3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Wednesday’s (29/03/23) eight-race fixture at Sha Tin.

Race 1: #5 Compulsory, #2 Dragon Kingdom, #11 Zacian, #7 Touch Faith
Race 2: #9 I Give, #6 The Best Hero, #3 Awesome Treasure, #2 Summit Cheers
Race 3: #14 Speed Force, #2 Green Laser, #4 Colourful Baron, #7 Le Plus Vite
Race 4: #5 Shining Fortune, #10 The Multiplier, #12 Colourful Prince, #1 California Concord
Race 5: #3 Samarkand, #13 Asian One, #5 Nice Birdie, #1 Red Brick Fighter
Race 6: #8 Skyey Supreme, #6 Viva Hunter, #2 Romantic Combo, #3 Royal Bomb
Race 7: #3 Humble Star, #6 Gummy Gummy, #8 Youthful Deal, #10 Red Desert
Race 8: #3 Campione, #2 Nervous Witness, #12 Adios, #4 Ka Ying Master 

 Race 1: Hap Mun Bay Handicap 

 #5 Compulsory has shown ability on the dirt before, notably in trials. Expect he flies forward here to lead and takes a bit of catching from there under Derek Leung. #2 Dragon Kingdom mixes his form but can improve sharply in this grade, even under a hefty weight. #11 Zacian has refused to go on with it throughout his career in Hong Kong, however, he can be a factor under no weight from gate one. #7 Touch Faith knows what it takes to win on the dirt and his best form holds him in good stead. 

 Race 2: Pui O Handicap (2nd Section) 

 Expecting #9 I Give to fly out of the gates and lead. He was first across the line in a barrier trial on the surface and he should do next to no work early on. #6 The Best Hero has a favourable draw and has shown he's capable on the dirt. He returns from a lengthy lay off but does have ability, especially on dirt. #3 Awesome Treasure has returned to form and only needs to offset the draw to be a factor. #2 Summit Cheers is chasing back-to-back wins. He's a bit of unknown on the dirt but does have the ability to figure. 

 Race 3: Cheung Sha Handicap 

 #14 Speed Force slots in light and has returned to a competitive mark. He gets an ideal draw which should allow him to take up a forward position throughout. One to beat for an in-form stable. #2 Green Laser has mixed his form but it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce out of the ground soon enough. Vincent Ho's retention catches the eye. #4 Colourful Baron is showing his best from on the dirt. #7 Le Plus Vite continues to race off a dangerous mark for Pierre Ng. Expect he gets his chance on the speed. 

 Race 4: Pui O Handicap (1st Section) 

 #5 Shining Fortune knows what the dirt is all about. He's the in-form runner here and he continues to hold his condition. #10 The Multiplier is chasing back-to-back wins. He's another who does his best racing on the dirt. Strong booking of Zac Purton suggests that he's still in red-hot form. #12 Colourful Prince won well two runs back. He's continued to please and does get his chance here. #1 California Concord is the likely leader of this contest. The five-pound claim ensures he's well in at the weights. 

 Race 5: Kiu Tsui Handicap 

 #3 Samarkand is a tough on-pacer. He's drawn well and is expected to lead from barrier one, which could see him prove awfully hard to get past. #13 Asian One slots in light and is racing in the right vein of form. #5 Nice Birdie looks to have the ability but his consistency lacks. Overcoming the wide gate will be tough but he does get Zac Purton aboard in his bid to do so. #1 Red Brick Fighter has the class-edge and pairs favourably with Hugh Bowman here for trainer David Hall. Keep safe, even under the hefty impost. 

 Race 6: Silvermine Bay Handicap 

 #8 Skyey Supreme can lead and take reeling in. Expect he puts a decent gap on them down the back straight with the seven-pound claim in use. One to catch. #6 Viva Hunter has the ideal draw. He's in the right vein of form to be challenging this group. #2 Romantic Combo hops back on the dirt here. He turned his form around last start, enough so to catch the eye of Zac Purton. #3 Royal Bomb is doing his best work at the minute. He gets his chance here with Hugh Bowman engaged. 

 Race 7: Tong Fuk Handicap 

 #3 Humble Star has done well across five starts in Hong Kong. He has the right draw here, which gives Alexis Badel plenty of options to either lead or take up a forward position. #6 Gummy Gummy turned his form around last time out. He looks to be finding his feet and appears capable of taking another step forward here. #8 Youthful Deal has the class on the dirt and can turn his form around here. #10 Red Desert has tumbled to a competitive rating. The draw is against him, however, his ability on the dirt can be imposing at times. 

 Race 8: Tung Wan Handicap 

 #3 Campione loves the course and distance. The seven-pound claim is a big help here in a stacked finale, which he is capable of winning. #2 Nervous Witness is a slick talent, even if his early hype is yet to be fulfilled. The wide gate is a slight hindrance to his chances. #12 Adios gets a huge weight relief, especially after his impressive second placed effort last time out. #4 Ka Ying Master is a classy operator on the dirt. He gets his chance here from an ideal draw for Derek Leung and Benno Yung.