since. He’ll just need some luck from barrier 12 but Purton could easily offset it. Brilliant Way had excuses last start and forget the run. Goko Win has been steadily improving and do not dismiss.
Race 10: Sinba looked very good in a recent trial and he has shown good ability in Hong Kong thus far. Drawn No 10, he will get ample time to find a spot in the run with the long run to the bend, and he looks ready to return to the winner’s enclosure. Capital Legend good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and he clearly has upside. Beauty Inspire debut run was good and has trialled well since. Atullibigeal has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Prince Alex ran the second fastest sectional time last start while coming into barrier No 1 is a plus.