3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Sha Tin races.

Rail - C+3 Course

Race 1

#3 Noble One is yet to win from 18 career starts but has found the right race to break his maiden in. He's been competitive in class four recently and gets a crucial drop in grade for this assignment. He's trained by Francis Lui, who's enjoyed a terrific start to the season and he should now be at peak fitness, given that this is his third run for the campaign. At his latest run, he had to cover ground throughout but hopefully he can get a more economical run in transit in a weaker race this time around.

#14 Compulsory comes through the main form reference for this race, finishing fourth in the event won by Gluck Racer last time out and got to the line well on that occasion. That was his first run in five months, so he should have made good improvement from the run. He's also had a change of trainer during the off season which could bring about further improvement in him. With a light weight and a good barrier draw, he'll get every chance here.

#11 Fortune Master has racked up both of his wins in Hong Kong over this course and distance. He performed above market expectations last time out, doing his best work late in the race won by Gluck Racer, a key form reference for this. All of those factors bring him right into contention for this event, however, he'll need things to fall into place for him from that wide barrier draw.

#5 Casa Legend has only recently got down into class five and ran well from a wide barrier draw last time out. He's trained by Cox Plate winning trainer Danny Shum, the leading trainer in Hong Kong at this stage of the season, and the booking of Zac Purton is a further bonus. Despite that, he looks bound to cover ground or rely on a suitable tempo for him to win this after drawing the outside barrier.

#9 Apex Top had to work to get to the lead last time out and was in front until the last 200m, before that early work counted against him and he faded to finish sixth. His form before that had been good though and he's the likely leader on a day when it will be beneficial to be close to the pace with the rail out as far as it can go. If he doesn't burn too much petrol early, he's a legitimate contender.

Selections: 3,14,11,5,9

R2 - 7,2,6,5,10

R3 - 7,1,4,12,3

R4 - 10,7,6,9,1

Race 5

#11 Snaffles has gone close in his three runs this season and is due to breakthrough for a win. Two starts ago he was unlucky when he came second to Happy Together, who he meets again here, while last time he conceded weight to impressive Hong Kong debutant, Ensued. With a light weight on his back this time and plenty of fitness on his side, he looks well placed to take out this contest.

#7 Happy Together showed a good turn of foot to win last time out and is a two time winner over this course and distance. He's been freshened up since that last win and has had a barrier trial at Conghua in the lead up to his return to the races. The recent stable change to Frankie Lor's stable is significant and he looks like he's got further rating points in hand, so he's entitled to be a winning chance again.

#8 Superb Boy has been in super form, having won his last two in a row and maps to get the run of the race from barrier two. That last start win was his first run in two and a half months, so perhaps he'll improve from it, but I thought he only just got the job done last time out and wonder if he could be getting to his level in the ratings. This is also a harder race then what he won last time, so he will need to have improved.

#1 The Best Peach is a previous winner over the mile at Sha Tin, he's fit from two recent runs and has the services of top jockey Zac Purton. His last start effort is better than what it looks as he did make up ground and wasn't beaten far. He's also proven his class, having been placed at group level last season. The concern with him is that he has to lump the top weight here where he'll be taking on some in form, progressive horses who have less weight to carry than he does, while he's also drawn a wide gate.

#4 Galaxy Witness hasn't won for over eighteen months but he has continued to perform well in strong races since then. He ran home well last time out at Happy Valley and should be better suited at Sha Tin, where he's done all of his winning. If the pace is on, look for him to be running on strongly.

Selections: 11,7,8,1,4

R6 - 2,1,13,4,11

SA SA LADIES PURSE
(Gp3 - 1800m - Hcp)

Race 7

#7 Super Sunny Sing is one of the rising stars of Hong Kong's middle distance ranks, having won the Hong Kong Classic Cup earlier this year. He got his season off to a winning start last time out over 1600m, caught the eye with the way that he finished off his recent barrier trial and the step up to 1800m looks ideal for him. On face value, the outside gate doesn't look great but he naturally gets back in his races anyway. As a horse still on the rise with a light weight in a handicap, he profiles perfectly to win this. 

#2 Encountered finished last season in terrific form, winning his last three starts, and put in an excellent performance to finish second to top class galloper California Spangle. That form line makes him one of the main chances in this race and the way that he got to the line last time out suggests that he'll appreciate the step up in distance to 1800m at this point of his career, even if he's done his winning over 1600m and 1650m.

#3 Senor Toba is a class horse, having won twice at this level in the past, including his success in the Centenary Vase over this distance in February. On paper, his form hasn't been great since then but I liked the way that he hit the line behind California Spangle last time out fresh up and natural improvement on that effort would see him as a live chance.

#1 Money Catcher is defending his title in this race after he won it last year. Both of his wins in Hong Kong have in fact been at this distance and at this level. However, he did carry 20lbs less when he won last year's Ladies Purse and he does face a tough task with the topweight this time. Nevertheless, he's honest, consistent and makes his own luck in running so although I don't think he'll win, I think he'll still be competitive.

#8 Nimble Nimbus encounters a step up in class but he did get home very well last time out on his seasonal return, despite covering ground, and has been in good form overall. Having his second run for the season and only a light weight on his back, he's entitled to be around the mark.

Selections: 7,2,3,1,8

R8 - 5,4,9,13,3

R9 - 1,10,5,3,7

R10 - 6,7,2,4,3