LEAPING STAR

Two weeks ago, this horse performed poorly over a Sha Tin 1400m turf track, slow to jump and settling towards the rear with an even pace but lacking any significant acceleration. He finished well-beaten. Switching to dirt over a mile now, it’s his first attempt at this distance; he benefits from a one-pound weight reduction, but the distance is not ideal and he drew an outside barrier requiring a hold-up tactic. However, his finishing kick was insufficient against rivals, and despite some late work on the gate, it's recommended to observe his performance in this race first.