3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Sha Tin races.

Rail - B+2 Course

Race 1

#3 CHIU CHOW BROTHER has drawn wide but possesses the natural gate speed to cross the field and lead.He won a race earlier in the season quite similar to this but has since struggled with the greater depths of class 4.Now he's back in the easiest grade where he'll be far more competitive and a recent trial on dirt highlighted his wellbeing.Hugh Bowman also has an unbeaten record atop and jumps back aboard.

#7 MASTER OF ALL looks destined to enjoy the run of the race on the leaders back and shall therefore be first to attack when they turn and push for home.The blinkers were added last start and they definitely put some extra energy into his performance.An elevated confidence level within can often do the trick for a runner with very little previous form, so this isn't the time to be leaving him out.

#11 STAR OF GLORY would've been better suited to the 1600m but can still run a decent race over the shorter 1400m.Andrea Atzeni has been extremely committed to this low grade galloper over the last couple of months which reads as a really positive sign.An opportunity to work across on the outside of CHIU CHOW BROTHER also presents which shall create his best chance to position.

#2 YEE CHEONG WARRIOR was in excellent form at the start of the season but he's been common his past few.The drop back in class catches the eye, along with the booking of Zac Purton, and together they've trialled well leading in.He's generally better at Happy Valley and shall probably give away a start, but he's a dangerous runner to leave out particularly if the race is run hard.

#10 EASY TWO doesn't have a lot to brag about on his rating of 22 but a couple of recent efforts suggest he's worthy of throwing in from a good draw.He found bother when searching for a run last start but picked himself up close to home and finished well.The 1400m does appear to be what he's looking for based on the aforementioned result, so he's given a chance.

Selections : 3,7,11,2,10

R2 - 10,11,4,1,3

R3 - 2,8,9,4,5

R4 - 8,4,5,3,1

R5 - 6,3,2,7,8

R6 - 2,4,1,10,11

Race 7

Sprint Cup(GP2 - 1200m - SWP)

#1 LUCKY SWEYNESSE has been disappointing lately and probably hasn't been at his absolute best this season, but he's worth another chance.He was too good for his rivals three starts ago in the Hong Kong Sprint and then slow out of the gates his past couple, consequently settling too far back in the run. He still got home reasonably well, and his former jockey Zac Purton publicly stated that he believed the horse was looking for a step up in distance, which he got, but it didn't work.He's been freshened up leading into this event and Hugh Bowman now takes the ride. The pair have since worked sharply in a gallop down the back stretch in preparation for today.

#2 LUCKY WITH YOU has been in career best form for most of the season and is a legitimate winning chance back at 1200m.He ran a huge race to grab second behind LUCKY SWEYNESSE two starts ago at 37/1 in the Hong Kong Sprint and then proved that performance was no fluke by backing it up in the Centenary Sprint Cup, where he also finished second behind VICTORY THE WINNER.Although he conceded too much of a start that day, he kept on coming to the line and got within a length margin from the awkward barrier draw.Off those two recent form references, he looms as a major player and registered hard to beat.

#3 HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE has made a successful transition from Happy Valley this season to Sha Tin and proven along the way he's a genuine top quality sprinter.Easing back early in recent events has also added another string to his bow with the wider open spaces, and longer home stretch, allowing him to further stretch his legs.The set weights also entitles him to some relief over recent larger weights which should only make him feel lighter in his feet.He's up against the best today which is an intriguing challenge in itself, but I'm confident he'll hold his own and perhaps even surprise.

#9 PACKING TREADMILL draws well in gate 2 and should secure the run of the race.He arguably would've won his last start, if it wasn't for a loss of momentum, where the winner FLYING ACE recorded exceptionally fast time.He's had legitimate excuses at his two group races previously but everything appears perfect for his third time lucky attempt.He has more to find, as the handicaps suggest, but a trouble free and comfy run looms making him difficult to dismiss.

#8 INVINCIBLE SAGE has enjoyed an excellent season and with the check pieces being added for the first time should be respected.At this point, he's only recognised for his ability down the Sha Tin straight but there's definitely wins to come if he can successfully transition to the circle race competition.He's been pretty good in his two attempts so far over 1200m so don't be giving up on him just yet.

Selections : 1,2,3,9,8

Race 8

Chairman's Trophy (GP2 - 1600m - SWP)

#2 BEAUTY ETERNAL gets his opportunity to win a second race at Gp2 level in this event and possesses a terrific record over the mile.Whether it's his best journey, opposed to 1200m/1400m is a debatable subject, but the last time he raced at this distance, and at this level, he won the Jockey Club Mile.He maps to find the perfect trailing position and should be poised to challenge the leaders when they turn.Despite the strong opposition he faces and depth of class across the board he should be starting favourite, and following that up with a win.

#7 ENCOUNTERED has proven himself on a regular basis at the set weights scale but the 2000m certainly stretched his stamina at Gp1 level last start.His form has tapered off during the middle stages of his campaign but this appears a contest where he can again be competitive, and potentially claim a result.There are no outstanding negatives standing in his way, so he's a totallymust include, which ever way you play.
#11 HAPPY TOGETHER has been a revelation this season winning five of his eight registered starts.Included in his curriculum vitae is the Gp3 January Cup at Happy Valley where he sat in quietly, before overpowering those ahead with a crunching turn of foot.He'll have to cope with the weights and measures of a level playing field here, but gives every indication he'll go close.The near outside draw does appear a negative, but I'm prepared to leave that to the jockey to devour and absorb.

#3 BEAUTY JOY hasn't won a race since June 2022 but has been placed at the highest level on multiple occasions since.He's an extremely quirky type who often takes the mickey out of his rider's by refusing to stay in touch the first half.He then gets motivated around the 600m, via an abundance of hard core riding, but it's generally too late.However, the last time he competed under these exact conditions he went down narrowly to BEAUTY ETERNAL.

#5 NIMBLE NIMBUS has gone from being a class 3 galloper to a regular competitor in group races the past couple of seasons and is worthy of respect.A good draw and familiar rider are two ticks alongside his name and he won't have any issues reverting back to a mile.Class at sets weights however is the area he must improve, but in all reality, he's not far off making that successful switch.

Selections : 2,7,11,3,5

R9 - 7,2,4,14,11

R10 - 3,9,8,1,5