3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Fu Tai Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 2000m - Track Good
Time: 2:01.58 Standard Time: 2:02.35 Course/Class record: 2:00.67 Full Power
NICHOLSON RETURNS (NZ 5yo g Iffraaj – Heart's Delight) led home a David Hall-trained quinella in the opening event and kicked off a huge day for Zac Purton. The five-year-old jumped well from an inside alley and landed a little worse than midfield around the first turn. The early pace was strong, and the field was stretched out down the back straight, with Purton spotting the leader 7-1/4 lengths with 800m remaining. A few up front were already beginning to feel the pinch a long way from home with Purton sitting motionless aboard Nicholson Returns at the top of the straight. The Australian hoop peeled him into the clear heading for home and ran straight to the front when Purton asked for an effort. The race was all over with 150m left to run, with Purton easing down the gelding over the closing stages with the winning margin being 3-1/4 lengths on the line. SHARPEN BRIGHT was back there with the eventual winner in the run and Luke Ferraris had followed Nicholson Returns into the race at the top of the straight. He showed good strength to keep plugging away in the straight, running into a clear second inside the final 150m and not being challenged over the final stages. ROMANTIC FANTASY stuck on well enough from his midfield position in the run to finish in third at a huge price, with race favourite LITTLE FAIRY finishing 11 lengths off the winner in 7th.
Race 2 – Lung Yat Handicap, HK $875,000
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1600m - Track Good
Time: 1:36.43 Standard Time: 1:35.45 Course/Class record: 1:34.38 Le Panache
SMART BEAUTY (IRE 5yo g Dark Angel – Layla Jamil) notched up his maiden victory at his 20th career start, running home strongly to score at $10. The gelding got away on terms, but Angus Chung took him back from the wide raw, settling at the tail of the field under the apprentice. He was a clear last with 1000m to run and Chung was along the inside rail, attempting to pinch runs along the inside as they turned off the back. The field packed up with 600m to run and Chung was beginning to pick his way through the traffic, getting off the inside and toward the middle of the track. He was hampered by the fall midway down the straight but got back into his work swiftly as Chung punched him through a gap inside the final 50m. He burst through between runners in the final few strides to stick his nose in front, winning by a neck on the line in a terrific effort. DIAMOND DIAMOND was a touch slow out of the barrier and was pushed along to try and improve his position in the opening stages, settling about midfield early on. Lyle Hewitson raced one off the rail throughout and had plenty of galloping room off the back, moving three-wide around the home turn. The South African continued to peel wider as they swung for home and made his run down the middle of the track, picking up his rivals one-by-one to join the leaders with 150m to run. He dug deep inside the final stages but couldn't fend off the winner who burst through late, taking over second position right on the post. CHARMANDER rolled forward under Zac Purton after being away only moderately and was unable to slot into the running line. The gelding raced wide and without cover throughout, sitting just off the speed as Purton put him into the race at the top of the straight. He hit the front with 250m left to run and looked to be holding his rivals at bay under hard riding from Purton. He was tiring close to the line though, unable to fend them off close to the line and ending up in third.
Race 3 – On Ting Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.88 Standard Time: 1:09.40 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
Zac Purton made it an early double as he steered ACE VICTORY (AUS 5yo g Vancouver – Anatole) to an all-the-way win. Jumping from a wide draw, Purton pressed on from the deep to cross and lead the field as they turned off the back, getting down to the rail and leading comfortably through the middle stages. He kicked away at the top of the straight under a strong Purton hold and was over 2 lengths in front with 150m remaining. He was getting tired late in the race, but it was never in doubt close to home, with Purton making every post a winner to score by 1-1/4 lengths. LOYAL BO BO rolled to the early lead from his middle alley, before allowing Purton to cross and lead as they headed off the back. Derek Leung was happy in the trail around the turn and tracked the leader wherever he went. He was unable to match it with Ace Victory's sprint at the top of the straight. But he stuck on strongly over the closing stages to take that ground back off the eventual winner. Although he was taking ground late, he was never a threat, finishing second ahead of race favourite SECOND TO NONE. Jamie Kah's first ride on the day just found a couple better as she raced off the speed. The Australian stuck to the inside rail and grinded away in the stretch but couldn't reel in the two in front of her in running, ending up in third.
Race 4 – Po Tin Handicap, HK $875,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good
Time: 1:22.75 Standard Time: 1:22.10 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Chris So brought up his second win in as many meetings as PANDA LEGEND (AUS 5yo g Astern – Jessica Ann) scored an unlikely victory. Keagan De Melo slotted into a midfield position shortly after the jump, racing between runners throughout. Heading around the turn, De Melo appeared in a difficult position with runners swooping around him, and runners ahead of him appearing to be tiring in their runs at the top of the straight. Things began to open up for De Melo with around 300m remaining, as the South African moved into the clear to make his run down the outside. De Melo was throwing everything he had at the gelding as he ranged up to hit the front with 50m remaining, putting his nose in front close to home and scoring by a neck on the line after jumping a $34 chance. SMART FIGHTER was away just fairly and settled midfield for Karis Teetan, racing on the outside of the eventual winner early on. Smart Fighter was facing the breeze out wide and Teetan allowed his gelding to roll forward passing the 600m point, improving his position and building up the revs as they turned for home. He was travelling sweetly early in the straight and ran to the lead with a furlong to go. He was ducking in under pressure, but Teetan was able to straighten him up just as Panda Legend loomed on the outside. The pair set down to fight it out late in the race, with Panda Legend just edging clear late to see off Smart Fighter. I CAN was another long-priced runner to find his way into the money. He had run on from a long way back for Angus Chung to get into third position after starting a $64 chance. He didn't have the best of luck in the closing stages either as Panda Legend came across in front of him, but he picked himself up well to finish in third.
Race 5 – The Yan Oi Tong Cup (Handicap), HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1600m - Track Good
Time: 1:35.05 Standard Time: 1:35.00 Course/Class record: 1:33.78 Morethanlucky
Through the first half of the card, Tony Cruz had secured a winning double and Zac Purton a treble as they teamed up with BEATO (NZ 5yo g Tavistock – Here We Come) in race five. The five-year-old jumped away on terms and was able to slot into the running just a little worse than midfield. He remained in the second half of the field around the home turn but the pace being set was quite good up front. Purton couldn't wait any longer and peeled out wide with 500m remaining, getting the favourite into the clear at the top of the straight and beginning to eat into the margin. Purton hadn't moved on the gelding, and he moved up to join the leaders with 200m remaining, quickly taking the lead when the Australian shook the reins. He put a gap on his rivals in a matter of strides, with Purton easing him down late in the race with the final margin being 1-1/2 lengths in a very impressive victory. JOYFUL PROSPERITY was just off the pace for Derek Leung in the run and got a handy run into the race as they moved into the straight. The flashy grey took the lead with around 250m remaining, but he didn't hold on to it for very long as Beato blew right by him. He chased gamely though late in the race but was just no match for the winner. CHILLI BABA stuck on well from a midfield position to run third but was never really a threat.
Race 6 – On Ting Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.88 Standard Time: 1:09.40 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
David Hall was the next to score a winning double on the day, with CHAMPION INSTINCT (NZ 4yo g Holler – Acantha) winning comfortably. The four-year-old mustered good pace after just a fair getaway, settling in the one-out-one-back position. Andrea Atzeni enjoyed a lovely run in transit throughout and peeled out three-wide at the top of the straight to make his challenge. He travelled strongly early in the straight, joining the leaders with 300m to run and taking the lead shortly after. He got away from the field with a furlong to run as the gelding drifted back to the inside rail close to home. He was still well clear with 100m to run and although there was one taking ground off him late, he didn't look like being beaten as he scored by three-quarters of a length. PATCH OF THETA was closing strongly at the finish after settling in the second half of the field from a wide draw. He raced three-wide under Keagan De Melo but did have cover, moving into a more midfield position around the turn. The South African hoop gave his mount plenty of clear air at the top of the straight and the four-year-old began to make good ground on the leader. He continued to eat into the margin late in the race but couldn't wind in Champion Instinct. SUPER LEGENDS did well to weave his way through the inside and finish in third position but was 3-1/2 lengths off the winner at the line.
Race 7 – Tai Hing Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.26 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner
The progressive GORGEOUS WIN (AUS 3yo g Press Statement – Hollywell) bounced back to winning ways, bringing up four winners for Purton. The gelding got away on terms and landed in a handy position just off the speed for Purton. The Australian watched the speed battle unfold in front of him, before moving into the one-out-one-back position as they worked around the turn. Purton continued to move wider, being three-wide on entering the straight and still having a strong grip of the gelding. He let rip once Purton asked for an effort, taking the lead with 150m to run and although the margin only reads a half-length, the win was much more comfortable than the final margin makes it out to be. EIGHTY LIGHT YEARS had been inside the eventual winner in running and had gone up to hit the front alongside Gorgeous Win. He chased hard once the winner took control and wouldn't go down without a fight, but he had to settle for second on this occasion. COLOURFUL EMPEROR had led them up in the event but couldn't go with the first two as they took control. He finished a clear third, 3-1/2 lengths off the leader and 1-1/4 lengths ahead of fourth place.
Race 8 – The Centenary Sprint Cup, HK $13,000,000
Group 1 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.43 Standard Time: 1:08.20 Course/Class record: 1:07.50 Sacred Kingdom
The Group 1 was won impressively by VICTOR THE WINNER (AUS 5yo g Toronado – Noetic), bouncing back from a deplorable effort the start prior. The five-year-old flew out of the barriers and took up the running with ease despite the wide draw. Once he got to the front, Derek Leung was able to do as he pleased, setting just a moderate tempo for the class through the middle stages before kicking away at the top of the straight. He was over a length in front with 200m to run but did have a couple chasing ominously down the stretch, but they just couldn't catch him. He made every post a winner, scoring The Centenary Sprint Cup by 1-3/4 lengths. LUCKY WITH YOU surprised everyone with his effort in the Hong Kong Sprint, but proved it was no fluke with another strong effort. After settling midfield in the run, Andrea Atzeni began to make his move with around 500m remaining, peeling out into the clear at the top of the straight and travelling strongly. He stuck on well under the urgings of Atzeni to fend off his rivals, but Victor The Winner was just too quick in front. WELLINGTON looked as though he was the main danger at the top of the straight with Hugh Bowman sitting as quiet as a mouse on top. He quickened well when finally asked for an effort, but he was unable to reel in both the winner and Lucky With You. He tired late in the race to finish 2-1/2 lengths away, while race favourite LUCKY SWEYNESSE finished back in sixth place in a very poor effort. No excuses were found by veterinarian's post-race.
Race 9 – Yan Tin Handicap, HK $2,050,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1600m - Track Good
Time: 1:35.07 Standard Time: 1:34.75 Course/Class record: 1:33.19 Beauty Fit
Purton was quick to put the bad effort of Lucky Sweynesse behind him, winning his fifth race on the card aboard the John Size-trained SWEET ENCOUNTER (NZ 5yo g Toronado –
Haumea). After getting away well from out wide, Purton drifted back from the draw to settle in the second half of the field. He raced three-wide but did have cover as the pace was strong turning off the back. He was still a long way of the leader with 600m remaining but was travelling strongly as one of the widest runners heading into the straight. He quickened well when Purton asked for an effort, storming down the outside to rage up to the leaders with 100m to run. It was a ding-dong battle over the closing stages, with Sweet Encounter getting his nose down right on the wire to win in a photo finish. FLAMINGO TRILLION jumped well and pushed on under Derek Leung to take up the running relatively easily in the opening stages. It wasn't long before another rival shot to the front, with Leung happy to take a trailing position just off the lead and stalking the leader. He ran to the lead midway down the straight and was still in front with 100m to run. He wouldn't lay down back along the inside and only went under in the final couple of strides, beaten in a tight photo finish. STAR MAC looked to be in a tricky position at the top of the straight for Karis Teetan but closed off smartly through the traffic. He was coming home with a wet sail between Sweet Encounter and Flamingo Trillion, finishing a neck away in third.
Race 10 – Yau Oi Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:22.48 Standard Time: 1:21.80 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
GREEN N WHITE (AUS 4yo g Smart Missile – Twin Star Rocket) made it an incredible six wins on the night for Zac Purton after being heavily backed late in betting. He wasn't the quickest out of the barriers, but Purton was ablet o slot into the running line in a midfield position with the field stretched out as they turned off the back. The pace slowed substantially around the home turn which prompted Purton to get into the clear and get moving a long way from home. He worked into the race strongly at the top of the straight and took the lead with 200m to run. He was only just in front for the majority of the straight, but he continued to lift under Purton's hard riding to keep his rivals at bay. He clung on for a strong victory, with the final margin being a neck. E LEGEND burned across from the wide draw to sit up on the pace early on, before dropping onto the back of the leader on settling down. He enjoyed a cosy run in transit with cover and Matthew Chadwick was able to force his way into the clear midway down the straight. The local hoop had to wait for the gap to open up just a touch before he shot through, with the gelding finishing off strongly in the concluding stages. He ran into second position, outperforming his market expectation by a long way after jumping a $136 chance. SWEET BRIAR was just in front of Green N White in the run and made the initial move three-wide as they turned for home. He was under heavy pressure from Lyle Hewitson at the top of the straight and ran to the front alongside the eventual winner. He wouldn't go away in the dying stages, but was unable to reel in the leader late, settling for third.
