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Juglall can win on Thor The Greatest

Hong Kong race previews

RACE 1 (1,650M)

11 AGIAAL has not won in nearly three years, and that was off a far higher mark. He made nice enough ground last week to finish sixth to Travel Ambassador and, while he might just be in search of the drop into Class 5, he wouldn't shock if he manages to find the winners' circle again.

7 SALSA BROTHERS found the lead under Oisin Murphy on the dirt last time out and almost caused a 120-1 shock, just fading late to finish fourth. He can probably race handy again and a good run is expected.

5 SUPER FORM won at massive odds to start the season and hasn't been disgraced in two Happy Valley runs since from bad draws. He now gets Gate 4 with Joao Moreira aboard and he is likely to have strong market support.

10 REWARDING FLYER's rating is slowly approaching the point where it was at the start of the season when he won. He should get a gun run from the inside gate for Sam Clipperton.

RACE 2 (1,650M)

10 ATOMIC BLAST looked a horse bound for Class 3 in no time when he joined David Hall's stable last season, but now he is languishing deep into Class 5 for new trainer Tony Millard. He clearly needs something to spark him up and perhaps the switch to Happy Valley can provide the trick.

9 DASHING FORTUNE ran well enough last start when racing forward after racing back in his previous two starts. If he goes forward, he'll be a chance in this field.

4 MALAYAN PEARL got into a scrimmage at the top of the straight last week and still picked himself up to run third. The jockey switch from Craig Williams to Kei Chiong is a negative, even though Chiong does know the horse well. Still, a repeat of last week will see him go close.

1 EXCELLENCE gets down into Class 5 for the first time with Zac Purton jumping aboard. Expect significant improvement.

RACE 3 (1,200M)

2 GENEROUS BOBO has been out of the winner's circle for almost two years but has built up quite a good record in Class 4 in his time, with five starts yielding two wins, a second, a third and a last-start sixth on the Sha Tin all-weather track. He had a wide trip there, so the run is best forgiven and he is suited by the return to Happy Valley, where he has finished in the top four at eight of his 11 starts. He looks the one to beat.

4 NEVER BETTER is racing well enough and has also drawn a plum gate in 4. Joao Moreira jumps aboard and he looks to be a prime contender again.

7 POWERMAX has placed twice to start his career, both times making good ground up the inside. The step-up to 1,200m suits but the outside draw may play against him.

5 WILD BOY should be flying home late.

RACE 4 (1,200M)

Twelve months ago, 4 AMAZING FEELING recorded his third consecutive placing in the Griffin Trophy and looked a horse bound for Class 2 in no time - just like the other top four finishers in that race have done subsequently in People's Knight, New Asia Sunrise and General Of Patch. However, he is still languishing in Class 4 and remains winless from 10 starts in Hong Kong. Joao Moreira jumps off but Derek Leung is riding well and is a more-than-able replacement and this race looks his time to finally break through.

Moreira is instead on 1 SPEEDY ACHIEVER, who also looms as a strong chance. He was very good last time out when he just couldn't reel in Sight Seeing and this race looks to have a similar set-up.

2 PAKISTAN BABY races in silks that have now become famous the world over for their association with Pakistan Star, and owner Kerm Din looks to have a good chance here with Pakistan Baby. The horse's best form has come at Happy Valley and he now returns there after a year at Sha Tin.

Consistent 5 LOVE CHUNGHWA is next best.

RACE 5 (1,650M)

5 PO CHING TREASURE has yet to win from 32 Hong Kong starts but has performed well a number of times at different stages. His runs this season haven't been too bad, and if he can get the lead from the inside gate with Olivier Doleuze aboard, he can finally break through.

11 EXPECTATOR disappointed last time out after getting home strongly the start before. He may be looking for a further drop into Class 5 but he was a Class 3 winner a couple of seasons back and a return to that form will have him in the mix.

10 TRAVEL AMBASSADOR was very good last week, benefiting from a sublime Craig Williams ride and, while Williams will have to work his magic again from the outside stall, it may not be the worst thing for the horse to be forced to make a wide run around the field. It certainly suited him last week.

3 WORKS OF ART took time to pick up last start before finally making up late ground. He goes in again.

RACE 6 (2,200M)

1 PRAWN BABA is a rare John Size experiment in that he steps up to 2,200m at just his third start after two good outings over a mile. He also heads to the city track for the first time. He should get a soft run from gate 4 and he looks to have plenty of upside and should be hard to beat.

The main danger is the consistent 10 VICTORY BOYS, who has not missed the quinella in his last six starts, dating back to April. He steps up to 2,200m for the first time, but the distance doesn't look as though it will trouble him. He will likely be beyond midfield on the rail from the inside gate, so he will need luck, but he will be coming at Prawn Baba late.

3 JOLLY GENE is an out-and-out stayer who won a similar race off a higher rating in April. He can never be discounted over this trip.

4 HAPPY CONTENDER is a winner waiting to happen and could get his chance here.

RACE 7 (1,200M)

11 THOR THE GREATEST looks a good chance to give visiting Mauritian jockey Nooresh Juglall a winner before he returns to his Singapore base. Yung's galloper is a pretty straightforward type, if he jumps well. He's best suited when going forward, although he did run quite well two starts back when coming from near the rear. Still, with just 52.7kg (116 pounds) to carry, he looks a prime chance.

8 APACHE SPIRIT was good first-up but disappointed from a wide gate in his next start, then was not sighted on the Sha Tin all-weather track. The return to Happy Valley suits, especially with a better draw.

7 LAMAROSA did sit wide on speed last time out but the extent of his failure was inexplicable after a good first-up win. He has drawn awkwardly again but a return to his first-up form will see him in the mix.

2 GREEN CARD comes to Happy Valley for the first time after mixing his form at Sha Tin. The short straight may suit but he can overrace, so he will need things to go right from the inside.

RACE 8 (1,200M)

12 SUPER TURBO is a promising galloper who runs in Class 2 for the first time. A number of his defeats earlier this season were due to bad luck as opposed to any lack of talent. While he will need luck again from a wide draw on the C+3 course, the 17-pound drop in the weights should see him hard to beat.

9 BACK IN BLACK may be on his mark and may need to get back to Class 3 but, if he can find his best around this course with Craig Williams aboard, he'd be a chance.

8 VERBINSKY just got up to score last start. He meets a number of these worse on weights but he also looks to have upside, so he should be included.

For value, throw in 2 COUNTRY MELODY as he returns to Happy Valley for the first time this season from the inside draw.

COMMENTS BY ANDREW HAWKINS, COURTESY OF THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

 

 

Extra distance favours Western Warrior

RACE 1 (1,400M)

(14) WESTERN WARRIOR is improving with racing, has an inside draw and should enjoy the extra distance.

(1) FLYING RUSSIAN has been touched off in his last three outings and could get it right here.

(5) MILNE shouldn't be far off him.

(9) ALLEGIANCE and (11) COLLABRO will appreciate the extra distance.

(4) URBAN MYTH and (10) CHILI LIME are not out of it.

RACE 2 (1,400M)

(5) CHEAT THE CHEATERS was not fancied on debut but ran on strongly for third.

Similarly, (6) CRAZY VISION was doing his best work late on debut.

(12) THE FALLS ROAD races before this and, if he takes his place, could get into the money.

(13) TORRE DEL ORO is improving and could take home a cheque.

(10) SABASTIAN was backed on debut and should do better.

RACE 3 (1,400M)

(4) SEPTEMBER BLOOM has finished close-up in all starts and could have her consistency rewarded.

(10) HOT TALENT was blowing heavily last time and could do better.

(8) BANDOLA needed her last outing and will come on.

(1) SPRING INDEED is doing better and could take home a cheque.

Watch the first-timers, especially (13) SEATTLE SOLACE.

RACE 4 (1,800M)

(3) END GAME was slightly disappointing last time and could enjoy the return to the bend.

(12) ONE OF A KIND should know a lot more now and could be a live threat.

(2) SWEET CHESTNUT loves the longer distance and shouldn't be far back.

(1) EVERSILVER showed a return to form and cannot be ignored.

(6) PRADA PRINCESS is always in with a money chance.

RACE 5 (2,400M)

(1) KING OF THRONES is holding form and should have a bright chance of opening his account in a moderate bunch. He finished behind (4) TERN UNSTONED last time but the latter disappointed subsequently over a shorter trip.

(3) YOURS AND MINE and newcomer (9) WESTERN GLIDER shouldn't be far off.

RACE 6 (2,400M)

(8) TALBEC has been threatening to chalk up another victory and could have his just reward here.

(10) SKYNIGHT should enjoy the marathon distance and give his rivals a run for the money.

(7) ROYAL HONOUR should get back to earning ways, which brings (2) STEBBINS into the picture.

(9) DAWN ASSAULT and (11) ILITSHE can also feature.

RACE 7 (2,000M)

(3) ESTIMATION wasn't disgraced last time and, with blinkers on, should make a bold bid over the shorter distance.

(4) BANKING APRIL is ultra-consistent and should be thereabouts again.

Recent maiden winners (7) CIDADA and (5) ORCHID ISLAND look well above average and would want to prove themselves.

RACE 8 (2,000M)

After two good victories, (2) CONSEQUENTIALLY ran unplaced after finding problems. She could resume her winning ways.

(1) TURN BACK TIME is on the upgrade and tries a different track. She beat (5) BARCELONA BABE narrowly last time.

(6) BIRD ALLEY and (4) SILKEN are two more of many capable of popping up.

RACE 9 (1,600M)

(6) MISTY ROLLER is improving with racing. He finished in front of (2) COPPER POT in a feature last time and should confirm his status.

(14) WOODY GLOW needed his last outing and could turn it around.

(3) MOVE LIKE JAGGER,(4) POST GRAD and (1) MY TREASURE are also in it.

 

 

Penang trackwork

WORKOUTS BY SATURDAY'S HORSES (GOING: SOFT)

COSMO D - 1,200M: Slow work: Mogan's Pet, Professor X, Drought, Alfraaj and Ruffle The Ruffian.

COSMO D - 1,200M: Slow work: Our Touche, Sand Lane, Duran, Pre Dawn ** and Multi Wealth.

CLASS 4 - 1,400M: Slow work: Tawqeet **, Mr Victory **.

CLASS 5 - 1,300M: Slow work: Lucky Money.

CLASS 5 - 1,300M: Zac Suggestion canter/42,6, Royal Explorer canter/pace work. Slow work: Johnny's Cafe.

CLASS 5 - 1,300M: Slow work: Magic Ranger.

WORKOUTS BY SUNDAY'S HORSES

YANG DI PERTUA NEGERI GOLD CUP - 2,000M: Slow work: Astro Fame and La Familia.

WILLIAM INGLIS & SON TROPHY - 1,300M: Rebel Fury canter/42.6.

LORENZO JEWELLERY TROPHY PREMIUM - 1,300M: Calmbeforethestorm canter/42.2. Slow work: Blixem and Butch Cassidy.

CLASS 4 - 1,400M: Travertine canter/42.5 ***.

CLASS 5 - 1,300M: Slow work: Absolute Maverick.

CLASS 5 - 1,300M: Slow work: BM Power, Amped *** and World Superman.