3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – The Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup (Plate), HK $850,000
Griffin – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:11.82 Standard Time: 1:09.10 Course/Class record: 1:08.47 California Spangle
Winner: FOREVER FRIENDS (IRE 3yo g Cotai Glory – Alhena) jumped well from barrier 3 and didn't have to do too much work early in the race, settling on the outside of the leader as they settled into stride. Joao Moreira had the gelding travelling comfortably despite the slow tempo being set, and quickened well around the turn when challenged to take the lead at the top of the straight. It looked as though he was headed shortly afterward by another rival, but he soon dropped off as Joao and Zac Purton fought it out. It was a two-horse race with a furlong to run, with the Moreira and Purton neck-and-neck in the dying stages. The three-year-old was responding well to the urgings of Moreira, keeping his nose in front of his main danger right to the finish and getting the win by a short head.
Runner-Up: HAPPY WON got away well and was shoved along in the opening stages by Zac Purton, but the gelding didn't have enough pace to get to the front, eventually sliding back and taking a sit behind the leading pair. The tempo was very modest through the middle stages and the gelding seemed to be travelling a bit keenly in the run, prompting Purton to pop out three-wide passing the 550m point. He went up to join the leader at the top of the straight and fought out the finish bravely. He took it right up to the winner for the final 200m, but he was unable to stick his nose in front and was forced to settle for second position.
Run Of The Race: FOREVER FRIENDS was brilliant in fighting out the finish, never laying down and responding well to the urgings and pressure to keep his nose in front. He may have had the race run to suit, but you can't deny his tenacity at the finish.
Disappointment: INSPIRING CITY ended up jumping the second favourite of the race and drifted back toward the rear of the field. He was unsuited by the tempo, over racing at the tail of the pack under Vincent Ho, but he was also the first one under the whip as they turned for home. It took him a while to get going, and he did his best work late, but by then it was too-little-too-soon.
Comparison: Well outside the standard time.
Market Mover: No real market moves with HAPPY WON jumping a $2.50 favourite.
Race 2 – The Purves Quaich (Handicap), HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – All Weather – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.08 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.14 Happy Tour
Winner: MOERAKI (NZ 5yo g El Roca – Go Kate Go) got away well from barrier two but didn't have the pace to match in the opening stages, settling just worse than midfield as they sorted their order out. He was suited by the quick tempo on offer through the early and middle stages, with Luke Currie beginning to wind up the gelding with 450m to run and start working his way into the clear. He obtained clear running at the top of the straight and the response from the gelding was immediate. He made ground with every stride and joined the leader with a furlong to run, with those two breaking away from the rest of the pack. It was a good battle over the final 150m, but Currie and the five-year-old were going home the stronger, overrunning his rival in the final few bounds to win by a head.
Runner-Up: QUADRUPLE DOUBLE had good natural speed through the early stages and was able to find a tidy position in behind the leading division under Alfie Chan. He didn't have to work too hard to find the position, and the race was set up well for him with the quick pace set through the middle stages of the race. Chan started to poke his way between runners passing the 450m point, getting into the clear as they swung for home. He lengthened nicely to take the lead with a furlong to run and held the advantage over the eventual for much of the straight. He was digging deep and Chan was throwing everything he had at his mount, but the winner just got over the top of him in the final few strides.
Run Of The Race: TELECOM MISSILE stormed home over the closing stages to run into fourth position, after being positioned well back in running. It was interesting to see him slide back as his best performances have been when he's near the front, but he did well up in grade to run into fourth. He's worth following into the next season.
Disappointment: WISDOM PATCH settled on the outside of the eventual winner in running, with Zac Purton having the gelding travelling comfortably in a good spot through the middle stages. He came under heavy pressure rounding the home turn and didn't really pick up despite the best efforts of Purton. He then began to weaken out of the race inside the final 200m, with Purton easing up on the gelding over the closing stages. There are plenty of excuses for his disappointing effort though, with the gelding displaying an irregular heart rhythm immediately after the race, and then was found to have bled from both nostrils on returning to the stables.
Comparison: Right around the standard time.
Market Mover: TELECOM MISSILE had some specking at double figures.
Race 3 – The Swaine Cup (Handicap), HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:10.03 Standard Time: 1:09.10 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
Winner: CHICKEN DANCE (AUS 6yo g Hinchinbrook – Mallard) was one of the first out of the barriers, but Derek Leung wasn't too keen to lead them, taking a sit just off the pace as they settled into stride. He appeared a touch keen as they turned out of the back straight, but was settled better as they went past the 600m marker. He was able to build into the race nicely as the turned for home and was taking good ground off the leaders with 400m to run. He ground away down the straight to eventually stick his nose in front with 100m to run, but was being challenged on his outside as he went to the lead. Leung was riding vigorously to hold his rival at bay, which was successful in the end as they crossed the line winners by a neck.
Runner-Up: PROUD DRAGON wasn't the quickest into stride and was taken back from the wide draw early on, before crossing to the inside rail under Joao Moreira and improving his position along the rail. He was able to be just worse than midfield as they turned off the back, with Moreira getting away from the inside once again passing the 500m point to start working into the race as they turned for home. Moreira was kept in a pocket momentarily as he tried to get into the clear, but he was eventually able to work his way out of the ruckus and begin taking ground off the leaders. He stuck on well at the finish, challenging the winner right to the finish, but he couldn't stick his nose in front.
Run Of The Race: TURBO POWER had his ears scrubbed off at the start of the race as Zac Purton pushed on from the wide barrier to sit outside the leader. The pace was good right throughout the race. He was under heavy pressure as they turned into the straight, but was sticking on well to be stride-for-stride with the leader with 200m to run. He was over-run with 100m to go, but he stayed on well in the closing stages to hold down third position after a tough effort.
Disappointment: ROYAL AGILITY got away well and after being ridden up initially, Lyle Hewitson slid across the field from his wide draw to try and slot into the running line. He had no luck however and was cast three-wide and without cover, but was settled in the back of the field. He was under heavy pressure as they turned into the straight and was very plain in the straight and finished back in 10th place and beaten 6 lengths.
Comparison: Nearly a second outside the standard time.
Market Mover: LUCK STAR had plenty of support late in betting, with UNIVERSAL CROWN also being specked at longer odds.
Race 4 – The Wong Cup (Handicap), HK $780,000
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1600m - Track Good
Time: 1:35.63 Standard Time: 1:34.95 Course/Class record: 1:34.38 Le Panache
Winner: FLYING MIGHTY (AUS 5yo g Husson – Ibis) got away on terms under Zac Purton and wasn't bustled along in the early going, settling toward the rear of the field as they settled into stride. The pace was good through the opening couple of sectionals, with Purton popping out three-wide passing the 800m point to stay in clear galloping room and improve into the race on the back of his rivals. The field packed up passing the 600m point and Purton started to urge the gelding along as he shifted wider on the course, getting clear air near the centre of the track on straightening. He was racing tight between runners with 350m to run, but he kept coming down the straight to hit the front with 100m left to run. He was far too strong in the closing stages, pulling away impressively to win by 2 lengths.
Runner-Up: STAR OF GLORY got away well from barrier 2 and showed good pace under Jerry Chau to hold his position down on the inside, finding a perfect position on the back of the leaders as they sorted their order. The pace was good through the opening and middle stages, with Chau sitting 1-3/4 lengths off the leader passing the 800m point, which allowed him to build up his momentum along the inside rail as they turned into the straight. He was travelling very comfortably as they turned for home and popped off the leaders heels at the top of the straight to stake his claim. Chau had got through to second position, but hadn't let the gelding go yet, waiting until the 300m point before letting rip. He fought off his initial challengers as they came toward the 100m point, but couldn't hold off the winner who stormed home over the top of him.
Run Of The Race: FLYING MIGHTY was simply far too good for his rivals today, mowing them down in the straight and pulling away for a dominant victory. This was just a Class 5 victory, but he'll start next season at the bottom of Class 4 where he is worth following.
Disappointment: EL VALIENTE jumped as the equal favourite for today's race, but began awkwardly and was facing an uphill battle right from the get-go. He was able to improve and settle midfield in the run, and was making good ground along the inside as they turned for home, but found trouble with 250m remaining as he ran up onto the back of weakening rivals. He had his momentum halted badly and was unable to pick up after that, finishing well back in 10th place, beaten 7-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Well outside standard.
Market Mover: OWNERS' STAR was heavily supported, halving his quote to jump a $15 chance, while GRAND POWER was also backed.
Race 5 – The Li Cup (Handicap), HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.84 Standard Time: 1:09.10 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
Winner: UNIVERSAL HORIZON (AUS 3yo c Shalaa – Aurora's Star) wasn't the quickest into stride but got away well enough under Vincent Ho, but was left racing three-wide and without cover on settling down. He was positioned about midfield as they turned off the back straight, and was able to slot in with cover around the turn, with the pace being quick up front. Ho began to move into the race passing the 600m point, pulling out three-wide once again as he began to circle the field aboard the three-year-old. He asked for maximum effort as they straightened, and he was responding brilliantly out beyond the middle of the course. He lengthened nicely to round up the leaders with 50m to run and get the win by a neck, with the second placegetter flashing home down the extreme outside.
Runner-Up: GLENEALY GENERALS jumped nicely from an outside draw but drifted back under Ruan Maia in the early stages, slotting in nicely toward the back of the pack with the pace being strong in the early going. He was on the back of the eventual winner in the run, and peeled off heels to be the widest runner on straightening as Maia started to ramp up the pressure. He matched motors with the winner right down the straight but wasn't reeling him in until the last 75m. He flashed late, but he couldn't make up the ground required and ran into second position, getting the nod in a photo finish.
Run Of The Race: It was an impressive debut effort from UNIVERSAL HORIZON who was also well-backed late in betting. He raced back in the field, but did well to pick up the leaders from the position he was in and see out the race on debut. He appears to have a bright future.
Disappointment: DRAGON KINGDOM jumped well from out wider and worked forward to sit outside the leader under Derek Leung. He appeared to do that relatively easily, but the pace was genuine through the middle stages of the race as he sat about a length off the leader around the turn. He didn't respond to the urgings of Leung at the top of the straight, with the local jockey easing up on the gelding with 150m to run. He finished in last place, beaten 11 lengths with a post-race veterinary examination unable to find any abnormality.
Comparison: Outside standard.
Market Mover: UNIVERSAL HORIZON had some fans late in betting.
Race 6 – The Arculli Trophy (Handicap), HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1600m - Track Good
Time: 1:35.00 Standard Time: 1:34.65 Course/Class record: 1:33.78 Morethanlucky
Winner: WOODFIRE BRO (NZ 3yo g Echoes Of Heaven – Pico Turquino) jumped well from his wide stall and rolled forward under Derek Leung in the opening stages to be near the lead, but was trapped three-wide without cover. He travelled well through the middle stages despite being left wide and without cover, but responded well the Leung's urgings at the top of the straight to take the lead with 200m remaining. He powered away between the 200m and the 100m point, getting the lead to three-quarters-of-a-length, before holding that advantage down to the line in a terrific effort.
Runner-Up: PRESIDENT'S CHOICE was one of the first into stride from gate 7, but Joao Moreira opted out of the early speed battle to slot into the running line just off the pace. Moreira was racing with clear galloping room around him, but stayed away from the rail turning off the back straight before peeling three-wide with 650m remaining and taking a trail behind the eventual winner. He peeled even wider on the track as they swung for home, with Moreira continually building into the race and joint the leaders in a line of five with 400m remaining. He was trying hard and responding to Moreira's urgings, but he couldn't reel in the leader who was strong right to the line.
Run Of The Race: WOODFIRE BRO was great today, seeing out a strong 1600m despite sitting three-wide without cover in the run. He showed plenty of ability at his first start, but had done plenty wrong since then, so it was good to see him put it all together today. He's definitely on an upward trajectory and is worth backing.
Disappointment: CORDYCEPS TWO couldn't make it two wins in-a-row in a disappointing effort. He jumped well and pushed forward to take the lead under Ruan Maia, who set a good tempo through the middle stages. He was taken on passing the 900m point and was unable to cross to the rail, sitting outside the leader around the home turn. He came under pressure rounding the home turn. He began to weaken passing the 300m point and fell through the field to finish in 11th, beaten 8-1/2 lengths.
Comparison: Outside the standard time.
Market Mover: No real market moves to speak of with LET'S DO IT jumping a solid favourite at $3.20
Race 7 – The Chan Trophy (Handicap), HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good
Time: 1:22.56 Standard Time: 1:21.75 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Winner: ALL RICHES (AUS 4yo g Wandjina – Fantasy Lady) got away well from an outside barrier and pushed forward under Derek Leung, who urged the gelding along passing the 1200m point to take the lead with 1000m remaining and cross down to the rail. He slowed the tempo once he got to the front, packing the field up as they turned off the back straight and pinching a cheap sectional on the turn as he was left unchallenged in front. He appeared to be travelling much better than his rivals as they turned for home and he kicked away when Leung pushed the button at the top of the straight. He was over a length in front with 300m remaining and had built an even bigger margin with 100m to go. There was an eye-catcher late, but he was never a threat as Leung bought up a winning treble by 1-1/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: PLIKCLONE jumped nicely off the inside but didn't have the pace to match in the opening stages, with Antoine Hamelin happy to settle midfield as they sorted their order out. He was travelling comfortably through the middle stages despite the slowing tempo, but was hung up along the inside up until they'd entered the straight. Hamelin was able to get his way across the field and into the clear with 400m to run in a great piece of riding, as the gelding began to work through his gears down the stretch. The winner was off and gone, but he was a real eye-catcher late in the race as he ran into second position in the shadows of the post.
Run Of The Race: It's hard to go past the performance of ALL RICHES who was far too good for his rivals today. He was able to work to the front, then set up the race to suit himself, before kicking strongly at the top of the stretch and leaving his rivals in his wake. He can go on with it next season.
Disappointment: TYCOON JEWELLERY got away on terms and Zac Purton was able to find a nice position just off the pace, slotting in one off the rail aboard the $3.60 favourite. He enjoyed a nice run in transit and peeled into the clear at the top of the stretch, but he was only paddling with 300m remaining. He failed to respond to the urgings of Purton, with the Australian hoop easing up on the gelding with 125m to run, finishing in 10th place and beaten 6-1/2 lengths. Purton told stewards he believed the gelding would be better suited ridden conservatively.
Comparison: Well outside standard.
Market Mover: MILLENNIUM FALCON was backed, with CIRCUIT MIGHTY also tried at double figures.
Race 8 – The Stevenson Cup (Handicap), HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.13 Standard Time: 1:08.90 Course/Class record: 1:08.28 Reve Parisien
Winner: BEAUTY CHARGE (GB 3yo c Havana Gold – Poppets Sweetlove) was squeezed on jumping and found himself at the tail of the field relatively quickly under Matthew Chadwick. The pace was on through the opening stages with Chadwick sitting toward the rear of the field before peeling three-wide with cover as they turned off the back straight. The colt travelled well around the turn and always had a back to follow into the race, before coming out widest on the course as they turned for the judge. He sprinted beautifully under the urgings of Chadwick to storm down the centre of the course and join the leader with 150m to run. He took the lead shortly after and although he had a couple rivals coming at him late, they were never a threat as he went on to win in very impressive fashion by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Runner-Up: SMART IDEA was snagged to the back of the pack straight after the start by Harry Bentley after jumping on terms from a wide draw. The Englishman was able to tack onto the back of the field turning out of the back straight and moved alongside the eventual winner around the turn. He worked his way to the outside on straightening and ended up being the widest runner in the stretch as Bentley started ramping up the pressure. He stuck on gamely out wider on the course as he ran on boldly in the closing stages, eating into the margin in the final 100m, but he was no match for the winner.
Run Of The Race: Today was just the fourth career start for BEAUTY CHARGE (two in France and now two in Hong Kong), but what a victory it was. The colt carries some famous silks, but he could be making a name for himself in the future if he can continue to improve into his for-year-old year. He still has plenty to offer and he's worth keeping an eye on in the future.
Disappointment: BRILLIANT WAY has been unable to repeat his nice win three starts ago at his past couple of outings, with today his second disappointing run in a row. He settled about midfield and along the inside for Alex Badel, with the Frenchman easing off the rail at the top of the straight. But Badel found trouble early in the straight as he was trapped in behind runners and had no way of getting clear. He tried to barge clear but was kept in his pocket by a rival, leaving the grey fellow and Badel nowhere to go. He went to the line relatively untested, finishing in 8th place, beaten 6-1/4 lengths in terrible watch for backers.
Comparison: Not far outside the standard.
Market Mover: SMART IDEA had a huge amount of support, jumping a $10 chance, while KING LAND was also tried at longer odds.
Race 9 – The Ip Jug (Handicap), HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – All Weather Track - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:08.39 Standard Time: 1:08.60 Course/Class record: 1:07.40 Dehere's The Love
Winner: JOLLY RULER (GB 4yo g Helmet – Miramont) was away fairly and had to be roused along by Lyle Hewitson right from the get-go, with the gelding going through to sit just off the leader on settling down. He was travelling well just off the hot tempo and built into the race nicely passing the 500m point, narrowing the margin to the leader before Hewitson pushed the button as they entered the straight. He kept on well to take the lead with 200m to run and had stretched the margin to be about a length in front with 100m remaining. He was tiring late in the race, but he got to the finish in the nick of time, holding out a fast-finishing rival to taker the win by a head in a close finish.
Runner-Up: SUPER WIN DRAGON jumped on terms and was ridden up by Vincent Ho from his wide barrier, but wasn't making much ground in the early stages, settling near the tail of the field and very wide on the course. He was left racing four-wide and without cover through the middle stages, but this allowed Ho to take off around the field with 600m to run and build his momentum as they headed for home. The gelding quickened beautifully at the top of the straight and was eating into the leaders margin right down to the wire, running on very strongly in the closing stages. He flashed late, but just ran out of time to reel in the winner.
Run Of The Race: SUPER WIN DRAGON was the big eye-catcher in the closing stages, storming home from being 5 lengths off the lead at the top of the straight, to going down by a head at the finish. He was ridden brilliantly by Vincent Ho, but he just found one better.
Disappointment: SUPER AXIOM rolled forward and set a good tempo as he usually does under Dylan Mo. He led the field at a good clip, but was swallowed with 200m to run and drifted out of the race to finish in 11th place, beaten 6 lengths.
Comparison: Inside the standard time.
Market Mover: Plenty of moves late in betting. SUPER WIN DRAGON had his fans, while VALIANT ELEGANCE and MAN STAR were both tried at double figure odds.
Race 10 – The Chow Silver Plate (Handicap), HK $2,400,000
Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good
Time: 1:21.24 Standard Time: 1:21.20 Course/Class record: 1:20.28 Fantastic Treasure
Winner: CIRCUIT STELLAR (IRE 4yo g Mehmas – Lillebonne) got away on terms from an inside draw and used the inside to his advantage, with Luke Ferraris holding a position in behind the leaders. The pace was good through the middle stages as Ferraris lost some ground on the leader turning off the back, but he was able to make it up passing the 600m point and work his way into the clear as they turned for home. He quickened well at the top of the stretch to hit the front with 200m remaining. He wasn't alone though as Keefy took it right up to the four-year-old in a tussle right to the line, but the son of Mehmas was able to hold him off in the closing stages and win by a neck at the finish.
Runner-Up: KEEFY got away well under Joao Moreira and was able to slide in behind the speed and take a trailing position in the early going. He travelled comfortably with the genuine speed up front, with Moreira just easing away from the inside with 550m to run and improving between horses as they turned into the home straight. He was racing a bit tight for room at the top of the straight, but he pushed his way into the clear and set out after the leaders. He went to the front alongside Circuit Stellar and took it up to him over the final furlong, but the winner was able to hold him off with the lighter weight, with Keefy having to settle for second.
Run Of The Race: KEEFY continues to trend the right way in his first preparation in Hong Kong, and looks to have better races on the horizon despite the loss today. He carried 10lbs more than the winner and was only beaten a neck. He ran some good raced up to a mile in Australia, so the best may be yet to come.
Disappointment: CAPTAIN WIN has been disappointing in his past four outings, despite finishing in fourth place in two of his past 4 starts. He settled about midfield under Zac Purton and tracked into the race nicely at the top of the straight, but found nothing under the urgings of Purton and ended up in 11th place, beaten 9-1/2 lengths.
Comparison: Almost bang on standard.
Market Mover: VIVA HUNTER had some support, with WINNER METHOD being heavily backed late in betting.
