Race 1 (1,000m)
6 The All Out has been given a solid foundation with five barrier trials leading into his debut in this Griffin race. He draws ideally for the straight course, where the Jamie Richards-trained youngster looks the one to beat, especially with Zac Purton taking the ride.
5 Hyannis Star has had just the one trial but did enough to suggest he is in the mix.
4 Babieca has shown promise in two trials, the latest a quiet effort where he found the line well to indicate he will be running on late.
1 Motor has been well educated with a string of trials and could be the surprise packet at a price in this small field of six unraced runners.
Race 2 (1,000m)
1 Northern Beaches is coming off an encouraging first-up effort in Class 3. Drew the wrong part of the straight but closed off strongly to fourth behind La Forza.
3 Thriving Brothers has trialled well under Purton since a stable switch, and with Purton sticking, he cannot be overlooked. Close to a breakthrough win, even if 1,000m might be a touch sharp.
11 Ka Ying Resilience had excuses last time when he knuckled badly at the start. Has trialled impressively since.
4 Parents' Love has drawn awkwardly for the straight course but possesses early speed to get across. He will give his usual sight.
Race 3 (1,200m)
6 Sky Prophet stuck on well for fourth last time in a fast-run race over 1,200m on the all-weather - it was a game effort. He receives a jockey upgrade with Hugh Bowman back in the saddle, and in a wide-open Class 5, he looks a genuine contender now, well entrenched in the cellar grade.
1 Commanding Missile holds a solid record in this class and was a dominant winner four runs ago, scoring by over two lengths. Barrier 1 gives him every chance to replicate that performance.
12 California Icon has form that leaves a lot to be desired, but he has had a horrid run of wide barriers and now moves into gate 2, which offers him the opportunity to settle closer and lift his chances.
5 Circuit Ten returned to form last start with a fast-finishing second from barrier 12. He may again need luck from barrier 10, but Purton's booking boosts his prospects.
Race 4 (1,200m)
4 Ahren drew barrier 11 second-up last time and the slowly run race shape was against him.. But he still produced a fast-finishing fourth, beaten only two and a half lengths - a solid effort given the circumstances. Again, he will need luck from barrier 12.
1 Enjoy Golf is due a win this season after five placings from seven outings. Since resuming from a spell in mid-January, he has been ultra-consistent, stepping back up to 1,200m last start and finishing second for a fourth consecutive time. Barrier 3 gives him the chance to go one place better.
7 Honest Witness may be looking for further than 1,200m, but he should be up on the pace from barrier 2. He gets a jockey upgrade with Purton in the saddle for his second career start, and his fourth on debut over 1,000m was a pass mark.
8 Lean Master is going to give a big sight from barrier 1 under apprentice Britney Wong's 5kg claim. There is not a ton of speed on paper and blinkers back on is a plus.
Race 5 (1,200m)
3 Beauty Destiny is one of the most improved horses this season, having won five from eight, and he shoots for four on the trot. He returns to Sha Tin for the first time since November 2023, but the way he has been letting down at Happy Valley suggests he will be hard to hold out.
6 Glory Elite gets a middle draw and has Purton in the plate. Caught wide throughout before fading to sixth from barrier 12 last start. Can bounce back on that effort, and his runner-up finish to Fast Network two starts ago reads as strong form.
1 Gorgeous Win has an awkward alley to overcome in barrier 10 but brings solid form into this race, with a runner-up finish to Lucky With You two starts back before a closing fifth at Group 2 level behind Ka Ying Rising. The drop in class sees him well placed.
9 Stellar Express will enjoy a bit of tempo where he can sit back and launch late. He is still improving and comes off a promising third behind Fast Network.
Race 6 (1,400m)
10 Max Que continues to improve with racing. His last-start 11th is best overlooked - he drew barrier 14, jumped awkwardly, settled back, though his final sectional held some merit. If he can make use of barrier 3, he can return to the form he showed two starts back when a close-up second.
8 With A Smile looks ready for 1,400m now after several encouraging efforts over 1,200m. Barrier 12 is a concern, and where he lands in the run remains to be seen.
7 Leslie is so well rated these days that he can bounce back, and barrier 1 gives him that opportunity.
9 Ace has trialled well ahead of his debut. He is drawn kindly in gate 2 and can enjoy a smothered-up run to produce his best work late.
Race 7 (1,400m)
7 Quick Contribution is ready for the rise to 1,400m, which looks key to his chances after three solid efforts over 1,200m. Two starts back, he finished a close third behind Sky Joy, and last time out his seventh-place result was better than it reads - tight for room late and beaten just three lengths.
3 Harold Win is knocking on the door for a second career win since dropping back into Class 4, finishing in the placings each time, including a third to Sky Jewellery.
13 He Was You produced his best effort yet last start when setting a strong tempo before fading into third behind South Star. He continues to improve and a nice inside draw gives him every chance to feature again.
10 Night Purosangue has been running over trips short of his best but has not been far away. With a step-up in distance and a strong recent trial between runs, he looks ready to take a step forward.
Race 8 (1,400m)
3 Patch Of Theta will receive a sweet run from barrier 2 as Bowman jumps back in the saddle. He has found it tough in his last two races at Group 1 and Group 2 level, but was not beaten far. This is easier and an impressive trial between runs has him in fine fettle.
5 Taj Dragon gets back to his pet trip of 1,400m over which he won six times, after three runs over an unsuitable 1,200m. Has dropped enough in ratings to strike again.
6 Rubylot was your Hong Kong Derby favourite where he checked in a close-up fifth. 1,400m has been his most successful distance, which should serve him well to improve on that last start.
7 Drombeg Banner will find it hard to win races now that he is high in the ratings but he is honest and, on paper, looks likely to get a very easy time in the lead.
Race 9 (1,000m)
10 Justifying is a promising three-year-old who impressed on debut with a sharp almost 4-length all-the-way win at this course and distance. The sharp rise in the handicap second-up is the query, but his raw ability should carry him a long way.
1 Celestial Colours resumed with a third behind Colourful King, who scored again at Happy Valley on April 9. Trialled well between runs, though barrier 1 is not ideal for the straight course.
11 Aurora Patch is improving and is building towards his first local win, coming off back-to-back placings behind the talented Horsepower and La Forza.
7 Sparkling Fellow had genuine excuses last start after pulling up with blood in the trachea. His earlier form at this course and distance was encouraging. He can bounce back.
Race 10 (1,800m)
1 Enthralled remains the one to beat despite barrier 10, though the long straight run to the bend will help him find a position. The four-year-old is a horse on the rise and a smart trial win between runs suggests he is in good shape to atone for a narrow last-start defeat.
9 Winning Wing endured a torrid run last start when finishing sixth as race favourite, beaten five lengths. That effort is best overlooked and he is worth another chance, especially as he is likely to present better value.
3 Packing Turbine got the better of Enthralled last start and is another progressive four-year-old. He is drawn just outside him in barrier 11 and early tactics could prove decisive between the pair.
7 Flying Luck is likeable on the quick back-up after a solid first attempt in Class 3 last week, when he drew wide, was ridden conservatively, and made good ground late. He can map more positively from a middle draw this time.
Race 11 (1,000m)
3 Hong Lok Golf showed a change of tactics last start when rising to 1,400m for the first time, taking up the lead and scoring by a neck over Sky Jewellery. Has trialled well since. He does not necessarily have to lead again, but now has that extra string to his bow.
4 Light Years Charm is a talented horse who won his first local race stylishly two back before stepping up to the mile, where he was slow away but rattled home for third. The drop back to 1,400m suits.
2 Charming Legend drew barrier 10 last time and was ridden quietly, closing off well into seventh. He can revert to his front-running pattern and give a bold sight.
5 Armour War Eagle blew his chance of back-to-back wins last start when rearing at the jump but made good ground in the straight to finish a fast-closing second, beaten only a head.
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
