3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - C Course
Race 1
#1 FUN ELITE drops significantly in weight for this race thanks to Britney Wong's claim and he should be at peak fitness third up. He's improved from run to run this campaign and I liked the way that he got to the line last time out over 1000m, indicating that he would be suited by the step up in distance to 1200m. From barrier five, he should get an ideal run in transit, he's a consistent horse and is well placed in this event where there isn't a great deal of depth.
#6 SHOTGUN is a three year old colt making his debut from David Hall's stable. He's had three barrier trials to prepare for this assignment and I thought his work to and through the line in his latest trial at Sha Tin was encouraging. The booking of star jockey Hugh Bowman is significant on a day where he's got a particularly strong book of rides. From the inside gate, he'll get an economical run in transit and should be finishing the race off strongly.
#12 ALMIGHTY KICK has been thereabouts at a couple of his recent runs and I thought there was merit in his latest run at Happy Valley where he finished fifth. He's got a lightweight and it wouldn't surprise to see Vincent Ho ride him positively to take advantage of that, in what is his first ride back from an injury enforced break. Look for him to be in this for a long way.
#2 RIDING HIGH has recently dropped into this grade and put in an improved performance last time out. That was on the straight track, where he didn't look entirely comfortable, so I think he'll be better suited around a bend and from gate four, he maps to get a charmed run. He appears to be his nearing his mark to break through for his first Hong Kong win.
#4 NOBLE GO wasn't overly impressive at the barrier trials but the fact that he's trained by John Size at a time of year where the master trainer tends to unveil his promising youngsters, and is in a race that lacks depth, means that he warrants consideration.
Selections : 1,6,12,2,4
R2 - 2,1,12,11,3
R3 - 1,6,5,12,7
Race 4
Bauhinia Sprint Trophy
(Gp3 - 1000m - Hcp)
#3 MAGIC CONTROL is quickly developing a reputation for being a 1000m specialist and looks to have this race at his mercy. He's had a freshen up since his last win in November and bolted up to win a recent trial at Sha Tin by nine lengths in a slick of 56.78 for the 1000m. He was narrowly beaten by Beauty Waves in a similar race to this earlier in the season but there's a weight swing in his favour this time, plus he's improved since then, he's progressive and is well weighted for the stage of his career that he's at and is undoubtedly the one they all have to beat.
#2 BEAUTY WAVES is the main danger to Magic Control and is the only horse to beat him this season. Since that win, he's been finishing in behind Ka Ying Rising in the top sprint races and has still acquitted himself well in those events. His run in the Hong Kong Sprint was huge, as he was forced to go back from a wide draw, struggled to gain clear running early in the straight and then was charging to the line when he did get clear. He's got a nice bit of weight relief from the top weight in Howdeepisyourlove, he's got a decent record over this trip and is one of the main players here.
#1 HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE is in excellent form, running second to Ka Ying Rising two starts ago when the track record was broken for the 1200m, while he also got home very well in the Hong Kong Sprint last time out. He is conceding weight to all of his rivals and the 1000m is an unknown factor for him but on his current form he commands respect.
#4 WHIZZ KID was a surprise winner of this race last year and all six of his wins have been over this distance. He hasn't been at his best lately but he did won a trial recently and if he can find some of his better form, he's one to look at as far as the exotics are concerned.
#5 HARMONY N BLESSED is another horse that goes well over this trip and has the credentials to be competitive without winning.
Selections : 3,2,1,4,5
R5 - 5,1,3,2,12
R6 - 5,3,6,4,11
R7 - 7,5,4,3,12
Race 8
Chinese Club Challenge Cup
(Gp3 - 1400m - Hcp)
#2 BEAUTY JOY isn't a regular winner these days but he's been a grand campaigner for his connections, and is going well enough to win a race like this. He put in an eye catching run last time out in the Hong Kong Mile where he got home strongly from the rear of the field to grab third. He's a notorious backmarker who should get the race run to suit here as with California Spangle and Drombeg Banner involved, the pace should be genuine and I can see him capitalising on that scenario to score for Hugh Bowman and Tony Cruz.
#1 CALIFORNIA SPANGLE was reinvented as a sprinter last year but I think that at this point of his career, 1400m is his perfect trip. He suggested that he was back to somewhere near his best with his effort to run fourth in the Hong Kong Sprint, this is an easier assignment for him, he hasn't been overly taxed this season, will make his own luck on speed and will be tough to run down.
#6 PATCH OF THETA is a remarkably consistent galloper who looks like he's been set for this race, having been freshened up since his last start triumph in the Chevalier Cup. He looked good in winning a recent barrier trial, he's got a lightweight and maps to get the run of the race. My only concern is whether or not he's got the class to topple Beauty Joy and California Spangle, both proven elite level performers.
#8 CHIU CHOW SPIRIT put in a terrific effort on international day to run on powerfully for third behind Packing Hermod, in what looks like a strong form race. He's also got a lightweight in this event and if the pace is genuine, he can run on into the minor money.
#7 DROMBEG BANNER is a consistent customer with a very good record at this distance. He's a reliable on pacer and while the wide draw isn't ideal, if he and California Spangle don't take each other on in front and instead get away with some soft sectionals, he could be thereabouts for a fair way.
Selections : 2,1,6,8,7
R9 - 2,5,11,4,7
R10 - 10,7,5,1,9
R11 - 5,3,2,9,4
