3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Sha Tin races.
A+3 Course
Race 1
#2 ROMANTIC FANTASY is a lightly raced, progressive horse who finds himself in a field of largely exposed horses. He ran well two starts ago over this course and distance, proving that he is effective at Sha Tin, before going on to score at Happy Valley last time out. He was perfectly rated by Alexis Badel on that occasion, rolling along out in front and holding all of his rivals at bay. Badel retains the ride here and while the wide draw is a concern, on what we've seen so far, he does look like a tactically versatile horse. Coming back in distance means he'll be rock hard fit and he has the profile to win again in this event.
#1 KIMBERLEY is a recent class dropper who has come down a long way in the ratings since he arrived in Hong Kong. He's drawn a good barrier this time around and significantly, gets the services of champion jockey, Zac Purton. From barrier one, Purton should have him just behind the speed and ready to pounce at the right time. He hasn't been far away at his last couple of starts either, suggesting that he's getting closer to a win. The main query is the 2000m, given that he's done most of his racing over 1600m-1800m in Hong Kong and his wins have been over 1500m and 1600m in South America. Provided that he can see out the trip, he's a winning hope.
#8 MANAGEMENT FOLKS has been in consistent form recently and has been freshened up. He isn't blessed with the greatest turn of foot but he can stay and he won't have to do much work from barrier two to find a nice spot under Karis Teetan. The blinkers have gone back on recently, he's got a reasonable record at this trip and he can certainly be running on at the end into the placings.
#12 STARSHIP EIGHTY's record in class four leaves a bit to be desired but he's been in really good form and his trainer Pierre Ng has been airborne this season. After lumping the topweight of 135lbs to victory in class five last time out, the step up in class means that he gets in with a light weight on this occasion. He's also demonstrated in the past that he can be competitive over 2000m. If they ran along out in front, look for him to be finishing off well. He's one to consider for the place and in your multiples.
#11 JUBILATION comes out of the Romantic Fantasy race last time where the 2200m saw him out. He's an honest horse, he makes his own luck in running and both his last run and his overall record prove that he's clearly better over 2000m. An added bonus is the booking of Angus Chung, meaning he'll get in with an ultra light weight. My slight concern from a winning point of view is if he's reached his mark after scoring a few starts ago, but I still think that he can be thereabouts.
Selections - 2,1,8,12,11
R2 - 6,4,2,3,5
R3 - 4,3,2,1,12
R4 - 3,4,10,13,9
R5 - 7,6,13,10,4
R6 - 10,1,3,4,12
Race 7
Hong Kong Gold Cup
(Gp 1 - 2000m - Set Weights)
#1 ROMANTIC WARRIOR is clearly the best middle distance horses in Hong Kong and one of the best in the world. After defeating the best weight for age horses in Australia by winning the Cox Plate, he then returned home and produced a gutsy performance to claim a second Hong Kong Cup against a quality international field. The task should be easier this time around, as he's only competing against local rivals, he will have appreciated the two and a half month gap between runs after such a busy schedule earlier in the season, and he's looked very good in his trackwork and two barrier trials. The outside draw is a negative, but given his tactical versatility and the fact that James McDonald is aboard, it's only a minor concern.
#2 VOYAGE BUBBLE has made the transition from talented four year old to top class weight for age galloper this season. He ran a super race two starts ago to finish second behind the champion Golden Sixty in the Hong Kong Mile and then secured a well deserved group one triumph last time out in the Stewards' Cup, where he was too good for his rivals. Although he's been campaigned as a miler so far this season, he did win last year's Hong Kong Derby by coming from last and sustaining a long run, demonstrating that he can see out this trip. He's the main danger to Romantic Warrior.
#3 STRAIGHT ARRON has really hit his straps in Hong Kong this season. After winning the G2 Jockey Club Cup in November, he proved that performance was no fluke by running fourth in the Hong Kong Cup behind Romantic Warrior, where he was unlucky not to finish closer. Things didn't go his way last time out in the G3 Centenary Vase as he had the top weight, he went back, was held up for part of the straight but still got home nicely for third. A return to 2000m and to weight for age conditions will certainly be in his favour and he too is capable of giving Romantic Warrior some sort of a challenge.
#10 FIVE G PATCH ran an enormous race last time in the G3 Centenary Vase where was held up at a vital stage and stormed home to finish second. This will be tougher as he's rising in class and was advantaged by the handicap conditions of that race. Nevertheless, he's been racing well this season, he hasn't had much luck on a few occasions now and given that he comes out of one of the key form references, he's got the credentials to figure in the exotics.
#8 NIMBLE NIMBUS won the G3 Centenary Vase last time out and while I feel that he had every chance that day, winning form is good form and he maps to get a charmed run in transit. He wasn't that far off Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup and with no international competitors this time, he's entitled to finish in the top half of the field.
Selections - 1,2,3,10,8
R8 - 12,6,7,1,9
R9 - 3,7,14,2,9
Race 10
#7 ILLUMINOUS won impressively on debut in Hong Kong last time out, an achievement saved for quality tried horses from overseas. He showed a good turn of foot to win that race and was strong to the line as well, suggesting that he'll appreciate the step up in distance to 1400m, something that is backed up by his form from Australia. He's drawn wide but he's likely to get back anyway and the speed map suggests that there will be good pace in the race, so that will assist him. Furthermore, he should have improved from that first run. Look for him to make it two from two in Hong Kong in this event.
#3 AMAZING VICTORY is coming out of the race won by Green N White and was desperately unlucky not to win that day. Significantly, he gets the services of Hugh Bowman and from barrier four, maps to get an ideal run off the pace. He's dropped a few points in the ratings recently and has been knocking on the door for a win in recent times. He'll get his chance this time.
#4 YOUNG CHAMPION also made a strong start to his Hong Kong career by finishing second to Illuminous. Like Illuminous, he's likely to have benefitted from the run and his overseas form also indicates that he'll appreciate the step up in distance to 1400m. A four-pound weight swing against Illuminous is in his favour too. James McDonald riding for John Size is a classy combination and he's certainly a legitimate contender.
#5 GREEN N WHITE is enjoying a purple patch of form, winning three of his last five starts. He was able to get the job done last time out, Purton retains the mount and from barrier three, he'll get every conceivable chance in the run. However, he does have six pounds more to carry this time and given the narrow margin of his last victory and his ongoing rise in the ratings, I wonder if he's nearing his mark and could be vulnerable against a more progressive type like Illuminous.
#8 FLAGSHIP WARRIOR is a horse that I've been a fan of for some time and while he's been running well, he hasn't been able to record a win this season. His get back, run on style of racing makes life harder for him but if they charge along in front and the race is run to suit the swoopers, he's capable of coming home hard.
Selections - 7,3,4,5,8
