Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Sunday's meeting at Sha Tin.
5.45
HURRICANE HUNTER just missed out when dropped into this grade last time. His previous foray at this level resulted in a victory here in June under Joao Moreira, who can steer him home again. First-time blinkers are applied to Kwai Chung Elite, will be having his 14th start and is yet to win though hails from an in-form team. Speedy Missile is also a maiden but takes a drop in grade though he's been fading over 6f. Golden Cannon is a course and distance winner with a good draw, a remark that also applies to Neil Callan's mount Blazing Partners.
6.15
The last time DEFINING MOMENT won a race was over slightly shorter here in July. He was ridden by Zac Purton that day and he's back on board for the first time so Caspar Fownes' charge gets the vote. Gala Night arrives on a hat-trick and a 6lb rise for victories here and at Happy Valley shouldn't prevent another big effort. He had Cheerful Star just over a length behind last time but that was over slightly shorter and the latter can reverse the form over this longer trip. Garlic Yeah dropped into a lower grade to score at Happy Valley last week. He was earlier beaten into third behind today's rival Above though has enough pull in the weights to reverse the form.
6.45
Urban Dancer had three runs in Australia in 2018, landing a maiden at Geelong in July. He's been impressing in trials and could be starting out on a lowly mark. FANTASY made a winning debut here in November and has continued in excellent form, just failing to land a similar-class handicap a couple of weeks ago. Joao Moreira takes the reins and the combination can strike again. Good Beauty couldn't quite handle a 6lb rise for his previous victory when mid-division last time though a change of jockey may bring about a revival. Handsome Bo Bo is on a very long losing run but takes a drop in class and showed a bit more dash last time so could provide the main threat.
7.15
Several of the in-form entries have wide draws to contend with including Iron King, who would take some catching if Grant Van Nieker can get him away. Incanto Prepared is progressing nicely and was only beaten a short-head last time though this is a step-up in class. Dream Warriors has gained both victories at Happy Valley and though Regency Master is capable of better than he's shown to date he's lacking experience for this. Winning Together has struggled at the weights since scoring here in January and it's a long time since BETTER CHOICE won a race but Dougie Whyte's charge has been running better than form figures suggest and he's dropped to a winnable mark.
8.05
The last time GRADE ONE dropped into this class he managed a course and distance victory and with champion jockey Zac Purton booked he can go in again despite a less than ideal draw. Xpotential made a successful debut here in December and returned to form with a good run here last week but Team Power disappointed last time and has a wide draw to overcome. Speedy Dragon and Super Eighteen are both course and distance winners though not in the best of form so it's the lightly-raced and progressive Jade Phoenix who looks the most likely to take advantage if the selection can't handle the draw.
8.40
This looks very competitive but it's about time WINWIN THIRTYTHREE (NAP) was losing his maiden tag and with his low weight, a good draw and Karis Teetan on board he won't get many better opportunities. Juneau Park is up to a mark of 60 after a battling victory a fortnight ago but looks the type to go on to better things. He has the inside berth so looks certain to get competitive while Zac Purton's mount Sam's Love is also nicely berthed and has performed really well since scoring here in December. The Runner is performing with credit and has dropped 13lb since October so should make a bold bid to lose his maiden tag.
9.10
Heart Conquered had some smart sprinting form in Australia and is just beginning to find his feet here. Allied Agility had him three lengths behind last time, when War Of Courage and Larson finished close up, so there's little between the quartet on that run. GRATEFUL HEART won a maiden handicap in Australia last May and was having his first subsequent start when mid-division here last month. He's been impressing in trials and might well prove very leniently handicapped. Corrienthes gained an easy maiden victory at Dundalk in November and has joined David Ferraris.
9.40
SUPERICH has a touch of quality about him and though it's a while since he won he's been competing against much stronger opposition and looks another for the champion jockey. Hardly Swears completed his hat-trick over 6f at Happy Valley and struggled over this track and trip last time while Picken hasn't won for over a year and is still on a higher mark. Beauty Icon has undoubtedly been disappointing here after arriving from Australia where he wasn't beaten far in a Grade 1 two-year-old race. He did better last time and has an inside berth so it wouldn't be a surprise if Joao Moreira steered him home.
10.15
Band Of Brothers returned from a break to run a fine race a month ago and with the champion on board and a low draw will make a bold bid to add to his four victories. Smart Patch completed a double when scoring here in October and has continued to run well though is 12lb higher. The former UK-based ENZEMBLE has failed to win since transferring here but has continued to go well and with his low weight and Moreira taking over can finally get off the mark. High Rev's best form is at Happy Valley but he's capable of a big run and has generally performed at a higher level.
10.50
This may not be the ideal getting-out stakes with several arriving off the back of wins last time. Perfect Match bled after winning over 7f here in January and also likes to lead so stall 11 is a concern and he also finished behind Water Diviner in similar circumstances here back in November. Transcendent improved again to score here two weeks ago and, despite a step up in grade, is preferred to stablemate and Happy Valley specialist Hong Kong Bet even though he could encounter traffic problems from his inside berth. Computer Patch got back to winning ways over 5f here earlier in the month but third DUKE WAI won four in a row earlier in the campaign and was making up ground hand-over-fist in the closing stages so, over this extra furlong and on better terms, Paul O'Sullivan's sprinter can come out on top this time.