3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - C+3 Course
AWT - 1,3,6
Race 1
#11 SUPER JOY is a recent addition to the Cody Mo stable and looks well placed to land the first win of his career in this race. He put in a big run last time out to finish second over this course and distance and should get the speed on in this time, which will suit his racing pattern. After drawing awkwardly last time out, he'll be able to settle closer this time from barrier two under Matthew Chadwick and now that he's proven himself on the all-weather track in this grade, he should be coming home strongly and be right there at the business end of the race.
#10 DAY DAY RICH showed that he's effective on the dirt with his run two starts ago where he finished second to ALL IS READY at what was his first try on the dirt. He was well fancied in the market last time out and was disappointing but a return to the dirt might help to turn around his form. From barrier one, he won't have to do any work to be up on the speed, making his own luck and with a relatively light weight, he'll be in it for a long way.
#3 RATTAN KINGDOM has only recently dropped into class five and has been around the mark in his recent outings, while he didn't have a lot of luck last time out. He's a fit horse on the quick back up, Jamie Richards has made a couple of gear changes to him and importantly, has called on Zac Purton's services for the first time. He's drawn well in barrier five and while the dirt is an unknown factor for him, if he can handle it, then he's good enough to win this.
#7 MIRACLES might be the omen bet at Christmas time but he won't need a miracle to win this, just a minor bit of luck. He's racing well, has been settling up on the pace and has a good record on this surface, while he's also got James McDonald booked for the ride. The concern is where will he get to from barrier 11 - does McDonald try to push forward and risk getting caught wide or overdoing it, or does he take his medicine and go back from there? If he gets the right run in transit, then he's a legitimate contender.
#6 HAPPY TANGO is a two time winner over this course and distance taking on a number of horses yet to experience that winning feeling. He's only recently dropped into class five and after having to work to be up on the speed last time from a wide draw, his task will be considerably easier this time out from barrier four under Karis Teetan. He might be getting on in age but he's still got the ability to win this.
Selections : 11,10,3,7,6
R2 - 4,7,3,2,9
Race 3
#2 SEASONS WIT was impressive through the middle part of the year, winning four races in a row and showcasing himself as an emerging talent in Hong Kong racing. His winning run came to an end last time out, however, that was a forgivable performance, as he drew wide and had to work hard early, which counted against him in the run home. This is his first try on the dirt track but he has been back to the barrier trials and won a trial on this surface impressively. He still looks progressive in a race where most of his rivals are quite exposed, Purton sticks with him, he's drawn well, will be on the pace and should prove very hard to run down.
#1 PING HAI GALAXY caused an upset when he led all the way to win a similar race to this two starts ago. On that occasion, Alexis Badel was able to rate him perfectly and he just held on to score, beating a number of the same rivals that he faces this time. He's got a good record on this surface and is drawn to be up on the speed without having to do any work to get there. Badel retaining the ride is also important as he knows how to get the best out of the horse. While he does have to carry an extra 9lbs compared to when he won, on the basis of that win two starts ago and the gap he had that day on the rivals he meets again here, he's one of the main hopes again.
#5 YOUTHFUL DEAL went around as the favourite in the race that PING HAI GALAXY won last time and put in a pretty flat performance. That was his first run for about six weeks, so he may have needed it. He's had less time between runs since then, and if you ignore that run, he's got a great record on this surface as a four time winner on it. It's still worth keeping him safe.
#8 XPONENTIAL is probably at that level in the ratings where it will be hard for him to win but he's capable of being competitive. He's drawn a good gate, has a lightweight on his back and wasn't far off PING HAI GALAXY last time out, which is the main form reference for this race. He's definitely one to include on a place line or if you're playing the exotics.
#3 CHANCHENG PRINCE is from the in form Francis Lui stable and is much better off at the barrier draw this time, compared to what he's encountered at his previous starts. He relishes racing on the dirt surface, having won four times on it, however, he's record is better over 1650m rather than 1200m. If they go hard in front, look out for him to be closing late.
Selections : 2,1,5,8,3
R4 - 7,4,5,2,10
R5 - 6,5,8,1,12
R6 - 1,9,11,8,6
R7 - 1,8,5,7,11
R8 - 9,2,10,11,1
R9 - 5,1,4,2,8
Race 10
#4 CHANCHENG GLORY is the form horse in the race, having won his last three in a row. He showed his tenacity to win last time out, as he was challenged a number of times but kept on finding to score. He's a tough on pacer who's drawn well here, and continues to rise to the occasion. Once again, this won't be an easy task for him with an extra 9lbs for him to carry but there doesn't appear to be a great deal of pace on in this event and he should be able to control proceedings to his liking, on a day where being on speed will be an advantage with the rail out. Four in a row looks on the cards for him.
#1 FLAGSHIP WARRIOR is a classy horse who should now be at peak fitness and is nearing a win. He hasn't been with Caspar Fownes for long and brought good form with him to Hong Kong. This is his right course and distance and he ran well last time at Happy Valley where the race wasn't run to suit. Another bonus is the booking of Hugh Bowman on his first day back in the saddle for over a month. Barrier eleven is the concern but if he can get into a good spot from there, he's certainly a winning hope.
#2 SIMPLE HEDGE has been racing well, is trained by Hall of Fame trainer John Size and will be ridden by leading jockey, Zac Purton. He won two in a row last season, he should now be at his peak after a couple of run under his belt this season and is now looking for the step up to 1600m. Blinkers on for the first time could spark the necessary improvement he needs and he is a genuine contender here.
#10 LET'S DO IT is racing in good fashion from the in form David Hall stable. He got to the line well last time in a good race on international day and should appreciate the step up in distance. From a wide draw, he'll have to go back and hope for luck, but if the tempo is on, he'll be coming home strongly.
#7 BILLIONAIRE SECRET has also been going well and finally draws a decent barrier after drawing wide for much of this preparation. His trainer Pierre Ng can do no wrong this season and leading senior local rider Vincent Ho will be onboard. My question with him is will 1600m be on the sharp side of things for him, given he's done his winning over 2000m. Nevertheless, a competitive showing is expected from him here.
Selections : 4,1,2,10,7
