Blazing Wind to blow home at Sha Tin

Impressive last-start winner Blazing Wind looks well placed to make it back-to-back victories when he returns to Sha Tin this Saturday for the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m on the All-Weather track.

A proven performer on the surface, Blazing Wind boasts an impressive record of three wins and three placings from nine starts. After suffering a luckless defeat two runs back when held up at a crucial stage in the straight, the son of Deep Field bounced back in emphatic style last time out.

Settling perfectly behind the leader, he unleashed a powerful turn of foot in the home straight to score by an impressive 5.75 lengths over this track and distance, defeating several rivals he is set to meet again this weekend.

On the strength of that dominant victory, Blazing Wind shapes as the horse to beat and a repeat performance should see him prove extremely hard to run down. Consistent sprinters Victory Sky and Aurora Patch warrant plenty of respect, however, with both boasting strong records over this track and trip.

Quality three-year-old Super Spirit looks set to secure successive wins in the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.

After a slashing fourth on debut, where he raced against the pattern, Super Spirit made amends in fine style at his next start. Settling closer to the speed, the son of Zousain produced a strong turn of foot in the straight to score by 0.75 lengths over this track and distance, suggesting he is a progressive type with plenty of upside.

Super Spirit has since trialled well and appears to have found another highly winnable assignment. Taking on a typical Class 4 field once again, he should prove hard to beat with champion jockey Zac Purton retaining the ride.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: A typical Griffin field to kick off the card, Jedi Spurs has shown tactical speed and won both trials, and a debut win wouldn’t surprise. Quantum Wukong caught the eye flashing home late from a wide draw on debut and should play a key role with natural improvement. Sharp Planet trapped wide last start and deserves another chance given his solid effort two starts ago. Chancheng Sparkle held up at a crucial stage last start and could finish in the money with a clearer run in transit.

Race 2: Always Fluke underperformed last start but appears to be on a winnable mark; worth considering again. Viva Chaleur his recent runs have been encouraging, albeit on the AWT, and he looks one to follow. Verbier may relish the drop back in distance and cause an upset, as he has done before. The All Rounder eased in the ratings and is expected to show further improvement after a fast-finishing fifth last start. Robot Knight comes off a narrow win on the AWT and remains well weighted with the apprentice claim.

Race 3: Flash Current has honest form at the lower end of Class 3 and should be highly competitive dropping back to Class 4, where he boasts a strong record. Let’s Have Fun ran on well from a wide draw last start, and the slow tempo adds merit to that effort. Francis Meynell made the running and stuck on for second last start, and with Purton aboard, he could go one better. Call Me Sparkle has been inconsistent but is worth considering as a value pick from an inside draw. Prestige Hall an 11-start maiden, he can make his presence felt if they overcook it in front.

Race 4: Smart Fat Cat resuming from a break, he has trialled well and looks ready to shed his maiden tag with a favourable draw. Absolute Honour boasts consistent recent form and shapes as a strong contender with Purton staying aboard. Prestige Ricky rates well on collateral form and could sneak into the placings at long odds. Enthralled stormed home for a close second last start and should get every chance to go one better from a low draw. Amazing Gaze has been thereabouts in recent starts and cannot be ruled out despite the wide gate.

Race 5: One Man Show the inside draw and Britney Wong’s 7lb claim are both positives, and he should be prominent throughout. Juicy Dragon scored an impressive win last start and a double looks well within reach, despite the weight rise. Mega Captain the switch back to the AWT suits and the booking of Purton piques interest. Pejibaye had strong form before the break and the market will provide the best guide. Day Day Victory below his last winning mark, he is attractively weighted with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim and is expected to show marked improvement.

Race 6: Gorgeous Victory has been knocking on the door and Purton could prove the missing piece. Ghorgan may have an edge over his rivals dropping to Class 4 and looks one to watch, given his honest form in Class 3. Meaningful Dragon comes off a tenacious first-up win but carrying top weight poses a challenge. Polar Patch on a 6-day turnaround, he looks capable of another strong showing after letting down well in a race dominated by the leader last start. Voyage Boss has tactical speed and will give them something to catch from a low gate, especially with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim.

Race 7: Superb Spirit broke through in fine style last start and looks well placed to complete a double from a favourable draw. Lucrative Eight has placed in all three starts and looks overdue for a maiden win. Island Buddy the inside draw suits his positive racing style, and he could be hard to run down under the right race shape. Real Gentleman caused a huge upset at 158-1 last start, but repeating that effort is a query. Sight Dreamer produced a strong finishing effort last start and commands respect with Bowman aboard, despite the wide draw.

Race 8: Packing Angel has regained form and shapes as a leading contender with Purton aboard, following a fast-finishing fourth. Soleil Fighter well placed with the apprentice claim, he could hang in there all day if allowed an uncontested lead. Beauty Alliance was far from disgraced last start and looks capable of bouncing back at any time. Max Que flopped on a rain-affected track last start and is worth considering again if he is not overbet. Infinite Resolve recorded a fast final sectional last start and could surprise at odds if things fall his way.

Race 9: Blazing Wind scored by a clear margin over this track and distance last start and looks poised to go back-to-back despite the awkward draw. Victory Sky has shown consistent form this season and looks one of the leading contenders. Aurora Patch may have reached his mark, but he can still make his presence felt in the placings. Turquoise Velocity his last-start effort was better than it reads, and he looks capable of improving into the money after dropping back to Class 3. Must Go a bit erratic but has ability and could cause an upset on his day.

Race 10: Big Return comes off a hat-trick in Class 4 and could have more rating points in hand; remains a strong chance despite rising to Class 3. Endued his encouraging recent efforts suggest he is edging closer to another win. Pope Cody a proven performer in this class, he must be included among the better chances. Steps Ahead with the apprentice claim, he could show improvement dropping back to Class 3, where his best form lies. Power Of Vitam flashed home late to claim second last start and, with Bowman aboard, could go one better.

Race 11: Super Express suited by the rise in trip and should enjoy a smooth run from an inside draw, making him highly competitive. Aerovolanic finished a meritorious third from an awkward gate last start, and with a better draw, he looks well place to make amends. Perfectday an impressive last-start winner, he has drawn well to secure a double. Baby Sakura boasts consistent form and appears well weighted to make an impact as a progressive 3YO. The Red Hare scored his most impressive win last start but the weight rise and wide draw remain a concern.