Ka Ying on the attack at Sha Tin
In-form five-year-old gelding Ka Ying Attack looks capable of securing a fourth straight win despite meeting a strong field in the Group 2 Lukfook Jewellery Premier Bowl over 1200m at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Davi Hall-trained Ka Ying Attack has shown marked improvement since scoring an emphatic Class 3 victory three starts ago, defying the rise in grade and overcoming wide draws to complete a hat-trick last time out.
Drawn awkwardly in each of his last two outings, the son of Too Darn Hot showcased his tactical versatility by leading throughout to score by 1.50 lengths before flashing home from near last to overhaul his rivals in fine style last start.
Although Ka Ying Attack rises to Group 2 company for the first time, he appears to be on an upward trajectory and must be considered a leading contender. Other runners with winning claims include Raging Blizzard, Colourful King, Copartner Prance and Aeris Nova.
After a narrow defeat last time out, promising five-year-old Circuit Champion looks primed to go one better in the Class 3 Handicap over 1400m.
Lightly raced for a five-year-old, Circuit Champion is already a two-time winner from just seven starts. The consistent gelding has missed the frame only once and his encouraging last-start effort suggests another win is not far away.
Despite a slow tempo that favoured the leader, who was also the eventual winner, he charged home strongly to be beaten by only a head over this distance.
Standing out as the form choice in this week’s field, Circuit Champion looks a strong winning chance and is one to follow closely. – iRACE Magazine
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: I Am The Walrus has shown tactical speed in trials and looks primed to run a big race on debut. Almighty Warrior under- performed last start but will find this Restricted Class 4 company more manageable. Jedi Spurs a consistent frontrunner, he is well placed with the apprentice claim and could prove hard to run down. Saint Jose Patch won both trials in fine style and looks one to watch on debut despite the wide draw. Chancheng Sparkle held up at a crucial stage last start and could sneak into the placings at odds with better luck in running.
Race 2: Only U draws well and looks poised to return to the winner’s list with Purton staying aboard, especially with some of his main rivals drawn awkwardly. Gor Gor encountered traffic late last start and could make amends with a smoother trip. Draco broke through in fine style two starts ago before producing a fast-finishing fifth last time out. Vigor Elleegant comes off an easy win in this class but the wide draw and weight rise could prove tricky. Supreme Winner may lack consistency but is worth considering if his odds represent value.
Race 3: Smart Fat Cat resumed with a fast-finishing sixth and appears well weighted to break through from a better draw. Cava Pioneer badly held up in the straight last time out and deserves another chance with Purton staying aboard. Absolute Awakened has shown significant improvement this preparation and should play a key role. Soo Koo showed good early speed and finished third last start and should run well again from a decent draw. Polar Patch possesses tactical versatility and looks capable of breaking through in this field.
Race 4: Seraph Gabriel narrowly beaten last start and shapes as a leading contender from a better draw with Purton taking the reins. Pocketing attacked the line strongly in a slowly run race last start and should be right in the mix from a favourable gate. Super Golden- dragon has completed a double in Class 4 and remains a strong chance despite stepping up to Class 3. Big Return scored an easy win last start and looks capable of securing back-to-back victories in Class 3. Ka Ying Generation has mixed form but could cause an upset on his day; should not be overlooked.
Race 5: Speedy Power likely would have won last start with a better draw and, from an inside gate, looks the best bet on the card. Handsome Hero has been improving with each run and should figure in the finish. E Ho Ho trapped wide but still scored a tenacious win at long odds last time out and, from a favourable draw, should get every chance to repeat the effort. Copartner A I has been knocking on the door since day one, though drawing wide again remains a concern. Noble Patch let down well off a slow tempo last start and can make his presence felt under the right race shape.
Race 6: Ka Ying Lightning two from two to date and looks primed to secure a hat-trick with more upside to come despite rising to Class 3. Yee Cheong Bright boasts strong overseas form and has trialled well for his local debut. Lahore finished strongly for third on his Class 3 debut last time out and looks one to follow. Fast Responder may have needed his first-up run and could improve into the money with added fitness. Lightness Of Music scored an impressive Class 4 win last start and warrants respect despite stepping back up to Class 3.
Race 7: Ka Ying Attack has been in career-best form and should remain competitive despite the step up to Group 2 company. Raging Blizzard highly suited by the rise to 1200m, where all six of his career wins have occurred, and must be considered a strong contender. Aeris Nova was not beaten far from a wide draw first-up and could cause an upset with added fitness. Copartner Prance an in-form frontrunner, he could hang in there all day if allowed an uncontested lead. Colourful King landed his first Group success last time out but the wide draw and rise to 1200m pose a challenge.
Race 8: Road To Glory showed a more positive racing style in a recent trial, and the form of his last start has since been franked. Storm Mirror made all in emphatic fashion last time out and, with Nichola Yuen’s 7lb claim, looks well placed to repeat the dose. Mr Cool returned to his best last start and looks capable of going back-to-back in Class 4. Grand Patch charged home strongly for second despite a tardy start last time out and, with a clean getaway, could go one better. Prestige Come showed significant improvement first-up and looks one to follow.
Race 9: Stunning Peach underperformed first-up but is expected to show marked improvement with a more favourable jockey booking from an inside gate. Max Que well beaten last start but his previous form suggests he could bounce back at any time in this class. Six Pack boasts a solid record in Class 2 and is expected to show improvement second-up. Ensued should relish the drop back from Group 1 to Class 2, where he boasts a strong record. Infinite Resolve appears well weighted to make an impact after a fast-finishing fourth last start.
Race 10: Megastar Heart comes off an impress first-up win and has drawn well to complete a Class 3 double. Aurio has placed three times from his last five starts and must be included among the better chances. Pi Legend recorded the second fastest final sectional last start and could make amends from a good draw. Spicy Standard flopped after receiving heavy market support last start and is worth considering again if his odds offer value. Anode should enjoy a smooth trip from a low gate and could sneak into the placings at odds.
Race 11: Circuit Champion has been in consistent form and shapes as a leading contender with Purton staying aboard despite the wide draw. All’s Well suited by the return to turf and could cause an upset from an inside gate. Almighty Lightning possesses a strong turn of foot and can unleash a strong finish if they go too hard up front. Come Fast Fay Fay with his versatile racing style, he should figure in the finish under a light weight. Aerovolanic scored a tenacious win in this class last time out but the top weight and slightly awkward draw raise concerns.