3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - CHENGDU HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.33 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: PEGASUS GLORY (AUS 4yo g Wandjina – Cupid Shuffle) looked the one to beat off a sparkling debut over the flying 1000m on September 6 to get his career underway. And Jimmy Ting found the perfect race to go second-up, the promising four-year-old putting them away after receiving a nice run fifth on the outer under Derek Leung in the rise to 1200m. He didn't dash away from them, but looks a horse that will keep on improving, and may tackle even more ground yet. He was a $A100,000 sale at the Gold Coast yearling sales, contested three trials in Australia under Adam Duggan before his export to Hong Kong. Bright future.
Runner-up: GINTOKI used early pace to sit third and there to strike on the corner. Stuck to his guns admirably in the home stretch and offered good resistance to the winner who looked set to run right away from them. First time in the top three in 15 starts in Hong Kong after winning four races in Australia as 'Legadema' for Brad Widdup. Better to follow.
Run Of The Race: The watch horse is RUN RUN GOOD, an Argentinian bred by Grand Reward who made his race debut for Manfred Man. With star rider Zac Purton on board he looked a little lost early but offered plenty to like in the run home, making up many lengths to dash into fourth. A 1400m to 1600m horse for sure.
Disappointment: MARVELOUS FANS had good support on the tote but did not threaten them today.
Comparison: Outside standard in a race where the muddled the tempo somewhat. No indication of true track conditions.
Market Mover: PEGASUS GLORY $2.00 to $1.70
Suspended: Joao Moreira (MARVELOUS FANS) lack of vigour late in the race. two days.
RACE 2 - CHONGQING HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:47.65 Standard Time: 1:47.35 Course/Class Record: 1:46.18
Winner: LONDON HALL (NZ 6yo g He's Remarkable – La Memoire) has a very handy record and he returns off a nice spell to extend that to five wins from 20 starts which is good work in Hong Kong. The Kiwi-bred last ran in May when he produced a rare failure, went to the paddock and returns in grand order for David Hall. He'd won two in a row over 2000m earlier this year so the 1800m was never going to be an issue for him today despite the lengthy time away from the track. He started off as a 49 point rater and now pushes his way towards 80 points and a date with the Class 2horses. Great effort. And he'll only be better with a run or two under the belt. Alexis Badel bags another win, a jockey on the rise in his first fulltime contract.
Runner-up: VINCY was brave as usual, but as usual he didn't win. That's 22 starts in Hong Kong without being able to salute. He is a race winner, having won two from three starts in Ireland before making his way to Hong Kong. A good return to the track without doubt, he will definitely win his race in the short term at the staying distances.
Run Of The Race: LONDON HALL gave them every opportunity to be too sharp for him but his consistent finishing bust along the inside was just too much for the ones that peaked on their runs late.
Disappointment: HAPPY SEBRING could not get the job done with 130lb on his back in his first run back this season. A horse that will work his way to form again and hard to be critical of him today.
Comparison: Three-tenths outside standard in a muddling old affair until they all decided to get on the march.
Market Mover: GOD OF DRAGON $7.00 to $5.30
Fined: Zac Purton (VINCY) $10,000 for marking the horse
RACE 3 - NANNING HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:34.84 Standard Time: 1:34.70 Course/Class Record: 1:33.78
Winner: LIGHT MY DAY (AUS 5yo g Dawn Approach – Clothilde) was twice a winner in Perth, Australia for trainer Rhys Radford at 1400m in 2018 and hadn't kicked a goal in Hong Kong in nine previous starts in Hong Kong until today. In-form jockey Derek Leung, already successful today, had him pinging along in front throughout and they just couldn't catch him. Big win coming off a steady fifth at 1400m on September to get his 2020-2021 season underway. Dennis Yip has a few showing some form in the early season and this horse should hold his form for the stable given he will remain in Class 4.
Runner-up: JIMMU spat the bit out before the home turn and Joao Moreira had to get him back into action again as the speed came right into the race. He was never a threat to the winner but he was brave in the chase, running on best of the rest in quite a dour final 300m. Still short of his best trips, he'll find winning form at some stage over 1800m to 2000m or beyond.
Run Of The Race: LIGHT MY DAY superior, they all their chance to sprint off the corner and put him to the sword but his resolute attitude was too sharp for all-comers. NATURAL STORM looked as though he'd win the race on the corner, was jogging, hit a real flat patch soon after, then rallied well late to grab third.
Disappointment: GOOD DAYS was one expected to enjoy the 1600m second up and with a run under the belt quite disappointing. Back to June 2019 since he last won but his form will pick up as he gets more racing under the belt.
Comparison: Slow again, track might be on the slower side of good based on what we've seen so far.
Market Mover: NATURAL STORM $4.90 to $3.30
RACE 4 - CHENGDU HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.43 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: EVERYONE'S DELIGHT (NZ 4yo g El Roca – Catch Your Idol) was fantastic in winning on debut. The gaps were needed from fourth the fence and not coming at the 300m mark, rider Zac Purton had to shoulder his way underneath the well-backed favourite Easy Fit to find a gap. The run finally came and this son of El Roca, a $NZ80,000 buy at the Ready To Run Sale in New Zealand, burst on the scene to win going away, no better way to start his racing career. One trial for Will Clarkson in Australia before export, he has had an injury so time has been his friend. Trainer Frankie Lor has plenty to look forward to with this horse. Dam won at 1850m and he may well stretch further than the 1200m of today's race.
Runner-up: HARD PROMISE raced on pace and kicked back strongly under pressure, only bowing very late to the charging winner. A good rise in effort from the well-tried seven-year-old in his first outing this season. He'd been unable to win in 10 starts last season falling from a rating of 70 to today's rating of 50 points so he's found his position again in the ratings. The Class 4 win should come as a result.
Run Of The Race: LUCKY QUALITY trailed and was solid late, needed space off the turn that wasn't quite there too, so in shifting ground his effort was a nice one. Two starts two second placings this season and poised to gain his breakthrough success for a red-hot stable of Caspar Fownes. Now five times placed from nine starts in Hong Kong.
Disappointment: EASY FIT took the majority of the tote support in being strongly backed from $5.00 into $3.00 at the jump. A trial winner for Robert Hickmott in Australia and then on-sold, he was a $NZ90,000 yearling out of New Zealand initially. He'd not been pushed in three recent trials leading into the race day debut and expected to win for John Size. Quite dour under pressure but a run forgivable.
Comparison: Outside standard and we can safely say the track is slightly on that dead side of good.
Market Mover: EASY FIT $5.00 to $3.00
RACE 5 - SHANGHAI HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.93 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.31
Winner: SKY FIELD (AUS 4yo g Deep Field – Laravissante) was expected to win - and did. Though, many may have thought he would win a lot easier than he did. Put it down to a very good day at school for him. Only his fifth start to the races and still very raw, he missed the kick to settle last, then ran up on heels when the pace came right out the race early. Joao Moreira guided him through it all, showed him space off the home turn and he was too good, running quite greenly in the straight. Not his sparkling best today but good enough to win and that is what matters most. Expect a much sharper version next time to races.
Runner-up: KEEP YOU WARM was awesome. Unplace din seven starts last season and struggling to find his form after winning in Great Britain, the Irish-bred three-year-old was much improved second up for the season after a pipe-opener at Happy Valley on September 9. Outside leader throughout he booted strongly under SKY FIELD, belying his formline. Francis Lui looks like he has found the key to success with this horse.
Run Of The Race: KEEP YOU WARM was the standout given his effort against a very good horse at odds of 30/1.
Disappointment: The only disappointment was the fact SKY FIELD did not let down like we know he can. We did expect a blitz once he sprinted for him so to see him race greenly and lay in was quite deflating.
Comparison: Finally, they run one under standard. Something a little more genuine as far as tempo is concerned and put that down to KEEP YOU WARM rolling along outside the leader.
Market Mover: SKY FIELD $1.20 to $1.10
RACE 6 - SHENGYANG HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.42 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:09.24
Winner: FOX CHEUNGER (AUD 6yo g Hussonet – Belle d'Orleans) had spent the entire season in Class 5 last term, won a race in February off a career-low 22 rating points and struggled after. The break between seasons seems to have improved him somewhat, a decent showing for fourth to start the season and straight into his work second up, Joao Moreira proving the good jockeys can still make a difference to the battling Class 5 horses, as well as the good ones. He's an honest toiler the 'Fox', rated 28 points into this race and still some way from a return to Class 4 and that 40-point level. So, there's another win in him soon, carried just 121lb to take this out and the extra weight shouldn't stop him.
Runner-up: FOR FUN'S SAKE was the horse they backed quite heavily before barrier-rise and his performance certainly matched the betting confidence. Seven previous race starts and his best effort an eighth (twice already this season) would not tempt a punter, but better was obviously expected after dropping from Class 4 into Class 5 for the first time. And he delivered with a strong bid, bottled up well back on the fence he was the decisive mover in the home straight. Horse to be on whenever he strikes Class 5 company.
Run Of The Race: FOR FUN'S SAKE the standout, really good effort. SPICY REALLY did a good job to come from near last and finish fifth, had to run 21.85 (800m to 400m) to keep in touch and sustained that effort.
Disappointment: THE ABRAXAS ran on pace as he does and had his chance but soon battling off the home turn today. He is more a Happy Valley leader.
Comparison: Much more upbeat, good speed set by the Class 5 gallopers, perhaps suggesting others races had been tempo related, not track related.
Market Mover: FOR FUN'S SAKE $24.60 to $13.40, SPICY REALLY $20.10 to $11.10
RACE 7 - THE NATIONAL DAY HANDICAP, HK $3,500,000
Group 3 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:55.84 Standard Time: 0:55.95 Course/Class Record: 0:55.16
Winner: COMPUTER PATCH (AUS 4yo g Exceed And Excel – Girl Hustler) simply second-rates this field, controlled all the pace at the front end under a red-hot Joao Moreira and booted away under a hold. Quite the hollow victory in a prestigious Group 3 event on National Day. Fourth win from nine starts in Hong Kong and one of the genuine contenders at the top level in the sprinting races this season. He did in Australia, as 'Sun Patch' for Ron Quinton in Sydney and won his two-year-old debut on the Kensington track in February 2019. One of the horses John Moore did not walk away from too easily when he retired, he is now with Tony Cruz and on his way to better things. Joao's third win in succession as he makes his mark early on the jockey's premiership.
Runner-up: JOLLY BANNER brave as always, last off the jump and just happy to roll along behind them, easily second-best on the day. Great start to his season, the warrior twice second and banking very good money without winning.
Run Of The Race: COMPUTER PATCH on another level. GOLD CHEST was pretty solid in third and he wins again immediately when back in Class 2 company.
Disappointment: VICTORIAM was cheeky for a while but he quickly folded and seemed to pull up very short. Vetted, no significant findings.
Comparison: A touch under standard, remembering the winner could have gone a whole lot faster had he been pushed.
Market Mover: GOLD CHEST $6.80 to $4.80
RACE 8 - JINAN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.89 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: ANGEL OF MY EYES (NZ 4yo g Niagara – Rose Chapel) suggested he would win next time around when he peaked late on his run on September 6 in finishing second to a handy horse in Leap Of Faith. He led that day, Zac Purton altered the tactics a little this time and positioned the son of Niagara fifth the outer and comfortable, always looking ominous. It wasn't easy, he met an improved MIGHTY POWER who lifted every stride. There is something about this horse, though, perhaps he's a long way from realising his full potential? He might win narrowly or lose narrowly for a while. He's exciting because there seems to be a lot of improvement left in that big frame.
Runner-up: MIGHTY POWER has found quick form since transferring to the stable of David Hayes, two very forward performances this season out of his new surroundings. A one-time winner in New Zealand, he arrived with quite a moderate record and struggled over two seasons, just 12 starts without recording a top three finish. Hayes seems to have found something and whatever it is, it is working. Class 4 victory should follow given the effort in his performance today.
Run Of The Race: SEAWEED FORTUNE surprised many with a brilliant win first up for the season and though he didn't repeat those deeds his fast-finishing effort t run fourth from last on the inner at the turn was a highlight. The son of Tavistock looms like a very handy 1600m horse and Francis Lui will no doubt get him there in the next start or two.
Disappointment: SUMSTREETSUMWHERE heavily backed third time in a row this season, third time unsuccessful. Again, the same as he had delivered in the previous two, there to strike but quite plain the final 250m.
Comparison: Right on the standard, looked quite stop-start again.
Market Mover: SUMSTREETSUMWHERE $6.20 to $2.70
Suspended: Chad Schofield (MIGHTY POWER) careless riding at the 300m. Two days. Also fined $25,000.
RACE 9 - TANJIN HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:20.92 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: CIRCUIT HASSLER (NZ 8yo g Shocking – Zaquabeel) won just his second race in 50 starts in Class 4 to end his 2019-2020 season and returns to the same track three months later in Class 3 to do the same, a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the now eight-year-old who has been a stalwart of the Tony Cruz stable all that time, so obviously a stable favourite. A much stronger tempo in this race suited him, well off the bit early in the run to keep in touch he was a long way from the leaders before making his run around the home turn. Strong and sustained his finish from well back to score, and punters rejoiced, $11 to $6 a good plunge. The Sha Tin 1400m has always been his favoured option, Cruz no doubt searching the programmes for the next one.
Runner-up: HEZA BEAUTY was fashionably slow away as per usual, settled second-from-last and a long way off them tracking the winner. Joao picked a path through the middle of the pack off the turn and he looked likely to win under the 116lb, coming up just shy as the former, also with a light weight, outstayed him over that final 100m. John Size has him going well, a good consistent horse lightly raced and plenty of improvement to come from him in just his second preparation.
Run Of The Race: The first two were very good from the rear and take the honours but worthy of mention FLYING MIGHTY who was a detached last in running and still there on the turn, getting home strongly for fifth. Twice he's caught the eye at 1400m and David Hall obviously looking at more ground for the former Kim Waugh-trained gelding who won two-from-two in New South Wales as 'Hussonibis'.
Disappointment: MARVEL DRAGON was stranded three-wide without cover on quite strong sectionals and had no answer when the pressure went on. He'll rectify that in that near future. Rider stated abnormal breathing noises.
Comparison: Finally, they decide to scoot along and are just three-tenths outside record speed. It took the major part of the card to arrive at this point.
Market Mover: CIRCUIT HASSLER $11.30 to $6.30
Suspended: C Y Ho (WORLD FAMOUS) careless riding at the 400m – two days. Also fined $30,000.
RACE 10 - BEIJING HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 100-80 - Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:20.93 Standard Time: 1:21.35 Course/Class Record: 1:20.29
Winner: MIGHTY GIANT (NZ 5yo g Power – Wanderov) too big, too powerful, just a giant. That's four in a row and five of his last six in the winners circle for the big boy, his rise so rapid he's made his way from a fledgling Class 4 horse rated 52 points to now beyond 90 points in seven starts. He was bought out of the South Island of New Zealand after being prepared by Ross Beckett and did win two trials but was unraced. He's likely exceeded expectations, certainly thrilling connections with his will to win. Zac Purton grabs a late double to make it three for the day in guiding him over outside the leader and pouring the pressure into the race to have others off the bit off the home turn. A grind that last 100m but Zac had it in command. Ricky Yiu has a beauty here.
Runner-up: NOT USUAL TALENT chased his fellow Kiwi home in grand fashion, a lovely way to begin his new campaign after a quiet and unsuccessful seven-race season in 2019-2020. He'd won three in quick succession a season earlier and risen quickly in the ratings and had not been sighted on race day since February. An excellent return that should translate into winning form again soon.
Run Of The Race: STAR SHINE rocketed home from a mile back, the sparingly-raced son of Magic Albert now into his fourth season in Hong Kong with just 22 starts in that time. Encouraging signs in 2020-2021 from him, two big finishes from the rear at 1400m now and trainer Francis Lui might be thinking a little harder about a crack at a mile, a distance he's never tried. Having won at Happy Valley towards the end of last season he has proven versatile enough.
Disappointment: BEAUTY LEGACY gave a kick on the bend but once MIGHTY GIANT put his head in front he offered little resistance. AMAZING CHOCOLATE raced handier than usual and queried, returned with blood in the trachea.
Comparison: And another good solid one to end the day, the tighter-assessed gallopers certainly able to lift the momentum late in the day.
Market Mover: AMAZING CHOCOLATE $22.10 to $9.90