Hall sights new personal best in Hong Kong

Trainer David Hall has been in fine form recently and is currently positioned just two wins shy of matching his best-ever campaign for wins in Hong Kong.

Hall saddled 40 winners through the 2007/08 season, while his current tally (38) has him within touching distance of bettering the mark as Hong Kong racing readies for its 84th out of 88 race meetings for the 2023/24 term on Monday at Sha Tin.

“We had a pretty good start this year and then probably dropped off just a little bit and then we had six winners in a week which brought it back to where it probably should be. Once again, I’d probably like to finish with more winners than seconds, but overall – pretty pleased,” Hall said.

Hall’s sizzling spell returned six wins from nine runners in mid-June, including one with Flying Ace, who faces his toughest test yet in the HK$2.64 million Class 2 Kau Sai Chau Handicap (1400m) with jockey Zac Purton aboard.

“He’s always promised that he could make it to Class 2. He had a tough barrier and we decided to go back, Zac navigated a really good run through the field and he was impressive last start,” Hall said.

Monday’s headlining contest also features Howdeepisyourlove, Sauvestre, Find My Love, Flaming Rabbit, Amazing Victory and more.

Flying Ace won his fifth race in Hong Kong at his eight outing last start in impressive fashion, surging from the tail of the field to triumph hard-held by nearly three lengths – his third success in Class 3 which came on 18 June at Sha Tin.

“Now he gets his chance to see what he can do against the better horses. It’s a pretty strong line-up, but he’s in his best form he’s been in and he’s ready to fight,” Hall said.

The five-year-old by Swiss Ace has had a few setbacks in Hong Kong for Hall to carefully manage – lameness and surgery on his right knee.  

“He’s back out there, he’s had a few tough runs first-up and then second-up on the wet track as well, but he showed his true form last run. He’s in good shape and he’s ready to see how he can handle the step up,” Hall said.

Flying Ace is currently rated 88, while Hall’s other runners at Sha Tin on Monday are Just Great Two, Vamos, Aca Power, Speedstar and Nicholson Returns.

“He’s (Flying Ace) ready for that race now, it just depends on whether he can take the next step or not. He was impressive but this is a different class of horse, so we’ll see,” Hall said.

Operating a remarkably reliable stable across 18 previous terms in Hong Kong, Hall has dipped below 30 wins six times. He is 16 wins away from 600 in the city after arriving for the 2004/05 season following a spree of Group 1 victories across Australia. - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Soaring Tower looks ready to run a big race in Class 5. Last run was better than it reads at the bottom of Class 4 when first-up for a new trainer. Purton rides here. Plenty to like. Apex Top changed stables recently and has improved. Drawn well low to give a sight here. Fire Ball drops down in grade and start following. He should win in the grade in no time. Super Hornet can improve second-up from a break. Winwin Thirtythree has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Barrier 13 could prove awkward.

Race 2: The Good Deal changed stables recently and has improved big time. From barrier 2, he will take catching. I Give drops down in grade and start following. Purton rides from a good gate and he should be going very close. Vamos recent runs have been encouraging and can run well from barrier 1. He will love a bit of pace on. Noble Boyz has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade. Fighting Star has a great record in this class and must be respected on the class drop.

Race 3: Lady’s Choice well supported last start and won accordingly and he can repeat the dose. Drawn barrier 3 again, he should be getting all the favours in the run again under Purton and be too strong late. Speedy Fortune had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. Trader drops down in grade and start following. He will give a sight and be hard to get past if rated well. Island Golden goes well first-up from a break and can surprise at odds. Marvel Dragon underrated type who can surprise in this race.

Race 4: All Is Good winner of last two starts, by convincing margins, and looks a top chance to post a hat-trick of wins. Unpresuming every chance last start when beaten by All Is Good but was gallant in defeat. It looks a race between these two. Kasi Farasi old-timer who is racing in good form and can run well from his low gate. Righteous Doctrine good performance when storming home for third place last start and he can always surprise on best form. All Riches should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. He can give some cheek on the lead.

Race 5: Simple Hedge good performance when storming home for a nice second last start after he was slow to begin. With a clean jump, he can bounce back for a win. June Planet backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again. He’s ready to win but needs to stay in touch early. Eternal Bloom has a chance based on past form in this class of race and he trialled okay in between rums. Excellent Daddy down in class in this race and should perform better. Trust Me last run was much better than it looks and watch the betting.

Race 6: Not much separates the leading chances here. Excellent Fighter nice four-year-old with a good chance here and he should appreciate barrier 6 after being drawn out in gate 11 in his last two tuns. Mark The Moment remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here as Purton jumps in the saddle. Pulsar Strider winner of last two starts and looks a top chance. Toronado Phantom will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well. A Americ Te Specso recent runs have been encouraging and can run well.

Race 7: Helene Feeling nice three-year-old with a good chance to go one place better here after solid run in defeat last time. Yet to miss the frame in Hong Kong, he appears to be a handy youngster on the up. Cheery caught the eye last start when running home well first-up off a long break. Beauty Missile good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. A first local win is nearby. California Voce form is good and is getting close to a win. Romantic Laos disappointing last start but worth giving another chance her.

Race 8: A wide-open Class 2 race to end the card. Flying Ace more than capable of winning again in this race after a big win last start. Tries 1400m for the first time in his career, but he should eat it up. A Pal well supported last start and won accordingly when first-up off a bleeding attack. If he remains sound, he can ascend higher in the ratings. Flaming Rabbit narrowly beaten last start but gets his chance to go one place better. Sauvestre last start winner who remains in the same grade. Amazing Victory nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance from his low gate.