3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - THE ARGONAUT PLATE, HK $850,000
GRIFFIN – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:56.66 Standard Time: 0:56.80 Course/Class Record: 0:56.00
Winner: LIKE THAT (AUS 2yo g Akeed Mofeed – Calemore) raced a little keenly when he debuted here on April 12 but John Moore got things on track and a switch in tactics seemed to get the two-year-old on a more even keel. After leading on debut, he was able to sit off the lead this time, showing good power late down the outside fence to run down leader and warm favourite SMILING FACE. By former Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Cup winner Akeed Mofeed, he's closely related to former VATC One Thousand Guineas winner Lady Of The Pines. LIKE THAT was sold to George Moore for $A200,000 at the Adelaide Magic Millions Sale in 2019.
Runner-up: SMILING FACE had his chance to win in the four-horse race but the former just had too much to offer over the final stages.
Run Of The Race: Nothing to report.
Disappointment: SUPER TEN was backed with some confidence but did not perform.
Comparison: A whisker under standard. Track looks as it will play well all day.
Market Mover: like that $5.50 to $4.80, SUPER TEN $5.60 to $4.60
RACE 2 - SPECIAL CARGO HANDICAP, HK $725,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – All Weather Track – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.69 Standard Time: 1:09.45 Course/Class Record: 1:08.46
Winner: DEMONS ROCK (IRE 5yo g Requinto – Afnoon) gets the gun run just behind the leaders under Zac Purton who makes it back-to-back wins to start the day. When the gap came they dashed through to finally break the maiden duck in Hong Kong, previously 24 starts without a victory. He'd won four from 10 starts in Great Britain so surprising it has taken so long to show his best form internationally. Just his second appearance on the all-weather track in Hong Kong.
Runner-up: EXPONENTS never stopped trying. Gallant the final 200m to keep sticking his nose out and grab second money from midfield the outer.
Run Of The Race: Both CORRIE RAPIDO and PLEASANT GUY were doing good work late from the back in a race where it was not really run to suit back-markers. PLEASANT GUY even a touch unlucky when squeezed early in the straight.
Disappointment: GRAND HARBOUR was well-backed late and took command under some comfortable sectionals so he perhaps should have done better.
Comparison: Quite mundane, they settled and rolled evenly then the leaders kicked off the bend to give the back runners plenty to do.
Market Mover: GRAND HARBOUR $8.60 to $6.00
RACE 3 - THE QUEEN MOTHER MEMORIAL CUP, HK $3,250,000
GROUP 3 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 2400m – Track Good
Time: 2:27.05 Standard Time: 2:26.35 Course/Class Record: 2:24.60
Winner: CHEFANO (SAF 5yo g Silvano – Valdovino) is allowed his own terms early in the race and that paid dividends later for the South African-bred gelding. Just one win in Hong Kong from 15 previous starts, his record improves dramatically with this Group 3 victory at 2400m, his first attempt beyond 2000m for trainer John Moore. Tackled and headed at the 800m, rider Matthew Chadwick sat quietly when under siege some way from home and had plenty left in the tank, the duo kicking away to bolt in. A winner at 1800m on two occasions in South Africa before heading to Hong Kong.
Runner-up: SAVVY NINE was given every chance to win the race by Joao Moreira, sitting fourth of five in the small field and fourth the outer with cover coming to the business end. But he failed to get the final 300m of this stern 2400m test and the winner was clearly the best stayer on the day.
Run Of The Race: CHEFANO led and cruised away, he was a fair margin superior to them.
Disappointment: Favourite HELENE LEADINGSTAR made an interesting move 1000m out to increase the tempo but was from there stuck three-wide outside the leader and working too hard. But quickly faded at the turn. As did EAGLE WAY under the top weight.
Comparison: Well outside standard and no tempo in the contest until the half-mile when EAGLE WAY popped off the rail to push HELENE LEADINGSTAR three-wide.
Market Mover: HELENE LEADINGSTAR $2.50 to $2.10
RACE 4 - ISLE OF MAN HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:55.79 Standard Time: 0:56.85 Course/Class Record: 0:55.12
Winner: FABULOUS EIGHT (AUS 4yo g Dream Ahead – Coco Kerringle) secures his first win in Hong Kong off three minor placings in six previous attempts spread over 18 months. He was bought by Ricky Yiu for $NZ170,000 at the NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale in 2017. Just the perfect draw for him today as favourite, drawing gate 13 and one from the outside rail. Joao Moreira soon had him in the box seat tracking the leader at the outward rail and though appearing flat for a few strides when asked to go he really dug into his work to get a good win.
Runner-up: KINDA COOL was excellent on debut. The Kiwi-bred by Per Incanto showed good talent for Ben Foote in New Zealand in two trials and was exported to Hong Kong. He had to use the centre of the track where inexperienced can easily become lost, but he kept gunning for home and was very strong in his first attempt. To 1200m and a couple of turns he may well show his very best for the Frankie Lor stable.
Run Of The Race: Another New Zealand trial-winning import FLYING SPIRIT is the eye-catcher, a long way from them at the 500m and half-way mark but he stretched out very nicely in the middle to lower-half of the track to run the best final sectional of 21.57. Mark him down. He'll get 1200m and more.
Disappointment: MAJESTIC CONQUEROR had the fast lane out wide and shared pace but tired latter stages.
Comparison: Quick one this, set up by DREAM TEAM who set a good clip out in front on the outside rail. A nice improvement from him, fighting back to run third when headed.
Market Mover: DREAM TEAM $15.60 to $10.90
RACE 5 - BRANDY SNAP HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:08.70 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.32
Winner: QUADRUPLE DOUBLE (AUS 4yo g Zoustar – Jessica Rose) extends a splendid record for Australian horseman David Hall, grabbing win four in start 18 with eight minor placings to add. He was back on the fresh side having been last seen on February 12 at 1000m when he failed. Regular rider Matthew Poon box-seated the gelding from a nice handy alley and they dashed away inside the final furlong. Each of his four wins have been at 1200m at Sha Tin. He has always been noted as an on-speed runner.
Runner-up: HAPPY ALUMNI was troublesome pre the race and after missing the kick back third-from last. Angled wide to make his run at the 400m he dashed home very strongly once again, a trademark from him (22.16, a race best last 400m). Near best in the race again.
Run Of The Race: MIG ENERGY comes from last on the fence near the turn to pick gaps after straightening and he thundered home to pick the majority up to run third (22.22). A little disappointing to date he's now on the up and will be winning one soon. The bigger track and the 1200m on Sha Tin, as opposed to Happy Valley, looks his favoured option. He won a $A120,000 race for Brent Stanley in Melbourne on debut.
Disappointment: With the money on BEAUTY LOYAL had reason to run on better, a nice trip then wide with cover but he did not unleash.
Comparison: Speed was on, they easily bettered standard time and ran this at good pace throughout. Turf track upgraded from 'Good' to 'Good To Firm'.
Market Mover: BEAUTY LOYAL $10.00 to $5.80
RACE 6 - MANICOU HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – All Weather Track – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.85 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.14
Winner: LITTLE THUNDER (AUS 4yo g Hussonet – Smytzer's Thunder) attracted very strong tote support in the final 10 minutes of betting and they were bang on the mark. Straight to the fence from gate six he trailed a free-rolling leader STRIKING MR C and just had a beautiful slipstream into the race to kick strongly and win. His first from nine starts for Tony Millard. A $A90,000 yearling, he contested three trials for Steven O'Dea before export.
Runner-up: SKYEY SUPREME sat three-deep the fence and followed the winner through, trying hard but unable to run it out as strongly.
Run Of The Race: STAR SUPERIOR looks strong late to the eye and the sectionals back that up, running the quickest final 400m in 22.40 from last to fifth. EXCEL DELIGHT did well from back and wide and wide again the turn, tidy finish as usual.
Disappointment: STRIKING MR C may have over-raced a touch an that told late. He had them beaten on the corner but floundered late. Last start winner and well backed to double up in this one.
Comparison: Under standard and solidly run but a cruisy run early for the leading pair.
Market Mover: LITTLE THUNDER $15.60 to $8.30, STRIKING MR C $7.60 to $6.10
RACE 7 - NORMAN CONQUEROR HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:34.09 Standard Time: 1:34.90 Course/Class Record: 1:33.78
Winner: DECISIVE ACTION (IRE 4yo g Rip Van Winkle – Shared Experience) gets an absolute gun ride from Zac Purton, and this one goes down to him. From a middle gate he found three-deep the rail and spending no petrol, eased through one-off before the turn and soon away and gone. Just a perfectly executed ride. Amazingly no win or placed form in 13 Hong Kong starts and he won like an odds-on pop. A winner on debut as a two-year-old at The Curragh in May 2018. Two years later he finally breaks through again.
Runner-up: ENJOY LIFE certainly enjoyed the 1600m, rear and still back and very wide on the turn he charged home to grab his second consecutive second placing at 1600m at Sha Tin. His record has been a little thin the past year of so but he's really flying right now and deserves a Class 4 win.
Run Of The Race: ENJOY LIFE the pick of them, and BULLETPROOF from last was great making big ground alongside the inside rail over the final stages. He drew gate 14 and was exemplary with all things against him.
Disappointment: GALACTIC was once again heavily backed and once again did not perform. A head scratcher this one. Barrier trial and vetting required.
Comparison: Run eight-tenths of a second under standard so a very good clip set up-front.
Market Mover: NUREMBERG $71.60 to $43.60, ENJOY LIFE $17.80 TO $11.00, VITAL SPRING $22.60 to $14.80, LITTLE GENERAL $11.40 to $7.60
RACE 8 - INSULAR HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 2000m – Track Good TF
Time: 2:00.37 Standard Time: 2:02.35 Course/Class Record: 2:00.43
Winner: CHAMPION SUPREME (AUS 4yo g Denman – Future Choice) wins his fourth from 20 starts for John Moore and likely his best win, charging through the centre of the pack for Vagner Borges to seal his first win at 2000m, previously successful at 1600m and 1800m. He breaks the class record in running a very slick 2:00.57 for the trip. And recent form indicated a good one at 10-furlongs after running on strongly in numerous starts in 2020. He's really not bred to get to 2000m being by Denman and out of family limited to a mile.
Runner-up: CHARITY GO was close to being as good as the winner, out wider on the track from and doing more earlier in the run home. He never stopped trying in his seventh run since Jan 1.
Run Of The Race: A coin toss between first and second both horses performed admirably and clearly superior at the distance.
Disappointment: Favourites ENZEMBLE and DEFINING MOMENT loomed up on the turn as though they fight out the finish. Neither found the line and the latter weakened noticeably late on record speed. Nine starts in 2020 he may be at the end of his prep.
Comparison: Record run event, so the tongues were hanging out in the run home on a time that would test all runners.
Market Mover: GOD OF DRAGON $8.70 to $4.10
RACE 9 - MONAVEEN HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:21.72 Standard Time: 1:22.15 Course/Class Record: 1:21.08
Winner: MOMENTUM HAPPY (GB 4yo g Dubawi – Longing To Dance) had never led in seven previous attempts but dashes out of the gates to take command this time and was never headed, a big lift in form having missed a place in each of hose seven previous starts for Jimmy Ting. The blinkers on for the first time obviously key, the horse never looked like surrendering and punters got some a tote mover $23 to $13.
Runner-up: CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE hit the line hard from midfield, a bold sprint once he was balanced in the run home. A switch from 1650m at Happy Valley back to 1400m at Sha Tin has seen improved form and something trainer Tony Cruz will likely persevere with.
Run Of The Race: Two horses very good from the back, SAM'S LOVE and SPICY GRILL made up a lot of ground after having plenty to do chasing this free-running leader and winner. WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was very slow out and never close but his sectionals suggested it was a better run that it appeared.
Disappointment: PARTY GENIUS sat one-one at $2.40 for Zac Purton and failed to give a kick, soon well under pressure when asked to sprint.
Comparison: Under standard which has been the norm throughout the day on a perfect surface.
Market Mover: SPICY GRILL $28.30 to $16.40, MOMENTUM HAPPY $23.00 to $13.90
RACE 10 - GAME SPIRIT HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – All Weather Track – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.50 Standard Time: 1:08.70 Course/Class Record: 1:07.40
Winner: SILVER FIG (AUS 5yo g Hard Spun – Bonifacio) was sensational, best win of the day on either track. Slow from the outside gate and a clear last, he was still last 300m out and drawing to the outside. A brilliant burst of speed on the poly track to mow them down was superb, and well timed by the obviously rather talented French jockey Antoine Hamelin. He's scorched home in 21.83 the last 400m, the leader and runner up in 23.02. Now four wins from 14 starts he is versatile, two wins on the all-weather, two on the turf.
Runner-up: UTOPIA LIFE looked to have their measure at the furlong and only the grey ghost in Silver Fig wide out on the track was any chance to catch him. Surrendered to that explosive finish late in the piece but very sound again, the majority of his racing on the poly and he seems to appreciate this surface.
Run Of The Race: By the length of the straight – literally – SILVER FIG. An honourable mention to ELITE PATCH, eye-catching late from rear.
Disappointment: FLYING SWORD another favoured runner not at his best on the day.
Comparison: Under standard and solidly run, sectionally the leader probably should have had enough in reserve to hold on.
Market Mover: UTOPIA LIFE $7.30 to $3.60, FLYING SWORD $6.60 to $4.70
Fined & Suspended: Karis Teetan (COBY OPPA) fined $60,000 for causing interference at the 700m. Also suspended one meeting Happy Valley May 13.
RACE 11 - INCH ARRAN HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:21.43 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: BEAUTY SPIRIT (AUS 5yo g Duporth – Graces Spirit) wins the last, and to be fair he's not known as a winner often, just once had he been successful in 25 previous starts in Hong Kong and last a winner in March 2019. But he starts to find form again in an ease out of Class 1 and Class 2 into a now more suitable Class 3. He has paid for the fact he won the Group 2 Caufield Autumn Stakes in 2018 when known as 'Valiant Spirit'. A perfect ride, Neil Callan sitting him third in the trail and the day had to be today with that trip. Market confidence suggested a good run.
Runner-up: HELLO BEAUTY raced second throughout, hit the lead and looked the winner but the former just had too much in reserve for the final 200m dash to the winning post. Winless in Hong Kong, this horse was known as 'Fullazaboot' in Australia and his last start was in the $A2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2018 where he ran second to the brilliant Sunlight. Surely that form will surface internationally.
Run Of The Race: Nothing too spectacular here but GUY DRAGON hit the line well and may be suited at a mile at this stage of his career.
Disappointment: JENEAU PARK slow away and always in the rear division just didn't show up as the $4.10 favourite.
Comparison: Pushing a half-second under standard to finish the day as it rolled all day long.
Market Mover: BEAUTY SPIRIT $10.40 to $6.50, EVERYONE'S JOY $10.60 to $6.40, HELLO BEAUTY $13.90 to $7.80