High hopes for Turin Warrior at the Valley

Luke Middlebrook

It’s now-or-never for six-year-old Turin Warrior to score his first Hong Kong win in Race 5, the Class 4 Handicap over 1650m at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

Turin Warrior arrived in Hong Kong as a one-time winner in Australia and enters this week’s race as a 22-start local maiden. However, his first-up run at this track and distance three weeks ago, his first start for trainer Manfred Man, was full of promise.

He was sent off as a well-backed favourite under Zac Purton from barrier No 10. It’s fair to say he was beaten by the barrier that night as Purton was forced to ride for luck while winner Lean Hero had the run of the race. Turin Warrior missed by 0.50 lengths.

That form line has been franked with Lean Hero and other runners from the race all performing well at Sunday’s Happy Valley meeting. With Turin Warrior drawing barrier No 4 this week, it presents a golden opportunity for him to sit closer and obtain the run needed to get his nose in front for the first time.

In Race 9 five-year-old gelding Gallant Waking is poised to benefit from favourable conditions as he aims for a second-up win in the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m.

Gallant Waking returned after a seven-month break at this track and distance three weeks ago and turned in a promising effort despite the lengthy layoff. The Francis Lui-trained gelding had a slow start and took some time to gain momentum but finished strongly to securing third place, just 2.25 lengths behind the winner.

His first-up performance was promising and it’s reasonable to expect improvement, especially as his bodyweight was notably higher than usual. With a clean jump from stall No 3, he will be in the optimal position to produce a late surge.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Valhalla last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. From barrier 1, he should be able to bounce back for a win. Multimore has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Purton back in the saddle and should go close. Dashing Triumph good performance when returning to form last start. Barrier 2 should ensure the right run. Happy Horse has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve. The Good Deal drops down in grade and start following again. Can bounce back anytime at this level.

Race 2: Happy Hero well supported last start and won accordingly when first-up for Newnham. It’ll be interesting to see if he has more points in hand now. Every chance from barrier 3. Mighty Star looks a solid good chance based on last start when second. Gate 1 and Chung’s claim are positive to his chances to perform well again. Sunny Baby can bounce back a winner anytime in this class, has to be considered. Turtle Again recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Golden Fairy has no form but changed trainer and showed improvement in a recent trial. He could surprise.

Race 3: A very interesting race here with just a small field of seven lining up over the 1000m. Majestic Knight always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. He should be on the leader’s back and gets his chance under Chung’s claim. Humble Star has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Heroic Master last start winner who remains in the same grade and can run well again. Lucky Eight faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Super Axiom should lead from barrier 1 and can give a sight, but hard to say if he can hold on.

Race 4: Mayhem had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Act Of Faith looks a solid good chance based on last start and is nearing another win. Sight Hero good performance when storming home for third place last start. He is a noted roarer, so can mix his form, but when right, he is always a threat. Wind Speeder caught the eye last start when running home well from a wide draw. Coming into barrier 1 should ensure a better run. Harmony N Home drawn wide but gets Purton in the saddle and is well rated these days.

Race 5: Turin Warrior good performance when storming home for a nice second last start when forced to race for luck from a wide draw. Coming into barrier 4 can ensure he maps closer and he is ready to land his first local win. Legion Of Merit video replay showed last run was very good after a mid-race move. He can map better from barrier 1 this week. Fearless Fire turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into second. G Liner best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Proud Dragon could sneak a place in a race like this.

Race 6: Righteous Arion caught wide last start and still ran well into fifth. He gets another chance here and is well in under Chung’s claim. Kokushi Musou had genuine excuses last start when caught wide, but barrier 1 should make a world of difference here. High Percentage remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here with any luck from gate 12 under Purton. Scotch Tycoon change of trainer to M Newnham recently and can improve. Happy Soul always finishes close up and must be rated a chance. He should be thereabouts in the finish.

Race 7: Solid Shalaa caught wide last start and still ran well for fourth, beaten 1.25 lengths. Second start in Class 4 here and expect improvement. Wood On Fire has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Joy Coming looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form, but again, he has drawn wide and will need more luck than others. Young Life Forever can improve second-up and returning to this track and distance. Ticks boxes from barrier 3. Super Elite fair run last start and place chance, he is improving and barrier 1 helps.

Race 8: Silver Sonic showed no interest last start and reportedly did not handle the rain-affected going, forget the run and go on his prior good form. Expecting a better run from barrier 4 here in a wide-open race. Outgate good effort last start leading all the way to win and he will vie to do the same. Ivy League last start winner who remains in the same grade and gets all favours from barrier 1. All Beauty placed last start and looks a chance to run well again second-up under Purton. Tourbillon Prince nice run last start and looks good chance in this race.

Race 9: Gallant Waking good performance when storming home for third place last start when first-up off a lengthy break. He should strip much fitter second-up and from barrier 3 under Purton, should gain one of the runs of the race. Sugar Sugar looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Lucky Archangel has improved since e the blinkers were added and he remains a chance. Denfield rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Toronado Phantom good performance when returning to form last start and can go on with it.