Luke Middlebrook
Talented five-year-old Mugen is expected to usher in the Lunar New Year in style with a win in Monday’s Chinese New Year Cup race over 1400m at Sha Tin.
The sprinter, trained by Pierre Ng, has been in sensational form this season, securing three wins from four starts and ascending in the ratings to a mark of 91 since kicking off his campaign in Class 3 with a rating of 63.
This ‘get back, run on’ type was last seen rising to this distance for the first time in his career, concurrently making his first foray into Class 2 territory.
Eased back early from barrier No 10 and eventually encountering some traffic at the top of the straight, Mugen unleashed a sharp turn-of-foot, impressively winning by two lengths.
Although Mugen faces what should be his toughest test yet as he steps up into Class 1, he stands out as the in-form horse to beat in the small field of six, especially considering the light weight.
Arguably the most exciting four-year-old in training in Hong Kong at the moment is Galaxy Patch, and he returns to action aiming to keep his track and distance record unblemished in the Class 2 race over 1200m.
After a last-minute decision not to race Galaxy Patch in last weekend’s first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, with trainer Pierre Ng stating, “We didn’t buy the horse for any Classic Mile or four-year-old series run,” this up-and-coming runner returns to the scene of the crime where he was last seen a month ago and where he remains unbeaten from four attempts.
Currently holding a handicap merit rating of 96, this run appears to be Galaxy Patch’s last in this type of company before ascending to Group level which will really test his mettle.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Rattan World more than capable of winning again in this race if he isn’t slow to begin and is in touch early. Great Days has been steadily improving and do not dismiss. Best run yet was last start and a win looks nearby. Millennium Falcon will win in this grade very soon after steadily regaining form since the class drop. Timestorm video replay showed last run was very good. Second start in Class 5 here and has what it takes to pick up a quick win in the cellar grade. Sweet Diamond consistent performer of late and worth considering but the wide draw is awkward.
Race 2: Beat Hollow consistent performer of late and worth considering. He should make full use of the low draw early and play ‘catch me if you can’ under the apprentice claim. Kasi Farasi drops down in grade and start following. If the old boy shows up, he can give this race a shake. Diamond Diamond looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after some minor placings. Speedstar looks ready to run a big race in Class 5. Will win in the grade sooner than later. Dragon Delight another will win in this grade very soon.
Race 3: Master Mastermind holding form with recent trial win after a promising run into third on debut and looks hard to beat for Hayes and Purton. Patch Of Theta looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. The wide draw won’t do him any favours but with luck in the run he’ll figure. Easy Snip turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly from a wide draw. Prior, mapped closer and won. Parterre has a chance based on past form in this class of race, start to follow. Super Glory has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Watch the betting.
Race 4: Star Club fresh up from a break and should run well after racing with excuses over 1400m last start. Should relish the step back to 1200m and looked well in a recent trial. Run Run Timing good effort last start leading all the way to win. He will try and repeat the dose from the wide draw. Super Goldi good performance when storming home for third place last start when tactics were queried. Windcheater showed improvement at a recent trial and could run a race on debut. Must Go has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve for Purton/Size.
Race 5: Plenty of chances here. Lucky Eternity has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Drawn well low and will get his chance with the right run. Winning Data nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a winning chance with any luck from the wide gate. Ping Hai Comet has been trialling well and comes from an astute stable (J J Size). Drawn wide but has shown early speed at the trials. Should press forward and give a sight. Strongest Boy remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here. Can’t Go Wong turned in a nice effort last week.
Race 6: Voyage Samurai has trialled well for debut and should be rated a winning chance first-up from an okay draw. Volcanic Spark well supported last start and won accordingly and looks to have good upside. However, barrier 14 won’t make his task easy. Golden Rise more than capable of winning again in this race but he too has drawn wide and will need early luck. Mr Maestro showed improvement at a recent trial with blinkers going on. Has shown some ability and appears ready to figure. Setanta has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade.
Race 7: Ka Ying Rising nice 3YO with a good chance here after finishing runner-up to Wunderbar in his last two starts. This looks an easier assignment and he should take beating. Joyful Hunter should be highly suited by the drop back in distance. He has a stack of ability but can be hard to catch. 1200m looks his bets distance however. Eighty Light Years nice horse who is a model of consistency and will run a race. Lady’s Choice had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Captain Win resuming from a break and won a recent trial.
Race 8: Disappointing to only see a small field of six line-up here but Mugen should be making light work of it from the low gate on the light weight. Red Lion well-placed and looks a chance in race like this back to 1400m which is his best distance. Duke Wai has a chance based on past form in this class of race and expect improvement. Courier Wonder showed no interest last start, forget the run, consider again in a much easier race here. Running Glory change of trainer recently and watch betting. Has a gear change and may show something fresh.
Race 9: Master Of Fortune will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well in an open race. He has shown ability but hasn’t had a lot of luck recently. More than capable of bouncing back here from barrier 2. Sweet Encounter impressive last start winner after racing wide throughout who remains in the same grade. Unbelievable newcomer who looks talented and must be respected. Holy Lake last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. California Voce is getting close to a win.
Race 10: Galaxy Patch highly promising sprinter who shows nice ability and is the one to beat. Expected to be the long odds-on favourite and should justify the short quote with an easy win on what he has shown thus far. Invincible Sage nice 4YO with a good chance here, rising to 1200m for the first time in Hong Kong. Lucky Encounter another handy 4YO on the up and he gets in well on the light weight from the low draw. Packing Treadmill down in class in this race and should perform better. Flying Ace generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.
Race 11: Magnificent Nine every chance last start but still ran a good race and he is ready to win third-up for Size and Purton, who appears to have sided with him over others he has ridden/won on. Storm Rider promising three-year-old for the Hayes yard who is more than capable of winning again in this race. Great pick-up ride for Alfie Chan. Quantum Patch good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Blue Marlin well supported last start and won accordingly. Karma has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. He should run a race first-up.