13/12/2020 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Sha Tin, Hong Kong International Raceday

One of the bigger and better race days on the world racing calendar is International Day at Sha Tin and the 2020 edition rolls around this Sunday, with most eyes on Classique Legend in the Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).

Hong Kong Sprint 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Hong Kong Sprint

Hong Kong Mile 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Hong Kong Mile

Hong Kong Mile 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Hong Kong Mile

Hong Kong Cup 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Hong Kong Cup

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He’s making his Hong Kong debut but 6 Master Montaro (Bet Now: $2.35) looks one of the good things on the program. David Hayes trained him in Victoria and he looked very sharp in both career starts, resulting in dominant wins. His recent trial behind Hot King Prawn was outstanding and bad luck is the only thing beating him.

11 Winning Brew (Bet Now: $10.00) could potentially have the back of Master Montaro and he does have the Moreira factor. Ran over this track/distance seven weeks ago when back in the run and he worked home okay, but they walked in front so those from the back couldn’t get involved. Better suited here and can bounce back.

Interesting runner is 8 Noir Rider (Bet Now: $151.00), who makes his Hong Kong debut. Raced in Australia with Bjorn Baker and went under the name Corcra. Showed some form of promise during that time hence the buy for Hong Kong. His recent trial was nothing to jump and down about but does get Tom Marquand steering.

Going the way of 5 Authentic Champ (Bet Now: $2.80). He is six weeks between runs since scoring a very impressive win at this track/distance, getting cover from the wide gate and he showed really good change up speed to put them away and win, winning well. If he can hold up from gate one, he will take some beating.

1 Joyful Heart (Bet Now: $5.00) has done his recent racing in Class 3 and now drops to Class 4. Did work from the wide gate to get on speed and tried hard. Just couldn’t quite finish it off when finishing midfield. Love the booking of Purton and should get a lovely run from the gate. Leading contender.

3 Ultimate Glory (Bet Now: $8.50) is ten years of age, but he’s still racing with a healthy amount of zest. Got a mile back last time, but by design, with Purton hooking back for cover. He stuck nearer the inside and worked home strongly late. He’s racing well and a win wouldn’t totally shock with this guy in what looks an open race.

Having a bit of a throw at the stumps here in the shape of 4 Cinquante Cinq (Bet Now: $12.00). He ran over this track/distance three weeks ago when eased back to near last in the run but made up a stack of ground and was very good late behind Beauty Angel. Gets a significant jockey upgrade, maps much better…gee I think he’s worth a gamble at likely good odds.

11 Chevalier Prince (Bet Now: $6.00) is a very progressive animal that’s racing well and do like that Moreira steers. Interesting if he had first choice between this guy and Beauty Angel. This guy looks more progressive though. Big win over the mile here last time out, driving through late between runners. He’s heading in the right direction and should appreciate the 1800m.

3 Enrichment (Bet Now: $4.40) can add some value to multiples. Ryan Moore takes the steer and he’s three weeks between runs. Got back in the run and closed off okay without threatening in a solid enough effort. Hopefully the gate is used so he can sit closer in the run and be a threat. Not sure I could back him to win but one for multiples.

Depth wise, this is a very weak Vase, but it’s an intriguing edition. I’m with 7 Mogul (Bet Now: $2.10) for Aidan O’Brien. He’s pretty much done a world tour in 2020. Three back was a third in the Great Voltigeur during the Ebor Festival. Then won the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp before going to the Breeders Cup Turf when far from disgraced in defeat. Think he’s the one to beat.

Is there a query on how well 1 Exultant (Bet Now: $2.10) is going compared to last year? His 2400m record is outstanding and he does get to that trip for the first time this prep, but he’s been safely held in both runs back from a spell. Been set for this race and fitness wise should be cherry ripe. Do I want to take odds on though?

2 Chefano (Bet Now: $67.00) will likely this field up. David Hayes trains this guy, who led throughout at this track/distance back in May when winning the Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m). Hasn’t set the world on fire this time in, but the small field should ensure he find the front, get control and run a bold race at decent odds.

Think this race will give us Australian punters a guide as to how good are sprinting stock is. 1 Classique Legend (Bet Now: $2.35) was the best in Australia, and on ratings the best in the world alongside Bivouac. His Everest win was stunning and he absolutely smashed the clock relative to the day. The trial was so so, but the Fownes camp is very confident about his chances.

Gee I’m surprised 5 Danon Smash (Bet Now: $11.00) is double figures in early betting for this and with the hype around Classique Legend, you might well get better than the current price. He’s a star sprinter from Japan who is in super form at the moment. Comes through the Sprinters Stakes where it took a champion performance from Gran Alegria to run him down. That form is A1 and I think he only runs well here.

9 Rattan (Bet Now: $34.00) is getting on in years but he has done a super job with Richard Gibson. Comes through the Jockey Club Sprint, the traditional lead up to this race, and I thought ran well in defeat when third to Hot King Prawn. Is a very effective sprinter on his day…highly doubt he wins, but can certainly include in multiples.

11 Beluga (Bet Now: $11.00) looks the most progressive of this lot and with better luck this time around, he can greet the judge first. He ran over 1200m here two weeks ago where he was taken back from the wide gate and when Purton wanted luck getting clear, it didn’t eventuate. Hopefully Moreira can do a better job this time around.

1 Heza Beauty (Bet Now: $4.20) is putting together a decent record for John Size and can win again. Three weeks between runs since recording an impressive win at this track/distance. He was one of only two horses in the race to break 23 seconds for the last 400. He’s still doing a bit wrong but clearly has a decent engine under the hood.

4 Lewis (Bet Now: $31.00) is a very interesting runner. Formerly with Chris Waller, he’s now with Douglas Whyte with eyes towards the Hong Kong Derby. His two trials to get ready for start one have been plain, but he did trial like that in Sydney. He’s a race day horse, so keen to see how he goes here against these.

The early market gap between 3 Admire Mars (Bet Now: $4.80) and Golden Sixty was too big and with that, I’m with Admire Mars. The Japanese miler brings with him elite form, his latest run being a third in the Mile Championship behind Gran Alegria and Indy Champ, the latter a proven big time performer in Hong Kong. If he just holds that sort of form here, I think he can give the local champ a real scare and real race.

If this race was just for the locals, 2 Golden Sixty (Bet Now: $1.50) would be $1.10. He has a significant margin on the local contingent, as we have seen this time in with wins in the Celebration Cup before Sha Tin Trophy, then doing as he pleased in the Jockey Club Mile. Good test for him here against some high class internationals, but he’s a star and will go close.

5 Southern Legend (Bet Now: $46.00) is a very honest customer for the Fownes camp that will run another good race. He ran third in this race two years ago and looks to be going well enough to fill a place again. Third in the Jockey Club Mile last time out and had his chance but liked the way he found the line. A must for exotics.

I’m all over 2 Danon Premium (Bet Now: $4.80) here. He’s one of the better 2000m gallopers in Japan. Probably just a couple of lengths off the top tier ie Almond Eye, Contrail and co. Led them up in the Tenno Sho Autumn last time out and fought on very bravely when fourth to Almond Eye. Think he’s much better ridden with a sit, so if that can eventuate here, I think he has too much class.

I think once upon a time they had eyes on 4 Furore (Bet Now: $4.20) as a 2400m horse. But this time in, they’ve kept him to the middle distance range and the results speak for themselves. He has been dominant his past couple, accounting for Exultant quite comfortably in the Jockey Club Cup. I have a query on how well that horse is going, so the form is looking suspect compared to the form around Danon Premium, but home track advantage and in winning form.

6 Dances With Dragon (Bet Now: $51.00) lacks the class of those near the top of the market, so couldn’t back him to win, but if you want one at value for exotics, think this is the guy. Wasn’t too bad in defeat in the Jockey Club Cup behind Furore. He had his chance, but liked the way he finished his race off when fourth. Think he runs a positive race again.

3 Winning Dreamer (Bet Now: $2.30) is 5/5 to start his career and I think he can make it six on the bounce. Three weeks between runs since getting a plum steer from the gate before getting clear air late and going through his gears to win again. Gets run of the race from the draw and should prove hard to beat once again.

Only real threat is 6 Sky Field (Bet Now: $3.40). He comes back to 1200m after racing over 1400m seven weeks ago where he got back off the speed and worked home strongly late to finish third. Freshened up back in trip and his tick over trial win was very impressive. One of the hardest to beat.

7 Pas Malotru (Bet Now: $11.00) is a big query here. Former European that makes his Hong Kong debut for David Hayes with eyes towards the Derby. Last start placed at Group l level in France behind Pinatubo, which was A1 form at the time. Liked his recent trial and though 1200m is short of his best, he will be charging late.

Think 5 Shadow Hero (Bet Now: $3.00) is the best horse in the race. Just hope Purton can get him to the outside of runners. That’s when he raced best when in Sydney under Mark Newnham. Made his Hong Kong debut over 1400m here and was good late nearer the inside. If he can get to the outside with clear air, think his finale will be too good and he can assert himself as a leading contender for the Derby.

9 Tourbillon Diamond (Bet Now: $5.00) is another that looks a leading chance for the Derby. This guy went by the name of Eric The Eel when in Australia and he ran a mighty third in the Australian Derby. His Hong Kong debut over 1400m was very good, closing off with real purpose late. He can sit just off the speed and be very strong late.

11 Nicconi Express (Bet Now: $16.00) is a talented animal for John Size that resumes after a two run prep during the Winter where he was quite good fresh but failed badly second up and was spelled. Has had a really good grounding for his return with four barrier trials. Has gate one, Teetan steering…definite market watch because his best is good enough to measure up and win.

BEST BET: Race Five Number 1 Classique Legend

NEXT BEST: Race One Number 6 Master Montaro

LONG SHOT: Race Three Number 4 Cinquante Cinq

Quaddie Tips (Races Seven Through To Ten):

Leg One: 2, 3

Leg Two: 2, 4

Leg Three: 3, 6

Leg Four: 5, 6, 9, 11

$50 Investment = 156.25% of the dividend if successful

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