Go on a Galactic Voyage at Sha Tin
Promising four-year-old Galactic Voyage looks well placed to secure his third local win when he contests the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m on the All-Weather track at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
After posting back-to-back Class 3 wins earlier this year, Galactic Voyage has continued to perform admirably in Class 2 company. He was slowly away in each of his last two starts but finished strongly on both occasions, recording fast final 400m sectionals when finishing fourth and fifth over this distance at Sha Tin behind talented winners such as Young Champion and Crimson Flash.
The drop back to Class 3 is a major advantage, with the Impending gelding boasting two wins and a third from four attempts at the grade. He looks the runner to beat, although in-form rivals Victory Sky and Aurora Patch both warrant respect.
Mark Newnham-trained gelding Cloud Nine shapes as a leading contender in the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.
With two minor placings from four starts, Cloud Nine produced an eye-catching first-up effort on his Happy Valley debut three weeks ago. Despite being drawn awkwardly, the son of Tiger Heart used his tactical speed to press forward and make the running before sticking on gamely to find just one rival too strong over this distance.
Stripping fitter second-up, Cloud Nine appears to have found a winnable race and should be well suited by the switch to the All-Weather surface given his positive racing style. JUICY DRAGON is another major contender after encountering traffic issues last start and could make amends with a clearer passage in running. – iRACE Magazine
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Smart City boasts solid form at the bottom of Class 4 and looks primed to run a big race on his Class 5 debut. Meepmeep has been knocking on the door in the cellar grade and shapes as a leading contender from a favourable draw. Mega Force eased in the ratings and is well placed in Class 5 to notch a first local win. Go Go Go possesses a versatile running style and should be right in the mix. Spangle Fortune with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim, he could surprise at odds if allowed to dictate from a wide draw.
Race 2: Shinyu Kokoroe has not been beaten far in Class 4 and could have an edge over his rivals dropping to Class 5. Robot Knight appears well placed with the apprentice claim and the switch to the AWT further enhances his winning chances. No Other Choice boasting solid Class 4 form, he will relish the drop to Class 5, and the booking of Moreira adds appeal. Viva Chaleur his last two starts have been encouraging, making him hard to overlook in this field. Macanese Master an in-form frontrunner, he will give them something to catch from a good draw.
Race 3: Cloud Nine looks to have found a winnable race despite the wide draw, after placing twice from four starts. Juicy Dragon has been competitive on this surface and looks capable of bouncing back at any time in Class 4. Lakeshore Hero is suited by the drop back to 1200m, where his sole career win came, and may cause an upset. Sight Dreamer had genuine vet excuses last start and warrants another chance given his strong previous form. Vulcanus is expected to show improvement with the return to the AWT, where his best form lies.
Race 4: Yoda’s Choice was narrowly beaten last start and looks primed to deliver a strong on-pace showing with a 10lb claimer aboard. Enthralled heavily backed last start but encountered traffic, and with a smoother trip, he could make amends. The Lion King his last-start effort was better than it reads given the wide trip, and he appears well weighted to make an impact. Perfect Team finished strongly dropping to Class 4 last start, and with Moreira staying aboard, he looks one to follow. Glorious Success can take up a more prominent role from the inside gate and is a place chance at odds.
Race 5: Light Years Glory on a winnable mark, he has drawn well to make amends after a fast-finishing third last time out. Tourbillon Golfer the inside draw suits his positive racing style, and the apprentice claim is another positive. Supreme Voyager has attacked the line strongly late in his last two starts and should run well if he handles the AWT. Mega Awesome has trialled okay ahead of his debut, and with Purton aboard, the market should tell the story. California Bay the switch to the AWT should suit given his tactical speed, and he could prove a value pick.
Race 6: Never Peter Out finished a solid fifth last start, and with Purton retaining the ride, he looks a strong chance in this open con- test. Bull Attitude comes off a slashing second over this track and distance and is edging closer to a win. California Star needs a genuine tempo to unleash a strong finish, and the jockey switch may inflate his odds. Chill Kaka had excuses (raced wide) last start and deserves another chance with a better draw. Blossomy broke through locally at long odds last start and is worth considering if the price is right.
Race 7: Conrad The Great hindered by a wide draw last start, and with a better gate, he looks well weighted to break through. Good Chap endured a wide trip last start and his previous strong form suggests that he can bounce back with better luck in running. Fun N Fun Together a proven performer at this level, he looks a strong contender with Purton aboard after an improved last-start effort. Happy Shooter has drawn well to make amends after underperforming last start. Bigtime Generation could spring a surprise with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim and should not be overlooked.
Race 8: Endeared has been in career-best form and shapes as a leading contender from a favourable draw. Talents Ambition stormed home for a close second last start and is always a threat on the AWT surface. Steps Ahead better than his recent form indicates and could show improvement with added fitness after two mediocre runs this preparation. Dragon Air Force was not beaten far last start and could place at odds with the apprentice claim. Sky Vino was caught in the final stride last time out but the wide draw could prove tricky.
Race 9: Galactic Voyage has competed in strong races and will find this field more manageable on his AWT debut. Victory Sky comes off a narrow yet impressive win in this class and remains a chance with the apprentice claim. Blazing Wind badly held up last start, and with Purton aboard, he is well placed to make amends from a low draw. Aurora Patch his recent runs have been encouraging, but the wide draw is a concern. Romantic Son has been in consistent form and must be included among the better chances, even under top weight.