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Hong Kong Racing Returns

Luke Middlebrook Just six horses will line up in Sunday's feature race at Sha Tin, where Hong Kong's best sprinter, LUCKY SWEYNESSE, aims to continue from where he left off in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup Handicap over 1200m. As a triple Group 1 winner and the victor in eight out of 10 starts during his breakout 2022/23 campaign, LUCKY SWEYNESSE faces a similar challenge to his last race, where he won the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) in early June. On that occasion, the Manfred Man-trained talent carried 135lbs to a comfortable 1.25-length victory, and he will face the same challenge again on Sunday, giving away 20lbs to the rest of the field. The only horse that seems capable of breaking LUCKY SWEYNESSE'S winning streak, as he vies for a seventh straight success, is talented five-year-old VICTOR THE WINNER, who finished as the runner- up to LUCKY SWEYNESSE in the Sha Tin Vase. Elsewhere, thriving five-year-old ALL IS GOOD is on track to continue his winning ways in the Class 3 1400m Handicap. It wasn’t until start number 15 that ALL IS GOOD broke through for his first career win in early May, but he proved it no fluke by going on to win his next two starts stylishly. On each occasion, he posted convincing winning margins of 1.75 lengths. Though ALL IS GOOD will face his toughest test as he rises into Class 3, trainer Francis Lui has found a race that lacks depth, while with Zac Purton in the saddle it provides the gelding with every winning hope stepping away from barrier 2. Track Spy Video Replay Stars Race 2 – 5 EVER BLESSING He had two starts last season and they were complete forgive runs. On each occasion, he drew wide in barriers 13 and 14 and subsequently raced wide, checking in 4.25 lengths into seventh on debut and seven lengths into eighth second-up. He is a horse who has shown some ability at the trials, so with better luck in running, perhaps he can put his best foot forward and improve. Race 3 – 8 VANQUISHER Two starts ago, he was heavily supported at Happy Valley but was slow to begin which obliterated his chances. On his next start, he didn’t quite attract the same level of support but he outperformed his starting price of 49/1 with a fast-finishing effort to pick up fourth place after being too far back in the on-pace dominated race. Well prepared with two barrier trials for his return, he should be fi t and ready to go first-up and appears on track to figure in the fi nish. Sectional Time Stars Race 1 – 5 STARSHIP EIGHTY He turned in his best run yet on his final race of last season, finishing 3.25 lengths into seventh place while coming home the second-fastest. However, he was unable to be properly tested after striking traffic, so it is possible he could have finished even closer. Race 8 – 1 BLUE MARLIN He was sent forward from barrier 14 last start but raced without cover which resulted in him weakening in the straight. On prior good form, he was ridden more conservatively and coming home strongly on each occasion. Winning his trial in good enough fashion for his return, he is capable of bouncing back. Luke Middlebrook’s Selections: R1. 3-1-8-5 R2. 2-5-4-7 R3. 1-8-2-4 R4. 1-2-3-4 R5. 6-7-1-3 R6. 3-2-10-1 R7. 8-7-1-2 R8. 10-1-8-5 R9. 1-6-4-5 R10. 2-1-6-10 Betting Strategy: R7 #8 Win R9 #1 Win R10 #2 Win

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Hong Kong Racing Returns

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