[Kitan]

No North American raiders this year but I'm here in HK this weekend and might as well get some picks up. Looks a great card as always. Saturday night in North America.

Race 4 (Vase):
#4 Exultant: Back to his best trip and Purton returns. Expecting to see him sit a bit closer as he did when running this distance last season.
#10 Lys Gracieux: Twice second to Deirdre and showed a good turn of foot to take out a G1 last time. Moreira has been giving confident quotes on her.
#2 Pakistan Star: Can forgive his last as he was caught up chasing a speed duel. Can win if he decides he wants to run. Buick gave him a perfect ride from an inside draw late last season and can do the same here. Just can't have him at the low odds he's currently quoted at here in HK.
#12 Eziyra: Didn't get a bad trip from post 14 at Churchill but it was a front-dominated race. Better trip looming here at good odds.

Race 5 (Sprint):
#8 Winner's Way: Well weighted compared to handicap tries and drawn the inside. A step slow to start last time but reeled off the fastest final 400m of the race. Best races on a "good" track, which most likely will be the case here.
#2 Mr Stunning: Last year's winner has given away 11 and 5 lbs to #5 in their last two, never mind the fact that last out he was three deep no cover. 11 for 12 in the exacta on a "good" track.
#4 Beat The Clock: Ultra consistent and definitely needed the run off the layoff last time.
#5 Hot King Prawn: Could be the next superstar but has to prove it on even weights. Won't be a surprise winner but currently odds-on in the HK market.

Race 7 (Mile):
#2 Persian Knight: Drawn wide but he's won a G1 with a huge stretch burst from post 18. Right-handed mile is his best game and he looks a great chance.
#4 Mozu Ascot: Can forgive his last as he was tremendously sweaty pre-race and didn't have the clearest of runs in the stretch. Always thereabouts otherwise and is a G1 winner.
#1 Beauty Generation: Highest-rated turf mile specialist is odds-on for a reason, but have to wonder if that huge performance, where he was also drifting all over the place in the stretch when setting a new course record, took a lot out of the tank.
#7 Fifty Fifty: Up in trip to the mile should bring a better performance from him.

Race 8 (Cup):
#9 Deirdre: G1 winning filly has a blistering late kick and is unbeaten over the distance.
#1 Sungrazer: G1 placed at a mile and this distance against quality runners in Japan.
#2 Time Warp: Lead or bust, but doesn't seem like #8 will be sent to duel again.
#5 Gold Mount: Can clunk up for a piece.

Good luck!