Luke Middlebrook
Defending champion trainer Frankie Lor’s runners are in exceptional form of late and he enters Wednesday’s racemeeting at Happy Valley in Hong Kong with a host of chances.
Of those, promising four-year-old Heroic Master can get on the board at his second local start in the Class 3 1000m Handicap (Race 7).
Heroic Master arrived in Hong Kong unbeaten from two starts in Australia, where he raced under the name Flucuate, and won easily over 1000m on debut at Gosford then over 1200m second-up at Wyong.
Though not the strongest form on paper, the up-and-comer settled well into Hong Kong life, based on his barrier trials, and he turned in a nice run on his local debut at this track and distance 28 days ago.
Despite racing wide throughout, he caught the eye late into third, beaten just 0.75 lengths. With that run under his belt, and meeting a moderate field second-up, he looks on song to win.
One race later, progressive four-year-old Adios looks on track to score two wins on end in the Class 3 1200m Handicap.
The Lor-trained gelding arrived in Hong Kong a one-time winner and two-time placegetter from three starts in Australia and has quickly adapted to racing in Hong Kong.
Showing good ability last season without winning, he resumed over 1000m with a narrow defeat into fifth before putting it all together to get his first local win at this track and distance 28 days ago.
Drawn well low in barrier No 2, Adios will map a winning chance if good enough, and he looks capable of winning a few more races off his current mark.
New trainer on the block Jamie Richards can get another win with Rattan Kingdom in the Class 4 1200m Handicap (Race 1).
Rattan Kingdom had his first start for Richards at this track and distance 28 days ago, donning blinkers for the first time and showing vast improvement after he raced wide from the 700m but closed off hard and fast to check home one-length into second.
Finding a winnable second-up race, and getting Zac Purton in the saddle, Rattan Kingdom is the one to beat.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Rattan Kingdom showed good improvement last start, first-up for Richards and in blinkers first time, and appears to be a serious winning chance second-up. Take What You Need placed last start and looks a chance to run well again, having drawn well low. Savvy Chic had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. He was also not fully tested and can improve second-up. Super Magic newcomer who trialled okay and can run well. Family Strength well prepared for debut and watch the betting.
Race 2: Success Allstars placed last start and looks a chance to run well again from his low draw and, being a distance specialist, he looks one a few top winning chances. Superb Daddy caught the eye last start when running home well when ridden too quiet. Owners’ Star changed stables recently and has improved, he can run well back in Class 5. Grand Power looks a solid good chance based on last start, drawn well to map a chance. Best For You showed no interest last start, forget the run and give another chance.
Race 3: Exuberant video replay showed last run was very good and he looks to map soft from his low draw to be in with a winning chance, despite being an unknown at the trip. Copartner Era had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Right Honourable goes well third-up from a break and should be respected. Hk Dragon showed no interest last start, forget the run and give another chance. He’s better than that run. Noble Steed old-timer who is racing in good form and can run well again after a nice last-start win.
Race 4: Flying On The Turf caught wide last start and still ran well. He comes into barrier 2, gets Purton in the saddle and can win. Hearty Wish will win in this grade very soon and he won’t have many excuses from barrier 1 here. Raging Blaze ran the second fastest sectional time last start when unsuited on the AWT. Shenron best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Common Room down in class in this race and should perform better after an okay run into 10th last start in Class 4.
Race 5: Durham Star caught the eye last start when running home well, which he usually does, but he strikes a winnable race here where he looks hard to hold out. Hero Star should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Barrier 11 is awkward, but Purton’s the jock for the job. Juneau Flash has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance, but the betting could be telling. Young Life Forever caught the eye last start running home powerfully for an improved effort, he can further improve. Birdsville remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after returning in good order this prep.
Race 6: Comet Splendido well supported last start and won accordingly. He looks to have more to come and can take beating again. Nothing New looks a solid good chance based on last start and will map a winning chance from barrier 3. Villa Fionn generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home, he can run well again in a race like this. My Ecstatic can lead in this race and be hard to run down on best form. Fitter now and will give a sight. Dr Winning showed no interest last start when first-up, forget the run.
Race 7: Heroic Master turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. He can win second-up and looks very hard to beat. Harmony Fire resuming from a break and the recent trial was very good. From barrier 1, he can test Heroic Master. Savvy Delight resuming from a break and not tested in recent trial, looked well but may need the run. California Deeply well prepared for debut and watch the betting, he should begin fast and give a sight. Special M has a chance based on past form in this class of race and have to include among the chances.
Race 8: Adios more than capable of winning again in this race and he has drawn well toa be able to repeat the dose. He should have wins in hand. Yo Beauty should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way and should map softly from a low gate. Gluck Racer change of trainer recently and can improve, Purton rides and have to respect. Global Harmony resuming from a break and trialled well recently, he should be winning races this season. Solar Winds turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and is improving all the time.