Trainer Alan Greeff has been doing very well with the progeny of sire Canford Cliffs and his charge, the filly Strata is unbeaten in her two starts this year. The four-year-old filly made her stable debut on the turf over 1000m on 14 February and beat Munchkin by 0.50 lengths. That was followed up with an easy win when stepped up to 1200m on 4 April. Both times she was ridden by stable jockey Richard Fourie. Strata runs in Race 5, a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m on the Fairview Polytrack over 1000m on Friday. Those two wins only carried a cost of six points and it is interesting to note that Strata won a handicap a year ago off the same handicap rating. It is a competitive-looking race and she meets runners who are proven on the Polytrack. Strata has yet to try this surface but jumping from pole position she could get the run of the race. The Fourie-Greeff combination could also be on the mark in Race 8, a very competitive MR 68 Handicap over 1400m. Well-bred filly Fire Alarm has been costly to follow but has her first crack at a handicap and she does not look harshly treated off a mark of just 74. She has won on the surface and once again Fourie managed to crack the best draw. Clive Robinson

My Wish has already provided Mark Newnham with a string of highlights this season and the Australian horseman hopes his diminutive galloper can produce a crowning performance in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (27 April). Winless from two starts in 2023/24, My Wish has rocketed from a rating of 54 to 101 in just eight starts this preparation with four wins, two seconds and two thirds – for prizemoney of HK$18.65 million – to emerge as one of Hong Kong’s most consistent and exciting young horses. Weighing just under 1,000lb, My Wish has repeatedly belied his diminutive frame with herculean performances and was outstanding in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, winning the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and running second in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) to Rubylot and the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) to Cap Ferrat. His rattling effort to surge from the tail of the field on the turn in the BMW Hong Kong Derby ultimately saw him finish a short head shy of victory but, in doing so, the Flying Artie gelding clocked the fastest final 400m sectional – 21.39s – in a 2000m race at Sha Tin since 2008, eclipsing the times of champions such as Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior. “He started the season as a maiden and now he’s running in Group 1 races. He was the most consistent and best performed of the four-year-olds,” Newnham said. “What’s been encouraging has been over the last couple of weeks those horses coming out of the Derby are all racing very well, albeit in Class 2 races, but it’s nice to see that they’ve adapted and taken on the older horses and been able to beat them. “It shows they’re a good group of four-year-olds, even though he’s going to a different level again to those horses, it’s encouraging to see the form standing up. “He (My Wish) was small, light, anxious sort of horse when he arrived and I knew it was going to take a bit of time to get him to settle in but as times gone on, he’s gone from being one of the more difficult horses in the yard to being one of the easiest. “He had a lot of nervous energy, coming up to the track, on the track. He wanted to do everything quickly but now he’s settled right down. His parades at the races are much better than even at the start of the season. “We even had a few barrier issues with him at the start and one of his earlier races this season was when he broke through the gates and Luke managed to hold on to him and he still won that race. “The talent has always been there, we just had to manage his temperament and all of those things have fallen into place now.” Having drawn barrier 14 in the BMW Hong Kong Derby and being forced to drop to the tail of the field, My Wish had previously excelled racing near the pace. Newnham hopes a more favourable barrier this Sunday will allow his flagship galloper to shine against elite opposition including Voyage Bubble, Mr Brightside, Royal Patronage and Gaia Force. “He’s only missed a place once and that was his first start at 1000 metres,” Newnham said. “He’s versatile in his races to overcome different barriers but it would be nice if he gets a good barrier for a change. He’s had 13 and 14 a couple of times – and if he’s able to get an easier run in transit, especially taking on these types of horses, that would be nice.” By Leo Schlink

FWD QEII Cup CALIF (BHR) Calif completed an easy lap of the all-weather track, stretching out nicely in the home straight, clocking 1m 29.9s (31.0, 30.3, 28.6) over 1200m. EL VENCEDOR (NZ) Worked on the all-weather track. Trainer Stephen Marsh said: “It was just quiet work and he was just on the bridle nice and relaxed and happy. “He’ll gallop tomorrow and Zac (Purton) will come and ride him on the turf and that will be his final hit-out. “We will probably work him in from the 1400m, just steady and let him breeze-up the last 600m. But nothing too much, it’s just maintenance work. He is fit and he is well.” GOLIATH (FR) As he has done for the last two days, last year’s King George VI and Elizabeth Stakes winner completed an easy lap of the all-weather track, clocking 1m 25.7s (29.5, 29.6, 26.6) over 1200m. Travelling head lad Anthony David: “Everything is good.” LIBERTY ISLAND (JPN) Liberty Island galloped on the turf, clocking 51.2s (30.0, 21.2) over 800m. Assistant to Mitsumasa Nakauchida, Yuya Katayama said: “Since she’s coming off a trip from Dubai, we had only been doing light training until now. But today, we pushed her a bit in the final furlong. From the weekend through today, her movement and feel on the turf have improved. She understands this turf course well.” PROGNOSIS (JPN) Prognosis galloped on the turf, clocking 51.5s (30.3, 21.2) over 800m. Assistant to Mitsumasa Nakauchida, Yasuhisa Kiyoyama said: “We were able to complete the scheduled gallop as planned. His movement remains solid, and now we just hope he heads into the race safely.” TASTIERA (JPN) Tastiera hacked for 1000m, jogged for 400m and hacked for another 1400m on the dirt before going to the paddock for familiarisation. Work rider Tomohiro Takahashi said: “Compared to yesterday, his mood, willingness to go forward, and footwork were all improved, so we extended the distance to work.” FWD Champions Mile GOEMON (BHR) The Bahraini star enjoyed an easy canter on the all-weather track under the watchful eye of his trainer Haider Shaheen, clocking 31.2s over 400m. The trainer said: “We’re happy with him. Today we just gave him a canter. We haven’t decided when he’ll go on the turf yet, but we’ll see.” GAIA FORCE (JPN) Gaia Force galloped on turf today, clocking 1m 19.6s (29.3, 28.0, 22.3) over 1200m. Trainer Haruki Sugiyama said: “He was a bit unsettled by the new environment at first and lost some body weight, but Lugal, who is making his second overseas trip, has been by his side since staying export quarantine barn. That has created a good environment for Gaia Force’s first international outing. He had his final serious workout at home last Monday, so today was kept easy, with the jockey just holding him through the stretch without urging. Although he spooked slightly at the grandstand at the end, the jockey corrected with the bit and managed to apply just the right amount of pressure. The 1600m distance is ideal, and since he’s recently been slow out of the gate, that will be a key point this time. He prefers races with one-turn and the 1600m one-turn layout is a perfect match for him.” MR BRIGHTSIDE (AUS) Track rider Ross Wishart said the gelding had pulled up well after yesterday’s gallop on the course proper. “He felt very good. He was relaxed and is fit and well.” ROYAL PATRONAGE (AUS) Was restricted to work in the quarantine stables. Chairman’s Sprint Prize A SHIN FENCER (JPN) A Shin Fencer galloped on the turf, clocking 55.8s (31.3, 24.5) over 800m. Trainer Keiji Yoshimura said: “For today’s gallop, since it hasn’t been long since her last race in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, and considering she’s a mare and had already breezed at Ritto, I asked the rider not to push too hard. The feel through the reins and her response were reportedly very good. She’s been easy to handle since her two-year-old days, straightforward, and eats well—and based on all of that, the decision was made to take her overseas. The horse is calm and there are no concerns. The draw will be quite important, as her running style isn’t to come from far behind, and this race typically doesn’t favor closers, so a clean break will be crucial. Now she is five and she’s shown real growth and is in peak condition.” DANON MCKINLEY (JPN) Danon McKinley galloped on turf, clocking 21.4s over 400m. Stable representative Kazuo Fujiwara said: “He had a great grip on the turf and moved exceptionally well. Everything is going smoothly.” LUGAL (JPN) Lugal galloped on turf today, clocking 1m 23.1s (30.6, 29.5, 23.0) over 1200m. Trainer Haruki Sugiyama said: “This is his second overseas trip to Hong Kong, and he’s clearly more accustomed to it this time around. In today’s workout, he was able to apply proper pressure over the final two furlongs, so the gallop went exactly as planned. “In December, he wasn’t at his peak on race day, but this time he’s showing clear signs of improvement—his appetite is good, and he hasn’t lost any weight after trip to Hong Kong. The 1200m distance suits him, and having already raced at Sha Tin once before, there’s a lot to look forward to.” SATONO REVE (JPN) Satono Reve did a full circuit of hacking on the dirt and had paddock schooling. Work rider Ryusuke Saito said: “He’s showing more cohesion than yesterday and is progressing well. We’ve been adjusting with a focus on balancing his mental and physical condition. He’s full of energy.”

Followers of S’manga Khumalo and Kabelo Matsunyane could be smiling all the way to the bank after the nine-race midweek meeting on the Inside track at Turffontein on Thursday 24 April. ‘Bling,’ as Khumalo is affectionately known, has a good winning chance aboard team Azzie-trained Winds Of Grace in Race 3 over 1450m. This Act Of War filly has improved to finish in the money in each of her three starts around the turn, including her latest when Mike and Adam Azzie’s charge finished third over 1400m on the Standside track. Winds Of Grace needn’t improve much on that performance to open her account under Khumalo. Bling steered Heavyliesthecrown to debut success over 1200m on the Inside track six weeks ago and continues his association with the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained filly over the same track and trip in Race 8. The pair led from barrier to box in mid-March and, with natural improvement expected of the three-year-old daughter of Rafeef, Khumalo will likely land himself back in the winner’s enclosure. Matsunyane retains the ride aboard Corne Spies-trained veteran Whispers Of War who he has ridden three times for two third-place finishes, including in the seven-year-old veteran’s last start over 1600m just nine days ago. Spies’ charge moved up menacingly at the 400m mark but his challenge petered out tamely so a step up to 2000m in Race 7 and a more patient Matsunyane ride over the extended distance could prove a masterstroke for the Australian-bred Time For War gelding. Whispers Of War has found form and consistency since given relief from the handicapper, and he races off the same mark he did last time, thus a repeat of his last performance could suffice. Elsewhere on the card, Paul Matchett and Raymond Danielson should get the meeting off to a winning start with Matcha Mint who needn’t improve much – if at all – after an encouraging debut third against winners to break her duck in the opener, Race 1 over 1200m. This well-related daughter of Gimmethegreenlight stayed on promisingly to finish less than two lengths off the winner and, with that experience to count on, Matchett’s charge should shed her maiden tag. Clive Robinson

FWD QEII Cup EL VENCEDOR (NZ) Worked on the all-weather track, clocking 1m 05.30s (32.7, 32.6) over 800m. Trainer Stephen Marsh said the gelding had been working on the quarantine sand and today was his first venture on the all-weather track. “He is striding out nice,” he said. “He’ll have a good hit-out on the turf on Thursday (24 April) with Zac (Purton). And that will do him.” LIBERTY ISLAND (JPN) Japanese Triple Tiara-winning mare Liberty Island undertook an easy canter for one and a half laps on the all-weather, clocking 27.6s over the final 400m. “Her condition has improved compared to last time when she ran in Hong Kong. The placement wasn’t bad in the previous run in Hong Kong, so this time it depends on whether the conditions suit her,” said the stable representative, Yuya Katayama. PROGNOSIS (JPN) Prognosis who has travelled to Hong Kong three times in the last two years had an easy canter on the all-weather track and also went through the gates. Work rider Yasunari Kiyoyama said, “We hadn’t push him too hard in training in Japan, and his preparations are still progressing and he has rooms for improving going into the race. We will give him a gate schooling on Friday (25 April) again.” TASTIERA (JPN) Tastiera, who is set to have his first since finishing third in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) in December, hacked for one lap on the all-weather track before having paddock schooling. Work rider Tomohiro Takahashi said: “He was a bit tense, but he seemed to feel better than last year, and he was able to run with a good rhythm.” CAP FERRAT (HKG) Galloped on the turf at Sha Tin under his work rider, clocking 1m 19.2s (29.8, 27.7, 22.4) over 1200m. FWD Champions Mile GAIA FORCE (JPN) Gaia Force worked easily on the all-weather track, clocking 34.2s and 31.6s over 400m before he schooled at the paddock with stablemate Lugal. Stable representative Daisuke Hiraiwa said: “Both horses were calm and everything is going smoothly. He was relaxed and there seemed to have no issue at the paddock.” MR BRIGHTSIDE (AUS) Galloped on the turf track, clocking 57.7s (32.4s, 25.3s) over 800m. Co-trainer Ben Hayes: “He was very good. Did a nice easy five (1000m), run home two (400m) and I think he ran home in about 25 seconds, perhaps maybe a touch under which was exactly what we wanted.” ROYAL PATRONAGE (AUS) Worked on the all-weather track, clocking 1m 37.5s (33.2s, 32.2s, 32.1s) over 1200m. Stable representative Sam McLeish said: “Just cantered today and will do his fast work on Thursday.” VOYAGE BUBBLE (HKG) Galloped on the turf course at Sha Tin alongside stablemate Victory Sky under Matthew Poon, clocking 1m 19.2s (28.4, 27.9, 22.9). Chairman’s Sprint Prize DANON MCKINLEY (JPN) Danon McKinley had an easy canter for one and a half laps on the all-weather track, clocking 30.0s over 400m. “Although he has traveled from Dubai, he’s been able to maintain a very good condition. He’ll do a final workout on turf tomorrow (Wednesday, 23 April),” said the assistant to Hideaki Fujiwara, Kazuo Fujiwara. LUGAL (JPN) Lugal had an easy canter for one and a half laps on the all-weather track and he went to paddock for schooling with stablemate Gaia Force. Stable representative Daisuke Hiraiwa said: “Both horses were calm and everything is going smoothly. The paddock schooling was also calm and went without any issues.” SATONO REVE (JPN) The Japanese champion sprinter in spring, Satono Reve hacked for one lap on the all-weather track before he familiarised with the surroundings at the paddock. Work rider Ryusuke Saito said: “He’s calm and very fresh. Everything is going smoothly.” KA YING RISING (HKG) Galloped on the main all-weather track with champion jockey Zac Purton, clocking 24.6s.

Jumbo Treasure burst onto the scene with a smashing first victory last month and trainer Cody Mo’s young talent is aiming to recreate those heroics at Happy Valley in Wednesday night’s (23 April) Class 4 Lusitano Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m). Overcoming barrier 13 last start, Jumbo Treasure exploded to the front under Derek Leung before scoring by a comfortable two lengths at Sha Tin on 30 March. The Written Tycoon gelding steps from gate six tomorrow night and will again sport cheek pieces. “He won well and the gear helped him a lot. He still doesn’t have much experience but he was quite professional. He jumped sharply, went to the front and led,” Leung said. “We’ll do the same again – if someone else wants to lead, we don’t mind and we can just sit to the outside – he can do either.” Jumbo Treasure carries nine more pounds as top-weight with 135lb assigned for his debut at Hong Kong’s tight-turning inner-city track. He faces Magniac (133lb), Flying Wrote (132lb), Sky Cap (132lb), Judy’s Great (129lb), Big Stride (128lb), Rising Phoenix (128lb), Magic Beans (124lb), New Power (124lb), Bienvenue (123lb), View All Things (123lb) and Draco (119lb). “The weight is against Jumbo Treasure but he isn’t a small horse, so I hope he can handle it. The field has more experience in it this time. I think he can keep improving and I hope he can win again,” Leung said. Leung, 36, has 20 wins this season. He also rides Joyful Life, Strongest Boy, To Infinity, Healthy Healthy and Lean Hero at the Valley. A son of Maurice, Lean Hero (118lb) contests the Class 3 Roselle Handicap (1800m) from gate three for trainer David Hayes. “He had an outside draw (nine) so we rode him quietly last start. Tomorrow, he has a nice draw and the 1800 metres is better for him. I hope he can be a bit closer,” Leung said. Lean Hero has won four times at Happy Valley. He opposes Money Catcher (135lb), Turin Mascot (134lb), Beauty Alliance (132lb), Fallon (130lb), Jumbo Legend (127lb), Luck Is Back (125lb), Excellence Value (124lb), Charity Gain (123lb), Chain Of Gold (120lb), Northern Beast (117lb) and Good Luck Win (115lb). Harry Bentley rides Jumbo Legend, and said: “If he can just relax and put his head down, which he did last time, then naturally he’s going to conserve that energy for later on when he needs it. Back down to 1800 metres – that’s not going to be an issue. “I remember him winning over 1200 metres on multiple occasions and flying home. Credit it to the horse he relaxed really well over the 2200 and never gave me a feeling that he wasn’t going stay out the trip.” Caspar Fownes’ versatile gelding Jumbo Legend has posted wins over 1200m, 1650m and 2200m at Happy Valley across his 35-start career. Karis Teetan has five wins through April. He pairs with a lightly-raced Watch This One for trainer Pierre Ng in the Class 3 Kalanchoe Handicap (1200m). The import was trained by Adam Campton in Australia, where he won smartly on debut at the Gold Coast by an easy two lengths. He has finished fourth in two Hong Kong runs. “I think he’s going to go out and be really competitive,” Teetan said. Wednesday’s (23 April) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Flamingo Flower Handicap (1200m). By Declan Schuster

G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) contender Mr Brightside will adopt a change of tactics when the Australian visitor takes on the world’s best in Sunday’s (27 April) HK$24 million feature at Sha Tin. Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers Will and JD, is hoping a favourable barrier draw will allow jockey Craig Williams to give the seven-year-old gelding a softer run in the 1600m feature. In Mr Brightside’s three runs this campaign – twice at 1400m and his most recent when second in G1 The All-Star Mile (1600m) on 8 March at Flemington – he has raced close to the speed. “In this preparation our horse has had to lead and has hit the front at the 400m every race this prep,” Hayes said. “And he has been a bit of a sitting duck. “And we are hoping with Hong Kong, they tend to go a bit harder earlier and through his whole career he has always taken sits and we are hoping this time we can draw a barrier where we can look to ride him a little bit quieter and we’ll be the last one hitting the line. “I think the horse is in as good a form as he can be. “We just need a bit of racing luck and if we draw the right barrier and I know this track is a very good draining track but a little bit of give in the track would be very good for us. Give is very important to us.” Mr Brightside has won on all track conditions. Hayes said Mr Brightside had done everything right since arriving in Hong Kong last week and completed a leisurely canter around the Sha Tin’s dirt on Monday morning. He said the gelding had a great temperament was not phased by the flight over or his new surroundings. “We couldn’t be happier with the way he has arrived and we look forward to seeing him gallop tomorrow,” Hayes said. “He is moving well and has got a great coat on him and he looks fantastic. We are as happy as we can be.” Hayes said Mr Brightside weighed 1,146lb when he left Victoria and lost about 26-28lb on the flight over but had already regained the weight. He said there would be no problem handling the right-handed track as he won races in Sydney in that direction. “He has been very competitive every time he has been on his Sydney leg,” Hayes said. “If anything, he is probably better on his Sydney leg.” Hayes said they had plenty of respect for the opposition, including local hero Voyage Bubble, and fellow Australian raider Royal Patronage, who is trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. With nine Group 1 victories, Hayes said Mr Brightside was a horse that never lets them down and he is predicting a top-three finish in the 1600m race. “He is always in the finish and we think he is a top winning, top-three chance,” he said. “Just talking to my brothers and the team, we just thought it was the right time to come. He is now seven and he has done nearly everything he can do in Australia.” Hayes said the trip was also special because their father David Hayes, back in Hong Kong for his second training stint, has Ka Ying Rising as the favourite in the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m). David Hayes will also saddle Rubylot in the HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m). By Daryl Timms

Frankie Lor has flourished ever since he was granted a full licence to train in Hong Kong for the 2017/18 racing season. His swag of big-race wins includes all three legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and two at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. His impressive career boasts nearly 500 Hong Kong wins and a trainers’ championship crown in 2021/22. Lor is Hong Kong racing through and through. He grew up in Happy Valley as his father was a mafoo for the renowned Wong Tang Ping, trainer of legendary 1983 Hong Kong Derby winner Co-Tack – twice Hong Kong Horse of the Year (1982/83 & 1983/84) – who won a record 10 consecutive races before Silent Witness leapt that streak in 2004. Like his father, Lor entered the local system, firstly as a jockey between 1981 and 1995, riding 27 winners, then as an assistant trainer schooled by John Moore and John Size, and now in his own right as one of the city’s most respected conditioners. “My father was at the stable when Wong Tang Ping had Co-Tack. My father moved to Sha Tin in around 1977 or 1978 (from Happy Valley). When I moved there, everything was very new and they only had one or two buildings for mafoos,” Lor said. “I’m 59 now. It’s all good memories for me – my whole life working has been in the Jockey Club. My father, my brother and me have all worked for the Jockey Club. My brother retired, he was at Conghua and worked for me for a few years.” Lor’s first win as a trainer came with his first runner, Yourthewonforme, in a Class 5 contest at the season opener on 3 September, 2017. He ended that campaign with 65 wins, a new best first-season total which was previously held by Size (58 wins) in his championship-winning campaign of 2001/02. Reflecting on previous FWD Champions Day glory, Lor recollects Mr Stunning’s 2020 G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) victory – a contest Lucky With You will attempt to win for the trainer against a towering Ka Ying Rising on Sunday, 27 April at Sha Tin. One of Hong Kong’s finest sprinters, Mr Stunning’s success five years ago – the horse’s third Group 1 in his final start – capped a sparkling return following injury woes before landing the Chairman’s Sprint Prize. “When he came to my stable, he always had really good form and he showed me he was a Group 1 horse. It was very good memories for me,” Lor said. “We gave him time off and he came back and eventually won the Chairman’s Sprint Prize. The owner (Maurice Koo) was great – he chose to retire him and let him enjoy his life after that.” Mr Stunning (2017 & 2018) is one of six horses to win the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) twice after Falvelon (2000 & 2001), Silent Witness (2003 & 2004), Sacred Kingdom (2007 & 2009), Lord Kanaloa (2012 & 2013) and Aerovelocity (2014 & 2016). Unlike Mr Stunning, Lucky With You is yet to scale horse racing’s Group 1 pinnacle, although he was second in both the 2023 HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and 2024 HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m). Lucky With You – a seven-year-old son of Artie Schiller – is an eight-time winner, who sits on a career-high rating of 116 locally with earnings of HK$24.13 million. “He’s still keeping really good form. Usually, in Group 1 races it might be a bit strong, but anyway, we’ll try to get prize money for the owner,” Lor said. “He’s won twice in Class 1 this season and he’s still holding good form. Luke Ferraris rides him.” Fourth in the 2024 HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) behind Romantic Warrior, Happy Together instead contests the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) this year against Group 1 winners Voyage Bubble and Mr Brightside. “You can see he’s always close. Also, we’ll see if he can get prize money. It’s another a very strong field. The 1600 and 1800 metres might be better distances. 2000 metres might be a little bit long for him, anyway, we’ve picked the 1600 – Alexis Badel is on,” Lor said. Happy Together rates 110 locally and is a six-time winner in Hong Kong with HK$20.51 million in earnings. His biggest win to date came in the 2024 HK$4.2 million G3 January Cup Handicap (1800m). He was fourth to Straight Arron in the HK$5.35 million G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on 30 March at Sha Tin. By Declan Schuster

Once again, the combination of trainer Alan Greeff and jockey Richard Fourie have a full card of decent chances when racing switches to the Polytrack on Tuesday at Fairview. Very well-bred Sharapova took a long time to win her second race after her maiden victory, but it wasn’t without some narrow defeats. Often with these types of horses, a win boosts their confidence, and they can follow up. The Querari mare runs in Race 5, a MR 72 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m. Sharapova has shown her best around this distance and won over 1300m in her latest start. She picked up a three-point penalty for that win, but from a good draw, she should run another big race. Stable companion Greenlight Legend runs a race later in a Classified Stakes over 1600m. This Gimmethegreenlight filly was going nowhere until sent to master trainer Greeff, and she has certainly turned the corner since arriving in his yard. The four-year-old filly is unbeaten in two starts under his care. Her first win does not look like much on paper—beating the battling maiden Genteel by 0.50 lengths — but was visibly in total control of that race. It was even more evident in her follow-up win that she has more victories in her tank, as she was full of running when beating Sky Velocity by two lengths. The handicapper penalised her five points for that win, and she takes on some in-form males, but it will not be a surprise if she completes her hat-trick. Greeff has a good hand to play in the last race as well. Fourie will be on Haphazard, but she is not well drawn. Recent maiden winners Ono No Komachi and One Giant Leap are both coming off comfortable maiden wins and could prove good back-up for Haphazard. Clive Robinson

Aiming to crown an unblemished season with victory in the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on 27 April, Ka Ying Rising produced an almost flawless barrier trial this morning (Thursday, 17 April), delighting trainer David Hayes and jockey Zac Purton. Jumping away moderately on Sha Tin’s dirt track, Ka Ying Rising quickly built momentum to lead from the 1000m and eventually won the hit-out by three and a half lengths from HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) winner My Wish in 1m 10.49s. Swift Ascend was third ahead of John Size’s FWD Champions Day aspirants Helios Express (fourth) and Beauty Eternal (seventh). “He (Ka Ying Rising) jumped, by his standards, a fraction slow and then he gathered incredibly quickly. You would call it a perfect trial, his recovery is excellent and hopefully he’s going to finish the season undefeated,” Hayes said. With seven wins this campaign, including three victories at G1 level – LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), HK$13 million Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and HK$13 million Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) – Ka Ying Rising will attempt on Sunday week to match Lucky Sweynesse and Beauty Generation’s record of slotting eight wins in a Hong Kong season. Purton said: “He (Ka Ying Rising) has trialled well, as he always does. He pulled up nicely, so we’re ready for next week.” Ka Ying Rising will face last year’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize victor Invincible Sage, Lucky Sweynesse, Victor The Winner, Helios Express as well as Japan’s Satono Reve, Lugal, Danon McKinley and A Shin Fencer, among others, next week. Purton will also partner Galaxy Patch in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) after the gelding trialled impressively in batch two at Sha Tin this morning, finishing powerfully while sporting cheek pieces. Near the tail of the field on the home turn, Galaxy Patch closed the 1200m trial only a length behind Yuen Long Elite, who clocked 1m 10.74s, with Red Lion (FWD Champions Mile, 1600m) in fourth place and Ensued (G1 FWD QEII Cup, 2000m) seventh. “He (Galaxy Patch) was nice and relaxed and cruised around. What I liked the most was compared to last time I trialled him, when the gap was there and he came through, he was more determined in the cheek pieces,” Purton said. “I’d like to go with them (cheek pieces), I just have to let them (trainer Pierre Ng) decide whether they want to. It’s going to be a strong race – probably the strongest race we’ve had in a while, so he’s going to need to get everything right and be at his best.” BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up My Wish will be among Galaxy Patch’s opposition in the FWD Champions Mile along with a cast of high-class contenders including Voyage Bubble, Mr Brightside, Royal Patronage, Gaia Force, Beauty Eternal, Gaia Force and Goemon. Trainer Mark Newnham was pleased with My Wish’s work. “I’m really happy. It was a smooth trial. He jumped well, settled nice, quickened well and ran through the line strongly – so, all the things we wanted to see. He looks like he’s held his form,” Newnham said. Ricky Yiu’s FWD Champions Mile entrants Straight Arron and Sunlight Power trialled this morning over 1200m at Conghua, finishing second and third, respectively, in a batch won by Righteous Arion in 1m 11.86s. Several visiting FWD Champions Day contenders took to Sha Tin’s dirt this morning, including Liberty Island, Prognosis and Calif, who will clash in the HK$28 million FWD QEII Cup, Gaia Force and Mr Brightside (FWD Champions Mile) and Japan’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize entrants Lugal, Danon McKinley and A Shin Fencer. Sha Tin’s 10-race fixture on Sunday (20 April), starting with the Class 5 Luk Wu Handicap (1650m, dirt) at 12.45pm. By Leo Schlink

The Sydney Autumn Carnival draws to a thrilling close this Saturday at Royal Randwick, with the final Group 1 event, the $1.5 million All Aged Stakes over 1400m stealing the spotlight. It’s a cracking field of 14, stacked with class. Twelve of the runners are already Group 1 winners, including last year’s champ Magic Time, who dominated in the wet in 2024. So, what’s the winning form-line this year? Will the drop-back sprinters from the T.J. Smith Stakes step up successfully? Or will a tried-and-true miler swoop in late? Briasa, fresh off a soft win in the 2025 T.J. Smith Stakes on Day 1 of The Championships, is the horse to beat. The Team Hawkes star is flying. Expect a genuine tempo. Belclare, trained by Bjorn Baker, should push forward under Rachel King. Antino lacks early dash but, from the inside draw, gets the chance to camp behind the speed. Three-year-old Broadsiding will look to hold a handy spot from barrier three with James McDonald aboard. Briasa looks set to land the one-one from gate four. Magic Time and Desert Lightning won’t be far away either, both likely to settle in the top half of the field. Out the back? Expect Joliestar and Jimmysstar to drop anchor early. The wide-drawn trio; Kimochi, My Oberon and Kiwi visitor Grail Seeker, will be searching for cover from tricky gates. Also on the card: the final Group 1 of the season for the two-year-olds, the Champagne Stakes over 1600m. Within The Law, backing up from last week and a tough Golden Slipper run, deserves serious respect. Tupakara, also on the quick back-up and placed in two of three metro starts this prep, brings solid claims. State Visit may have been unwanted by punters last time, but flew home in the Inglis Sires’ and is yet to miss a top-three finish. And watch out for Spicy Lu — unbeaten in three starts and looming as the big danger.

Recent G1 Tunku Gold Cup winner, NOAH KHAN makes his race track return in the 1200m Supreme A contest (Race 9) as he aims for the winning hat trick this Saturday at the Selangor Turf Club. Coming off successive wins at the track and distance, the six year old has progressed through the grades rapidly culminating with his first group victory here on March 16. From a favourable draw, NOAH KHAN should once again settle on the pace with fast beginners, PACIFIC VAMPIRE and MR BLACK BACK expected to charge forward from barrier rise. MR BLACK BACK will strip fitter from his first up 3rd over 1400m a fortnight ago and should be prominent for a long way. Another fast beginner on the verge of breaking through in Malaysia is ANIKI, which returned to his best form last start and looks hard to beat third up in the 1200m Class 3 contest (Race 7). The five-year-old carried the 59kg and led from pole position only to be overhauled in the latter stages after casting a plate during the run. The gelding draws well again in gate two but may be pressured early by eight-year-old mare, BIG BAD MAMA which is one of the fastest beginners on the local circuit. The ever-consistent SNOW DRAGON was coming off successive victories prior to finishing 3rd over 1020m on the inner track when he had a tendency to hang inwards in the home straight. The six-year-old grey has not missed a place in Malaysian starts and can quickly atone. Former Macau trainer, Ricky Choi is currently 5th in the premiership with 13 winners but has the best strike rate of 19.4% in the country for the 2025 season. The Platinum Racing Stable team up with Choi in the other division of the 1200m Class 3 (Race 8) with PLATINUM PRIORITY, which is looking to breakthrough at start number six in Malaysia. The six-year-old closed off well when finishing 3rd to inform galloper Stop The Water here over 1020m and steps up to the 1200m where all of his six career wins have been recorded over that distance. MILITARY FLAG is yet to show up in four runs this preparation but the drop back to Class 3 grade stands him in good stead. The four-year-old’s Class 3 record read 4 starts for 2 wins and 2 minor placings and is no doubt the horse to beat if he strikes his best form. THUNDER STAR will be having its first run for the Sharee Hamilton stable and is capable of returning to winning form in the 1150m Class 5 contest (Race 12). The six-year-old’s race was cancelled last Sunday due to the inclement conditions but can bounce back on the downgrade despite drawing the outside barrier in the twelve-horse lineup. The Hamilton / Andre Da Silva combination have produced three winners from seven starters in the last twelve-month period with THUNDER STAR to maintain his good local record which reads two wins and two seconds from five outings.

It is only a fortnight before the official start of South Africa’s Champion Season so punters need to pay close attention in the ensuing weeks if they are to try and second guess trainers and their strategies. Given that Hollywoodbets Scottsville is home to the first two Gr1 juvenile races for the season on what can be a tricky course for first time arrivals, the first two races at the venue on Sunday could provide possible pointers to the outcomes of the Gr1 Gold Medallion and the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship. In the card opener for males, only Intensity, Call Me Wild and Dark Matter have made it to the racecourse. The trio made a fair debut in the same race on this course and experience can see them benefit with Robbie Hill’s runner seemingly the best of them. But there are a number of eye-catching first timers from top stables with Dean Kannemeyer saddling Star In Motion and Mike and Mathew de Kock sending out Yippee Kiyaya. The market prices should be telling. Punters face a similar dilemma in the fillies version. Limitless Sky has improved with each outing and has gone well over course and distance while Kali Bwana was second best behind hot favourite and impressive winner Keukenhof last time out. Debutante’s to watch may be Kapture The Peace and Educator. In the first leg of the Pick 6, Un Bel Di comes with smart Cape form over the distance and visiting Justin Snaith has already got a winner under his belt. Mojo Man won well last time out but only got a two-point rise in the handicap. He gets a 4kg claimer aboard so can go in again. Kalahari Roller was under a length back to Mojo Man last time they met and his last win was over course and distance while Twenty One May is only 0.5kg better off with Mojo Man taking the apprentice allowance into consideration but is in good form over the trip and can turn the tables. Kannemeyer took the wraps off a few useful Cape visitors, one being Dancing On A Cloud who was an impressive maiden winner second time of asking and looks progressive. He faces a lot stronger in the first leg of the jackpot but does look capable of further improvement. Terminator, with Andrew Fortune aboard, has a wide draw to contend with but his last win was over course and distance and he will be a serious threat. Dapper has his second run for Duncan Howells over a more suitable trip and has the best of the draw and could also be a factor in the finish. In the fifth, Icy Blast has tumbled down the handicap when contesting sprints in the Cape. He has his third outing for Mike and Mathew de Kock over a mile and last time out he was drawn widest of all over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He now jumps from a much more favourable gate although many in this race finished ahead of him. Sundance Kid is another that has come down dramatically in the handicap and went close last time out. The form has been franked in feature company so a repeat should see Wendy Whitehead’s gelding in the firing line. JP’S Palace has yet to run a bad race, his last win on this course and Darryl Moore’s charge is progressive. Plaza Accord is unbeaten in two since returning from a lengthy break but he did get a six-point raise in the handicap for that win which could be his anchor in this contest. The filly Khethiwe’s Destiny takes on males in the sixth but is smart and has her third run after a lengthy break. She could prove too classy for her male rivals although Gareth van Zyl’s runner Riverstone comes with solid Cape form over the trip. However, he has not been out since January but if fit and well he will make his presence felt. Agrado has been holding form and won well last time out. He did take a six-point raise in the handicap but benefits from Rachel Venniker’s allowance. The seventh is a tricky handicap. Real War won at long odds last start with many in this field behind him however, he is a progressive youngster and only got a three-point raise in the handicap. But he beat Gorgeous Guy by the narrowest of margins who is now 1.5kg better off at the weights so the inference is obvious. Wissa’s On Fire started a short-priced favourite for that race but was eased up in the running. Ignoring that effort and judged on his penultimate start he will be a big runner. Now I Got You may still be under the handicapper’s radar and has a light weight and could spoil the party. Kannemeyer appears to have another smart late starter in Getoffmycloud who came from the clouds to shed her maiden at second time of asking. She looks smart and with that experience under her girth she can round off the meeting. Snaith will have other ideas with Dafnes Daughter who although a touch disappointing at her last two, she can do better in this company. Mia’s Athena has her second run after a lengthy break. She was well regarded early in her career by Duncan Howells and if finding her best she could surprise.

Trainer Brett Webber looks to have two solid winning chances on the Standside track at Turffontein on Saturday, Mo Ment in Race 4 and King Of Numbers in Race 6. Mo Ment ran out an impressive winner over 2600m last month when coming in for betting support and getting a peach of a ride. Jockey Jeffrey Syster admitted to getting the timing wrong the time before, but he now knows the four-year-old gelded son of Royal Mo well and the pair can follow up. Mo Ment lines up in Race 4, a MR 80 Handicap over 2850m. He has won over 2400m and as he seemed to be getting stronger at the end of his last win over 2600m, there is every chance he will enjoy the extra. Romeo’s Magic (58.5kg) also won in good style and importantly, he won at this venue, beating To The Rescue (60kg) convincingly. But both of those have achieved high ratings and carry bigger weights and may battle to catch fleetfooted Mo Ment with just 54.5kg on his back. But all three should feature in an easily catchable Trifecta. King Of Numbers runs in Race 6, a MR 76 Handicap over 1400m, a race restricted to apprentice jockeys. Webber has engaged the services of up-and-coming youngster Jacey Botes, who claims the maximum 4kg. King Of Numbers is another son of Royal Mo trained by Webber but one that much prefers 1400m. This explains that while he ran fair races over 1600m after shedding his maiden over 1400m, he didn’t really finish those races off. Last time out he produced a strong finish from well off the pace to finish second best behind Pressonregardless over this course and distance. The run was even better on paper as Pressonregardless had run way above his rating when second to Graded placed runner Hotarubi and as such, came in well weighted. Pressonregardless runs in the next race which is a much tougher MR 93 Handicap. King Of Numbers other run over the course and distance was a win, and an easy win at that, beating Just Var, who has won two races since then, as he liked on soft ground at the end of last year. Webber is not the only trainer with strong runners on the day. Corne Spies will be expecting a big run from two-year-old Scorpio in Race 2, a race with plenty of well-bred newcomers. The handsome grey was green and inexperienced when nevertheless showing some potential on debut. He has now been gelded and could realise what is expected of him. He is a half-brother to Mount Pinatubo, a highly rated (MR 108) colt from Johan Janse Van Vuuren’s yard. Sean Tarry’s Bourbon Reserve, a beautifully bred son of What A Winter who has had his issues, retains ability and appeals as a well weighted value proposition in the last race of the day. Clive Robinson

Andrea Atzeni continued a blazing form run to slot a treble as Jamie Richards posted his first double of the season to share training honours with Mark Newnham at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (16 April). Atzeni’s sizzling strike rate continued with a three-timer, teaming with Mark Newnham’s Crimson Flash (118lb) to land the first section of the Class 3 Violet Handicap (1200m), Giant Leap (119lb) for Ricky Yiu in the second section of the Class 3 Violet Handicap (1200m) and A Americ Te Specso (116lb) for John Size in the Class 3 Chamomile Handicap (1650m). Boosting his haul this season to 43 wins, Atzeni has slotted 17 wins across the past 11 meetings as Crimson Flash collected a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million. “It’s good going, we hit the ground running but I’ve had good support,” the Italian said. “It’s always nice to come racing with good chances and because I can ride light, it makes my job a little bit easier especially with horses like Crimson Flash, who was up in class with a light weight. “He looks like a nice horse and the plan was to go forward, but he jumped slow but Plan B worked out.” Atzeni’s strength and timing were apparent on both Giant Leap and A Americ Te Specso, who delivered Size’s 48th win of the campaign and a seven-win lead over David Hayes (41) with Yiu (38) next. Newnham continued an excellent season with Fatal Blow’s impressive win in the first section of the Class 4 Dianthus Handicap (1200m) under Luke Ferraris to have 36 wins for the term, while Yiu was delighted with Giant Leap’s triumph, showing rare emotion in victory. “It’s not often you see a horse win straight away from Class 4 to Class 3. The biggest encouragement, like I said to the jockey, he was 15 pounds lighter and he’s racing fit. He’s a very genuine horse at the Valley,” Yiu said. “You haven’t seen the best of him yet. He’s still got something in the tank. In the closing stages, I yelled and shouted and the officials (in the weigh-in area) were surprised – they said: ‘You haven’t yelled for a long time, not even for a Group 1′.” Richards boosted his seasonal tally to 15 wins, having endured a string of near misses with 18 seconds and 20 thirds and was clearly relieved after Iconical and Sunday’s Serenade scored under seven-time champion jockey Zac Purton. “It’s been a pretty tough old struggle to be honest, but hopefully we can get things going again. It’s not the sort of place you want to have a lean spell in, but we’re working hard, made a few little changes and hopefully we can be strong towards the end of the season,” Richards said. Iconical led all the way to land the first section of the Class 4 Thistle Handicap (1650m) while Sunday’s Serenade ran on strongly from the tail of the field to snare the Class 4 Ewo Challenge Trophy Handicap (1650m). “We probably weren’t in the positions we thought we would be with both horses,” Purton said. “With Iconical, preferably we would have liked to get cover but he came out strongly and nothing was going forward so he took himself to the front. “He was quite eager through the first couple of sectionals until he started to relax and in the straight, he was quite one-paced and out on his feet but he’s lightly-raced and did a good job in the circumstances and hopefully he can go on. “Sunday’s Serenade did the opposite. I got a little bit further back than I thought I would be and, as it turned out, the pace was strong and it suited him and he came with a strong run. He’s another one who’s turned the corner – it’s taken him a few runs – but he’s going the right way now.” Lucky Planet swept to successive wins with a four-length romp in the second section of the Class 4 Dianthus Handicap (1200m) for Cody Mo. Urged to the front by Matthew Chadwick, the Pariah gelding ran his rivals ragged to continue the form which delivered a solid Sha Tin victory on 23 March. Benno Yung posted his 100th winner at Happy Valley when Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS) graduate Day Day Victory finished powerfully under Alexis Badel to land the Class 5 Aster Handicap (1000m). “That’s great,” Yung said of the milestone. “This horse is a late maturer, so I think he can still improve. He has just taken time to mature.” Tonight’s success boosted Yung’s career tally to 354 before fellow HKIS purchase Management Folks paraded his stamina with a tough win in the Class 4 Bellflower Handicap (2200m) under Karis Teetan for David Hall. Hong Kong racing continues with the Easter Sunday meeting at Sha Tin on 20 April. By Leo Schlink

The Richard Fourie – Alan Greeff partnership should have a very good at Fairview on Friday with a number of outstanding winning chances. It could starts as early as Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1200m, with Augusta Rosso. This Eric The Red filly received plenty of betting support on debut but found more experienced rival Bonjour La Ville a bit too speedy on the day, but she did run with plenty of merit. Augusta Rosso was doing her best work late and she will have learned plenty from that debut performance. She will be hard to beat. So too should stable companion Lady Silvano in Race 3, a Conditions Plate for fillies and mares over 2000m. This Fourie-ridden Greeff-trained filly has got better with each run this season. She picked up her fifth career win last time out on the Polytrack over 1600m but is just as good over this distance. Although she does give weight away to all her rivals she is clearly the one to be with. The feature on this card comes up in Race 8, the Listed East Cape Nursery over 1200m where Greeff has a very strong hand. Unbeaten Canford Cliffs filly Direct Hit has been very impressive to date, winning both her starts. She won on debut at this track over 1000m by a wide margin and followed that with a raid to the Western Cape to win the Grade 3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, by 2.75 lengths. Jockey Fourie was aboard her for both those wins and it will take a very good one to beat her. Stable companion and another Canford Cliffs filly, Hot Sauce, could be anything. The filly was very impressive over the course and distance on debut and will not go down easily. Clive Robinson