Size runner hits form in Hong Kong

Luke Middlebrook

Trainer John Size’s season is starting to heat up, and on Wednesday at Happy Valley, the five-year-old A Americ Te Specso has a solid chance to add to his tally of wins in the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.

A Americ Te Specso is on his second start back in Class 4 after four tries in Class 3 and is coming off a promising fourth-place finish three weeks ago. On that occasion, during his second start of the season, he was slow to begin from a mid-draw but finished strongly, ending up 1.75 lengths behind the winner in a race dominated by on-pace runners.

The race was run over 1000m, which was the gelding’s first attempt at the distance and is arguably 200m short of his best, considering his proven form.

Size has maintained A Americ Te Specso’s form in between runs with a trial up at Conghua, where he comfortably won his heat. He is drawn ideally in barrier No 4 and will be partnered by champion jockey Zac Purton. With all these factors in his favour, there are plenty of boxes ticked heading into the race.

Elsewhere, trainer David Hayes will be hopeful of extracting a first career win from four-year-old Strongest Boy in the Class 4 Handicap over 1650m.

Strongest Boy remains a maiden from 11 starts but his recent runs suggest a win is imminent. After an eye-catching run into second place on his final run of last season, the gelding had maintained his good form in two runs so far this season. First-up over 1400m at Sha Tin, he closed off nicely into third – beaten 1.50 lengths – behind Green N White, who was narrowly denied victory in a Class 3 on Sunday, before a wide draw dampened his chances second-up over the mile.

There was still merit to his run as he made ground late to pick up fifth, beaten 2.50 lengths. Today’s race shapes as a golden opportunity for Strongest Boy to notch his first win, with a better draw in his favour where he appears to map well enough from a midfield position.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Happily Friends has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Drawn well in gate 4, he will be getting his chance. Dashing Triumph backing up quickly from last week, can run well with Purton in the plate. Charming Steed will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well should he have luck in the run from barrier 12. Soaring Tower had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. Bell Of Victory recent runs have been encouraging and is improving.

Race 2: Regent Glory looks a solid good chance based on last start when runner-up over this trip at Sha Tin. Barrier 3 suits his racing pattern and he will go close. Shining Fortune drops down in grade and start following. Barrier 10 is awkward, but he’s good enough to win this on the downgrade. Happy Trio narrowly beaten last start behind Tattenham and goes close here. Victory Scholars down in class in this race and should perform better. He should map to suit from barrier 1. So Awesome showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight and will do the same here.

Race 3: Medic Elite had genuine excuses last start and consider again. He looks hard to beat from barrier 1. Happy Jai Jai looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. 616 days between wins but he is knocking on the door for another win. Double Show has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon but the fact remains he is a 23-start maiden. Right Honourable recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Nice Birdie second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve.

Race 4: King Invincible had genuine excuses last start – pulling up as a roarer as well as being badly held up – and consider again. From barrier 3, he should be getting his chance here. Sergeant Pepper nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance with luck from barrier 9. Colourful Prince a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, which he should as he steps away from gate 2. Hayday showed improvement at a recent trial and he will be fitter now second-up. Fortune Warrior had genuine excuses last start when caught wide.

Race 5: Strongest Boy looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. A better draw here should provide him with every hope to score. Amazing Boy turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into second. Barrier 1 will ensure favours. Lucky Banner showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight to hold down second place. He can give a sight again. Beauty Mission well sup- ported last start and won accordingly from barrier 3. Drawn out in gate 10 makes it tougher here. Gallant Hero eased early before going on to make late ground first-up.

Race 6: A Americ Te Specso caught the eye last start when running home well late over 1000m. He has since turned in a handy trial win, rises to a better distance and looks primed to win another race. Round The Globe disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here. Lyrical Motion changed stables recently and has improved as evident by his last-start second-place finish. Togepi turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly but barrier 11 won’t make it easy here. See U Again could sneak a place in a race like this. Not out of it.

Race 7: Tourbillon Prince backing up quickly from a good last start third, which had plenty of merit to it as he had excuses in the run, and can run well again. Lean Hero consistent form lately and can score here. He looks ready for the rise in distance. Sweet Encounter video replay showed last run was very good. He will need luck from barrier 12, but is good enough to win with a good steer. C P Brave turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and seems to be back in form. Intrepid Winner goes well second-up from a break and should be respected based on his last-start third.

Race 8: Sweet Briar form is good and must be rated a solid chance second-up after a narrow third-place defeat first-up. Lightning Bolt racing in career-best form, winning his last two races, and should be fighting out the finish again. Grateful Heart good performance when storming home for third place last start and is back in form. He can make use of barrier 1. Beauty Glory always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. Seizing The Moment should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and he could run an improved race from barrier 2.

Race 9: Reward Smile good performance when storming home for a nice second over 1000m last start. Back up to 1200m suits his chances and he is overdue for a win. Nordic Dragon appears to be very well suited by the track and distance of this race with all five career wins occurring here. Barrier 10 could prove awkward however. Rewarding Together down in class in this race and should perform better, especially from barrier 1. Son Pak Fu looks a solid good chance based on last start. Xponential has a better chance on this track and could run a cheeky race on the light weight from barrier 4.