RUBY HANDICAP
#8 Lightness Of Music can win on debut. The Chris So-trained three-year-old has looked sharp in three local trials, all under Zac Purton, and also showed promise in two trials back in New Zealand before arriving. #1 Aurora Patch piques interest. This is only his second Class 4 start and since his last run he’s been switched to the Manfred Man stable, which could bring about some improvement. #12 Amazing Galaxy is unplaced from six starts, though he had excuses last time when held up for most of the straight. One at odds who can feature. #4 Grand Nova resumes and might run a race fresh after trialling well for his return. This marks his third run back in Class 4 after finding it tough in Class 3.
SPESSARTINE GARNET HANDICAP
#3 Storm Runner can go one better after putting in his best showing yet with a strong second over 2200m at Happy Valley. He’s only a three-year-old and that effort suggests there’s more to come. #4 Leather Master was the winner of that race by over two lengths. His form has turned sharply since moving to the Manfred Man yard and he might not be done yet. #5 Chateau Le Peche can bounce back after breaking through over this track and trip two starts back, before being unsuited when dropping back to the mile last start. #2 Escape Route can be followed on the downgrade and off the back of a good-looking trial win.
DIAMOND HANDICAP
#2 Lo Pan Spirit is a class-dropper to side with. In 12 runs this season he’s drawn no lower than barrier 9 in all but one, yet has still managed to pick up four placings. He slides back into Class 4 here with a record of two wins from three in the grade, and he’s a key chance. #9 Lucky McQueen drew wide on debut, mapped three-wide with cover and closed in nicely for fifth. It was a good effort and, judging by his trials, he can map handier from a better draw. #5 Goldentronicmighty chases a hat-trick of wins and his latest success over Invincible Ibis looks a strong form reference. #12 All’s Well tries Sha Tin for the first time and gets conditions to suit after two runs over 1000m where he got back and ran on well. One at odds to consider.
TOPAZ HANDICAP
#4 Fortune Boy picked up his first win at just his second try over the mile last start, scoring over Wrote A New Page who has since franked the form. He’s only a three-year-old who’s coming to hand and looks to have a few points up his sleeve. #1 Mister Dapper chases back-to-back wins and a third from six runs since transferring to David Eustace’s stable. He maps well and has strong claims. #14 Pearl Of Pang’s slots in light and off a third behind Ping Hai Comet, he gets his chance to break through. #13 Fight Time does qualify for Class 5 on his 40-rating but remains in Class 4 at the foot of the weights and Wong’s 10lb claim. He’s a 16-start maiden, though his back-to-back thirds behind Dazzling Fit and Mister Dapper bode well.
DIAMOND HANDICAP
#5 Invincible Ibis will be hard to hold out second-up. He ran a huge race on debut despite going under as the red-hot favourite. He wasn’t the quickest away, copped some interference at the 700m, and was close to three lengths off the eventual winner at the 400m, but reeled him in to be beaten only a head on the line. #6 Flowing Riches acquitted himself well for second on debut and can take another step forward. He did some early work from barrier 10 to sit outside the lead, while the winner enjoyed a soft run from barrier 1. #2 Blazing Wukong was strong late winning on debut from the rear of the field. He showed an impressive turn of foot and there’s more to come. #4 Voyage Boss was also a first-up winner and did it on the pace. The tempo suited that day, and a different race shape here presents a new test.
THE PREMIER CUP (HANDICAP) (G3)
#6 Packing Hermod is hard to tip against. He’s been a standout four-year-old this season and since the blinkers went on two starts ago, he’s gone back-to-back in style. This is another test up in grade, but he’s ready to take the step. #1 Beauty Eternal can bounce back as he returns to 1400m. Four runs ago he closed off well for fourth behind Ka Ying Rising over this trip, and last start he returned to the placings at this level. #5 Patch Of Theta looks suited rising to 1400m following his strong-closing third behind Helios Express over 1200m. #3 Invincible Sage is a query at the distance, though his narrow defeat to Helios Express last time reads well and gives him a chance.
EMERALD HANDICAP
#3 Do Your Part can be followed after his breakthrough win where he pulled clear by two lengths. He’s taken time and a drop in rating to find his feet in Hong Kong, but now looks to be on an upward trajectory. #8 Prestige Hall can take another step forward after finishing second on debut over 1200m. He raced keenly and struck interference mid-race, so there was merit to the run. #12 The Auspicious has had no favours with barrier draws, but he’s been catching the eye since his long-odds win five starts ago. #5 Fun Together will push forward and make his own luck. He hasn’t won for a while, though his last-start second to Dazzling Fit reads well.
THE PREMIER PLATE (HANDICAP) (G3)
#4 Ensued was a tough watch last start after enduring a torrid run in the Champions & Chater Cup. He was posted deep and worked hard throughout, yet still fought on bravely for sixth. He’s looked sharp in a recent trial and back in trip suits. #10 Bundle Award comes through the same race where he got back too far. He closed off strongly for fifth and the step back in distance is key. #8 Pray For Mir notched his first Group race win last start with an audacious all-the-way effort. He doesn’t need to lead again, but his on-pace style fits this map. #11 Californiatotality is best forgiven for his last-start failure on the all-weather when found lame. He’s a three-time winner from four course and distance runs and is capable of bouncing back.
LAPIS LAZULI HANDICAP
#4 Super Infinity is better than the fifth-place finish last start suggests. He was held up inside the final 100m and still only finished a length and a half off the winner in what looks a strong form race. He finds the right set-up here to return to the winners’ list. #3 Lucky Eight was trapped wide without cover from barrier 11 last time and had little chance. Prior to that he strung together back-to-back runner-up finishes and that’s the form to go on. #13 Jumbo Treasure rises to Class 3 without a win but drops 14lb in the weights and looks the likely leader. He’ll roll forward and give them something to chase. #11 One Man Show debuts for the Frankie Lor stable and his trials suggest he can measure up.
SAPPHIRE HANDICAP
#10 Morgan Success looks ready to win. He returned to form last start with another second placing and from barrier 3 he maps to get the run of the race. #8 Flash Current has won two from five and was solid last time stepping up to 1400m. He now tackles the mile and rises to Class 3, which presents a different test, but he’s progressive and has more to come. #5 Pope Cody hasn’t had a gate yet and once again faces a task from barrier 14, but he continues to catch the eye with strong finishes, including two recent fourths from wide draws. The rise to the mile suits and he’s ready to figure. #9 Magnificent Nine is finding it tough to win in this grade, though his consistent record over the course and trip keeps him in the conversation.
AMETHYST HANDICAP
#9 Super Express is one of a few three-year-olds with better things to come next season. He went down narrowly to Top Dragon last start in his first run at Class 3 and looks ready to go one better. #6 Dazzling Fit is chasing a hat-trick and puts his unbeaten course and distance record on the line. He’s on the rise, but Super Express will be ahead of him in the run and will be the one to peg back. #11 Lucky Twin Stars is heading the right way. He caught the eye over 1000m second-up and the rise to 1400m looks much more his go. His trial between runs was solid. #7 South Star stuck on for third behind Super Express last time after having every chance. He gets a similar set-up here.