Luke Middlebrook
Consistent five-year-old Drops Of God can go one place better when he returns to Happy Valley in Hong Kong in the Class 3 1200m Handicap on Wednesday.
Hailing from the John Size yard, Drops Of God has been a solid earner for the stable since making his debut in May 2021, notching up three wins and six placings from 16 starts.
Though he hasn't won since around this time last year, when claiming a win in this class and over this distance and Sha Tin, he has still been racing honestly and rarely beaten far in a finish; a typical story of a young horse who rose through the handicap too quickly.
Resuming at this track and distance 14 days ago, it was the gelding's first run in blinkers, and, despite not winning, there was still plenty to like about his second place as he was held up for a good part of the latter stages.
With that run under his belt, while meeting a field where he looks to hold a class edge, he looks all set to bounce back to his winning ways.
In Race 3, King of Happy Valley Caspar Fownes can be confident of getting a win out five-year-old Amigos Giggle in the Class 4 1650m Handicap.
Amigos Giggle, a 16-start maiden, joined Fownes’ stable towards the end of last season after he was previously trained by Michael Chang for 10 starts. In six starts for Fownes, Amigos Giggle placed on three occasions, including a narrow last-start defeat at this track and distance in his final run of the season.
Resuming from barrier No 2 under in-form Vincent Ho, Amigos Giggle looks to get the run of the race and will be getting his chance to get an overdue win on the board.
Elsewhere, the strong combination of trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho can strike with Yellowfin in the Class 4 1200m Handicap (Race 9).
Yellowfin is first-up into Wednesday’s race and into his second preparation of racing after showing some ability in four starts last season. Though he was unable to land a win, he did find a spot in the placings on two occasions, including at his final start of the term in a 1000m Handicap at this track when closing off strongly late into third, beaten 0.75 lengths.
Yellowfin has trialled well on two occasions ahead of his return, suggesting he’s primed for his first-up run, and he strikes a race where most of his key rivals have drawn wide where he appears to get the better run in transit.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Equaletta Blitz winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to make it a hat-trick of wins here after trialling ideally for his return. Heroic Master newcomer who looks a winning chance in this race after turning in several impressive barrier trials. Barrier 7 in the field of 7 is the query. Ping Hai Galaxy drawn well and should gain a nice run in transit under Purton. Party Warrior well-placed and looks a chance in race like this and he should get a sweet from gate 3. Awesome Treasure faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape.
Race 2: Island Surprise last run suggested a win was very near and he should get every hope with Purton taking the ride. Hearty Wish caught the eye last start when running home well for a big run. Diamond Soars caught wide last start and still ran well and he can improve furth having drawn well in gate 1. Flying On The Turf change of trainer recently and can improve at his first run for new trainer, Jamie Richards. Sunny And Gold can improve 2nd-up from a break on better form.
Race 3: Amigos Giggle last run suggested a win was very near. From barrier 2, he should be getting his chance with an in-form Vin- cent Ho in the saddle for trainer Caspar Fownes. Big Two can improve second-up from a break after he appeared to be unfit first-up. Baby last start winner who remains in the same grade, he remains competitive. Jade Phoenix video replay showed last run was very good, he can give some cheek if he can show his prior early pace. Glorious Lover has the booking a top jockey and expect improvement.
Race 4: Medic Elite backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can get the win under Luke Ferraris, who is riding the house down at the moment. Loyal Ambition last run suggested a win was very near and, again, he appears to get his chance here. Pakistan Zindabad had genuine excuses last start when caught wide. The Jolly can improve second-up from a break from barrier 1, as he looked in need of the first-up run. Circuit Spiritanto showed good improvement last start and appears to be a chance.
Race 5: Wins All well supported last start, fair run, expect big second-up improvement while he can map the winner from barrier 1. Regency Poet changed stables last season and improved. He can run well fresh from his low gate. Cigar Buddies more than capable of winning again in this race but barrier 12 is awkward. Expect him to pounce straight to the lead and give a sight. Happy Gathering well-placed and looks a chance in race like this at his second try in Class 5. Raging Blaze ran the third fastest sectional time last start.
Race 6: Nimble Nimbus nice horse who is a model of consistency and he can get his first Class 3 win here from a low gate and trialling well for his return. Zone D nice effort last start when storming home, appears nearing another win. Viva Hunter showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight, but it was too fast early and he was entitled to fade. Master Hero has early speed and can always surprise with the right run and his first-up run was solid. King’s Capital has the booking a top jockey and expect improvement.
Race 7: Drops Of God has improved since the blinkers were added last start, but he simply had no luck in the straight but still checked home a solid second place. He looks very hard to beat second-up against this field. H Z Tourbillon last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and can give this race a shake. Xponential caught wide last start and still ran well and he can improve further second-up. Adios remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after showing some ability. California Concord goes well second-up from a break and should be respected.
Race 8: A wide-open race here with many chances. Above All looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. He looked well in his recent trial and has drawn well low to be a winning chance. Our Class Act was an easy last start winner and must be respected to go on with it. Mega Bonus comes out of a strong form race and looks suited here if he’s fit enough first-up. Gang Of Brothers last run suggested a win was very near but barrier 12 does him no favours here. My Intelligent never far away from the winner and could sneak a place.
Race 9: Yellowfin placed last start and has since trialled well ahead of his first-up run for the season and looks ready to land his first win. Hardly Swears every chance last start but still ran a good race into second. Barrier 12 is never easy here, but Purton is the right man for the job to give him every chance. Lucky Gor can run in a race like this with a safe beginning, but he can be slow out more often than not. Pride Of Eight has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve, he looks a top each-way chance from his low gate. Rattan Kingdom change of trainer recently and can improve in blinkers first time.