Oct 26 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis

Race 1 (1,800m)

1 Yiu Cheung Victoryhas shown little on paper, but there was merit in his latest run when finishing close up in ninth. He now drops to Class 5 for the first time, lands a soft draw in barrier 3, and gains the services of Zac Purton, which all point to improvement.

5 Gold Tack can take a step forward from his first-up run when giving away a sizeable start over the extended mile, encountering traffic in the straight, yet still finding the line well for fifth. The rise to 1,800m is ideal, though the wide gate is not.

7 Smashing Express looks better placed back up to 1,800m, having finished third on the course and distance two starts ago before finding the mile a touch sharp last time.

2 Celestial Harmony is on the quick back-up and could appreciate stretching out in trip for his second attempt in Class 5.

Race 2 (1,200m)

8 Winning Champion gets every chance from barrier 1 to make amends against a few familiar rivals. His first-up effort was strong when closing late for second behind Motor after beginning only fairly, while his close-up sixth to Alabama Song two runs back also carried merit after covering ground. He has since trialled impressively and looks ready to deliver.

2 Alabama Song is a progressive 3YO from John Size's stable. He rounded out last season with a maiden win over several of these, and appears headed for better things this campaign.

1 Motor broke through first-up with blinkers added and, drawn well again in barrier 4, should get every chance in the run.

3 Ever Luck has shown ability in his trials and, while the outside draw makes things tricky, the Mark Newnham-trained youngster looks one to follow moving forward.

Race 3 (1,200m)

1 Do Your Part is ready to strike after a tough second in which he jumped awkwardly from barrier 12 and was trapped wide throughout yet still stuck on gamely. He draws far better in gate 4 this, which gives him every chance to go one better.

3 Goldentronicmighty resumes and appears primed for a bold first-up showing. He possesses solid form, including a win over the promising Invincible Ibis four starts back and, with a more favourable draw than he had late last season, he gets his chance.

2 Aerovolanic produced a big run just last week when eased to last before launching into fourth. A soft draw should allow him to settle closer and be in the finish.

5 Jubilant Star made a bright debut when second to Oldtown, who was ridden by Purton and, with the latter now jumping aboard after trialling the horse before debut, he is a contender.

Race 4 (1,600m)

5 Pearl Of Pang's has done well to finish in the placings in both runs this preparation despite covering ground. He looks ready to peak third-up and, with a more economical run expected, he is capable of bouncing back.

8 Bull Attitude won on his first try over this trip, enjoying a dream run from an inside gate. He draws wider in barrier 10, which could see a different race shape unfold.

2 The Heir gets a far kinder run from barrier 3 than he did from gate 11 last start, and that should help him return to the form that saw him win and then charge home for second in his previous two starts.

10 Serangoon is an interesting watch. He may be looking for further than a mile, but the booking of Purton catches the eye.

Race 5 (1,400m)

1 Mr Cool boxed on for fourth first-up in a race that suitedbackmarkers,and was likely in need of the run. He has since impressed in a trial, storming from last to first, and looks ready to win.

7 Decision Link is trending the right way after two solid 1,200m runs, the latest when taken back from a wide gate before closing off well. He now draws barrier 1 and steps up in trip, both positives.

6 Amazing Fun draws better in gate 4 and should get his chance, after being held up when beaten less than two lengths into seventh last start. The Purton booking adds confidence.

2 Beauty Glory ran on strongly for fifth first-up, before overdoing it in front second-up and fading to fourth. Both efforts were sound and should keep him in the mix.

Race 6 (1,600m)

4 Hong Lok Golf produced a solid third first-up in a muddling run race and should relish the rise to 1,600m. He maps to settle in a handy spot in a field lacking early speed, which could prove crucial. His trial between runs was only fair, but race conditions should suit him better this time.

3 Bundle Award was terrific last season, winning four from 11 between 1,400m and 2,400m, with seemingly more to come. This looks a starting point for bigger targets ahead, though his class alone makes him a key player fresh.

8 Steps Ahead ran second in the same race as Hong Lok Golf and maps for a favourablerun again.

2 Rubylot has a wide draw and big weight to contend with. But he can improve on his first-up fifth to My Wish, when he ran on late in typical fashion.

Race 7 (2,000m)

2 Gentlemen Legacy is a talented horse on the rise. Despite missing asfavouritefirst-up, he produced a strong second over 1,800m after settling well back. He looks very hard to beat second-up with the step-up to 2,000m expected to suit perfectly.

1 Bravehearts profiles well third-up on his preferred track and trip, and a low draw should see him enjoy an ideal run. It is also difficult to overlook any Newnham-trained runner, given the stable's strong recent form.

7 Winning Wing showed little early pace first-up over the mile before running on into sixth. With extra distance, he is set to improve.

5 Enthralled should also benefit from his first-up run, stepping up in trip and drawing an inside gate this time after jumping from the extreme outside previously.

Race 8 (1,200m) THE PREMIER BOWL (G2)

9 Divano is a tricky horse to catch, but worth a look at odds from the inside gate. He flashed home for third behind Ka Ying Rising first-up before drawing wide over 1,400m second-up, when he was ridden cold and never got clear running in the straight. His trial between runs was sharp and 1,200m may prove to be his ideal trip.

1 Helios Express needs no introduction as the "second-best sprinter" behind Ka Ying Rising after finishing runner-up to him five times last season. He will be using this as a springboard to bigger targets but will power home late.

5 Packing Hermod reunites with Purton and returns to 1,200m. His recent trial behindDivanowas excellent, and he maps well to get his chance.

8 Wunderbar strips fitter second-up after an okay run over 1,000m and looks suited stepping up to 1,200m, especially if ridden more patiently this time.

Race 9 (1,000m)

2 Fast Responder was luckless second-up when badly checked at the 500m, costing him the chance to show his best. His first-up run was full of merit when finishing a close second, and he gets every opportunity to rebound.

4 Casa Of Honor continues to improve with racing and ran a strong fourth first-up over this track and trip. He should take another step forward second-up.

1 Wonderstar proved a class above when winning comfortably over this field on debut down the straight after drawing barrier 9 that day. While he now moves to gate 2 which affects his map, his form makes him hard to dismiss.

9 Chill Buddy is a work in progress but his first-up fifth in the same race behindWonderstar was encouraging, and he can improve.

Race 10 (1,400m)

7 Dazzling Fit is a horse on the rise for David Eustace, and the stable will be hopeful he can make his mark in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. Winning two of five last term, he excelled once stretching out to 1,400m. He resumes from barrier 1, which looks ideal, though his racing pattern means he could find himself awkwardly placed turning for home.

4 Top Dragon has race fitness on his side and his first-up third to Max Que was full of merit after bounding out and making up plenty of ground late.

9 Armour War Eagle can settle much better from an inside draw after over-racing and weakening last start. Some gear tweaks should help him bounce back.

8 Endeared looks better suited returning to 1,400m from 1,600m and maps for a soft run from barrier 4.

Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club