Hong Kong ~ opening day!!!

[my miss storm cat]

Behave yourself, Horace. No antics before the final.

God I miss Bulldozer.

Trackwork notes...

RACE ONE, RATED 40-20 (C5), 1,200 METRES
Dragon Inn has come along nicely for Me Tsui and stretched out pleasingly in his final gallop on Friday with the trainer himself on board. Ambition had a very good turf gallop alongside higher grade galloper Sunny Power 10 days ago and is very well graded. Spicy Hot hits the bottom grade for the first time and did trial nicely down the straight last Saturday. Prime Mover has been a significant trackwork improver this term, while Withallmyheart also pleased in his final piece of work on Thursday.
RACE TWO, RATED 40-20 (C5), 1,400 METRES
Sevens Heaven has been impressing in the mornings and has captured our attention on several occasions lately. Glorious Rhythm has plenty of convictions but he's taken the class tumble and has prefaced his return with some quality gallops. Mythic Steed won first-up last season and has once again done some very nice work, the latest a nice Thursday riverside 800m with Paul Lo on board. Fast Winner has been working along nicely, while Rampant Lion had a quiet trial down the straight on turf last weekend.

RACE THREE, RATED 60-40 (C4), 1,200 METRES
Taiji Spirit has done plenty of work prior to his return to C4 and one gallop in particular, last week, was very sharp. Favourite Supreme ran home strongly to win a 1,000m barrier trial under Vincent Sit and has had a thorough preparation. Medallion worked home late in his barrier trial before pleasing in a Thursday riverside gallop on turf. Rain Check look a likely type and could shape well on debut, while Moshi Moshi has worked well, trialled strongly and looks the part.

RACE FOUR, RATED 60-40 (C4), 1,600 METRES
Right Fraar ran second first-up last season and has once again done plenty of work for his return. Lucky Money Star has been a clear trackwork improver, even though he's probably hard to find from the form book. Galaxy Dancer won a trial and has come along nicely since, pleasing in each of his three subsequent gallops. Good View Success will have his first start for the Tony Cruz stable and has certainly caught our attention.

RACE FIVE, RATED 60-40 (C4), 1,400 METRES
Savute takes the drop to C4 and will debut for new trainer Peter Ho, having won an AWT trial over 1,050m. Gallant Knight is well graded and has telegraphed his wellness with some pleasing sprint work in recent weeks. Kaiser's Prize quickened up quite impressively in an AWT trial and the last-start C4 winner is still well graded. Medic Legion looks in wonderful order and could give trainer Paul O'Sullivan a flying start to his season. Rocket Power is the other major chance, having trialled and worked strongly.

RACE SIX, RATED 80-60 (C3), 1,200 METRES
Dim Sum is a bit bulkier than the horse we knew last term but most of that is muscle development and he's certainly gone nicely in his work, too. Island Super created a huge impression with his trial win down the straight at Sha Tin last weekend. Pickett looks an absolute picture and it will be a real surprise if he doesn't put himself right in contention here. Fly Me To The Moon has had a full preparation under the tutelage of trainer John Size, even if he does need some luck to offset the bad barrier. Rich Dragon trialled nicely on August 31 and has been kept fresh since.

RACE SEVEN, RATED 100-80 (C2), 1,000 METRES
Country Music has taken the class drop and while his work may be quite what it was two years ago, he still rates among the better chances. Friendly Gains has not trialled but has done some stylish pieces of work, particularly his back straight gallop on Monday. Fifty Fifty was ridden out to win his trial over 1,000m last Saturday but this honest galloper will be thereabouts once more. Ultra Fantasy was given a quiet time in the concluding stages of his trial and has worked well since.

RACE EIGHT, RATED 120-95 (C1), 1,200 METRES
Down Town's final gallop down the riverside on Thursday showed he is close to his right form once more. Green Birdie's barrier trial second last weekend was excellent, especially considering his slow getaway. Helene Brilliant won a trial and has had two gallops since, the latest a smart 800m on Thursday. Yellow Diamond's riverside was a good piece of work by his standards, while Sunny Power has gone well each time we've seen him lately and looks much stronger this preparation.

RACE NINE, RATED 80-60 (C3), 1,400 METRES
Dao Dao was a very smart galloper in Sydney and left a positive impression after his hard-held seventh in a trial on August 31. Being Famous is getting to the veteran stage but he seems to be striding out freely at the moment and is a proven fresh performer. Classic Reunion had a quiet trial last weekend but this well-bred galloper is moving nicely and seems to have hit it off nicely with jockey Glen Boss. Ferro Beau might be some value, having had a barrier trial and he'll go forward with a light weight.

RACE TEN, RATED 100-80 (C2), 1,400 METRES
Maverick Star has done some very smart pieces of work and is moving fluently. Californiamountain also seems to be going well and was far too good for his stablemate California Bishop when they were paired up on Thursday. Pocket Money looked great when he trialled on August 31 and again when galloping under trainer John Size on Wednesday. Horace's Choice is a classy customer who may have looked slightly disappointing in his trial last weekend but he did not seem comfortable on the outside of the straight track - other than that, he seems fit and well.