Falvelon, winner of the Hong Kong Sprint (HK-II) two years running, and the Japanese speedster Believe were drawn either side of the straight course with Australian champion Falvelon in post 1 while the Japanese hope was drawn wide in post 14. Hong Kong's top rated sprinter, All Thrills Too, drew in post 2 next to Falvelon while American ace Texas Glitter drew wide in 13.
Falvelon's trainer Dan Bougoure was not unhappy to draw the rail even though he had hoped for a middle gate. "The race is early so you would think there'd be nothing wrong with the ground inside early in the day and we've got the right jockey in Damien Oliver," he said. "The horses do tend to fan across the track at the finish of this race so a run should come for him."
Falvelon has won the race from posts 4 and 5 in the past two years.
Anabatik, from post 3, may well be the early leader with Shonan Kampf and Cape of Good Hope--from 10 and 9 respectively--hustling forward.
Trainer's wife Alex Greeves said of British hope Continent "He's inclined to miss the break, there is speed all over so he should get a decent lead and will be doing his best work at the end."
The Japanese sprinter Shonan Kampf will start from gate 10. Owner Tetsuhide Kunimoto commented, "The tenth position is what I wanted to have, so I am very lucky."
Hong Kong Sprint (HK-II), five furlongs
PP, Horse, Country
1, Falvelon, Aust.
2, All Thrills Too, HK
3, Anabatik, HK
4, Mistegic, Aust.
5, Firebolt, HK
6, Zipping, Fr.
7, Malhub, GB
8, Slap Shot, Italy
9, Cape of Good Hope, HK
10, Shonan Kampf, 10
11, Continent, GB
12, Agnetha, Ire.
13, Texas Glitter, USA
14, Believe, Jpn
