3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin.

Race 1: #7 Aethero, #9 Judy’s Star, #4 Sparkling Knight, #3 Shadow Breaker

Race 2: #2 Chicken Dance, #7 Victory In Hand, #8 Supreme Plus, #10 Shining Ace

Race 3: #7 Exponents, #1 Majestic Endeavour, #9 Surewin, #5 Sports Master

Race 4: #1 Voyage Warrior, #11 Thanks Forever, #2 Orionids, #7 Goko

Race 5: #1 Monica, #7 Nice Kick, #2 Beauty Loyal, #10 Sweetie Barley

Race 6: #1 Little Giant, #2 Wishful Thinker, #7 Full Of Beauty, #4 Gunnison

Race 7: #1 Dan Control, #3 Simply Big, #8 Hair Trigger, #9 Aerohappiness

Race 8: #1 Exultant, #7 Happy Grin, #4 Pakistan Star, #2 Glorious Forever

Race 9: #5 Bellagio, #12 Touch Of Luck, #1 Sam’s Love, #10 Little General

Race 10: #6 Champion Supreme, #1 Ping Hai Treasure, #11 Defining Moment, #2 Vincy

Race 11: #4 Hezthewonforus, #2 Styling City, #14 Kasi Farasi, #6 Fast Most Furious

Race 1: Liberator Plate

#7 Aethero couldn’t have been more impressive on debut for John Moore and if he finds that level of form again, he’ll go home the winner. #9 Judy’s Star caught the eye when finishing runner-up behind Winning Method. He was a distant second, but the form in the race is strong and he’s capable of serving it up to the rest of the field outside of Aethero. #4 Sparkling Knight has the runs on the board. He’ll be thereabouts. #3 Shadow Breaker is next best.

Race 2: Helene Super Star Handicap

#2 Chicken Dance was a debut second earlier this season in March. Following that run he was withdrawn due to a fever; however a recent trial on the turf at Happy Valley displayed a return to form. He closed impressively and a break through win at only his second start wouldn’t surprise. #7 Victory In Hand closed for fifth on debut. He’s capable of progressing further and from the draw he is expected to push forward and make his own luck. #8 Supreme Plus improved back to 1200m last start. He’ll get back in the run under Umberto Rispoli, but he remains a big watch, especially if the speed is on. #10 Shining Ace won’t be too far away.

Race 3: Mighty High Handicap

#7 Exponents was an excellent winner on the dirt at his latest. He’s a winner on both surfaces, including a class win over this course and distance last prep and he’s capable getting the job done again. #1 Majestic Endeavour has placed in three of his last four. Handy claim from Alfred Chan takes 10lb off his back and although he’s drawn wide, he’s expected to push forward and contest the lead. #9 Surewin is one of many Michael Chang runners finding form late in the season. He gets Moreira on this time and he’s worth consideration. #5 Sports Master holds three runner-up efforts from his last four outings. His consistency warrants respect.

Race 4: Werther Handicap

#1 Voyage Warrior has emerged as one of Hong Kong’s brightest talents following two consecutive wins to remain unbeaten. He’ll drive to the front and get every chance to win his way into Class 2. #11 Thanks Forever is also unbeaten. He was impressive at his only start last season, scoring by over three lengths in dominant fashion under the recently retired Douglas Whyte. He’s since trialed impressively and he rates as the main danger. #2 Orionids has struggled of late but his best form should see him be competitive here. #7 Goko does his best racing up the straight. He’ll be running on strongly.

Race 5: Mr Medici Handicap

James McDonald returns to Hong Kong to ride in the G1 later on the card, but he also takes the reins again on last-start winner #1 Monica. He was an excellent winner at his latest and in his favour is that he remains in Class 4. #7 Nice Kick has been consistent of late, placing at his most recent starts and winning previously. He’s drawn to get the gun run just behind the speed and Moreira should have him in the right spot. #2 Beauty Loyal is winless across 14 starts in Hong Kong. Zac Purton takes the reins fresh off a midweek treble at Happy Valley. #10 Sweetie Barley has shown glimpses of ability across his unplaced 13-start career in Hong Kong. He returns to the turf following four runs on the dirt and he can’t be completely dismissed.

Race 6: The Sha Tin vase (Handicap) (G3)

#1 Little Giant finished a narrow third behind Beat The Clock and Rattan in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize. He’s returned to his best following that run and in his favour is the in-form Zac Purton who hops on his back. #2 Wishful Thinker returns from a last-start seventh in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. He’d notched up two consecutive Class 1 wins prior and he commands respect returning to his home country of Hong Kong. Encouraging trial and he looks ready to grab his first Group race. #7 Full Of Beauty has done little to disappoint across his seven-start career in Hong Kong. He scored five consecutive wins before finishing second in his last two outings. He’s a classy animal but there are queries around whether he can continue to lift his mark. #4 Gunnison comes into this having only missed the placings once from his last eight runs. He’s consistent enough to consider for the exotics. 

Race 7: California Memory Handicap

#1 Dan Control scored on debut before struggling in his latest when racing off the pace. He should use the gate to settle more prominent in the run which will see him get every chance. He’s a classy galloper who can return to form if he gets his own way in the lead. #3 Simply Big has been nothing short of impressive on the dirt his last three runs. He’ll need to transfer that form to the turf, but he appears ready, especially with Chan’s 10lb claim. #8 Hair Trigger has mixed his form but on his day he has an excellent turn of foot. He’s the value of the race. #9 Aerohappiness has been less than a length off winning at his last two starts. He’ll make his presence felt.  

Race 8: The Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (G1)

#1 Exultant seeks his third G1 this campaign and he looks poised to capture it in Hong Kong’s final major of the 2018/19 season. Tony Cruz’s galloper brings top class form into this and he’s one who is already proven over 2400m. #7 Happy Grin is the unknown quantity of the field. Seventh in the 2018 Japan Cup behind Almond Eye, the son of Lohengrin hails from the Northern Island of Japan in Hokkaido and the Japanese are no strangers to G1 success in Hong Kong. The headgear is off #4 Pakistan Star in order to get him to relax and a recent trial effort on the dirt suggests it may have done the trick. He’s the wildcard of the race as he seeks to defend his crown in the race. #2 Glorious Forever won the G1 Hong Kong Cup back in December at the International Races. He has the class although he is untried over the distance.

Race 9: Packing Winner Handicap

#5 Bellagio was nothing short of impressive last start winning his first run back from a lengthy spell. He remains in Class 4 which suits and he’s found another winnable race. Step up to 1600m suits. #12 Touch of Luck was game in defeat last start. He’s found his mark and the step up to 1600m could be the key to him breaking through for the first time. #1 Sam’s Love hasn’t won since early 2017, but his recent form suggests he is nearing a win. He’ll need a race run to suit, but if he gets a fast pace he should get every chance to run on from the rear. #10 Little General is next best. 

Race 10: Blazing Speed Handicap

#6 Champion Supreme seeks his third consecutive win. He was winner at just his first start in Class 3 flying home from near last. He’ll get back from the wide draw, but if he gets the speed on up front he’ll get his chance to run on. #1 Ping Hai Treasure has found form of late on the dirt. He switches to the turf here, but he remains in Class 3 from his last-start win and the step up to 1800m is a positive. #11 Defining Moment has been well fancied in each of his last four runs. He made up significant ground from the rear last start to grab fourth and had he settled closer in the run, he would have gone close to winning. #2 Vincy has mixed his form since arriving in Hong Kong from Ireland. He’s not too far away.

Race 11: Viva Pataca Handicap

#4 Hezthewonforus hasn’t been seen since the tail-end of last season. He impressed in his debut campaign, winning once and placing second in three others, notably behind Simply Brilliant at Class 2 level. His latest trial was impressive and if he can overcome the wide gate, he’ll take beating. #2 Styling City makes the step up to 1400m for the first time across his 11-start career. He hasn’t been in the best form of late, but he’s capable and if he does find his best, he’ll be in the finish. #14 Kasi Farasi stepped up to Class 2 for the first time and finished a narrow third at his most recent. Jimmy Ting scored his first Class 2 victory on Wednesday at Happy Valley and the first season handler has an excellent chance of taking home another on Sunday. #6 Fast Most Furious gets Zac Purton aboard. Zac’s twice a winner on this horse and his booking commands respect.