3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Tate's Cairn Handicap, HK 1,040,000
Class 4 – All Weather – Distance 1650m - Track Wet Slow
Time: 1:38.63 Standard Time: 1:38.90 Course/Class record: 1:37.74 Mission Bravo
Winner: HANDSOME TWELVE (AUS 4yo g More Than Ready – Absolutelyfabulous) got away well from an outside draw and was pushed along out of the barriers, with Zac Purton looking to get across as they began making the first turn. Purton was caught three-wide for some time, but was able to slot in one off the rail with 1300m left to run, sitting just forward of midfield. The Australian jockey lost plenty o positions turning off the back straight, being shuffled back due to a mix of mid-race moves and a slow tempo. The gelding continued to travel well though as they turned for home, with Purton picking his way through gaps and getting out into clear air with 300m to go. He sprinted brilliantly once clear to take the lead with 100m to run and he pulled away with every stride, bolting in by 2-1/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: SMART PATCH was a touch slow out from the barriers and was revved up by Karis Teetan right from the get-go, but he didn't muster much pace and settled in the back half of the field. Teetan was able to creep closer down the back straight, moving into the three-wide trail and building into the race as they turned off the back. He enjoyed cover right throughout the turn as Teetan was full throttle with 500m left to travel. He loomed up turning for home but was quickly gobbled up by the eventual winner. He stuck on bravely to run into second position, but the winner was just too good.
Run Of The Race: It's hard to go past the dominant performance of HANDSOME TWELVE, who stormed home over the concluding stages to dominate his rivals.
Disappointment: TEAM GOODLUCK enjoyed a cosy run throughout the event, holding a position just off the pace and one off the rail under Vincent Ho. He didn't have the best of luck turning for home, being momentarily held up on straightening, but he was very one-paced once clear. He finished 17-1/2 lengths off the winner in 12th place.
Comparison: Inside standard despite the wet surface.
Market Mover: EL VALIENTE and LUCKY VICTOR were both specked late in betting.
Race 2 – To Fung Shan Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 2000m - Track Good
Time: 2:03.36 Standard Time: 2:02.15 Course/Class record: 2:00.67 Full Power
Winner: ROBOT WARRIOR (AUS 6yo g Sepoy – Ancient Song) jumped on terms and showed good pace to get to the rail from barrier three, with Vincent Ho settling in a trailing position on the leader's back once fully into stride. He travelled comfortably throughout the back straight, and just needed a way clear as Ho began ramping up the pressure, getting off the rail with 500m to run. He was tucked in behind runners on straightening, but popped off heels with 300m to run, sticking on well to hold a narrow lead with 100m to go. It was a ding-dong battle over the final stages, with the second placegetter not letting up over the final stages, but the six-year-old was able to keep his nose in front and hold on for a narrow victory in a photo finish.
Runner-Up: RIGHT AS RAIN got away fairly and Zac Purton wasn't in a hurry early on, settling in the back half of the field as they rounded the first turn. Purton came away from the inside as they travelled down the back straight as the pace was moderate through the middle stages. He was travelling well through around the turn, with Purton having a strong hold of the gelding whilst many of his rivals were coming off the big passing the 500m point. He was letting down well as they straightened, with Purton having to shove his way clear with 350m to run. He continued to stick on well over the final stages, but couldn't get his nose in front of the winner in a head-bobbing finish.
Run Of The Race: RIGHT AS RAIN settled in the back half of the field and probably didn't have the tempo to suit as the leaders dawdled through the middle stages of the race. Despite this, Zac Purton was able to get him into a brilliant position turning for home and the six-year-old tried his heart out. He went down narrowly in the end, but there was plenty of merit in the run.
Disappointment: KYRUS UNICORN was heavily backed late in betting, but settled near the tail of the field after jumping fairly from barrier 2. Luke Currie found himself at the tail of the field as they turned out of the back straight, with the Australian giving the flashy grey every chance at the top of the straight. The gelding had built plenty of momentum turning for home and had clear galloping room at the top of the straight, but just didn't produce when placed under pressure, finishing 9-3/4 lengths away in 12th place.
Comparison: Over a second outside standard.
Market Mover: Plenty of money flying around late in betting. KYRUS UNICORN was heavily backed into $8.50, while RED ELYSEES also had plenty of support. VUKAN and DAILY CHARM were also tried at double figures.
Race 3 – Hung Mui Kuk Handicap, HK $2,400,000
Class 2 – Turf – Distance 2000m - Track Good
Time: 2:01.90 Standard Time: 2:01.55 Course/Class record: 1:59.53 Glorious Forever
Winner: RUNNING GLORY (NZ 4yo g Kermadec – Hannah Mary) was a touch slow out of the barriers under Antoine Hamelin, but mustered well to sit just worse than midfield as they travelled around the first turn. The pace quickened down the back straight and Hamelin was able to improve his position slightly, being midfield with 1000m to run and travelling comfortably throughout, as most of the leaders had not. The four-year-old got a nice cart into the race, but was very one-paced as they turned for home, seemingly hitting a flat spot between the 450m point and the 300m. He wound up though and hit top gear with 200m to run, bolting over the top of his rivals in the last 50m and inching away over the concluding stages to win by a half-length in great style.
Runner-Up: BOURBONAIRE got away well from an inside draw and held a slight advantage as they turned out of the home straight with a lap to go, but Vagner Borges allowed runners to cross him as he settled in a trailing position around the first turn. He was racing keenly passing the 16000m point, racing with the mouth open and getting his head up as they turned into the back straight as the pace slowed to a crawl. He settled better as some pace was injected into the event with 1400m to run, getting into his rhythm despite being shifted back to midfield. Borges began to work his way into the clear with 600m to run and placed the gelding under pressure shortly after, already having the four-year-old under the whip as they turned for home. He and the eventual winner made their runs together down the centre of the track, but he was unable to hold off the winner who was just too strong in the final stages. Bourbonaire finished a clear second, and looks to have a win in store.
Run Of The Race: BOURBONAIRE is much like our 'Run Of The Race' in the second event, where he was probably unsuited by the slow tempo early on. The slow pace caused him to over race around the first turn, taking him a while to settle into his stride. You can't fault his effort over the concluding stages though, and with a good gap back to third, he's worth following.
Disappointment: MONEY CATCHER jumped as the favoured runner and was able to get across and sit outside the lead relatively easy under Zac Purton. Although he was on the pace, he was like many who were keen through the early stages, but eventually settled once fully into stride down the back stretch. He travelled beautifully into the straight and looked as though he'd pick the leader up and run away with the race, instead he was very plain and one-paced. He was disappointing over the final stages, drifting back to finish 5 lengths off the pace in 5th position.
Comparison: Just outside standard.
Market Mover: TURIN REDSUN and BOURBONAIRE had their fans late in betting.
Race 4 – Sha Tin Pass Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good
Time: 1:22.64 Standard Time: 1:21.75 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Winner: GRACYLOVE (NZ 5yo g Shooting To Win – Turf Cutter Girl) was away on terms off the inside barrier, showing good pace to hold his position through the first 400m, before sliding back into a trailing position under Luke Ferraris. Once the field had sorted their order out, Ferraris was able to improve along the inside and sit on the leader's back as they turned out of the back straight, travelling comfortably through the middle stages as Ferraris began to shift away from the inside with 550m remaining. He travelled into the race very strongly, taking the lead with 350m to run with Ferraris still having a strong hold of the five-year-old. He quickened beautifully once the South African hoop pushed the button, extending the lead quickly and maintaining his advantage right to the finish, winning comfortably by 1-1/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: CHIRON got away on terms, with Vagner Borges snagging his mount back from the wide draw early on. Borges got into a position in the second half of the field, but had plenty of clear galloping room as the field strung out behind him. The gelding was 7 lengths off the lead as they travelled by the 800m marker, but that gap narrowed around the turn as the pace slackened through the middle stages. Borges decided to stick to the inside and ride for luck as they turned for home, having already placed the gelding under pressure with 500m to run. He ran on well along the inside, weaving his way inside, then outside to keep his run going, storming home over the final 150m to steal second position in a photo finish.
Run Of The Race: The win of GRACYLOVE was too good not to ignore, getting conditions to suit and making the most of them. CHIRON was also very eye-catching down the home stretch, and it wouldn't surprise to see him bob up again soon.
Disappointment: MOERAKI bounced well and used his pace to sit on the inside of the leader throughout the run. They went quick early, but he was able to catch his breath on the turn as they slowed the pace. He found nothing once Vincent Ho asked for an effort, being beaten passing the 300m point and continuing to drift back through the field, finishing in 9th place and beaten 4-1/4 lengths.
Comparison: Way outside standard time.
Market Mover: MOERAKI had his fans, while BEAUTY NOVA, FOREVER GLORIOUS and ALL IS READY were supported at big odds.
Race 5 – Piper's Hill Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – All Weather - Distance 1800m - Track Wet Fast
Time: 1:46.95 Standard Time: 1:48.05 Course/Class record: 1:46.46 Party Everyday
Winner: ROMANTIC COMBO (IRE 5yo g Cappella Sansevero – Varnay) was one of the quickest into stride, but with a rival pushing on for the lead early, that allowed Joao Moreira to cross in behind the lead with a lap to run. He appeared a touch keen around the first turn, but Moreira had settled the gelding as they turned down the back straight. Moreira kept in behind the leader down the back, but began to work his way off the rail passing the 600m point, obtaining clear running on the outside of the leader and building his momentum as the swung into the straight. He was a touch one-paced early on in the straight, but he hit top gear passing the 200m pole and kicked clear. He held his margin over the concluding stages, with nobody really threatening him late in the piece, as the five-year-old went on to win by 1-1/2 lengths.
Runner-Up: AMAZING TEENS jumped on terms from an awkward draw, which forced Luke Currie to race three-wide momentarily, before slotting into the running line as they turned out of the home straight. He travelled comfortably in the middle stages, sitting midfield and one off the fence, as the pace remained genuine throughout, with Currie shifting three-wide with cover with 850m remaining. He was taken into the race as they turned off the back, getting a nice trail three-wide around his rivals, before Currie peeled wider again with 500m remaining and began asking for an effort as they turned for home. He went up to make a line of four at the top of the straight, but he was no match for the winner who kicked away with a furlong to run. Amazing Teens stuck on gamely down the outside to finish second, in a very respectable effort.
Run Of The Race: You can't go past ROMANTIC COMBO who enjoyed a cosy run in transit, but made the most of it over the final stages. He was rated perfectly by Joao Moreira and showed plenty of class as he kicked clear at the furlong pole.
Disappointment: CHANCHENG PRINCE jumped well and was able to slide across from an awkward gate to sit just forward of midfield and one off the rail, but was racing keenly turning into the back straight. The gelding was throwing his head and fighting Purton down the back, prompting the Australian to shift out three-wide down the back. He race wide and without cover around the turn, and loomed up to the leaders at the top of the straight, but weakened shortly afterwards. He drifted back through the field, finishing in 10th place and 9-1/2 lengths off the winner.
Comparison: Well inside standard, just outside the course/class record.
Market Mover: CHANCHENG PRINCE had support, alongside PARTY EVERYDAY, DARCI JOY and EXCEPTIONAL NICE who were specked at double figures.
Race 6 – Sha Tin Heights, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.17 Standard Time: 1:09.10 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
Winner: PHOENIX LIGHT (AUS 4yo g Love Conquers All – Courtship) was one of the first into stride under Zac Purton, but was taken back into a trailing position shortly after the start. Purton was able to slide the gelding across into a midfield position, sitting one off the fence as they turned off the back straight, with the pace being quite good through the opening stages. The leading jockey appeared to be nudging his mount along around the turn to keep up with the leaders, even reaching for the whip passing the 600m point. The gelding was already under heavy pressure as they turned for home, but he was responding early in the straight, making ground on the leaders out toward the centre of the track. He and the second placegetter broke away from the rest of the field with 100m to run and set down to fight it out, with Phoenix Light just getting his nose down on the line to claim victory in a head-bobbing photo finish.
Runner-Up: BEAUTY TYCOON jumped well from an outside barrier but couldn't slot into the running line as they turned off the back, with Joao Moreira caught three-wide with cover. He was tucked in behind a genuine pace travelling around the turn, before peeling four-wide with 550m left to run. He built into the race nicely on the outside of the leaders, but looked a touch unbalanced under pressure early in the straight. Once he'd sorted himself out though, he let down strongly to take the lead with 150m to run and went toe-to-toe with the eventual winner over the final stages. He couldn't keep his nose in front through, and had to settle for second in a tight photo finish.
Run Of The Race: PHOENIX LIGHT appeared to be gone as they turned for home, but responded gamely to the pressure of Zac Purton to run over the top of them late. A great effort.
Disappointment: PERFETTO got away well but drifted back toward the rear of the field from barrier 8. Luke Ferraris just found himself too far back as they turned into the home straight, making some ground late, but there was too much work to do. He finished in 8th place, beaten 5 lengths.
Comparison: Just outside standard.
Market Mover: BEAUTY TYCOON had plenty of support late in betting, as COLONEL was specked at longer odds.
Race 7 – The Lion Rock Trophy (Handicap), HK $3,700,000
Group Three – Turf - Distance 1600m - Track Good
Time: 1:34.71 Standard Time: 1:33.30 Course/Class record: 1:32.64 Beauty Generation
Winner: BEAUTY JOY (AUS 5yo g Sebring – Impressive Jeuney) jumped on terms from barrier two and settled in fourth position along the inside under Zac Purton, with the field stretched out early on as the pace was genuine. As they continued to travel down the back, the pace slackened forcing Purton to slow his mount to avoid running on heels, with the five-year-old getting his head up on a number of occasions and fighting the leading jockey turning off the back straight. He got back into his stride early in the turn, but began to fight Purton once again as the Australian shifted him away rom the rail with 650m remaining. As the gelding continued to fight, Purton moved three-wide, which settled the gelding much better as they turned into the straight. It took the gelding a while to reach top gear, but he sprinted quickly when Purton used the whip, racing to the lead with 150m to run. He put a gap on his rivals in a matter of strides, as Purton eased down close to the finish line as they went on to win by 1-1/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: CHEERFUL DAYS drifted back from the outside draw under Alex Badel and found himself a whopping 8 lengths off the leader early in the race. He travelled comfortably toward the back of the field, with Badel sticking to the inside rail for the entire middle period of the race, and even as they turned into the home stretch. He ran on well up the inside rail, before working his way out wider on the course to continue his clear run, finishing off strongly to take second place.
Run Of The Race: BEAUTY JOY continued to show his upside, winning a Group Three event in just his eighth start in Hong Kong. He's a very lightly raced five-year-old, and we'll be seeing plenty more of Beauty Joy in the years to come.
Disappointment: EXCELLENT PROPOSAL once again finds his way into this category. He settled back in the run as he usually does, but had plenty of time and space to round up his rivals had he been near his best. Instead, he finished back in 5th place, beaten 3 lengths, with Moreira questioned regarding his riding over the concluding stages.
Comparison: Over a second outside standard time.
Market Mover: MY SUGAR was heavily backed just prior to the start.
Race 8 – Eagle's Nest Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:08.98 Standard Time: 1:08.90 Course/Class record: 1:08.28 Reve Parisien
Winner: BRILLIANT WAY (NZ 3yo g Reliable Man – Third Rate Romance) jumped well under Alex Badel, who initially tried to shift the gelding back into a trailing position from barrier 6, but after being caught wide early, the Frenchman pressed on to sit on the outside of the leader. The leader was going along quite quickly in front, allowing Badel to take a trailing position a couple of lengths off the leader, with the rest of the field a couple of lengths behind him. He sprinted well as they entered the straight to round up the leader with 150m to run. He was tiring over the closing stages, with the second placegetter closing in with every stride, but the winning post came up right on time, with the three-year-old holding on to win by a neck.
Runner-Up: BUZZINGA bounced well off the inside and wasn't in a rush to chase down the leaders, settling about midfield in a strung-out field. He travelled comfortably around the turn and quickened nicely at the top of the straight when Karis Teetan pushed the button, with the gelding showing hid good turn-of-foot to charge home over the final stages. He was closing in on the tiring leader, but he ran out of time to mow him down, having to settle for second position, with third a further length behind.
Run Of The Race: The tactics adopted on KAI XIN DRAGON were very aggressive, but they almost paid off as the gelding hung on for third position. Matthew Poon played 'catch me if you can' aboard the four-year-old, but he didn't weaken as anticipated in the straight. He stuck on gamely over the final stages to claim third ahead of some classy gallopers.
Disappointment: MAJESTIC KNIGHT was a touch slow out of the barriers, but was roused along by Lyle Hewitson to settle in a forward position in running. He was racing keenly as they turned off the back, but Hewitson was able to settle the gelding midway around the turn. The gelding initially responded when the South African pushed the button but weakened from the 250m point. There are plenty of excuses after the gelding finished in last, beaten 12-1/2 lengths, with a post-race veterinary exam finding the four-year-old to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm.
Comparison: Just outside the standard.
Market Mover: BUZZINGA and BRILLIANT WAY were the best-backed runners.
Race 9 – Kau To Shan Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good
Time: 1:21.72 Standard Time: 1:21.45 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
Winner: SHINING GEM (AUS 6yo g Makfi – Raneen) jumped on terms from a middle draw and Derek Leung went forward early on, but was unable to slot into the running line and was left racing three-wide and without cover. He raced wide and without cover right around the turn, sitting just off the pace, but went up to join the leaders as they turned into the home straight. He quickened well when Leung placed him under pressure and ground down the leader to get in front with 100m to run. He pulled away over the concluding stages to win very impressively by 1-1/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: ERIMO got away fairly from the inside barrier and landed about midfield, racing along the inside under Joao Moreira. He was traveling comfortably turning off the back straight, but Moreira just began to niggle at the gelding with 650m remaining to keep in touch with the leading division. The Brazilian was forced to stick to the inside rail on straightening, but the gelding was responding well to the urgings of Moreira as the pair were forced to come out toward the centre of the track. He stuck on well over the closing stages, but he was unable to reel in the leader.
Run Of The Race: SHINING GEM sat three-wide without cover throughout the run, and still had plenty in the tank to win in impressive fashion. It would be rude to not have him as the run of the race.
Disappointment: SETANTA settled midfield after getting away well from barrier 2, with Luke Currie wedging him between runners throughout the race. He came under heavy pressure as they turned for home and had plenty of clear air to quicken if he was good enough, but he couldn't match it with the front runners. He finished in 7th, beaten 6-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Outside standard time.
Market Mover: SETANTA had good support late in betting, with DRAGON FORTUNE also specked at double figures.
Race 10 – Amah Rock Handicap, HK $2,400,000
Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:08.77 Standard Time: 1:08.55 Course/Class record: 1:07.89 Thanks Forever
Winner: WINNING DREAMER (NZ 5yo g Deep Field – Markisa) jumped well from an outside barrier, but was caught very deep under Vincent Ho in the early stages, being about four-wide as they turned off the back straight. Ho pushed on to get outside the leader, passing the 600m point, but did it all under his own steam in the middle stages. He was one of the first to come under pressure on straightening, but he quickened brilliantly to take the lead with a furlong to run. He began to plateau inside the final 100m, where he was challenged to his inside, but Ho threw everything at the gelding, to which the five-year-old responded and held off the late challenge. It went to a photo finish, with Winning Dreamer holding on by a short head.
Runner-Up: REWARDING TOGETHER jumped on terms but showed superior pace to break the line up front, pressing on under Matthew Chadwick to cross to the inside rail with 900m remaining. Chadwick eased turning off the back, electing to take a trailing position on the turn, sitting in behind the leader through the middle stages. The rail remained clear right throughout the run, with Chadwick able to slide up underneath his rivals and mount his challenge early in the straight. He responded well to the urgings of Chadwick, and took it right up to the winner over the final stages, but just couldn't get his nose in front at the finish.
Run Of The Race: WINNING DREAMER had to do things the hard way, racing wide early on before pushing on and sitting on the pace. He was very brave in winning, as was the performance of TRILLION WIN who leaves his all out on the track every time he goes around. He too was wide early in proceedings, before taking the lead off the back straight. He's sure to have a win soon.
Disappointment: PACKING VICTORY went back from barrier 10 under Zac Purton and never looked a winning chance. He was a clear last and under heavy pressure as they turned for home, and failed to pick up any ground in the straight. He finished in last place, beaten 7-1/4 lengths, with a veterinary examination failing to reveal anything other than the gelding being a 'roarer', which had been found previously. I'm not sure what to do with this gelding now, after a disappointing effort as favourite in the 4YO Classic Mile, the throat issue may be the end of him.
Comparison: Outside standard.
Market Mover: TRILLION WIN and REWARDING TOGETHER were both tried late in betting.