Luke Middlebrook
Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday featuring an 11-race fixture with the spotlight on a Group 3 double header: the Sha Tin Vase (1200m) and the Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).
Top-class sprinter INVINCIBLE SAGE aims for back-to-back feature race wins on Sunday at Sha Tin in the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase over 1200m.
The David Hall-trained gelding was sensational in achieving the biggest win of his career last start, claiming the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize over the highly rated CALIFORNIA SPANGLE on a yielding track. On Sunday, he will have a strong chance to win again, having drawn ideally low in barrier 2, from where he looks to map perfectly just off the speed as he did last start.
However, conditions will change for INVINCIBLE SAGE this week compared to his last start due to the handicap conditions. He will have to give some weight away to handy competitors, including 6kg to MUGEN, who was a fast-finishing third to INVINCIBLE SAGE last time, as well as others. Up-and-coming three-year-old KA YING RISING is out of the handicap by 4kg but is potentially a top-liner in the making and faces his acid test this week.
Trainer Pierre Ng will be hopeful that his rising star GALAXY PATCH can live up to expectations in Sunday’s Group 3 Lion Rock Trophy over 1600m at Sha Tin.
GALAXY PATCH will be chasing his first win since mid-January. Following that victory, his preparation included races over mixed distances, ultimately leading to his run in the Hong Kong Derby over 2000m, where he finished a strong runner-up. He subsequently finished a closing fifth in the Group 1 Champions Mile, which was his first run on a rain-affected track.
The up-and-comer goes up against quality rivals, including stablemate TAJ DRAGON and fellow thriving four-year-old CHANCHENG GLORY, who has been the only subsequent winner out of this year’s Derby.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Go Go Go has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. He gets his chance here. Arthur’s Kingdom was an easy last start winner and must be respected again. If left alone on the lead, he will prove hard to surpass. Happy Hero recent runs have been encouraging and can run well from barrier 1. Turtle Again has ability and is always dangerous in this grade – start to follow him again. Yee Cheong Warrior generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Each-way chance in a race like this.
Race 2: Wonder Kit nice horse who is a model of consistency and is the one to beat in the small field of six. Favourite last start when third to Taj Dragon which is strong form and barrier 2 suits. Supreme Lucky video replay showed last run was very good after he began fairly but made-up good ground late. With a clean jump from barrier 1, he can go better. Superb Boy showed no interest last start, forget the run. He should be competitive here. Mr Ascendency looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Spirited Express can improve second-up from a break.
Race 3: Tactical Command good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. He is overdue for a win since the class drop and will get his chance to get his nose in front stepping away from barrier 1. Charmander change of trainer recently and can improve. Maximize Heart has a great record in this class and must be respected, he can start to be followed again. Harmony N Home drops down in grade and start following. General Winner has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon.
Race 4: Awesome Treasure last start winner who retains good form and can run well again. There doesn’t appear to be too much speed here, which will suit his profile from barrier 1. Grand Nova had no luck last start when on debut and badly held up inside the final 100m but keep following. Silver Destiny recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting a good run can be expected. Urban Triumph showed he was up to this class and can go close. Racing well after a stable change. Super Highway had genuine vet excuses last start and consider again.
Race 5: King Miles last start placing was full of merit after he began fairly and mapped further back than expected but stormed home late into second, nice effort and he should be bounce back in a big way here. Young Horizon looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Comes into a low draw and can run a race. Leedox second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve with a big jockey change. Miu Fa Fa showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight under fast splits. Currahee has been steadily improving and do not dismiss.
Race 6: Stellar Express had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. Ready to win and only needs to stay out of trouble. James Tak nice three-year-old with a good chance to win a fourth race here after remaining in good form last start with solid second place. Hasten Delight go on previous solid form and give a chance. Young Superstar former Singapore galloper, raced as Kungfu Hero for Jerome Tan, making local debut but has shown some promise in his trials. Ace Victory change of trainer recently and watch betting, trialled well recently.
Race 7: Steps Ahead last start placing was full of merit as he lost ground at the start but eventually wound up late and ran on into second place, nice effort and he can win second-up with better luck. Lucy In The Sky every chance last start but still ran a good race and should be fighting out the finish again here. Hayday good effort last start leading all the way to win. Will vie to do the same and can give a sight. Greenwich resuming from a break and the recent trial was okay. Coming Patch last start winner who remains in the same grade.
Race 8: Galaxy Patch highly promising galloper who appears a great chance to bounce back for a win here. Competitive race but he gets conditions to suit and should showcase his potential here. Chancheng Glory well supported last start and won accordingly and on the light weight, he’s right in this. Taj Dragon rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Atullibigeal form is good and must be rated a solid chance in a race like this.
Race 9: Invincible Sage more than capable of winning again in this race after he won the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize emphatically lasty start. Race conditions change here under handicap conditions, but he stands out as the class horse. Mugen ultra-consistent galloper and who can play a part in the finish with a pull in the weights. Ka Ying Rising top three-year-old who should run well at the weights, even if he is out of the handicap. Victor The Winner disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here. Flying Ace caught the eye last start when running home well. Gets in better at the weights here.
Race 10: Top Scorer ultra-consistent galloper and who can play a part in the finish once again. Not the stiffest of races when it comes to competition, so he will get his chance to win another race. My Flying Angel recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting a good run can be expected as he drops into Class 4 for the first time. Handsome Bomb holding form with recent good trial and looks well. Grand Boss showed improvement at a recent trial and he is a long shot chance in this race after racing wide last start. Smiling Collector turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly.
Race 11: Second To None ultra-consistent galloper and who can play a part in the finish and stands out as the one to beat. Storm Rider is better than recent form indicates and can improve. No luck last start when resuming on a rain-affected track. Solid Impact racing consistently of late and expect another big run. California Deeply good performance when returning to form last start and he could run another cheeky race from barrier 1. Jolly Ruler caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds ap- pears to get the race run to suit.