1

Lucky Nine

He won this race the last two years. The way he sprinted in the straight last year to beat Singapore's Emperor Max was spell-binding. But the globe-trotting Hong Kong sprinter has been mixing his form after that. He has had only five starts since then for a third in the HKG1 Chairman's Sprint Prize behind Gold-Fun. He was soundly beaten in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen two starts back. Perhaps age has caught up but, then again, never look down on a world-class sprinter.

2

Aerovelocity

This horse is in sizzling form. His last three runs were awesome. After scoring a narrow but deserving win over Peniaphobia in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m at Sha Tin last December, he was beaten by a mere short head by Gold-Fun in the HKG1 Chairman's Sprint Prize over the same course and distance on 15 Feb. Last start, he did Hong Kong proud by winning the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen over 1200m at Chukyo racecourse in Japan. He's definitely one of Hong Kong's brightest hopes.

3

Rich Tapestry

He is another of Hong Kong's heroes abroad. He won the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal over 1200m at Meydan in Dubai in March last year and followed up with a close second to Sterling City in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over 1200m on Dubai World Cup Night. Brought over to America, he captured the G1 Santa Anita Sprint over 1200m before finishing a dismal last in the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint over 1200m. He went back to Dubai for the Golden Shaheen in March and finished a gallant third to Secret Circle. He is very competitive at international level.

4

El Padrino

Has won in three countries -- Singapore, Dubai in a normal 1400m race but in track record time and in the Asia Challenge Cup in South Korea. The three-time G3 winner ran in this race last year but could only finish sixth to Lucky Nine. After winning his second SING3 Merlion Trophy in March he was invited to contest the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over 1200m later in the month and finished a creditable fourth to Secret Circle. He is more of a Polytrack and sand track galloper but he can spring a surprise on his day.

5

Zac Spirit

He sweated and played up before the start of this race last year, and that probably caused his downfall but yet he ran on a gallant third behind Lucky Nine and Emperor Max. He has been equally good and consistent this campaign, and just missed out of a back-to-back SING1 Lion City Cup last month, finishing second by a whisker. He will be renewing partnership with his former regular rider, Joao Moreira.

6

Emperor Max

The SING2 Stewards' Cup winner performed best of the Singapore horses in this race last year, finishing second to Lucky Nine. He was heading for a bright future but was struck by a bleeding attack after running second on 16 Nov. He resumed on 26 April and finished third in a blanket finish in the SING1 Lion City Cup over 1200m after looking the winner. He should have stripped fitter.

7

Magneto

The four-year-old never finished out of the first three in his first seven Kranji outings, winning three times with his speed, including the G3 Committee's Prize over 1600m in course record time (1min 33.28sec) which still stands. However, his last two starts, both in G3, were surprisingly below par. He was seventh and beaten about five lengths in his last start, the G3 Kranji Sprint won by Zac Spirit. He has to produce his A game to be a force to reckon with.

8

Hototo

Prior to his last-start dismal 15th of 16 runners in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint over the straight 1000m at Meydan on Dubai World Cup Night, the sparingly-raced four-time winner performed well with a win and a second but both were in ordinary races over the 1000m at Meydan, where he is currently based. He looks the wild card among the overseas entries.  

9

Kiwi Karma

This flying filly has yet to run a bad race. She was never out of the first two placings, winning six times, including one Group 2 and two Group 3s, until her last-start when she ran smack-up fourth in the SING1 Lion City Cup after hitting the front in the final 200m. That was her biggest test and she went down gallant in defeat. She is only three and would surely be a better prospect next year. Her trainer, however, is optimistic of a good run.