KOWLOON TSAI HANDICAP
#8 Mr Aladdin gets his chance to finally break through at start 26 after a close-up third first-up over the mile, where he was forced well back from a wide draw. He rises to a suitable trip, and his narrow second here two runs ago adds to his claims. #2 Golden Fairy maps to lead from barrier 1 and, while better suited over further, still maps to give a bold sight second-up. #1 Storm Runner drops back into Class 5 after three straight placings and reunites with Purton. He ticks plenty of boxes. #6 Smashing Express has been running on encouragingly since the class drop and will be one to watch late if the tempo allows.
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SAM SHING HANDICAP
#2 Motor draws perfectly in barrier 2 and resumes in blinkers, which he trialled well in. In this Restricted Class 4 for three-year-olds, his Griffin form from last season holds up strongly and gives him every chance to break through. #1 Field Marshal has been gelded over the break and gets a key jockey booking with Zac Purton aboard. He maps to lead on paper and will be hard to reel in. #4 Just Follow Me looks a strong hope to get Brett Crawford off the mark. His recent trial was eye-catching, though barrier 11 makes things tricky tactically. #5 Winning Champion was consistent despite wide gates last term. He resumes from a better draw and is in the mix off a solid trial.
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YI O HANDICAP
#4 Peridot outran his starting price with an eye-catching debut third and resumes from barrier 1 off two solid trials. Zac Purton takes the ride, which only boosts his prospects. #10 Noble Fans returned with a strong third to Groovy Feeling and is nearing a win. Race fitness gives him an edge in this field and he looks primed to go close. #5 Proud Box has shown promise in trials leading into his debut, and while barrier 10 makes things tricky, he appears to have ability and should measure up. #1 Aerovolanic scored well on debut before being eased out second-up. His trials since have been fair, but barrier 3 should see him map a chance.
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TING KAU HANDICAP
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KAU TO SHAN HANDICAP
#3 Beauty Viva dropped into Class 4 late last season and performed well despite a run of wide draws before a late transfer to the Tony Cruz stable. From barrier 1, his map gets an upgrade and this presents as a prime opportunity to win. #7 Pearl Of Pang’s was rewarded for his consistency with a strong win last start and can carry on in a similar vein of form. #11 Special Hedge should land comfortably on the pace from barrier 2 and, when right, is capable of being in the finish. #10 Star Brose didn’t manage a win in his debut campaign, but there’s something there. Purton sticks first-up and his trials have been sound.
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THE KPMG 80TH ANNIVERSARY CUP (HANDICAP)
#6 Victory Sky is still chasing his first Hong Kong win after 12 attempts, but he’s been in the placings six times with some decent form references among them. A better draw than he’s had in recent starts gives him a genuine chance of breaking through. #7 The Red Hare wasn’t far away in three runs last term and had excuses last time covering ground from a wide gate. The off-season should have done him good and he can give this a shake. #10 Thousand Spirit has shown off-season improvement in recent trials and can take a step forward at his third local start. #3 Stanley Express makes his debut for the Pierre Ng yard. He arrived with strong Australian credentials, though his local trials have been only fair to date.
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KOWLOON BAY HANDICAP
#7 The Heir looks capable of going back-to-back, with barrier 2 setting him up for a world-perfect run. He remains well rated in Class 4 and the Caspar Fownes yard is in flying form. #1 Mr Cool looked a horse on the up last term and his recent trial was ultra-impressive. He will need to overcome barrier 14 but shapes as one ready to climb the ratings. #4 Beauty Glory is a three-time first-up winner and maps to roll forward under Purton from stall 10. He can’t be overlooked at this level, either. #10 Diriya remains unexposed with just three starts and had excuses in all of them. His trial win for the return was full of merit.
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PAT SIN LENG HANDICAP
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YI TUNG SHAN HANDICAP
#2 Gorgeous Win gave away a big head start first-up but closed off well into fourth behind Ka Ying Rising. The move to barrier 1 and the booking of Hugh Bowman both work in his favour second-up. #11 Brilliant Express covered plenty of ground on his Class 2 debut yet wasn’t beaten far into ninth. He’s had no luck with gates but still looks to have upside. #3 Dancing Code maps to get the right run from barrier 4 and looks set to carry on from the strong form he showed last season. #1 Young Champion can mix his form but is more than capable on his day and is one to keep safe second-up.
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MA KONG SHAN HANDICAP
#1 Storm Rider has won two trials in impressive fashion ahead of his return, and the reunion with Zac Purton—aboard for all three career wins—sets him up nicely for a strong first-up showing. #8 Magnificent Nine struggles to win in this grade but has placed nine times and maps to get a soft run from the low draw. He’s likely to be around the mark again. #6 Lo Pan Spirit was caught wide without cover first-up but is capable of better, particularly if he maps more kindly. #3 Lucky My Way steps into Class 3 after back-to-back wins to close last term in style. It’s a fresh test, but his ceiling still looks untapped.
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