3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Sunday's (06/10/24) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin.

Race 1: #1 Joyful Prosperity, #10 Joyful Champion, #2 Fury And Gold, #4 Fruity Warrior
Race 2: #2 Young Horizon, #4 Super Elite, #9 Gallant Goody, #1 Yoda's Choice
Race 3: #6 Excel Wongchoy, #1 Floof, #8 Forever Folks, #9 Lucky Banner
Race 4: #1 Metro Warrior, #9 Victorythirtythree, #2 Ace Victory, #5 Master Trillion
Race 5: #2 Majestic Express, #1 Lucky Eight, #5 Fun N Fun Together, #10 Mr Good Vibes
Race 6: #2 Aeroinvincible, #5 Solid Win, #7 Markwin, #6 Flying Luck
Race 7: #12 Ka Ying Cheer, #7 Fast Network, #3 Flying High, #6 Alpha One
Race 8: #5 Sky Trust, #2 Sugar Ball, #4 Majestic Colour, #11 Lucky Fionn
Race 9: #5 Divano, #8 King Of Dubai, #6 Lady's Choice, #1 Mighty Stride
Race 10: #7 Chill Chibi, #9 Ka Ying Generation, #5 Adefill, #8 Berlin Tango

Race 1 - TUNG LUNG CHAU HANDICAP
#1 Joyful Prosperity has been a costly horse to follow but looks set to receive every chance in the run from barrier 2. Hugh Bowman remaining in the saddle is a positive sign. #10 Joyful Champion is another contender who maps well for a winning chance. He will benefit from the rise in distance second-up and is expected to improve. #2 Fury And Gold wears blinkers for the first time, and his trial in them suggests he can turn his poor form around here. His first-up effort was also an improvement. #4 Fruity Warrior showed he was ready with a solid second-place finish first-up. A competitive Class 5 event, but he is in the mix.

Race 2 - LAMMA ISLAND HANDICAP
#2 Young Horizon returns to Class 5, where his two career wins have come, and his first-up run at the bottom of Class 4 was full of promise. He has trialled well between runs and looks ready to bounce back to winning ways, especially with Zac Purton back in the saddle. #4 Super Elite is on a quick backup and will be ridden quieter, as noted in Tuesday's stewards' report. #9 Gallant Goody has drawn favourably, and his first-up run was a pass mark, so he can improve here. #1 Yoda's Choice has been disappointing, but dropping into Class 5 now, with barrier 1 and in-form Matthew Poon aboard, ensures he gets the right trip.

Race 3 - HIGH WEST HANDICAP
#6 Excel Wongchoy will be a fitter horse second-up, and there was merit in his first-up performance as he held his fourth-place position throughout, beaten just a length and a half. #1 Floof seems to have improved from his stable change, evidenced by his eye-catching last-start win, and he may be able to build on that. #8 Forever Folks will benefit from a hot tempo if it eventuates, and he should be in the mix again. #9 Lucky Banner makes his own luck on pace, but he isn't a prolific winner.

Race 4 - MIDDLE BAY HANDICAP
#1 Metro Warrior finds himself in a winnable contest, now third-up after two close-up fourths this preparation. In a field without a clear standout, he is well placed. #9 Victorythirtythree finished close-up in three runs last season and may have improved over the off-season based on recent trial performances. He has drawn the right part of the straight course. #2 Ace Victory can improve on his second start back in Class 4. He showed enough in his trial leading into this race to be a contender. #5 Master Trillion is a first starter who has looked okay in his trials without being fully tested.

Race 5 - THE CHINESE RECREATION CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)
#2 Majestic Express turned in his best run yet last start, storming home late into second over 1000m. With a favourable draw in stall two and Hugh Bowman aboard, he looks ready to win. #1 Lucky Eight returns to Class 4, where he should be more competitive. His close fifth to Full Credit last time out is strong form for a race like this, and he won a trial heat in good style ahead of his return. #5 Fun N Fun Together worked too hard on the lead from a wide draw last start but held on well for fourth; it was a solid effort. #10 Mr Good Vibes resumed in good order first-up, producing a strong late run into third over 1000m. The step up to 1200m suits his chances.

Race 6 - PAK TAM AU HANDICAP
#2 Aeroinvincible will be a much better chance back at Sha Tin after racing wide over 1200m at Happy Valley last start. He also had excuses in his first-up run when a beaten odds-on favourite. One more chance here. #5 Solid Win ran on strongly to finish second first-up, and he's trending towards a win. Slight query on where he maps from his wide draw. #7 Markwin is well prepared for his debut, and his trials suggest he has ability. #6 Flying Luck showed promise in his two starts last season, and Hugh Bowman, having ridden him in all recent trials, has them looking sharp for this run.

Race 7 - THE FEDERATION OF HK GUANGDONG COMMUNITY TROPHY (HANDICAP)
#12 Ka Ying Cheer has struggled to break through in Class 3 after seven attempts, but it's not for lack of effort. He ticks a lot of boxes in this race and looked sharp in a recent trial. #7 Fast Network vies to remain unbeaten in three starts as he steps into Class 3 for the first time. The rise in competition isn't overly sharp. #3 Flying High finished strongly into fourth first-up, two lengths behind the talented Magic Control. The anticipated fast pace will suit him perfectly. #6 Alpha One is steadily improving with more racing in Hong Kong. He has trialled well between runs and can take another positive step forward here.

Race 8 - PAK TAM AU HANDICAP
#5 Sky Trust showed potential last season, and after his breakthrough success two starts ago, he followed up with a third-place finish despite excuses, having been declared a "roarer." The combination of Hugh Bowman and Caspar Fownes is strong, and they appear ready to keep the momentum going. #2 Sugar Ball won his first local race convincingly when resuming, and staying in Class 4 should allow him to run well again now that he's settled in. #4 Majestic Colour raced wide without cover when second-up and was entitled to fade late. He should show improvement third-up. #11 Lucky Fionn steps out for a new stable, now under Ricky Yiu, and may have improved with the change in surroundings.

Race 9 - SAI WAN SHAN HANDICAP
#5 Divano makes his seasonal return after showing good promise last term, winning two from four and finishing as the runner-up to the up-and-comer Bottomuptogether in his latest start. One to follow. #8 King Of Dubai demands respect on debut, having caught the eye in his trials, and Mark Newnham's stable is in strong form. He looks well-prepared and ready to make an impression. #6 Lady's Choice is honest and has strong form lines behind the likes of Full Credit. #1 Mighty Stride reunites with Hugh Bowman first-up. Although he has some issues, his trial was solid, and Class 3 suits him well.

Race 10 - NAM LONG SHAN HANDICAP
#7 Chill Chibi continues to attract strong market support and is generally running well but needs to position himself closer in the early stages to enhance his winning chances. #9 Ka Ying Generation resumes following his 4YO Classic Series campaign and tries Sha Tin's all-weather surface for the first time. He was a Polytrack winner pre-import, which may hold him in good stead, and Zac Purton taking the ride for the first time is an eye-catching booking. #5 Adefill is a specialist over this course and distance. He will be far more effective back on his preferred surface after last seen on turf. #8 Berlin Tango appears to get plenty of favours in the run from his low draw.