Dream Winner set the track alight last season with three wins from as many starts, and Frankie Lor’s former boom sprinter emerges from the sidelines on Wednesday at Happy Valley to contest a cracking HK$2.84 million Class 2 Tan Shan River Handicap over 1200m.
The Exosphere four-year-old won his first three races by nearly 10 lengths combined, before returning this term for five starts – all of which have seen him go unplaced, while his best effort was a close-up fourth behind Group 1 performers Lucky With You and Flying Ace.
The 81-rating Dream Winner hasn’t raced since January due to a setback which required remedial surgery and a stint at Conghua. He has trialled twice ahead of his comeback.
“He had a knee problem; we removed a chip. It took a long time and he’s since trialled twice at Conghua, but it’s not easy to find a race for him. So, we’ll run him here. He’s raced at Happy Valley once before,” Lor said.
Dream Winner faces stiff opposition, including the rapidly improving Copartner Prance, who is in quest of a sixth straight triumph. Superb Capitalist is also engaged and chases a streak of his own – three wins in a row.
Dream Winner crossed the line first in a recent barrier trial at Conghua over 1000m on turf.
“We’ll see how he runs; it’s been a long time since he has raced. He trialled ok at Conghua, but the trials are different to Sha Tin,” Lor said. “I think this horse needs a little bit further. He had gate speed in his first season, so he could win three times over 1000 metres, but I think 1400 metres is his distance.”
Seasons Wit, Gummy Gummy, Harmony N Blessed, Copartner Ambition (122lb), Sing Dragon and Reward Smile also feature.
Engaged in an enthralling battle for the 2023/24 trainers’ championship, Pierre Ng takes five runners to Happy Valley as he aims to reinforce his lead over Francis Lui (65-63).
Ka Ying Cheer headlines the handler’s quintet, drawn sweetly in barrier one for the HK$1.86 million Class 3 Shek Sheung River Handicap (1200m) with Alexis Badel up.
“Hopefully we can sit behind the pace or just roll along with the leader. He’s getting more and more mature,” Ng said.
The 63-rater had a short break during this season. He has won once from eight outings and boasts five other top three finishes across his career.
“He’s still improving and he’s a bit like Greenwich. We gave him a break in the middle of the season and planned to bring him back out late in the season,” Ng said.
Greenwich won last Sunday at Sha Tin after an extended break. Ka Ying Cheer returned in April for three races after last featuring at the end of December 2023.
“Ka Ying Cheer has been running well and he was unlucky last start, especially with that draw (10),” Ng said.
Ka Ying Cheer missed by a neck to California Touch last outing. The four-year-old faces formidable opposition, including Kaholo Angel, Happy Fat Cat, California Deeply and Kyrus Dragon. – Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Arthur’s Kingdom form is good and must be rated a solid chance as he steps away from barrier 2. Reliable Profit had genuine excuses last start as he didn’t handle the going and consider again. Go Go Go has been placed last three starts, deserves a win soon, gets his chance here. Kingly Demeanor second start in Class 5 since the downgrade and seems to be improving. Last run was good into fourth after a mid-race move. Leather Master last run suggested a win was very nearby and consider in all bets.
Race 2: Gimme Five go on his solid previous effort where he checked in for a placing before a no-show from a wide draw last start. He comes into barrier 1 here which can yield a better result. The Perfect Match a last start winner who trialled well since and looks a winning chance again. Roaring Bebe showed improvement at a recent trial and is nearing a win. Purton rides so respect here. Hayday faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. He could get a soft lead here. Lapras has been steadily improving and do not dismiss.
Race 3: Storm Legend last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. From his low draw here, he seems to get conditions in his favour and has slid down the ratings enough to prove a threat. Red Majesty has a great record in this class and must be respected on the downgrade here. Comet Splendido last start winner who remains in the same grade but doesn’t get the same conditions here. Patch Of Time can improve 2nd-up from a break. Sure Joyful had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire - consider in all bet.
Race 4: Lean Master well supported last start and won accordingly and he should get conditions in his favour again from the low draw. Denfield video replay showed last run was very good. He can bounce back anytime in this class. Fairy Horse recent runs have been encouraging and can run well on an each-way basis. Flying Phantom gets Purton in the saddle, and that may spark improvement. One For All showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight as per usual.
Race 5: Setanta consistent performer of late and worth considering. Racing well after a stable change and from barrier 4, he looks the one to beat. Can’t Go Wong looks overdue for another win and enters this race in good form. Once again, he should be running another honest race. Atomic Beauty looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. I Can form is good and must be rated a solid chance if he jumps cleanly. Fast Victory go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Coming into barrier 1 should make a world of difference.
Race 6: Packing Hermod well prepared for debut and is worth considering as Purton and Lui combine here, a formidable combo. From the low draw, he will get his chance win first-up. Prime Mortar had vet excuses last start and forget the run. He won well here two starts ago when first-up for a new stable and that’s the form to go on. Scotch Tycoon has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Magic Phoenix drops down in grade and start following. Savvy Chic showed improvement at a recent trial and could surprise at odds.
Race 7: Copartner Prance highly promising horse who shows nice ability after winning his last five races and looks the one to beat. It would be some feat to win again, but he is off the back of a strong Class 2 win at Sha Tin, which reads well for a race like this. Superb Capitalist winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to run well again from his low draw. Gummy Gummy was slow to begin last start but made good ground late. Sing Dragon a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. Reward Smile can finish fast off a hot tempo if it eventuates.
Race 8: Helene Warrior nice three-year-old colt on the rise who was an easy last start winner. He seems to have plenty of upside and should be winning again here. Chain Of Gold good performance when storming home for third place behind Helene Warrior last start. Splendid Living showed no interest last start, forget the run. He drops in class here and can improve. Hameron has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Beauty Infinity had excuses last start when racing wide without cover and may be able to improve here.
Race 9: Open race with plenty who can win. Ka Ying Cheer looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. From barrier 1, he gets his chance to pick up his first Class 3 win. Kaholo Angel nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance as he comes into a lower draw again. Kyrus Dragon improving type and getting close to a win. California Deeply every chance last start but still ran a good race. O’liner change of trainer recently and can improve. Trialled well and will give a sight.