He Jiong
With a highly competitive card on offer at Happy Valley on Tuesday, five-year-old sprinter Fatal Blow looks well placed to return to the winner’s list in the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.
Fatal Blow, with Luke Ferraris up, may have found the step up to Class 3 a touch too strong in recent outings, though he still performed creditably, finishing fourth on two occasions over this trip. Back in his preferred grade last start, the son of Russian Revolution showed marked improvement, settling close to the speed before fighting on gamely to finish fourth, beaten only a neck. With a kinder draw, he arguably would have gone very close to winning.
With a solid Class 4 record of two wins and a placing from six starts, Fatal Blow looks poised to make amends with a smoother run in transit this time. The main threats appear to be California Blitz and Know At Heart, both of whom bring strong recent form into the race.
With a class drop, the John Size-trained Nebraskan looks well placed to break through for his first local win in the Class 5 Handicap over 1200m.
Still a maiden after 25 Hong Kong starts, Nebraskan has nonetheless raced with credit, placing eight times and regularly holding his own in Class 4 company. The fact it has taken so long for him to reach Class 5 underlines just how honest and competitive he has been in stronger grades.
Last time out, the son of Snitzel finished a brave seventh, beaten only three lengths, despite pulling up with blood in the trachea.
Now meeting a far more manageable field on his Class 5 debut, Nebraskan is expected to press forward and control the speed, and he can prove hard to peg back.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Nebraskan has gone close in Class 4 and looks primed to break through locally on his Class 5 debut, especially from an inside draw. Sky Song his recent starts suggest a return to the winner’s list is imminent in the cellar grade. General Smart finished strongly last start but the wide draw poses a challenge. Happy Boys has recorded fast final sectionals recently, and with Purton aboard, he should play a key role. Concorde Star showed improvement in a recent trial and could run well fresh first-up.
Race 2: Ping Hai Comet has trialled well ahead of this week’s race and is expected to improve sharply with added fitness second-up. Kasa Papa stormed home to finish second last start and appears well weighted to produce another encouraging effort. Noble Pursuit should relish the drop in class and must be respected, given his strong record in Class 4. Turin Warrior circled the field to won in style last start, but whether he can repeat that effort remains a concern. Joyful Prosperity well below his last winning mark, and with a favourable draw, he could surprise at value.
Race 3: Quick Contribution encountered traffic in the straight but still found the line well last start. With Purton taking the reins, he could finally break through. Quantum Patch has been knocking on the door of late and rates a strong contender, despite the wide gate. Our Lucky Glory with a strong turn of foot, he will make his presence felt if the pace suits. Shanghai Style held up at a crucial stage last start, and could show improvement with a clearer passage, but carrying top weight remains a concern. Winning Data has mixed his form recently and is worth considering as a value pick.
Race 4: Sugar Sugar boasting an eye-catching record in Class 4, he looks well placed with the apprentice claim to produce an im- proved effort. Giddy Up flashed home into third from a slightly awkward draw last start, and with a low gate, he could make amends. Winning Money could be hard to run down if he can cross early from a wide draw, and Purton retaining the ride ticks another box. Victor The Rapid always a threat in Class 4, he looks one to follow after a fast-finishing third last start. Golden Luck a natural frontrunner, he will give them something to catch if things fall his way.
Race 5: Fatal Blow narrowly beaten on his return to Class 4 last time out, and looks poised to make amends against moderate rivals, despite the wide draw. Know At Heart his recent solid efforts suggest he is edging closer to a win. Yee Cheong Spirit likes to get back and charge home late, and will make a strong late surge if they overcook it up front. California Blitz comes off a tenacious win and looks capable of securing a double in Class 4. Sonic Pursuit has shown improvement since adopting a more positive tactic two starts ago, and could prove a lightweight chance.
Race 6: Enthralled looks to have regained form recently, and with Purton jumping aboard, he shapes as a leading contender from a good draw. Snowfield has attacked the line strongly late in recent slowly run races, and with a more genuine tempo, he could cause an upset. Liveandletlive possesses tactical speed and could be hard to peg back if allowed a soft lead. The Auspicious his fast-finishing third last start suggests he remains competitive in Class 3. Wrote A New Page has been in consistent form of late and should be included in exotic bets.
Race 7: Roman Crown from a favourable draw, he should map closer to the speed and be highly competitive in this wide-open field. Rewarding Buddy with some luck in running, he could go one better after a close second last start. Glory Cloud scored an impressive win in Class 5 last start and remains a chance, despite rising back to Class 4. Fortune Whiskey has never been consistent but could run a big race on his day. Free Pony caused an upset last start, but from a wide gate, repeating that effort remains a concern.
Race 8: Wonder Kit has faced much tougher competition at Sha Tin recently, and with the drop in class, he is well placed to make an impact on his return to Happy Valley. King Miles has been in career-best form this season and must be considered a leading contender. Charming Babe was far from disgraced last start and could sneak into the placings at long odds. Sports Legend suited by the switch back to the turf track, and a low gate further enhances his winning prospects. Friends Of Shajing has trialled well leading into this race and looks one to watch.
Race 9: Regal Gem with three wins from his last five starts in Class 3, he’s poised to continue the strong run if he handles the rise in distance. Soleil Fighter finished a close second in a strong race at Sha Tin last start and has drawn well to go one better. Steps Ahead has been knocking on the door recently and must be respected. Helene Feeling scored a convincing win in this class last start and looks capable of repeating the dose, despite the weight rise. Huge Wave a proven performer at this level, he had excuses last start (raced wide) and could make amends with a smoother trip.