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Longines Hong Kong Sprint preview

The traditional end-of-year finale in Hong Kong with Hong Kong International Raceday, featuring some of the best of the world's bloodstock. Studying hard for the previews has been Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke


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Longines Hong Kong Sprint
Group 1, 1200m
Sha Tin 1440 Local Time, 1740 AEST 0640AM BST
(ODDS LISTED WERE BEST AVAILABLE AT TIME OF WRITING)

1 Mr Stunning (9/4): G1 runner-up by a neck to Lucky Bubbles earlier in the season. Career best runs, including the trial last time. The one to beat.

2 Lucky Bubbles (7/2): Hugh Bowman gets on board, won the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize earlier in the season. Unlucky short head second in this last year. Had absolutely no luck in the trial, likely to be in the finish, as per usual.

3 Peniaphobia (33/1): Second three years ago, won this two years ago and third 12 months ago. One of the pacemakers in this but not going as well as he can.

4 Thewizardofoz (11/1): Fifth in the trial, has probably had his chance to win a G1 and proved to be a bit disappointing.

5 Amazing Kids (10/1): Good second in the trial, can finish in a similar position for sure.

6 Not Listenin’tome (40/1): Has drawn wide and has proven to be inconsistent. Had his chance to win a G1.

7 Signs Of Blessing (25/1): Should’ve won this last year after drawing horribly and exploding home. Third in last year’s G1 Diamond Jubilee then won the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest then fourth in the G1 British Champions Sprint then ran enormous in this. Has been a bit inconsistent this year however. Produced a career best when beating Profitable with a weight penalty at Deauville followed by a disappointing Diamond Jubilee and Prix Maurice de Gheest run. Then a fast G3 victory at his beloved Deauville and then ran a career worst in the Prix de l’Abbaye. If in the form 12 months ago he wins, question is, is he? I don’t think so.

8 The Right Man (40/1): The other European/French horse that won the G1 Al Quoz Sprint earlier in the year in Dubai. G3 win at Maisons-Laffitte last time, outsider though as he needs a soft track.

9 Blizzard
(18/1): Fifth in G1 Sprinters Stakes last time at Nakayama in Japan. On that run can get into the finish here. However was beaten by Let’s Go Donki and Once In A Moon.

10 D B Pin (12/1): Very good run in the trial when third, has drawn awkward however.

11 Stormy Liberal (33/1): American that won the Turf Sprint at the Breeders’ Cup last time after a perfect run over the likes of Marsha and a disappointing Lady Aurelia, needs to confirm.

12 Let’s Go Donki (20/1): Japanese Classic winner that was second in the G1 Sprinters last time, regaining form but doubt that is good enough.

13 Once In A Moon (33/1): Brilliant third in the Sprinters last time in Japan when just caught in the last 100m. Gets a perfect draw to go to the front.


Ratings: (1) MR STUNNING - (2) LUCKY BUBBLES - (7) SIGNS OF BLESSING - (10) D B PIN - (5) AMAZING KIDS - (9) BLIZZARD - (8) THE RIGHT MAN - (13) ONCE IN A MOON - (11) STORMY LIBERAL - (12) LET’S GO DONKI

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