1. MAURICE
Unbeaten in 6 starts last year to be named JRA Horse of the Year. Progressed to land first G1 in Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo in June. Won November’s G1 Mile Championship off a 5-month spell. Settled mid-division and three-wide during the race but won impressively by 1.3L. Dug deep to win Hong Kong Mile at course and distance in December latest. Settles behind the speed or midfield. Handles all going.
2. CONTENTMENT
Three-time course and distance winner. Breakthrough Group race win in HKG3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) first-up this term, then defeated top-class field in HKG2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m). Beaten next four including G1 Hong Kong Mile 5th. Maiden G1 win in February’s Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). Below-par latest. Sits handy and has led in the past. Likes fast ground.
3. GIANT TREASURE
A leading four-year-old last year. Came of age this term splitting Maurice and Able Friend in December’s G1 Hong Kong Mile. Followed up with breakthrough win in January’s G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m). Not at best second start at 2000m last time in G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup. Usually held up mid pack. No ground issues.
4. BEAUTY FLAME
Won Britannia Handicap (1600m) at Royal Ascot as 3yo. Developed into elite-grade miler last term running second to Able Friend in G1 Stewards’ Cup and G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. Caused upset to beat Able Friend in November’s G2 Jockey Club Mile. Best effort since was latest 2nd in G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). Missed latest planned engagement due to lameness. Usually leads. No ground worries.
5. BEAUTY ONLY
G3 winner at 1800m in Italy as a juvenile. Won the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile in January 2015. Opened this term with a late rush to land a 1400m Class 1 handicap. Solid efforts next five starts in high grade including 3rd in G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). Below par 5th on easy going in March Class 1. Landed HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) latest. Hold up runner. Relishes fast.
6. BOW CREEK
Progressed into high-class front-running miler in Europe with brace of G2 wins at the distance in summer 2014. Below-par two starts in 2015 for Godolphin and sent to Australia. Kicked off with 2nd to Turn Me Loose in 1600m G2 at Moonee Valley in October. Came from deep to win 1800m G2 Peter Young Stakes in February. Well-beaten in four G1s around that win, latterly 5th to Winx in Doncaster Mile (1600m). Tactically versatile. Handles soft but best on sound surface.
7. GUN PIT
Perfect 7 from 7 on Sha Tin’s dirt track. Sole turf win came in 1650m Happy Valley Class 4 in April 2014. Smart turf effort when running-on 6th to Secret Weapon in 1800m HKG3 at Sha Tin in February. Fine 2nd back to dirt next time in G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (2000m) at Meydan, Dubai. Failed to handle kick-back when eased to last in G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) at Meydan latest. Can settle back or handy. Possibly appreciates some give.
8. SAFETY CHECK
5 of 10 career wins achieved at Meydan, Dubai, the other 5 in England. Smart handicapper first two seasons, winning five from 17. Pattern race breakthrough win in January 2015 G2 Al Fahidi Fort (1400m) and backed up in G2 Zabeel Mile. Repeated in both contests this year, grinding home to nick the Zabeel Mile by a short-head. Usually dropped in mid-pack. Best on sound surface.
9. REWARDING HERO
Four-time course and distance winner who progressed through handicap grades to compete with the best. Ran 3rd behind Able Friend in January 2015 G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and 2nd to that rival in G1 Champions Mile that May. Well below par this term until course and distance Class 1 win in March. 2nd latest in HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m). Can sit handy or close from deep. No ground issues.
10. DUNDONNELL
Talented local sprinter on his day. Biggest success when defeating stablemate Gold-Fun to win 2015 HKG2 Sprint Cup (1200m). 4th in G1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and 3rd in HKG3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m) best efforts this term. Moderate both starts since for new stable. 1527m winner in England and 4th in 2012 G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at distance. Usually sits handy. Best on sound surface.
11. SECRET WEAPON
Five wins from 13 in Hong Kong, four at course and distance. Risen 29lb in ratings since October. First Pattern race attempt resulted in HKG3 win at 1800m in February. Kept on moderately next start upped to 2000m in G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup behind Designs On Rome. Solid 4th latest in HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) when outkicked by winner. Settles back. No ground issues.
12. PACKING PINS
Emerging talent with six wins from 12 starts. Leapt from Class 2 handicap to finish fair 5th in November’s G2 Jockey Club Mile, his first attempt at the distance. Narrowly denied by low-weighted rival in 1400m HKG3 handicap next start. Suffered eye injury during dirt barrier trial in January and not seen again until solid 3rd to Lucky Bubbles in HKG2 Sprint Cup (1200m) latest. Can settle back or race handily. All starts on good or good to firm.
