3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Sha Tin races.

Rail - A Course

Race 1

#2 NORDIC COMBINED return with a bang when he absolutely destroyed a similar field to this first up at Happy Valley.
He's one of multiple horses going around that was previously trained by the now departed Richard Gibson and it's likely he can win again now he's back in class 5.
A good draw today is advantageous but he must step away on time and muster.That job is once again in the capable hands of James McDonald who returns to Hong Kong, primarily to ride VOYAGE BUBBLE in the Gp1 Steward's Cup.

#1 DAILY TROPHY has no respectable form on the turf at this point but a drop in class, combined with a good draw and 10lb allowance, make him an interesting proposition and worthy of consideration.He can definitely run well enough to trouble these based on his class 4 runs on dirt back in November 2023.It would appear, when adding up the clues, that an attempt to lead could certainly be on the table and if that unfolds, without any serious pressure, he can win.

#3 CHOICERUS is another who's shown glimpses of ability in a higher grade but struggled with consistency.With gate one to leave from, Hugh Bowman back aboard and the easier opposition of class 5 to race, he must be given genuine respect.Backing winners in class 5 is one of the most difficult tasks going around but he is amongst the top winning chances, particularly off the back of recent work.

#7 RATTAN WORLD is a perfect example of an inconsistent class 5 galloper because he's been ready to win for the last two months.He was checked badly on the dirt last start, so an excuse is warranted on that occasion, and with Purton backing up for another attempt you have to really stick.However, I have given him the allocated three chance rule so I'm off him for the win, but that certainly doesn't mean he can't swing the result around.

#5 SWEET DIAMOND is worthy of consideration and shall very much appreciate the return to Sha Tin.He's a winner in class 4 for this jockey Alexis Badel, over this course and distance, but importantly arrives ready to peak this campaign.He's tactically adaptable but should be up on speed, therefore, it's hard to see him covering and additional ground.

Selections : 2,1,3,7,5

R2 - 7,6,4,9,12

R3 - 2,4,6,1,8

Race 4

#9 PANDA wasn't quite ready when he debuted in a restricted race in November but gained plenty from the experience.He then had every chance to run down the leaders last start but struggled to pull them back over the final furlong.Karis Teetan hasn't allowed any other rider to jump aboard and they now opt to come back in trip to the straight 1000m, a course and distance in which they won a trial over in December 2023.

#3 FUN ELITE took care of business in encouraging fashion when he won on debut over this course and trip and there's every chance he repeats the dose.He rises 7lb in weight, but draws more favourably in barrier ten which can enable him to stalk the early speed.His sectional data rated good on the day he got the money and if he improves on that, which he's likely to do, he's the horse they all must defeat.

#12 SPEEDY FORTUNE is only a little fella but he put on weight during the off season break and is now physically stronger.He's bumped into a couple of handy types his past couple and there were also some steering issues last start.Zac Purton rides a number of horses off light weights today, which is always an encouraging sign, and this bloke is one of them that has drawn ideally out wide.

#4 RUBYLOT has continually shown signs of greenness when racing around a bend so it's no surprise to see him having a run down the straight.There's ability under the bonnet but he's still unaware on how to fully use himself and find a rhythm.That could easily be turn around with Hugh Bowman aboard plus the opportunity to run in a straight line, but I'd like to see it happen before recommending him again.

#2 SUPER COMMANDER got involved in a speed battle with SUPER AXIOM two starts ago and in the process they gassed each other out of the money.Then last start, there was no SUPER AXIOM to race early doors and he comfortably led all the way to score.With SUPER AXIOM on site again it's envisaged they'll cut each other apart, but if they don't, you want him in.

Selections : 9,3,12,4,2

R5 - 6,8,2,14,9

R6 - 3,8,1,14,13

Race 7

"STEWARD'S CUP"1st Leg Triple Crown Series(Gp 1 - 1600m - Set Weights)

#2 VOYAGE BUBBLE hasn't won a race since his incredible and freakish performance in the 2023 Hong Kong Derby.He then went under the knife in May last year to have surgery on a troublesome left knee joint with four months of recovery thereafter required.The surgery appears to have been a hundred percent successful following two fabulous performance at the highest level.We know he's tactically versatile and loaded with talent so we might be in for a treat.

#5 BEAUTY ETERNAL was primed and ready to tackle GOLDEN SIXTY in the Gp 1 Hong Kong Mile but he made mistakes early, then over raced , after finding trouble during the run.He's since recovered well, kept ticking over nicely and there's no reasons to suggest he can't atone.With GOLDEN SIXTY resting this appears his race to lose, but as we know in the racing caper there are no easy bets at any level.On the flip side, if VOYAGE BUBBLE doesn't rock up then it's difficult, at weights and measures, to envisage an alternative winner.

#3 STRAIGHT ARRON stood up on International Dayin the Gp 1 Hong Kong Cup and was probably a little stiff not to have won.The handicappers elevated him significantly following the luckless fourth behind ROMANTIC WARRIOR so he's now fully entrenched in the Hong Kong group one club.The switch back to 1600m goes against him with his ultimate goal this campaign the Gp 1 QE 11 Cup over 2000m.However, from the inside gate he'll do no work so you'd be brave leaving him out.

#1 CALIFORNIA SPANGLE enjoyed two strong trials leading into his seasonal return where he ran the opposition completely into the ground.He worked early from the wide draw, carried the big weight and was still tenacious enough to win.A similar scenario unfolded in the Gp 2 Hong Kong Jockey Club Mile before he was eventually run down over the final stages.However, two ordinary and tiring performances from a horse of this calibre have followed since, which has the risky bells ringing.

#6 BEAUTY JOY is an established and respected high class galloper and his mere presence in any contest makes him worthy of respect.
A poor beginning in the Gp 2 Sha Tin Trophy back in October put and end to his winning prospects, but his final 800m was still enormous considering the overall race shape.He then ran BEAUTY ETERNAL to within a lip of defeat in the Gp 2 Jockey Club Cup, before running courageously on the big day in December.He's was again enigmatic with James McDonald aboard in the recent Gp 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup but closed well in defeat.The set weights suits, as does the return to 1600m, so take him on wearily.

Selections : 2,5,3,1,6

R8 - 5,4,3,2,7

R9 - 7,10,2,6,12

R10 - 8,13,2,1,7