After a very profitable set of tips on Wednesday night, Xavier Blair gives us his full preview of tonights Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – WUHU HANDICAP
Turf ,”A” Course ,1600m
Rating 40-15
Hard to find a winner here amongst this very average lot. American Glory (5) has placed twice in eight career runs and did do it tough last start here at Sha Tin sitting three wide over 1400m behind Spicy Fruity. Once again his draw doesn’t provide any favors but if he can manage to slot in he is a definite chance. Speed Racer (1) can improve in this weak race as he drops down in the ratings but he did show marked improvement at his first try at the mile last start. He could be some value but does have to carry his share of weight for a horse that has beaten only a handful of runners home in all his five career runs to date. East Rider (11) has been a similar margin from the winner at his past few and he does draw nicely today while the only other horse who has shown glimpses of talent is Master Tower (4) who ran third on the All Weather Track two runs back behind Golden Boy when a beaten favourite.
Selections:
5-1-11-4
Race 2 – HOK YUEN HANDICAP
Turf ,”A” Course ,1200m
Rating 60-40
Good Job (4) did just that when making his debut when he ran on well from the back when not beaten far by long shot winner Plentiful here at Sha Tin. He raced a little green on that occasion and should take plenty of benefit having that run under his belt. A good roughie is Think Big (12) who has done his best racing down the straight to date when making late headway on both occasions over 1000m. Forgive his effort over 1400m two runs back when he was caught wide and the 1200m today should suit. Try him both ways. Star Legend (9) was coming along nicely late last year until he pulled up lame behind Morning Green. He was well supported on that occasion and draws nicely today to hit back after a slight setback. Elite Fortune (1) ran into the handy Brave Heart last start in a solid performance. He only goes up four pounds in weight and shouldn’t be taken lightly from ideal draw.
Selections:
4-12-9-1
Race 3 – GILLIES HANDICAP
Turf ,”A” Course ,1000m
Rating 60-40
Hot Pepper (4) is coming off two consecutive placings over 1200m here at Sha Tin and the drop back to 1000m poses no concerns as he has won and ran second over the shorter trip. He should get a good smother and prove hard to run down. Fly High (1) is not renowned for his Sha Tin efforts but does strike a fairly mild sprint here in which he has the ability to figure prominently. The high impost shouldn’t be too much concern for him as he has been carrying big weights at his recent runs, they being two close up placings on the Happy Valley course. Go well. Wind Damper (2) made a winning debut down the straight here last month and no reason why he won’t figure again. Chevalier King (8) looks best of the others with Darren Beadman riding for John Moore.
Selections:
4-1-2-8
Race 4 – MA TAU WAI HANDICAP
Turf ,”A” Course ,1400m
Rating 60-40
Looks to be a raced dominated by the top order of the field with Super Gentleman (2) going on top after three excellent runs following a fair debut in which he saluted three runs back at big odds and then was three wide but still managed to run third behind the handy A Walk In The Park. Last start was a total forgive run after he sat four wide for the journey but still only finished just over three lengths from the eventual winner, Happy Seven. He draws poorly again but with any luck he should be winning and won’t be in this grade for too much longer. Amazing Venture (1) has been running well in harder class and will enjoy the drop back to a ratings 60-40 event where he gets in with a nice 126 pounds for a top weight. Gold Rush (3) is a John Size trained gelding who ran well on debut, finishing second behind Brave Heart. He looks a top chance to go one better as Douglas Whyte jumps on board. Noble De Best (6) looks next best and is due for a change of luck.
Selections:
2-1-3-6
Race 5 – PO LOI HANDICAP
Turf ,”A” Course ,1600m
Rating 60-40
National Treasure (1) won’t be in this class for much longer as he is showing a great deal of promise, including a dominant win as favourite last start when he came with a sweeping run to get up in the last few bounds over 1400m here at Sha Tin last start. The step up to the mile is ideal and he should be winning this. Tremendous Plus (9) ran well behind Record High at Happy Valley last start and is a winner over this track and distance and should be kept safe. Splendid Champion (4) just missed last start but might have to settle for a place again while Quantum Express (10) might also have to settle for a placing as he was beaten by National Treasure last start and it is hard to see him turning the tables.
Selections:
1-9-4-10
Race 6 – BULKELEY HANDICAP
Turf ,”A” Course ,1200m
Rating 80-60
Going with Topping Light (12) here who won his first two starts and then managed to place on International Day behind Mr. Celerity and Leading City when coming from well back. He has drawn ideally for his assignment today in barrier two and has the services of Brett Prebble for gun trainer Caspar Fownes. If there is a danger to Topping Light, it may be who beat him last start in Leading City (13) as he likes to go forward in his races and may find an uncontested lead and provide a strong kick. If this is the case I doubt any of these can run him down. Royal Doctor (2) had the gun but couldn’t finish it off last start as he is finding it awfully hard to win with two seconds and a third from three starts. If he brings his “A†game and a will to win then he can certainly figure. Hussler (3) started a warm favourite last start but was beaten by Cat Storm on this circuit last start. He shouldn’t have lost any admirers and should be more attractive odds in this event.
Selections:
12-13-2-3
Race 7 – BAILEY HANDICAP
Turf ,”A” Course ,1400m
Rating 115-90
Fleet Command (4) has been unlucky in recent times and does draw nicely today which should see him in the thick of things at the business end. Two starts back he was never on the track and did cop some interference in the home straight. Last start he faced a tough ask from a horror gate but still managed to wind up down the centre of the track and not finish far from the winner. 1400m is his go and should represent some each way value. Sunny King (1) has to carry plenty of weight here but carried a similar amount when just failing to run down Beauty Flash two runs back. He then enjoyed some weight relief to be beaten a nose by Egyptian Ra at Group 3 level last start. He draws gate one which should aid him carry this high impost. Special Days (3) closed well behind Egyptian Ra last start for third and he too has to rise significantly in weight. Presto (8) looks the other chance as he drops nicely in weight following his last start win here and should be respected.
Selections:
4-1-3-8
Race 8 – THE MERCEDES-BENZ HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE
Turf ,”A” Course ,1600m
HONG KONG GROUP 1
The feature event on the program today is a cracking race for the four year olds with at least four equal winning chances, the best of those being Chater Way (5) who is a get back run on gelding who has stormed home at his past two runs for placings over 1400m and 1600m. Douglas Whyte jumps on and he gets three pounds in weight relief and will certainly be the strongest at the finish. Algarve (11) has been ultra impressive in his debut season, winning four of his five starts. He defeated Napa II by two lengths last start over the mile and drops seven pounds for that effort. Prebble should have him just off the speed and looking the winner when they straighten. Beauty Flash (1) has won his past two after having nice runs in transit but will have to work form gate fourteen today which is of slight concern. Moonwalk (14) burst onto the scene here late last year winning two in a row but then had a tough run when finishing second to Beauty Legend over the mile. Forgive his last run over 1800m and John Size should have him cherry ripe for this assignment today.
Selections:
5-11-1-14
Race 9 – DYER HANDICAP
Turf ,”A” Course ,1400m
Rating 75-55
Looks a nice race for the exciting Vaugirard (3) who is coming off some cracking runs on the Happy Valley course where he defeated Elegant Win over 1200m then found the promising Tai Sing Yeh a shade too strong over that same distance last start. Trainer David Hall has always said he will get beyond 1400m and this fellow has a paralyzing sprint when saved up for the one run. China Lujia (1) has been contesting some hot races recently and has acquitted himself well. First up he ran into handy galloper Legend and then scored at cricket score odds over 1000m here defeating New Glory. He ran on well behind Hussler last start and with any luck he should be in the finish. Master Elite (9) has drawn perfectly for first up success here today and is a winner first up. He tacked slightly longer journeys last season but the 1400m should suit him early on in his preparation. Legend Express (13) enjoys these conditions and was slightly unlucky last start when stepping up in grade where he copped a check and still managed to run on for fourth. He looks a safe each way bet.
Selections:
3-1-9-13
Race 10 – BAKER HANDICAP
Turf ,”A” Course ,1400m
Rating 95-75
Danzulu (8) is a more than handy performer who had very consistent form throughout the latter part of last year. He won over 1400m here at Sha Tin two runs back defeating Always Something and then ran on well between horses on International Day when the winner swooped down the middle of the track. With Prebble up he looks a nice each way chance but his main danger may be who beat him three runs back in Forever Elation (3) who tackled a hot race last start when he was only two lengths from Amigo over 1400m. He has drawn poorly but he can figure with the right run. Brave Kid (9) is the likely favourite and rightfully so due to him being unbeaten in three career runs. He smashed Mr Celerity last start when a short priced commodity but from an awkward draw and a rise in class he could be found out today. Maelstrom (12) will relish his weight relief (finally) as he drops in the ratings. He will press forward from gate two and give them something to catch at odds.
Selections:
8-3-9-12
Written by Xavier Blair
