Horse Racing
Season
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy - Form Comments

10/11/2017 17:14

1200m – Turf

1 Faaltless 25 starts for eight wins, five over the course and distance. In top form. Led all the way in Group 3 Garden City Trophy over 1200m with Hong Kong apprentice Matthew Poon astride when first-up from a 6 1/2-month break on 6 Aug. After an unplaced run in another Group 3, he bounced back to win his last start in Kranji Stakes A over 1200m. Won his trial on 2 Nov. Likes to lead or just sit behind the leader.
2 Wimbledon 33 starts for seven wins, five over the course and distance. Useful at his best but tends to corner wide nowadays. Never won at Group level but placed in many. Resumed from near four-month break on 6 Aug to finish a 1.3L second to Faaltless in Group 3 Garden City Trophy over 1200m. Was taken to compete in Korea Sprint in Seoul, South Korea, after that but ran dismally. Went with pace before beating only three home. Won most of his races from the front.
3 Spanish Bay 26 starts for seven wins, three over the course and distance. Won Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic over 1400m in 2015 and the Group 3 Saas Fee Stakes over 1400m in 2016. Resumed from 10-month spell on 22 Sept and finished 12.3L ninth to Faaltless in Kranji Stakes A over 1200m. Showed improvement to finish a 2.6L third last start in Kranji Stakes A over the Polytrack 1000m. Winner broke the course record. On-pace runner.
4 Distinctive Darci Emerging sprinter with 15 starts for six wins and five seconds. All his successes were on the Polytrack but he was second in a fast-run race over the course and distance. Took part in two Group 3s but finished unplaced, including 4.8L seventh to Faaltless in Garden City Trophy. Finished second last two starts over the Poly 1100m and 1000m. Makes his bid from close up or around midfield.
5 Raise No Doubt 26 starts for seven wins, four over the course and distance. Has not won since 15 May last year. Won from the front in his early career but seems to have lost that early zip. Resumed from seven-month spell 18 June and finished fourth in a Poly 1100m race. His recent form is a bit of a concern. No show in subsequent three starts.
6 Speedy Dragon 16 starts for six wins (once over the course and distance), four seconds and one third. Consistent but has some issues. Competed in only one black-type race. Handy in Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint over the course and distance on 26 March but faded to finish a 4.3L seventh. Spelled after that and resumed on 20 Oct to finish a 3L fifth in flying 1000m on the Poly. Had one other long spell, from 26 June to 5 Feb.
7 Laser Storm 38 starts for nine wins, six over the Poly 1200m and three over 1400m on turf. Made no impression in all Group attempts. Has not won since 23 April but popped up second twice in subsequent eight outings, including his last start on 22 Oct when he flew home for a 0.2L second over this 1200m trip. Showed early pace in early career but no more now.
8 Flak Jacket 34 starts for four wins, three over the course and distance. Ran in only one black-type race but that was in July 2015. He led over 1200m and held on to dead-heat for fourth, 2.4L behind the winner. Scored last win just three starts back on 17 Sept when he came from midfield to win over the course and distance. Usually leads.
9 Super Fortune Rising star with three wins and a third from four starts, all over the course and distance. Two of the wins were on a yielding track. Had six starts in Australia for a victory over 1400m. Created a good impression by winning his first two Singapore races before finishing third. Scored again last start on 8 Oct in Class 3 and this is a big jump in grade but he has no weight on his back. Produced a winning gallop on Tuesday.
10 Elusive Emperor 28 starts for six wins, two over the course and distance. Last success was on 5 March over the course and distance in Class 3 and was spelled after his third subsequent start on 5 May. Resumed on 17 Sept and tracked the leader before fading to finish a 3.1L fifth over this course and distance. Also a big rise in class with no weight but he’ll have to dig deep to reign supreme against this top opposition.