Hayes runner to show resilience at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Saturday with an 11-race turf and dirt card.

Trainer David Hayes will unveil newcomer KA YING RESILIENCE in the opening race, a Griffin event over 1000m. The two-year-old is aiming to live up to his promising trial performances and secure a debut win.

KA YING RESILIENCE showed his potential in a 1000m trial at Geelong, Australia before his export and has made an impressive start locally with three standout workouts. His most recent effort down the Sha Tin straight was particularly promising, as he pulled clear by two lengths and appeared to have plenty in reserve.

Although drawing barrier No 1 is not ideal for the straight course, he possesses the early speed to overcome this disadvantage. He seems to have a class edge over most of his rivals and is expected to kick off his career in style.

Elsewhere on the card, trainer Francis Lui could take an outright premiership lead with a couple of progressive youngsters aiming for back-to-back wins. One of these is the promising three-year-old CALL ME GLORIOUS, who will be a formidable contender in the Class 3 race over 1200m.

CALL ME GLORIOUS will make his fifth race start this week, seeking his third career win. After an impressive debut victory in Class 4, he finished as the runner-up to KA YING RISING, this season's standout three-year-old and a top prospect. Subsequently, CALL ME GLORIOUS had an unlucky fourth-place finish after racing wide throughout, but he bounced back in style with a commanding all-the-way win in his last start.

Facing a similarly manageable task and with plenty of room for improvement, CALL ME GLORIOUS looks set to continue his rise in the ranks for trainer Lui.

In the Class 3 event over 1400m, four-year-old PATCH OF THETA bids to maintain his top form, carrying the top weight of 61.5kg. PATCH OF THETA has been a significant improver since stepping up to seven furlongs, securing three wins and an unlucky third in April at this distance. He rebounded from that defeat to win narrowly but impressively in his last start.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Ka Ying Resilience well prepared for debut and looks like a big winning chance for Hayes and Purton. Every trial has shown promise and despite drawing the wrong part of the track, he can overcome it. Santorini has been knocking on the door, placing in each starts, and a win won’t surprise anyone. Run Yes Run showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight and he should do the same here under the apprentice claim. Angelic showed improvement at a recent trial. Karate Express has trialled well for its debut and should be rated a chance.

Race 2: Sonic Boom good performance when storming home for a nice second last start when first-up for Cody Mo. Improved after the stable change and should be hard to beat second-up. Cheer For South had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Trialled well since and expect better. Colonel has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. He will begin fast and vie to make all in the run. Tactical Command has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Timestorm last start winner who remains in the same grade but the wide draw is the query.

Race 3: General Winner had excuses last start when racing wide without cover as the race favourite. He comes into a low draw here, which should mean he receives every chance to bounce back. Bulb Prince drops down in grade and start following. Under the apprentice claim, he will likely show early intent and could be hard to gun down. Smart Beauty well supported last start and won accordingly. The outer alley makes conditions more difficult this time. Joyful Friendship last run suggested a win was very near. Reliable Profit form is good and is getting close to a win since the downgrade.

Race 4: Glory Elite more than capable of winning again in this race as there doesn’t appear to be much speed on paper. He should find the front easy from the low gate and can be hard to get past. Brilliant Express having second start and can improve with experience after a quiet run on debut. Yoda’s Choice recent barrier trial was good, suggesting an improved run can be expected. Draco had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. Spicy So Smart change of trainer recently and watch betting.

Race 5: Captain Win drops down in grade and start following. Some of his recent runs at the bottom of Class 3 look good form for a race like this. Awesome Treasure should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. The wider draw for apprentice Wong could see him being used up early to find the front. Nebraskan faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape as Purton takes the ride on the class drop. Super Legends should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and may improve. Family Jewel has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance - watch the betting.

Race 6: Call Me Glorious smart 3YO who is the one to beat on current form. From barrier 2 under Purton, he has to get the run of the race and be hard to beat again. Ima Single Man had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. In a race such as this, he has what it takes to bounce back. Mighty Commander has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Victor The Rapid having first start and watch for betting support. He showed good improvement in his recent trial. Gracious Express well supported last start and won accordingly and can go on with it.

Race 7: Hinokami Kagura go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay after a last-start no-show. Triumphant Warrior improving type and getting close to a win. No excuses here. Everyone’s Victory form is good and is getting close to another victory. The low draw ensures he receives every chance. Top Scorer looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Robot Knight good performance when storming home for third place last start and is another chance in a wide-open race.

Race 8: Victory Moments was an easy last start winner and must be respected. He appears to map similarly to last start and there’s no reason why he can’t win again. Capital Delight good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. If he can make use of the low barrier, he can go closer to winning. Youthful Deal changed trainer and trialled very well recently. Self Improvement had huge betting support last run and won easily in Class 4. Perhaps he can measure up in Class 3 now. Must Go last start winner who rises in class but can rise to the occasion.

Race 9: Patch Of Theta nice 4YO with a good chance to win back-to-back races here. He’s a horse on the up and should be hard to beat again. Sunlight Power last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and with a clear run, he can test the favourite. Fantastic Fun having first start and watch the betting odds. Trials have been sound and this isn’t an overly strong race. Beauty Fit showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Healthy Healthy holding form with recent trial and can run well.

Race 10: Laugh Tale has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race as he comes into a lower draw for the first time in a while. That could make a world of difference here. All Riches a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. Forerunner turned in a nice effort in his last run when finishing strongly. Back in form and Bowman jumps back in the plate. Circuit Fiery had excuses last start and forget the run. Owners’ Praise looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start. He will get back and be running on.

Race 11: Aeroinvincible turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and from his low draw, he appears to get one of the runs of the race. That will ensure he is positioned perfectly as they swing for home. Young Achiever having third start and may improve here after no luck last start. Ching has shown ability and gets his chance to win here from his low draw. Kempes showed improvement at a recent trial and should improve second-up here. Powerful Wings go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay.