3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Ashley Handicap, HK $875,000
Class 5 – All Weather - Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:38.98 Standard Time: 1:39.30 Course/Class record: 1:38.30 Apolar Warrior
Zac Purton and David Hall got the afternoon off to a winning start with PRECISION GOAL (NZ 6yo g Tavistock – Miraculous Miss) scoring his first win of the season. The gelding fired out of the gates quickly under Purton with the Australian hoop rolling forward heading into the first turn, landing in third position. The leaders were duking it out up front and got away from Precision Goal down the back straight, with a good tempo being set and Purton ending up 6-1/2 lengths off the lead with 800m remaining. The leaders began to come back to the chasing group around the turn and Purton got away from trouble and into the clear as they swung around the turn. He was still spotting the leader a good start though as they swung for home, but he ran to a clear second early in the straight and was clawing the leader back with every stride. He didn't stick his nose in front until the final couple of strides, but he was in front where it mattered most with Purton and Hayes winning the opener. YODA'S CHOICE was Alex Pouchin's first ride in his Hong Kong stint and almost got the job done. He set a quick tempo early in the event as he fought for the lead around the first turn and into the back straight, stringing the field out through the middle stages. He did come back to the rest of the pack around the home turn, though he kicked strongly on straightening and was proving very hard to run down over the closing stages. He was in front right until the shadows of the post, where Purton and Precision Goal nailed him on the wire. YEABOI sailed home down the outside from a long way back to finish just three quarters of-a-length off the winner with a massive gap back to fourth.
Race 2 – Cameron Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.63 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
THE BOOM BOX (AUS 4yo g Spirit Of Boom – Token Of Love) was too good on debut for Chris So and Vincent Ho, running over the top to make an immediate impact. The gelding jumped well from a wide draw but with plenty of speed up front, Vincent Ho decided to drift back in the run and slot into the running line in the second half of the field. He was very green in the run, over racing and not seeming very comfortable when racing between horses through the middle stages. He was under pressure turning for home with Ho remaining close to the inside and riding for luck. The leader had gotten away in the straight, but The Boom Box was able to slice his way through the congestion and got into the clear with 200m remaining. He stormed over the top to hit the front approaching the 50m point and the debutant was far too good, winning by a half-length on the line. ISLAND BUDDY stuck on well after sitting up on the speed throughout. The gelding was rushed forward by Matthew Chadwick to try and hold his position from an inside barrier, holding the rail to keep his opponents off the inside. He would slide through to second position as they worked around the home turn and has a bunny to chase at the top of the straight, needing to make up a couple of lengths. He mowed down the leader to hit the front momentarily with around 100m to run, but it was short lived as The Boom Box ran on by him. PANDA was right out wide down the outside rail making plenty of headway from well back in the run, finishing in third placed only three quarters of-a-length.
Race 3 – Carnarvon Handicap, HK $875,000
Class 5 – All Weather - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.61 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.46 Trillion Treasure
VULCANUS (AUS 4yo g Lean Mean Machine – Fair Choice) secured his maiden victory in race three and did so in dominant fashion. From barrier two, Vincent Ho ensured the gelding would hold a prominent position in the run, niggling the gelding along to hold his position close to the speed. He was keen to remain one off the fence as they worked off the back, improving to move into third one off the fence, keeping his nearest rival wide and allowing the four-year-old to build into the race around the turn. He was looming ominously as they swung the bend and he let rip down the outside, moving up to hit the front shortly after straightening. He shot away midway down the straight and put the race to bed, going away to win by 3-1/2 lengths. EXCELLENT DADDY was a little slow into stride and dropped out toward the back of the field on settling down. He was racing between horses in the second half of the field and was looking to work his way through the traffic around the home turn, with Luke Ferraris remaining toward the inside. The gaps opened up for him with around 200m remaining and he was very strong late in the race, catching the eye as he stormed home late to finish in second. SONIC BOOM stuck on well after sitting on the outside of the eventual winner to finish in third.
Race 4 – Hankow Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – All Weather - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.62 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class record: 1:08.14 Happy Tour
ACA POWER (AUS 8yo g Zoffany – Lavender Bay) got back to winning ways as he ran over the top to score for Alex Badel. The old boy didn't show much early speed from the wide draw and was tailed out the back early on for Badel. The pace was strong, but it left Aca Power racing in a clear second-last position turning off the back, with the eight-year-old finally improving his position around the turn. He was able to sneak up the inside before getting off the rail and swinging around the outside of runners as they turned for home, getting to the middle of the track. They were stretched across the track with 200m to run, but the gelding showed his strength late in the race to mow down his rivals and get the job done after a tough run in transit. NEBRASKAN held on for second position after sitting on the pace throughout. James McDonald tried to roll forward from an outside alley and was left racing wide from the outset, but he did have some cover in the run. He was right there to strike moving around the home turn and switched off heels and into the clear to give his mount every chance. He was still right there with 200m to run but he couldn't put his rivals away. Aca Power stormed down the outside to beat them all, with Nebraskan getting his nose down on the line to finish in second position. SUNNY DARLIN was the one beaten in a photo finish. He was strong from the front after sitting up on the speed with the leading division. He was tough to run past down the lane and was only a half-length off the winner.
Race 5 – Humphreys Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 56.71 Standard Time: 56.45 Course/Class record: 55.85 Stoltz
HEALTHY HEALTHY (NZ 5yo g Per Incanto – Spritz) scored his second win in just four days after winning over 1000m at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The gelding wasn't the fastest away but he was able to hold his position from barrier seven, sitting just off the leaders through the opening and middle stages. Vincent Ho shifted toward the middle of the track as the hit the course proper to ensure he had every possible chance in the straight. The leader kicked strongly late in the race and Healthy Healthy had to dig deep to wind him in, eventually making ground with 100m remaining. He was getting closer and closer with every stride, eventually sticking his nose in front and getting the job done right on the post with only a nose separating the first two across the line. The victory secured a treble for Vincent Ho through the first five races on the card. STELLAR EXPRESS showed good early speed from out wide, crossing to race near the outside fence for Brenton Avdulla. He continued to roll forward and took the lead approaching the 400m point, putting in a strong kick to break clear of his nearest rivals. Healthy Healthy was coming to his inside, but Stellar Express didn't go down without a fight, trying until the very end where he was narrowly edged out on the post. SUPER FORTUNE was overtaken with 400m to run and while he was unable to rally back, he did stick on well to hold on for third.
Race 6 – Middle Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – All Weather - Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:48.46 Standard Time: 1:48.55 Course/Class record: 1:47.45 Mission Bravo
RELIABLE PROFIT (NZ 6yo g Reliable Man – Oh So Royal) brought up a hat-trick of wins in race six with the flashy grey proving too strong once again. Despite getting away on terms from out wide, Bowman ended up taking the gelding back in the run, sitting a little worse than midfield as they rounded the first turn. The Australian jockey moved into the three-wide trail with no real change to the order through the middle stages. Though the leader was getting away from the rest of the group. As the leader extended his margin, Bowman was left racing wide and without cover down the back straight, spotting the leader a big start turning off the back straight with the Australian jockey already hard at work aboard Reliable Profit. He built up the revs around the home turn and had plenty of speed at the top of the straight as the set out after the leader. He stormed down the middle of the track to hit the front with a round 100m to run and inch away late in the race to win by a neck on the line in what ended up being a comfortable win. EXCEL WONGCHOY put up a good fight in the lane. He had positioned himself right in front of Reliable Profit throughout the race and rolled forward when the leader got away to try and bridge the gap. The flashy grey had tracked Excel Wongchoy turning for home and the two came with their runs together down the outside. Vincent Ho couldn't hold onto his lead down to the wire, finishing in second. HAPPYDEARHAPPYDEER was the one who broke the field apart through the middle stages and put up a good fight at massive odds of $116. He stuck on well to finish a clear third.
Race 7 – The Peninsula Golden Jubille Challenge Cup (Handicap), HK $2,840,000
Class 2 – All Weather - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.37 Standard Time: 1:08.30 Course/Class record: 1:07.27 Winner Supreme
Mark Newnham and Matthew Chadwick combined to win the feature event on the card with SING DRAGON (AUS 5yo g Written Tycoon – Secret Doubt) getting the job done in his return to the All Weather surface. The gelding got away well and was urged along by Chadwick to hold a forward position, sitting close to the speed on settling down. Chadwick stayed away from the inside as they sorted their order out, racing in third position in the one-out-one-back position through the middle stages. This allowed him to get off heels and into the open as they turned the corner, building into the race nicely three deep at the top of the straight. He let down well to hit the front with around 250m to run and he shook off his initial challenger to break clear. There was a runner flashing late up the inside, but not fast enough as Sing Dragon was far too good on the day. The one flashing home was the winner's stablemate FULL CREDIT, ridden by Matthew Poon for Mark Newnham. The local hoop was trying to hold a forward position shortly after the start but was chopped off slightly early doors. This forced Poon back to the inside, but he had some galloping room along the fence and improved to the inside of Sing Dragon as they turned off the back. Poon was forced to stay to the inside as they swung the bend, and he lacked a turn-of-foot shown by his rivals at the top of the straight. It wasn't until the last 150m that the gelding really showed what he was capable of, storming home late to finish a neck off the winner in a solid effort. CALL ME GLORIOUS stuck on well down the lane after crossing from a wide draw to set the tempo. He was only 1-1/4 lengths away at the post in a strong effort.
Race 8 – Mody Handicap, HK $2,050,000
Class 3 – All Weather - Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:38.24 Standard Time: 1:38.60 Course/Class record: 1:36.79 True Legend
Hugh Bowman made it a winning double on the card, as did Mark Newnham as they combined with TALENTS AMBITION (AUS 4yo g Into Mischief – Spirit Of Ecstasy) in race eight. He wasn't the fastest into stride from his wide barrier and Bowman was happy to take the gelding back from the draw. In a similar copy to race six, Bowman settled in the three-wide trail in the second half of the field with the tempo even through the middle stages of the race. There was no change to the order as they turned off the back with Bowman beginning to work into the race passing the 600m point, swinging wide and getting into the clear as the gelding built up his momentum out wide on the course. Bowman was the widest runner on straightening, and he made his move at the top of the straight, sprinting strongly and taking the lead with 200m to run. He didn't break away from the rest of the pack, but he was a comfortable winner nonetheless, scoring by a half length on the line. FIGHTING MACHINE was able to land in a handy position midfield and between horses on settling down. Zac Purton was trying to weave his way through the congestion, ending up three-wide and facing the breeze as they turned off the back. He still tracked into the race beautifully turning for home and was there to strike if good enough. As he ran to the front, Talents Ambition did also and once the big grey got his head in front, Fighting Machine was unable to peg the margin back. PERFECT TEAM closed off well from the back to finish in third place, getting the nod in a photo finish, ending up 3 lengths off the winner.
Race 9 – Nathan Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:22.16 Standard Time: 1:22.05 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
It wasn't long before Hugh Bowman made it a winning treble on the day, guiding home DRAGON JOY (NZ 4yo g Saxon Warrior – Ashara) to his maiden victory. The four-year-old jumped on terms and landed in a handy position on the back of the speed. He was racing between horses as they turned off the back straight with the speed slowing through the middle stages of the event. The gelding looked to be travelling strongly, though he needed some luck turning for home with a wall of horses in front of him. Bowman was able to push his way into the clear on straightening and the son of Saxon Warrior ambled up to the leaders with 300m remaining. He quickened well when asked, but it was his late strength which was the most impressive part of the run. Dragon Joy was able to pull away from his rivals in the final 100m to win by a length on the line in good fashion and it looks as though he can go on with the job. TRIUMPHANT WARRIOR jumped well form gate three and was running up on the speed early on under Vincent Ho, wanting to go quicker early in the race before obtaining cover with around 900m remaining. He would race in the one-out-one-back position through the middle stages, still racing a little keenly with just a fair tempo being set with the leader slowing the pace through the middle stages. Ho moved three-wide turning for home and moved up to the leaders on straightening with the gelding sprinting well when asked for an effort. He couldn't shake Dragon Joy though and his opponent proved too strong late in the race, pulling away from Triumphant Warrior close to home. MASTER OF ALL was able to dictate from the front under Keith Yeung and kept on well to the line, finishing in third position.
Race 10 – Salisbury Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.20 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
Mark Newnham rounded out a successful day for his stable with an impressive winner in the last. MY WISH (AUS 4yo g Flying Artie – Set The Tone) was too good once again for his rivals, making it three wins from his last four starts. He wasn't the fastest into stride but he rolled forward under Luke Ferraris to get across from the outside alley. He was able to land in a beautiful position just off the leaders in the one-out-one-back position, eventually racing in single file around the home turn with the leaders going along at a good tempo. Ferraris looked to have plenty of horse underneath him as he pulled out at the top of the straight and he ambled up to the outside of his rivals early in the straight. Ferraris asked for an effort at the 300m point and the gelding put the race to bed. He was well in front with 100m to run and he never looked like going under, winning by 1-1/4 lengths in a very strong effort. STEPS AHEAD was looking to roll forward early on for Vincent Ho early on, but the local hoop ended up easing out of the speed battle and settling midfield along the fence. Ho got some luck at the top of the straight with the field fanning across the track and he was able to get off heels to make his run. He was chasing hard down the straight, but he was no match for the winner who was just too good on the night. MAGNIFICENT NINE made some late ground back to the inside for Antoine Hamelin, closing off nicely to grab third, 1-1/2 lengths off the winner.