King should be miles too good at Sha Tin

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Saturday for a mixed turf and dirt 10-race fixture.

Promising three-year-old KING MILES can continue his winning ways as he chases back-to-back wins in the Class 4 race over 1200m for champion trainer contender Francis Lui.

KING MILES made his racetrack debut in mid-March and turned in a highly promising performance despite drawing out in barrier No 12. On that occasion, the inexperienced youngster was up against it after being taken out at the 800m and then raced extremely wide without cover.

In the end, he was only beaten by 2.25 lengths into fourth – a solid performance. Second-up and starting from barrier No 1, he found himself leading but raced too keenly and would not relax, which left him vulnerable late, and he was beaten by one length into fourth.

Everything fell into place for KING MILES third-up, and he broke through stylishly, defeating subsequent winner LUCY IN THE SKY by a length. A horse with seemingly plenty of upside for Lui, KING MILES could be another PPG with a few more wins to come before the end of the season, keeping Lui in the hunt for the premiership as he enters Saturday’s fixture trailing Pierre Ng by five winners.

Thriving five-year-old BABY CRYSTAL aims to extend his winning streak to three in the Class 3 race down the Sha Tin 1000m straight on Saturday.

It’s rare to see a horse improve after leaving John Size’s yard, but BABY CRYSTAL is the exception, with Francis Lui extracting three wins from six starts out of the gelding. As the saying 'horses for courses' goes, BABY CRYSTAL epitomizes that, as his 1000m Sha Tin straight record of three wins and three second placings from seven attempts suggests.

BABY CRYSTAL has drawn perfectly in gate 10 for his hat-trick chasing quest on Saturday and doesn’t face the strongest of fields. Newcomer FAST RESPONDER seems well-prepared by trainer Douglas Whyte, while three-year-old KA YING VICTORY may appreciate returning to the straight course as well as finding himself in a weaker race for once.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Perfect Peach turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly from a wide draw. He may be able to map closer to the speed as he comes into a lower gate. Tsuen Wan Glory faded late last start in a fast run race, chance to improve under right race shape. Master Of All well supported last start and won accordingly. He could have points in hand. Always Awesome down in class here and can surprise. Noble Win second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve, but he is a roarer and is hard to trust.

Race 2: Many chances here. M Unicorn more than capable of winning again in this race after he won with authority at this track and distance last start. Berlin Tango good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and hard to ignore the Avdulla/Cruz combination. Alacrity has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Woodfire Bro had genuine excuses last start, pulling up with a heart irregularity, and consider again. So We Joy has a good record over this track and distance and always have to be considered.

Race 3: Baby Crystal racing in career best-form at this track and distance and looks likely to post the winning hat-trick. Fast Responder newcomer who has trialled well for debut for the Douglas Whyte stable and looks ready to run a big race. Ka Ying Victory nice 3YO with a good chance here as he returns to the 1000m on the light weight. He can improve here. Happy United showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Majestic Express ran out of condition last start when first-up and will be fitter now second-up and will improve such as John Size’s runners do.

Race 4: Plenty of chances here. Starship Eighty good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Drawn low, but the rider will need to make use of it early. Triumphant Warrior good performance when storming home for third place from a wide draw last start. Comes into a mid-draw which could see him position closer which will enhance his chances. G Liner a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. Viva Hunter showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Fast Victory last start placing was full of merit, nice effort but outside gate makes things tougher here.

Race 5: King Miles up-and-coming three-year-old who is more than capable of winning again in this race after breaking through easily last start. The form has held up and he clearly looks to be better than Class 4 ability. Awesome Treasure is back in good form and must be considered a chance from his low draw. Storm Legend has a great record in this class and must be respected, start to follow. Super Highway form is good and is getting close to another victory. Omakase has trialled well for debut on multiple occasions and should be rated a chance.

Race 6: Intriguing race, this, with some handy newcomers up against exposed types whose form is good. Circuit Maximus newcomer who has trialled well for debut and should map well on-pace from his low draw. Steps Ahead newcomer who has trialled well for debut for Francis Lui and Hugh Bowman a few times and looks to have ability. Prince Of Porty always dangerous in this grade. He hasn’t won for a long time now, but this is his go here. Hayday form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Lo Pan Spirit caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds but it didn’t appear to be a fluke.

Race 7: This race is wide-open. Chancheng Glory a fast beginner who can run well and he gets conditions in his favour after a decent run in the Derby where he was up against it. Flaming Rabbit can lead in this race and be hard to run down as he showed two starts ago. Helene Feeling will be suited by the drop back in distance after fair run in the Derby and he should map well here. Mr Ascendency racing in career best form and must be rated a good chance. Outgate had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Market has loved him in his last two starts.

Race 8: Happy Daily finally draws a low gate since returning to Class 4, which has to improve his chances here, and this is his chance to bounce back to winning ways after a long time in between drinks. Winning Gold more than capable of winning again in this race after posting his first career win easily last start. Young Horizon form is good and must be rated a solid chance from his low draw. Golden Rise will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well. Lucky Gold was an easy last start winner and must be respected again.

Race 9: Sky Trust form is good and is getting close to a win. The low draw will ensure he is provided all the luck required. Top Scorer holding form with recent good trial and looks well. However, barrier 12 is far from ideal and Purton will need to be at his tactical best. Owners’ Praise was an easy last start winner and he could go on with it. Super Charizzard had genuine excuses last start (mucus) and can improve in this race. Grand Boss looks a longshot chance in a race like this after racing with excuses first-up.

Race 10: Stellar Express had excuses last start when racing wide. Giving him a chance to break through as he comes into barrier 2 and should run a much better race from there. Eighty Light Years was an easy last start winner and he looks hard to beat again. Amazing Victory has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race if he doesn’t get too far back from barrier 1, where he could find traffic issues again. Beauty Missile remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win. Gustosisimo turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly.