Aeris Nova can go one better

Race 1 (1,200m)

2 Georgian Sigma can go one better after an eye-catching debut second to the impressive Ever Luck, a run made even stronger given the carnage that occurred at the 550m mark. His recent trial win has him in good order and he looks the one they must beat.

14 Super Dragon has trialled well ahead of his first run since July. He raced greenly on debut and should produce a more polished effort this time.

10 Salon S debuts for the Frankie Lor yard and has shown enough in his trials to suggest he can put himself in a handy spot from barrier 4 and give a forward showing.

1 Light Years Glory draws widest in barrier 14 but drops in grade after contesting two Class 3 races this season, which gives him a definite chance despite the map concern.

Race 2 (1,800m)

6 Ninja Derby has thrived since joining Brett Crawford, winning boldly first-up when leading throughout before producing a brave third second-up after covering ground. Both runs came from awkward draws, so moving into barrier 2 gives him a map upgrade and sets him up nicely.

10 Gold Tack reunites with Zac Purton, a pairing that won over this course and distance from the same draw late last season. His two get-back, run-on fifths this term have been sound, but we may see a more positive ride.

2 Rosewood Fleetfoot had no luck last start yet was not beaten far, and now dropping into Class 5 with a stronger rider engaged, he gets his chance to show improvement.

14 Harry’s Hero was held up at the vital moment when a close fourth last start. Barrier 1 is a clear advantage, although he still needs to lift at 1,800m.

Race 3 (2,000m)

11 Serangoon resumed over a mile, a trip short of his best, yet his run into seventh was sound. From barrier 4, he can settle much closer, similar to when he last won, and he looks well-placed off his current rating.

14 Double Win is testing patience but had a genuine excuse last start when standing flat-footed and losing ground. His first-up third was the run to follow, and a clean jump puts him back in the picture.

1 Supreme Mastermind is still coming to hand but his fifth on Class 4 debut was full of merit. With James McDonald taking over, further improvement is very much on the cards.

13 Firefoot draws perfectly in barrier 1 to secure a soft map. His record at 2,000m is the query, but he is rock-hard fit with plenty of racing, and his consistent form with a pair of recent seconds can keep him in the conversation.

Race 4 (1,000m)

3 Fast Responder is now fourth-up and has been close up in all three runs this season. Barrier 14 is ideal, and reuniting with Britney Wong, who has ridden him well before, gives him every chance.

12 Sparkling Fellow draws ideally in barrier 11, the same gate he had when resuming and charging home for second. He looks ready to land his first local win with fitness improvement.

4 Casa Of Honor draws poorly in barrier 1 for the straight, but he gets Purton third-up after two decent efforts at this track and trip and is heading in the right direction.

5 Love Together is a newcomer for the Caspar Fownes stable who has trialled with promise, while barrier 13 enhances his chances of picking up a cheque.

Race 5 (1,400m)

4 Bucephalas has offered little in five local starts but resumes off a long break with trials that showed improvement. In a race lacking obvious pace, he looks likely to find the lead and could give a cheeky sight at a price.

3 Oldtown resumed with a win over 1,200m at just his fourth start. He still has room to progress, and although Purton must navigate barrier 13, the long run to the turn gives him time to find a position.

14 Bling Bling Genius has attracted strong market support in both runs this season, and while yet to break through, his efforts show he is close to delivering.

6 Top Peak is much better than his first-up last placing suggests. The 1,200m was never going to suit, and the stewards’ report read he would take benefit from the outing. Now second-up and rising to 1,400m, his preferred trip, he can improve.

Race 6 (1,650m)

1 Mr Cool has always trialled like an all-weather specialist, so his first try on the surface under race conditions catches the eye. He finally draws a soft inside gate after a long run of wide barriers and, third-up after two encouraging efforts, he looks ready to produce something strong.

13 Night Purosangue returns to Class 4 with a modest record in the grade, but that does not tell the full story. The David Hayes-trained 4YO has taken time, and the switch to this track and trip has clearly brought him on.

2 Shanghai Style bounced back third-up when returning to the all-weather, racing wide yet fighting on well for second. With McDonald aboard, he gets another genuine chance.

5 Supreme Agility keeps knocking on the door since dropping to this grade, placing in four of six, and should be around the mark again despite the wide draw.

Race 7 (1,200m)

11 Aeris Nova appeals on the quick back-up and dropping to 1,200m. His first-up fourth to Tomodachi Kokoroe from barrier 12 was an excellent run, and he backed it up with a narrow defeat by Light Years Charm over 1,400m last week. Drawing barrier 1 gives him every chance to park in the perfect spot.

9 Patch Of Stars gets a genuine test rising to Class 2, but he is a promising 4YO going the right way after posting his fourth win from 11 starts. The official margin was only half a length, yet he won with plenty in hand despite carrying a big weight.

3 Dancing Code had excuses last start after missing the kick and settling further back than usual. From barrier 2, he should return to a handier role and bounce back to his best.

1 Lady’s Choice is reliable and should be competitive again. He needs early luck from gate 10, but there is not a lot of speed on paper which may help him slot across.

Race 8 (1,200m)

10 Autumn Vibes had a far tougher run than it appears on paper last start, working in the early and middle stages from a wide gate before tiring late and still holding fourth. Barrier 1 is a major map upgrade after two wide draws, and he gets his chance to take a step forward.

7 Packing King debuts off five solid trials and will be popular with Purton committed. He has shown good early speed in his heats, so expect him to use that from the draw.

2 Emblazon landed a decent plunge first-up and backed it up with a second to Pejibaye, a form reference that held up when that horse placed second mid-week. He stays in the conversation.

8 Prestige Hall maps ideally from barrier 4 to sit just off the pace, and the rise to 1,200m second-up, paired with an encouraging trial and McDonald aboard, all point to a forward showing.

Race 9 (1,650m)

6 Kempes caused a boilover two starts ago but proved it was no one-off when closing hard into second last start after a messy beginning. Both efforts came over 1,200m, and the rise in trip now looks a positive rather than a query.

2 Ariel is as honest as they come, consistently putting himself in the right spot. His last-start third was better than it looks with Ellis Wong losing the use of a stirrup in the straight, and he maps for another handy run.

7 Reliable Profit rises to Class 3 for the first time at start No. 22, which is the small query, but he is in excellent form returning from injury, producing a strong first-up third followed by a dominant three-length win. He will get back and look to finish late.

4 Dragon Air Force draws well in barrier 2, and a return to his preferred all-weather surface gives him the platform to improve.

Race 10 (1,600m)

5 Beauty Bolt draws much kinder in barrier 5 after jumping from gate 10 last start, which should allow him to return to more positive tactics. He had a messy run despite beginning well, being dragged back through the field before running on strongly for fourth. A smart trial win between runs has him poised.

8 Fortune Boy was superb second-up, exploding late after being held up for most of the straight to record his third win from 10 starts. He is a talented 4YO on an upward curve and remains a key player.

4 Yuen Long Elite gets the draw he has been crying out for after two tough runs from barrier 12. Barrier 4 gives his map an upgrade and with McDonald aboard, plenty of boxes are ticked.

9 Max Que is impossible to ignore from barrier 1 with two wins and a third from three runs this season alone.

Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club