Luke Middlebrook
Honest six-year-old Telecom Fighters appears well placed to score a first-up win in the Class 2 1650m Handicap (Race 2), at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Telecom Fighters is first-up off a 70-day break and although he hasn’t graced the winner’s enclosure in 350 days, he was never far away in a finish with an average beaten margin of 2.25 lengths in 10 subsequent starts after his 3.25-length win when second-up last season.
Telecom Fighters was last seen doing what he usually does – leading them up and giving them something to run down, which they did at the 50m and he was beaten two lengths into fourth.
This time Telecom Fighters looks the clear leader in the eight-horse race. With many of Telecom Fighters’ rivals better over further, the bold front-runner is ideally placed to be hard to beat, and it comes as no surprise to see Zac Purton back in the saddle.
Elsewhere, trainer Ricky Yiu has enjoyed a solid start to the new Hong Kong racing season, taking an early lead with four wins from his 16 runners, and his run of success can continue with consistent six-year-old Super Mission in the Class 3 1200m Handicap (Race 7).
Super Mission only missed a spot in the top three in two of his nine starts last term, winning on one of those occasions with a further six placings. The Super Easy gelding only tried Class 3 for the first time in his final two starts of last season and was far from disgraced, closing off strongly each time to finish second and third, respectively.
Super Mission looked good in his trial leading into this race and from barrier No 2, can sit up handy and will be hard to hold out in a small but competitive field of nine runners.
In Race 6, the Class 3 1650k Handicap, track and distance specialist My Ecstatic can bounce back for a win as he steps away from barrier No 1.
My Ecstatic found career-best form last season after winning three races - two of them by no less than two lengths.
In search of a hat-trick at his final start of last term, he raced wide throughout on-pace and was entitled to weaken in the straight such as he did. Stepping away from barrier No 1 should ensure a far more economical run in transit as he doesn’t appear to face much pressure on the lead.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Sunny Delight remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here with Moreira on from a low draw. Super Hornet showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight in a fast run race. He can give a sight here. Jade Phoenix another pace influence in the race who can give a sight. Charizard finished powerfully with the fastest sectional time ranking last start and he can win if the leaders go too quick here. Dragon Pride always finishes close up and must be rated a chance in a race such as this.
Race 2: Telecom Fighters looks the sole leader in the race which will hold him in good stead to be hard to get past over concluding stages under Purton. Jumbo Fortune finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start. Sunny Star video replay showed last run was very good and he will map well from his low draw. Fa Fa track and distance specialist but who will get back and be running on. Berlin Tango narrowly beaten last start to suggest a win was near.
Race 3: See U Again backs up quickly from last week when narrowly beaten and deserves another winning chance with remaining on board and stepping away from a low draw. Super Commander was the winner in that race last week, leading all the way, and he can vie to repeat the dose. Pretty Queen Prawn caught the eye last start when running home well. California Forest second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve with blinkers applied first time. Lucky Gor remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance but he needs a clean getaway.
Race 4: A wide-open Class 5 contest. Owners’ Star caught the eye last start when running home well when drawn wide but won well two back when able to map closer. If he can settle midfield or better, he’s in with a winning chance. Circuit Elite recent runs have been encouraging and can run well as he continues to slide down the ratings. Go Ballistic has a chance based on past form in this class of race and he can map ideally from the draw. Loyal Ambition gets Moreira on from a low draw and may improve. Wah May Luck change of trainer recently and may improve.
Race 5: Smart Leader looks ready to run a big race in Class 5 after he was backed off the map in a Class 4 race first-up but was un- suited down the straight. Island Surprise making Class 5 debut and must be respected with Purton in the saddle. Raging Blaze backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again up in trip. Sunny And Gold had huge betting support last run but failed to fire, consider again with Moreira riding. The Multiplier has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade.
Race 6: My Ecstatic had genuine excuses last start when caught wide, go on his prior winning form and he should be able to bounce back here coming into the low draw. Packing Famous backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again. Copartner Elites remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here but this distance seems his minimum. Robot Warrior looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start. Gift Of Lifeline looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form.
Race 7: Super Mission model of consistency and looks a solid chance from his low draw to score a first-up win after measuring up in this class in his final two starts of last season. Like That looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. He should relish the low draw and looked well in a recent trial. Rising From Ashes had excuses last start and forget the run. He’s a big threat if he runs up two his win two starts ago. Spontaneous change of trainer recently and can improve. Drops Of God had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Blinkers on first time and could improve.
Race 8: Gang Of Brothers change of trainer recently and can improve. From barrier 2 under Teetan, they look to map the best and look hardest to beat. Cordyceps One winner of last two starts, albeit over 1650m, but looks like a good chance to continue his good form. Jumbo Legend good trial when not tested recently and he should be landing first career win in due course. Durham Star has ability but can be very hard to catch, solid each-way play if odds permit, however. Wood On Fire has ability and is always dangerous in this grade, but barrier 10 is awkward.