3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Saturday’s meeting at Sha Tin.

Race 1: #2 My Dear, #1 Liverbird Star, #7 Richcity Fortune, #11 Sunny Orient

Race 2: #7 Marvelous World, #1 Valiant Dream, #3 Casa Glory, #6 Kanbeki Molly

Race 3: #3 Diamond Brilliant, #6 Promise Kept, #2 All You Need, #12 Royal Chocolate

Race 4: #1 Hello Beauty, #10 Mr Croissant, #6 Big Party, #3 Key Witness

Race 5: #12 Management Star, #14 Savvy Seven, #4 You Have My Word, #2 Ho Ho Feel

Race 6: #7 Ka Ying Brilliance, #1 Duke Wai, #6 Calling The Shots, #4 Victory Power

Race 7: #7 Everyone’s Joy, #2 Follow Me, #10 Beauty Energy, #3 Super Wise

Race 8: #1 War Room, #6 Invincible Missile, #3 Green Card, #12 Chairman Lo

Race 9: #5 Uncle Steve, #4 Cordyceps, #9 Ever Laugh, #13 Beauty Day

Race 10: #2 Champion’s Way, #6 Right Choice, #13 Perfect Match, #11 King Opie

Race 1: Diversity In Education 1200m Handicap

#2 My Dear gets a welcome class drop. He’s found form of late and in Hong Kong’s bottom grade, he’s capable of breaking through. #1 Liverbird Star makes his season debut. Paul O’Sullivan’s gelding recorded only one top three finish last campaign, but a recent Conghua stint appears to have reinvigorated him. #7 Richcity Fortune is expected to lead. Alfred Chan’s claim takes 10lb off his back and with the lead; he’ll look the winner for the majority of the race. #11 Sunny Orient is winless from 31 attempts. He’s been racing well and his last-start third holds him in good stead. 

Race 2: Unleashing Potential 1000m Handicap

#7 Marvelous World was impressive on the trial track prior to his debut and across his two starts he’s shown steady improvement. He’s open to progressing further with Zac Purton aboard shapes as the one to beat. #1 Valiant Dream broke through last start over this course and distance. He’s capable of making it back-to-back successes for Jack Wong and Francis Lui. #3 Casa Glory has impressed in a number of trials at Conghua and he appears forward enough to land a top three finish on debut. #6 Kanbeki Molly is next best following a debut fifth.

Race 3: JC A-Connect 1200m Handicap

#3 Diamond Brilliant struggled coming from the rear of the field last start over 1400m. Prior, he sat on the speed twice and notched up two consecutive placings – both over 1200m. He’ll relish the drop back to 1200m and he’s expected to settle on the speed under Purton. #6 Promise Kept was a debut fifth in 2017 and since then he hasn’t been seen due to a number of leg issues. His latest trial behind Refined Treasure suggested a return to fitness and if he’s healthy, he could be value. #2 All You Need grinded away for fourth last start over this course and distance. He’s expected to run well again. #12 Royal Chocolate gets 10lb’s off and is expected to carry just 108lb. He’s a lightweight chance.

Race 4: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy (Handicap)

#1 Hello Beauty placed behind Sunlight in the 2018 Magic Millions two-year-old Classic when previously trained in Australia. He’s had two starts for John Moore in Hong Kong, his latest he finished fourth over 1000m at Sha Tin. He was honest that day and with improvement, he could take the honours. #10 Mr Croissant steps up to Class 3 for the first time which is tough, but he’s shown plenty of early potential for Chris So having won his last two starts. #6 Big Party is a two-time winner, however since being found lame he’s appeared to struggle in both trials and races. He has the class, but there are queries around his fitness. #3 Key Witness is consistent. He’ll make a late charge for the placings. 

Race 5: Boosting Innovative Power 1800m Handicap

#12 Management Star narrowly missed over this distance at Happy Valley last start. He’s found a suitable trip and, despite a wide draw, he should get his chance. #14 Savvy Seven has far from impressed across his career but he’s found himself in yet another winnable race. He attempted to make all last start which failed, however prior when ridden with a sit, he powered home to come within a neck of winning. #4 You Have My Word was a winner earlier this season over this course and distance however since then he’s mixed his form. He can match up. #2 Ho Ho Feel made ground from last to grab fifth at his most recent. He’s a 2000m winner so expect the 1800m to pose no threat.

Race 6: C-For-Chinese@JC 1400m Handicap

#7 Ka Ying Brilliance made all to record his first win last start. He was impressive that day dropping back to 1200m and if he’s held his form since then, he’ll take beating again. Expect he rolls forward to lead again. #1 Duke Wai was slow out of the gates last start but managed to surge up the inside to finish second by a nose. He’ll relish the step up to 1400m and if the pace is fast, it’ll favour him. #6 Calling The Shots scores his first top three finish last start at his tenth outing in Hong Kong. He’s open to further improvement. #4 Victory Power is next best.

Race 7: Beyond Arts Appreciation 1400m Handicap

#7 Everyone’s Joy makes his Class 3 debut. This galloper oozes class and if he finds his best, he’ll take a power of beating. #2 Follow Me has only missed the placings on two occasions from seven outings. He returns from a three month layoff at Conghua and his latest trial caught the eye. #10 Beauty Energy steps up to Class 3 for the first time following a last-start win. He’ll be thereabouts with only 116lb on his back. #3 Super Wise has been consistent of late and he’s capable of running into the placings.

Race 8: Empowering Youth 1400m Handicap

#1 War Room covered ground last start but he managed to stick on gamely for second behind Everyone’s Joy, who remained undefeated with that win. He brings the right form to this and with an easier run in transit he’s capable of finishing over the top of them. #6 Invincible Missile gets the blinkers first time. Following a debut win, the Chris So galloper placed twice and been competitive in all others. #3 Green Card has been a revelation since relocating to Conghua late last year. He scored impressively last start and although he rises in the weights, he’s capable of going back-to-back. #12 Chairman Lo has done nothing but disappoint across his short career, finishing runner-up on four occasions. He’s drawn a touch awkward but his consistency warrants respect. 

Race 9: Age-Friendly City 1600m Handicap

#5 Uncle Steve was luckless in the straight last start and had he received clear running room he arguably would have gone close to winning. He gets an excellent chance to atone for that performance stepping up to the Mile. #4 Cordyceps has been a model of consistency across his career (10: 2-3-3). He’ll roll forward under Joao Moreira to sit on the speed. #9 Ever Laugh is in career-best form at the moment and he remains in Class 3 following his last start win. He’s right up to this. #13 Beauty Day will push forward from the inside gate (4) and make his own luck.

Race 10: Sports For All 1600m Handicap

#2 Champion’s Way is looking to record a sixth unbeaten win. He’s risen from Class 4 to Class 4 in that time and although he steps up to the mile for the first time, he’s given every indication that it will suit him. #6 Right Choice is a winner of five from seven who comes out of top-end Class 2 behind Ka Ying Star, where he beat home Time To Celebrate. He’s the main danger. #13 Perfect Match was an excellent Class 3 winner over 1400m last start by dominant three lengths. He’s expected to handle the rise to 1600m but there are queries, as this is his first attempt in Class 2 against two high quality animals. #11 King Opie is a four-time winner from 12. He’s next best.