EMBRACES

(8/30 Turf Trial 1000m: 11-11-7) Ran on a稍骑 (Slightly quick) pace, showing decent late speed. This is an early run this season; three months ago he ran over 1600m on Sha Tin turf and performed reasonably well. He was slow to break from the starting gate, settled towards the rear, accelerated midway, and pressed again in the final two sections. Fortunately, he was not far behind, finishing just a half-length back—demonstrating high class. After one trial run, he is not quite ready for a big race. Returning to Happy Valley turf over a mile this time, with three pounds less in the stall, he has two wins in this distance. His time figures are among the best for his class, and overall ratings place him highly in this race. The jockey and trainer's deployment is coordinated; the preparation is serious, and even if the position isn't ideal or he has to settle towards the rear with less finishing power than his rivals, he remains a candidate for placing.