3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Monday's (01/01/24) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin.

Race 1: #1 Eighty Light Years, #7 Spicy Gold, #3 Golden Luck, #6 Panda
Race 2: #5 Storm Rider, #2 Telecom Dragon, #9 Speedy Fortune, #1 Happy Golf
Race 3: #8 Aestheticism, #2 Silver King, #5 Romantic Charm, #9 Golden Samurai
Race 4: #3 Perfect Peach, #4 Starship Eighty, #11 Fire Ball, #8 Charmander
Race 5: #8 Golden Rise, #12 Lucky Planet, #5 Dream Pursuer, #1 Fun N Glory  

Race 6: #1 War Of Courage, #9 Kasi Farasi, #3 Endeared, #6 Galvanic
Race 7: #2 Beauty Joy, #7 Atullibigeal, #1 California Spangle, #3 Healthy Happy
Race 8: #4 Global Harmony, #9 Midori Burly, #3 Sweet Encounter, #1 Chiu Chow Spirit
Race 9: #1 Mugen, #7 Wunderbar, #13 Ka Ying Rising, #2 Not Usual Star
Race 10: #8 Beauty Fit, #9 Green N White, #5 Blue Marlin, #11 Fun Together 

 Race 1: Flame Tree Handicap (1st Section) 

 #1 Eighty Light Years draws gate one and gets a handy 10 pounds taken off his back with the apprentice engaged. He's the one to catch here, especially if he finds the front to lead this group. #7 Spicy Gold finished fourth on debut. He can improve following that run and does appear to have the scope to do exactly that. #3 Golden Luck has the runs and consistency on the board. He pairs favourably with Hugh Bowman this time. #6 Panda was sound on debut when fifth. He has a suitable draw and looks well placed to take a big step forward. 

Race 2: Flame Tree Handicap (2nd Section) 

 #5 Storm Rider was excellent on debut when second. He pairs with Zac Purton here and shapes as the one to beat following that effort, that is, if he manages to offset the wide draw. #2 Telecom Dragon has a suitable gate and has plenty of scope to continue improving. He's proven consistent across his short career and should get every opportunity here. #9 Speedy Fortune has drawn gate one and is capable of finding the front or at least using this to his advantage. #1 Happy Golf has a bit of talent and could easily reverse his form. Keep safe. 

Race 3: Cotton Tree Handicap 

 #8 Aestheticism chases a hat-trick of wins. He continues to raise the bar and can do so once more, especially under the hands of Zac Purton. One to beat. #2 Silver King has a stack of class and he can showcase his best here. The distance is suitable and he can reverse his form. Don't drop off him. #5 Romantic Charm is racing well. He made up a heap of ground last start and this course and distance suits him. #9 Golden Samurai is in the right vein of form and should appreciate the extra distance. Next in line. 

Race 4: Willow Handicap 

 #3 Perfect Peach is in sound condition and he's better than Class 5. Karis Teetan hops up here and he shapes as the one they all must catch. #4 Starship Eighty is aiming for a hat-trick of wins. He continues to perform and remains in Class 5 which suits. #11 Fire Ball has the tricky draw to overcome but does pair preferably with Zac Purton. He'll get his shot here. #8 Charmander is better than his record suggests. He can easily turn his form around and this form reversal may well come on Monday at Sha Tin. 

Race 5: Poplar Handicap (2nd Section) 

 #8 Golden Rise continues to improve and has shown a fair bit of quality already. Zac Purton takes the ride here and the step up in trip could easily see him unlock his true potential. #12 Lucky Planet has the featherweight and Karis Teetan up. Gate one can afford him the right run. #5 Dream Pursuer has always been thereabouts, even if he is yet to win. He has a middle draw and the services of Hugh Bowman, which will ensure his every possible chance. #1 Fun N Glory is a winner in this grade and he remains a big threat. Don't discount. 

Race 6: Poplar Handicap (1st Section) 

 #1 War Of Courage narrowly missed two starts ago. Expecting he tries to lead from the front again here, even under top-weight. He has a few conditions in his favour and it wouldn't surprise to see him pinch this one. #9 Kasi Farasi has proven consistent all season. He continues to put himself in every finish and should do so once more. #3 Endeared went close last start. Zac Purton retains the ride and he's coming to hand in a big way now. #6 Galvanic has the class but doesn't always show it. He's worth consideration. 

Race 7: G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap 

 #2 Beauty Joy has a suitable impost with his stablemate in this race. He's mixed his form throughout his career, however, he does have the class and it wouldn't surprise to see him perform at his best here. #7 Atullibigeal can make good use of the likely hot tempo, especially with no weight on his back. #1 California Spangle has the class-edge but will carry top-weight, which may make things tricky. He'll lead, although he may not be the only one doing so. #3 Healthy Happy likes to roll forward and should press for the lead. Next in line. 

Race 8: Chinese Banyan Handicap (1st Section) 

 #4 Global harmony has been in sizzling form all season and he's better than this group. He's the one to beat here, especially from the inside gate with James McDonald up. #9 Midori Burly has hit the ground running in Hong Kong. He logged a competitive second first-up and can build on that effort here, especially under Zac Purton. #3 Sweet Encounter is better than a lot of his form reads. He gets his chance here from gate three after returning to form last time out. #1 Chiu Chow Spirit can find a suitable spot in the run. Keep safe. 

Race 9: Cherry Handicap 

 #1 Mugen continues to lift his game and can do so again here, especially in Class 3 once more. He's got a stack of ability and is capable of collecting a third straight win. One to beat. #7 Wunderbar is a two-time winner from three starts. He continues to race well and gets another excellent chance here to bolster his superb record. #13 Ka Ying Rising steps up in grade. He was super classy on debut, however, this is difficult. #2 Not Usual Star gets 10 pounds taken off his back with the apprentice up. Don't discount. 

Race 10: Chinese Banyan Handicap (2nd Section) 

 #8 Beauty Fit deserves a win. He's raced well all season and he gets a super chance here, especially from gate two. One to beat. #9 Green N White is a two-time winner from his last three starts. He just has to overcome the wide draw. #5 Blue Marlin is another who draws poorly, however, he does have his fair share of class. #11 Fun Together is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He rises in grade but his recent form has been nothing short of superb. He gets his shot and should be making his presence felt.