Mark Newnham hopes Bravehearts can capitalise on favourable handicap conditions and reprise winning form when the Group 1-winning Argentine import contests the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Long Ke Handicap (2000m) at Sha Tin on Saturday.
Twice a winner over this course and distance, Bravehearts has not won since triumphed in 11 starts since winning this race at the corresponding meeting last season but Newnham is optimistic this weekend’s impost of only 52.5kg will spark a return to form.
“He won this race last year, so he’s down low in the weights, which will suit. He needs a truly run race because just with his racing style he gets back but he’s racing well enough and I think coming back down in weight will suit him,” the Australian said.
“He just needs the right circumstances. Two starts back, he ran really well. He just sort of lost sight of the ‘bunny’ a bit his previous start. In the small field, he won’t have as many to get past.”
Bravehearts carried 53.5kg to victory in the Class 2 Buffalo Bill Handicap (2000m) on 29 December 2024 and meets only eight rivals on Saturday – Sword Point, Lo Rider, Ka Ying Generation, Awesome Fluke, Numbers, Winning Wing, Noisy Boy and Gentlemen Legacy.
Perched on 499 Hong Kong career wins as a trainer, Frankie Lor will field Four-Year-Old Classic Series aspirant Numbers, whose creditable third on debut in Hong Kong to Helene Feeling was further franked on Wednesday night (23 December) when Helene Feeling dead-heated with Kaholo Angel.
Rated 82, Numbers ran second in the G1 Queensland Derby (2400m) in June when he raced as King Of Thunder and was trained by John O’Shea & Tom Charlton.
The Tivaci gelding will be ridden by Derek Leung from barrier four this weekend, while Pierre Ng’s 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2400m) third placegetter Ka Ying Generation jumps from gate No 3 for Luke Ferraris.
Ng believes Ka Ying Generation will continue to improve with age and is optimistic the gelding can contend strongly after his last-start eighth to Sosie in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin on 14 December.
“He’s getting more mature but we have to make sure we don’t ride him aggressively and keep him calm,” Ng said. “He will be carrying 122lb and with the small field, hopefully he can manage to bring his best form.”
David Hall hopes Magnifique (134lb) can reprise top form when the talented four-year-old resumes under James Orman in the Class 3 Sham Chung Handicap (1000m).
The Charm Spirit gelding won three of his first four starts but was sidelined after triumphing at Sha Tin on 5 July when he bled from both nostrils. He has since trialled impressively under Orman, most recently winning a 1000m turf barrier trial at Sha Tin on 16 December.
“He’s had a long time to get over his bleeding, but there’s only so much you can do with those bleeds,” Hall said. “It just comes down to whether he gets back under race pressure and can handle the stress.
“His trials have been strong, as they were previously, so now it’s time to get back to the races and see where we are – fingers crossed he brings his best form.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Super Dragon stormed home to finish second last start despite encountering traffic in the straight. With a clearer passage, he could go one better. Turin Champions showed significant improvement at his second time of asking and looks one to follow. Salon S led from start to finish on debut and could repeat the dose if allowed to have a soft lead again. Motor will relish the drop to Class 4 where he boasts a strong record, and should not be overlooked. Chill Partners well prepared with several trials for his debut and the low draw ticks another box.
Race 2: Aurio appears to be well rated in Class 4, and his eye-catching last start suggests a win looks imminent. Vigor Eye showed promise on debut and is open to further improvement as he gains more experience. Team Team Folks caused an upset at huge odds last start, but repeating that performance remains a concern. Loveisintheair resuming from a break, his recent trial was quiet and the betting market should provide the best guide. Duke Of Orange attacked the line strongly late on debut and improvement is expected with added experience.
Race 3: Ka Ying Generation drops back from a Group 1 feature and looks poised to make an impact in Class 2, especially from a favourable draw. Numbers made the running and stuck on for third on his local debut. With the rise in distance, he shapes as a strong contender. Winning Wing has completed a double in Class 3 recently and remains a chance despite rising to Class 2. Lo Rider capable but unpredictable, he is worth considering if his odds offer value. Awesome Fluke proved his win two starts ago was no fluke with a subsequent second last time out and commands respect.
Race 4: Foremost Teddy scored an effortless win last start and looks primed to secure back-to-back victories in Class 5. Family Fortune broke though in emphatic fashion last time out and should play a key role. Hailtothevictors sneaked into placings at long odds on his Class 5 debut last start and must be respected. Soaring Bronco recorded fast final 400m sectional last start and looks capable of bouncing back anytime in the cellar grade. Atomic Beauty trapped wide but still ran well last start, and with a smoother trip, he could secure a Top 3 finish.
Race 5: Mount Everest showed little off the speed in a slowly run race first-up. With added fitness and a better draw, he could show sharp improvement. Packing Phoenix held up at a crucial stage last start, and with better luck in running, he could make amends. Leading Agility finished a slashing third form a wide draw on debut. With a favourable draw, he looks well placed to break through. Embrace Aberdeen scored a narrow win at long odds on debut, but the wide draw and the weight rise pose a challenge. Brownneedsfurther has ability and could cause an upset on his day.
Race 6: Star Satyr boasting a perfect record in Class 4, he should produce an improved effort with the drop in class, especially given his form around talented types in Class 3. Yee Cheong Glory has trialled impressively leading into this race, and the booking of Purton looks a big plus. Top Peak his recent runs have been solid and he should be included among the better chances. All’s Well was narrowly beaten last start but the wide draw could make things tricky this time. Aerovolanic produced a fair effort last start and should not be overlooked.
Race 7: California Star highly suited by the switch back to the All-Weather track and could make his presence felt despite the wide draw. Fashion Legend nearing his last winning mark, he has drawn well to produce an improved effort. Star Figure possesses a strong turn of foot and should run well if he can see out the extended mile. Leslie his last run was better than it looks and he will make a strong late surge if the pace suits. Night Purosangue had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire.
Race 8: Super Strong Kid will relish the drop back to 1000m, where he is two from three, and with Purton staying aboard, he shapes as a leading contender. Magnifique won his last start but bled, and has since trialled well for his return. Fast Responder has been knocking on the door of late, and a favourable draw further enhances his winning chances. Wonderstar a dangerous frontrunner, he could be hard to run down if allowed to dictate the pace. Healthy Healthy has returned to form recently and looks ideally weighted to continue the strong run.
Race 9: Allcash finished a luckless third last start after being held up in the closing stages. With better luck in running, he could bounce back. New Forest has shown a strong liking to the All-Weather surface, and his positive racing style holds him in good stead. Another World scored a tenacious win last start, and from a low draw, he is well placed to repeat the dose. Reliable Profit an AWT expert, he looks poised to go one better from a good draw after a close second last start. Dragon Air Force showed improvement last start, and with Bowman retaining the ride, he deserves another chance.
Race 10: Szeryng badly held up last start but still went close. With better luck in running, he should be right in the mix. New Future Folks his last run was better than it looks and he could cause an upset with the in-form Guyon aboard. Stormy Grove has held his form with a recent trial since a fast-finishing third last start. Harold Win his unplaced effort in a slowly run race last start is best overlooked, and he could produce an improved effort given his strong previous form. Super Infinity better than his recent form suggest and could run a cheeky race if things fall his way. -iRACE Magazine