Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Sha Tin

Race 5: The G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m)

#3 Waikuku narrowly missed last start behind Admire Mars in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. Prior though, he beat Beauty Generation twice, including in his G2 Jockey Club Mile score two starts ago. He’s a genuine star on the rise and he can cement his position as Hong Kong’s next big thing with a win in Sunday’s HK$10 million G1. #1 Beauty Generation has had his colours lowered on three occasions this season after winning 10 consecutive races, including five at G1 level. Still, although he’s lost his invincible aura, he’s still a champion who is going to fighting out the finish as he bids to win back-to-back Stewards’ Cups. #2 Rattan steps back up to a mile after his mid-career switch to sprinting which relinquished a G2 score last season and G1 placing at his final run following that. He’s been effective over the mile and the quick step up to that distance poses no threat, as this field falls away outside of the top two. #5 Furore is the reigning BMW Hong Kong Derby champion. He steps out over 1600m following a minor setback over Christmas. He can figure with the right run as he has the class, though, he’ll be more effective over 2000m in the future.

Race 7: The G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m)

#2 Hot King Prawn has returned from his bout with colic in excellent order, a first-up second behind Aethero at G2 level, before notching up another second behind stablemate Beat The Clock in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. He comes into this with those two runs under his belt which suits and if he’s improved his condition from last start, then he’s the one to beat for Karis Teetan. #1 Beat The Clock was that winner of the Hong Kong Sprint and he’s looking for back-to-back wins in this race as well as a fourth career G1. Joao Moreira sticks aboard here and he’s going to get every chance to show his class. #3 Mr Stunning returned from a lengthy lay off to grab eighth first-up before his narrow fourth in the Hong Kong Sprint behind Beat The Clock. He was a winner third-up last season and he appears to have put all of his injury concerns behind him. He deserves respect. #4 Full Of Beauty comes out of the Hong Kong Sprint also. He’s drastically improved across his short 12-start career in Hong Kong, rising from Class 4 this time last year, to G1 level. He’s up to this and he can’t be discounted here.