Saturday's Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis

Invest in triumphant Jewel

Triumphant Jewel (No. 12) looks set to shine again in the opening race at Sha Tin today with a weight swing. He was second last start when back in Class 4 for the first time in nearly four years.
Triumphant Jewel (No. 12) looks set to shine again in the opening race at Sha Tin today with a weight swing. He was second last start when back in Class 4 for the first time in nearly four years. PHOTO: HKJC

RACE 1 (1,000M)

1 Triumphant Jewel returned to Class 4 for the first time in nearly four years last start, running well into second behind Goko. He gets a six-pound (2.7kg) weight swing and it won't take much for him to get into the finish.

2 Goko is still on an upward spiral and can take a step forward off that last-start win.

6 Lightning Steed has run well in both starts and can finish around the mark again.

12 Massive Move has no weight and is a hope from a good draw.

RACE 2 (1,200M)

1 Sky Treasure mixes his form but his last-start performance was good enough to win this, particularly with Zac Purton in the saddle.

5 I'm A Witness makes his debut on the dirt at his 43rd start. He's got a run style that should see him suited on the dirt.

7 Peace On Earth is racing well enough to get into the finish.

12 Snowhooves looks headed for retirement at the end of the season but perhaps he could finish his career with a flourish.

RACE 3 (1,200M)

5 Impeccable Fellow returned from a seven-month break a fortnight back, sticking on well enough behind Goodluck Goodluck. He now has a better draw.

4 Team Spirit has run well in both starts. He's in contention again.

12 Super Euro Star has no weight again and should be able to stick on for a placing.

10 Regency Darling is another who should be somewhere around the mark.

RACE 4 (1,400M)

1 Hard Ball Get returns to Class 4, a grade where he boasts a good record. Victor Wong takes 10 pounds off his back and the grey looks very well-rated in this spot.

8 Fire And Gold has had only four starts but has run well enough in three of these. With blinkers added, he's right in contention.

7 Emerald Spur had run on very strongly at his first start, so much so that he was sent out a hot favourite last time out. He still ran well enough and is sure to improve.

2 Endearing is not without a hope.

RACE 5 (1,600M)

12 Presidentparamount is on the cusp of a drop into Class 5 but he's run well enough in some of his recent starts for him to break through before he drops in grade. He just needs to make sure he jumps well.

1 Happy Sebring was a very impressive winner two starts back before struggling to make up ground off a moderate tempo last time out. It won't take much for him to break into Class 3.

8 Jolly Gains returns to Sha Tin after a number of nice Happy Valley runs. He's worth keeping an eye on.

11 Chiu Chow Kid is worth including in the exotics.

RACE 6 (1,200M)

4 California Archer has shown promise throughout his career, both in Australia and Hong Kong, and he finally appears to be acclimatising in Hong Kong. If he can cross to lead from an awkward draw in a race lacking any great pace, he can stick on to take the win.

3 Taking Aim has been steadily improving and, from a good draw, can threaten.

11 Gameplayer Emperor ran a bold race at his first dirt attempt last month. He deserves respect.

10 Goldie Flanker is unlikely to get a pace to suit, but he'll be flashing late.

RACE 7 (1,000M)

2 Mr Lumieres weakened tamely last time out as an even-money favourite and then missed a race with a minor tendon injury in May. If the real Mr Lumieres turns up, he'll be winning.

4 Lucky Dollar is one from one over this course and distance, winning off a similar rating with Zac Purton aboard last season. Victor Wong takes 10 pounds off, he gets blinkers on for the first time and he is a threat.

10 Eighty Eighty has not quite measured up to early expectations but he hasn't run a bad race yet.

1 Dragon Master has a good course-and-distance record and he is a chance.

RACE 8 (1,600M)

11 Last Kingdom has been showing positive signs recently and a better run can be expected with no weight on his back.

4 Morethanlucky ran well at his first start since the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and shaped as though he would take improvement for the run. He is a major threat.

10 Hezthewonforus has performed well in three starts, including a win two starts back. The mile should suit.

3 Simply Brilliant will be somewhere around the mark.

RACE 9 (1,800M)

3 Glorious Forever, the younger brother of Hong Kong Cup winner Time Warp, looked like his older sibling last time out when opening up a big margin mid-race. He was only just run down by Consort. Third-up, he should be hard to run down, with Time Warp's regular rider Zac Purton taking his first ride aboard Glorious Forever.

2 Fiama has a nifty turn of foot. He has an awkward draw but he'll drift back anyway, and he should be finishing off strongly.

1 Mongolian Legend arrived from New Zealand as a last-start 2,400m winner. He ran a surprisingly good race first-up and he should appreciate the step-up in trip.

5 New Elegance can finish in the placings.

RACE 10 (1,400M)

2 Sacred Ibis dashed nicely to win last time out. He strikes as a Class 2 horse as he looks to win his way up in grade.

8 Fearless Fire has been taking time to acclimatise but he started progressing well before his last run in March. He could be a value play.

11 Invincible Fresh has run well in a number of these events and, if he reproduces his last effort, he's going to be in the mix.

9 Monica can perform better here after impressing in a recent trial.

• Comments by Andrew Hawkins, courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 16, 2018, with the headline Invest in triumphant Jewel. Subscribe