3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Sunday’s (07/01/24) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin.

Race 1: #5 Beat Hollow, #10 Super Joy, #11 Compulsory, #1 Island Surprise
Race 2: #11 Windcheater, #1 Hong Kong Hall, #8 Patch Of Theta, #12 Loyal Bo Bo
Race 3: #13 Always Awesome, #4 Winning Data,  #7 Take Action, #3 Solid Shalaa
Race 4: #12 Special Hedge, #1 Darci Joy, #2 Mister Dapper, #10 Jubilation
Race 5: #1 Flying High, #9 California Touch, #3 Pleasant Endeavor, #11 Kyrus Dragon
Race 6: #2 Magic Supreme, #12 Daily Trophy, #3 Colourful Prince, #8 Panda Legend
Race 7: #1 Victor The Winner, #8 Invincible Sage, #2 Super Wealthy, #3 Duke Wai
Race 8: #4 Capital Delight, #7 Wings Of War, #1 Lightning Bolt, #3 Toronado Phantom
Race 9: #1 Superb Boy, #8 The Heir, #4 Blue Marlin, #5 Master Of Fortune
Race 10: #5 Helios Express, #3 Flaming Rabbit, #8 Find My Love, #1 Super Sunny Sing

Race 1: Wan Tsui Handicap

#5 Beat Hollow can lead and give this group something to run down. He's proven tough to catch at times and can do the same again here. #10 Super Joy is in the right vein of form and looking to snap consecutive runner-up efforts. He has a suitable draw, even though he is more than likely going to settle at the tail of the field. #11 Compulsory has a low weight. He's a threat, especially with Karis Teetan engaged. #1 Island Surprise has the class-edge over rivals. Hugh Bowman's booking is an advantage.

Race 2: Lei Muk Shue Handicap

#11 Windcheater makes his debut. He's worth taking a chance on here, especially following a recent turf trial at Sha Tin which was solid. He appears forward enough to figure first-up and the inside gate ensures that opportunity. #1 Hong Kong Hall has race experience on his side over this group. He's lightly raced still, however, does come into this contest following two poor runs. #8 Patch Of Theta was sound on debut when third. He can improve again. #12 Loyal Bo Bo clearly has ability. Don't discount.

Race 3: Shek Yam Handicap

#13 Always Awesome steps out off a dangerous mark. He was better to the eye than what his form reads last start, suggesting that there is plenty more in the tank to come. He's ready to show that now and is worth his chance. #4 Winning Data is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He continues to perform at a high level. #7 Take Action makes his debut and has been trialling well. He gets an opportunity first-up. #3 Solid Shalaa is so close to a first win. He just has the wide draw to overcome.

Race 4: Tsui Lok Handicap

#12 Special Hedge was superb in his sole run on turf this season. He returns to that surface here and shapes as the one they all have to beat, especially as he gets out to nine furlongs. He's lightly raced and improving. #1 Darci Joy gets 10 pounds taken off his back with the apprentice engaged. He battled into a close-up seventh last start. #2 Mister Dapper is lightly raced but does continue to improve. He's still learning and will take time to find consistency and his best form. #10 Jubilation is next in line. 

Race 5: Choi Yuen Handicap

#1 Flying High has the right draw and shapes as the hardest to beat. He rarely runs poorly over this course and distance and can easily follow on from his past two runs for third and second, respectively. #9 California Touch turned his form around to grab second last start. He gets an opportunity here. #3 Pleasant Endeavor can fire forward and press for the lead. He's a major threat in this grade with 10 pounds coming off his back. #11 Kyrus Dragon is better than his form suggests. He continues to develop.

Race 6: Shek Lei Handicap

#2 Magic Supreme has the benefit of 10 pounds coming off with the apprentice up and also having drawn gate one. Expecting he fires forward here to press for the lead, although he won't be up there alone. #12 Daily Trophy has no weight on his back and continues to take the right steps forward. #3 Colourful Prince has a suitable draw and has raced well on the dirt previously. He's a capable two-time winner on the surface. #8 Panda Legend can improve. Strong booking of Vincent Ho catches the eye.

Race 7: G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap

#1 Victor The Winner has the class and ability to set a strong tempo throughout to win this race. Expecting he'll fly forward to lead this group under Hugh Bowman and his best form holds him in good stead. Expecting a few to try and go with him. #8 Invincible Sage is favoured under the light weight. He needs to step up once more but he has the scope to do exactly that. #2 Super Wealthy loves the straight course and his latest trial caught the eye. He'll get his chance. #3 Duke Wai falls into a similar category. Needs luck.

Race 8: Kwai Shing Handicap

#4 Capital Delight was defeated by the poor draw last start. He's better than that and did trial very well on the dirt recently. He clearly likes the surface and finds a suitable race this weekend. #7 Wings Of War has the class but has taken plenty of time to acclimatise in Hong Kong. He was impressive in his latest dirt trial though. #1 Lightning Bolt has the right gate. He'll get the run of the race, which he'll need under top-weight. #3 Toronado Phantom is chasing back-to-back wins. Keep safe.

Race 9: Lai King Handicap

#1 Superb Boy is a super talent and he can continue his ascent here. He's lightly raced but is already a two-time course and distance winner. Hugh Bowman hops up and he's the one they all must catch. #8 The Heir continues to race well. He boasts three placings from three runs in Hong Kong. A win isn't too far away. #4 Blue Marlin is a two-time winner this season. He finds a suitable draw and is well-weighted as he reunites with Harry Bentley – the only jockey to win aboard him. #5 Master Of Fortune is next in line.

Race 10: Butterfly Handicap

#5 Helios Express is a serious talent and he's the one they all must beat. The step up in trip shouldn't be a negative and his pairing with Hugh Bowman catches the eye. He's ready to take another forward step. #3 Flaming Rabbit can lead and play catch me if you can. He'll just need to overcome the less than ideal draw. #8 Find My Love continues to race well and he looks suited getting out to a mile. #1 Super Sunny Sing has a significant class-edge over rivals here, however, he does face top-weight. Keep safe.