Luke Middlebrook
Trainer Ricky Yiu’s dirt specialist, Adefill, looks all set to continue his rise in the ratings in Race 6, the Class 3 Handicap over 1650m at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Though unplaced in his first six career starts on turf, Adefill still ran some good races. However, switching to the all-weather track on his seventh attempt sparked significant improvement, as he won comfortably by 1.50 lengths over 1200m.
Adefill then went on to win his next two races by over six lengths each over the same distance before finishing third after racing wide throughout.
Yiu stepped Adefill up in trip to 1650m two starts ago, where he finished in a luckless second place after rearing at the start, before moving up to 1800m in his final race of the season and losing by a head at the wire. Adefill has trialled well on three occasions ahead of his seasonal return and stands out as the form choice in a moderate field.
Pierre Ng-trained four-year-old gelding Galaxy Patch aims to keep his record intact when he contests the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m.
The Australian import made his local debut early this month and set the turf alight with an eye-catching win. Plenty went wrong that day, however, as he was slow to begin from gate No 1 and then overraced in the early and middle stages. The gelding was also held up from the 400m until nearing the 200m, before he let down strongly to score by a neck. It was a smart win.
A winner on debut and now one-from-one in Hong Kong, Galaxy Patch steps out to remain unbeaten from three career starts in total.
He has trialled well on the surface so from barrier No 3, should get an ideal run just off the leaders.
Luke Middlebrook’s Selections
R1. 2-5-3-7
R2. 7-11-9-3
R3. 7-2-6-5
R4. 8-1-10-4
R5. 9-1-4-6
R6. 3-2-11-8
R7. 5-9-7-1
R8. 5-12-4-1
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: M M Nebula caught wide last start from an outer draw on turf and still ran well for fourth. From barrier 2, he looks the most likely winner based on his all-the-way win two starts back. Sun Of Makfi good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, and he gets his chances here from barrier 4. Nice Birdie drops down in grade and start following. Improvement looks likely. Jubilation last start winner who remains in the same grade and can run well again. Colourful Baron can improve second-up from a break from barrier 1.
Race 2: Lucky Ruby has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Well prepared for his first-up run, he should be hard to beat. All Is Ready can improve second-up from a break from a low draw. Turbo Power has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve. Blinkers go back on and barrier 3 helps. Vamos has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone, he should be thereabouts again. Sweet Diamond down in class in this race and should perform better. Maps to get the right run from barrier 2.
Race 3: Mission Bravo last run suggested a win was very near. Barrier 10 isn’t ideal, but he’ll roll forward and prove hard to run down if rated well. Gallant Hero winner of last three starts and looks a top chance, but barrier 14 is the concern. He should be closing strongly. More Rice showed improvement at a recent trial and barrier 1 suits his chances. Lucky Banner has a better chance on this surface and look for improvement. Billionaire Secret recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. But he may rely on too much luck from gate 11.
Race 4: Red Desert last run suggested a win was very near and he looks to map perfectly from barrier 4 where he’ll be hard to hold out late. Happy Fat Cat well supported last start and won accordingly when first-up for Cody Mo. He will try and lead the way again. Lucky Fun has a better chance on this surface and look for improvement. Stand Up remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here. Man Star second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve. On true form, he has a lot of class on this lot.
Race 5: Cool Blue caught the eye last start when running home well but he did have excuses in the run. Flying Dragon good performance when storming home for third place last start. He won’t want to get too far back from barrier 2, where he could be in traffic. Magic Supreme faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Fast Buck recent barrier trial was good, suggesting a big run can be expected. He should be ready to do something. King Eccellente looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form.
Race 6: Adefill highly promising galloper who appears a great chance to win first-up after three consecutive placings. Trials have been good and this is a winnable contest. Fiery Diamond placed last start and looks a chance to run well again on the back of a slick trial win. Perfect Team video replay showed last run was very good after a mid-race move was made, he can improve with a better-timed ride. So We Joy has a good record over this track and distance. Nordic Star has a better chance on this surface and look for improvement with Purton riding.
Race 7: Youthful Deal has a better chance on this surface and he should be showing more. He tries this distance for the first time, which is an unknown, but he loves the all-weather and should run a race. Handsome Twelve finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start on turf, but chances improve big-time back on the all-weather. Berlin Tango has a better chance on this surface and look for improvement. Telecom Fighters should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Rise Brethren last run suggested a win was very near.
Race 8: Galaxy Patch turned in a very nice debut run, winning smartly despite a few things going wrong in the run, and looks to have good ability. He should have more to come. Shining Fortune caught the eye last start when running home well over an unsuitable 1000m. The rise in distance suits and he should get the suck run from gate 1. Self Improvement more than capable of winning again in this race with luck from out wide. Super Win Dragon has a great record second-up and expect a good run. Pulsar Strider a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead.