3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin

Race 1: #6 Gorgeous Again, #2 Best Effort, #3 Dragon Warrior, #10 Celebration

Race 2: #4 Classic Unicorn, #3 Aurora Steed, #1 Allied Agility, #6 Simply Fluke

Race 3: #1 Buddies, #13 Nice Fandango, #4 Intrepic, #5 Murray’s Partners

Race 4: #8 Silver Fig, #3 Victory Machine, #7 Red Desert, #9 Ambitious Heart

Race 5: #1 Chairman Lo, #3 The Createth, #10 Destin, #8 Emerald Spur

Race 6: #1 Beauty Applause, #2 Joyful Heart, #6 Speedy Dragon, #13 Magic Success

Race 7: #2 Little Wise Man, #13 Fortune Happiness, #5 Coolceleb, #4 Winning Controller

Race 8: #8 Earth Trilogy, #11 Jenerator, #7 Band Of Brothers, #10 New Elegance

Race 9: #5 Good Standing, #9 Champion’s Way, #7 Ka Ying Star, #1 Simply Brilliant

Race 10: #11 Charizard, #7 Solar Wai Wai, #8 Good Beauty, #9 Picken

Race 11: #4 Refined Treasure, #5 Flying Thunder, #14 Team Spirit, #7 Racing Fighter

Race 1: HKU Jockey Club Student Villages Handicap

#6 Gorgeous Again gave every indication the step up to 2000m would be exactly what he needed as he was an eye-catcher last start over 1800m. #2 Best Effort struggled last start after handing up the lead which appeared to cost him. He should find an uncontested lead from the draw which should see him in front for a long way. #3 Dragon Warrior raced close to the speed and made a mid-race move to lead last start which cost him over the closing stages. He’ll improve ridden off the speed and he’s capable of winning again before the season comes to a close. #10 Celebration is winless across 23 starts, however he’s not without a chance to finish inside the top three.

Race 2: HKU Faculties Of Arts And Social Sciences

#4 Classic Unicorn has impressed on the trial track, doing it under his own steam at Happy Valley over 1000m with ease. He’ll make an impression on debut, especially with Zac Purton in the saddle. #3 Aurora Steed has shown plenty of ability in training at both Conghua and Sha Tin. He remains a big watch on debut for John Size. #1 Allied Agility got off the mark on debut last start. He was impressive in the finish and he’s capable of winning his way into Class 3. #6 Simply Fluke comes into this off an encouraging trial on the turf at Happy Valley. 

Race 3: HKU Foundation And HKU Faculty Of Medicine Handicap

#1 Buddies led and won well on the dirt last start. He was competitive on the turf prior; indicating the switch of surfaces will be no threat to his chances. He’s the one to beat with Zac Purton in the saddle. #13 Nice Fandango has struggled of late but he’s returned to a mark where he can be competitive. He steps up to 1400m for the first time which could be what he is after. #4 Intrepic made all to score at 36/1 under a brilliant ride from Joao Moreira last start. He was forced to work across from the wide gate, but once there he powered away to register an easy win. Queries around whether he can do it again, but he’ll make his own luck on the speed. #5 Murray’s Legend is lightly raced. He’ll find himself in the right spot from gate 5.

Race 4: HKU Faculties Of Business & Economics And Science Handicap

#8 Silver Fig was an impressive winner last start, lengthening when asked by Neil Callan to score by over a length. He makes his Class 3 debut on Sunday which is a slight concern, but in his favour is the 15lb that comes off his back from that win. #3 Victory Machine is a three-time winner already this season. He’ll roll forward and make his own luck. #7 Red Desert has steadily improved with racing across his career. He impressed prior to his debut on the trial track and if he continues on an upward trajectory it’ll only be a matter of time. #9 Ambitious Heart is worth including in all exotics.

Race 5: University Hall Handicap

#1 Chairman Lo has been a costly conveyance across his short career for backers, finishing second on four occasions from nine outings. However, he returns to Class 4 where he has been competitive and if he uses the gate to lead, he could prove tough to reel in. #3 The Createth took a while to break through, but he appears to have finally put it all together. He made up a stack of ground from last at his most recent, closing for an eye-catching second behind Gracious Ryder. #10 Destin comes into this following two runner-up efforts. Derek Leung takes the reins again for former master Paul O’Sullivan and he commands respect with the right run from the good gate (5). #8 Emerald Spur is next best. He’s shown glimpses of talent and he’s a place chance.

Race 6: HKU Faculties Of Dentistry And Education Handicap

#1 Beauty Applause is a flashy chestnut by Stratum who broke through last start. He showed his immaturity at times during the race, but he has the class on his side to progress through the grades and if he puts it all together, he’s the one to beat. #2 Joyful Heart was a debut winner, however since then he’s gone four runs unplaced. There’s no doubt he’s capable of returning to his debut form and he should get his chance to do so here. #6 Speedy Dragon should push forward to sit on the speed from the draw. He’s a two-time winner already this season and a third would not surprise. #13 Magic Success is set have his second start for John Moore since arriving from the David Hall yard, where could only manage one win. He’s the wildcard.

Race 7: HKU Faculties Of Architecture And Engineering Handicap

#2 Little Wise Man is nearing a breakthrough win. He was set a task from near last at his most recent and from there he could only manage to find second, his third consecutive runner-up effort. The booking of Zac Purton signals intent from the stable. #13 Fortune Happiness has to contend with another wide draw (11). He’s been consistent regardless and he’s shown enough improvement to suggest that he’d be competitive here. #5 Coolceleb transfers to the turf following an impressive last three runs on the dirt. If he handles the surface, he’s in with a chance against a weak Class 4 field. #4 Winning Controller will improve back down to 1400m from 1650m. Joao Moreira has won on him before and he’s worth including in all exotics. 

Race 8: The Hong Kong University Alumni Association Challenge Cup (Handicap)

#8 Earth Trilogy was caught wide last start. He should enjoy the run of the race this time from the inside draw and his continual improvement suggests a breakthrough win is only a matter of time. #11 Jenerator should appreciate the longer straight at Sha Tin. He got going late last start and if he gets a clean run at the leaders over the final furlong, he should go very close. #7 Band Of Brothers is a two-time winner from four. He’s hit the ground running for trainer Paul O’Sullivan and he’s given every indication the step up to the mile would be a welcome one. #10 New Elegance is next best.

Race 9: The Lion Rock Trophy (Handicap)

#5 Good Standing couldn’t have been more impressive when winning the Hong Kong Macau Trophy last start. He steps up to the mile which is no concern as he is already a winner over the distance this season and he was a G3 winner when trained in Australia over 2000m. He’s had his issues, but if he’s sound he’s the one to beat. #9 Champion’s Way is still on the up although his five-win picket fence came to end last start behind stablemate Red Warrior. He’ll jump on the speed under Joao Moreira and he’s capable of recording his first stakes win if he handles the step up to 1600m. #7 Ka Ying Star is the likely leader. He was impressive last start over this course and distance, kicking clear to score by two lengths. He’ll set the pace and make them work for it. #1 Simply Brilliant placed over this course and distance at G1 level last start. He’s capable of progressing from that and he is a G3 winner already this season.

Race 10: HKU Space Handicap

#11 Charizard is flying at present and he’s capable of making his third appearance in Class 3 a winning one. He’s in career-best form at the minute and his last two placings have given every indication that he would relish the extra furlong on offer on Sunday. #7 Solar Wai Wai won a hot Class 3 last start, beating home Craig’s Star, Super Star and Mighty Maverick who was beaten by a neck just last Wednesday. He undoubtedly comes out of the strongest race and he’s a leading player. #8 Good Beauty seeks his second win this season. He’s effective over this course and distance and he’s drawn to take advantage. #9 Picken is racing well, but he appears to have found his mark.

Race 11: HKU Jockey Club Tower Handicap

#4 Refined Treasure flashed home from well back in the field to finish second by a nose to Speedy King. Tony Millard’s gelding is a four-time 1000m straight winner, with his only run around the bend coming two starts ago where he faded to finish eighth. If he handles the turn at his second try, he’s the one to beat. #5 Flying Thunder sprouted wings to score last start. He was an eye-catcher last start and if he gets his chance, he’ll be flashing home fast. #14 Team Spirit has hit a purple patch. He’ll lead form the inside draw with only 115lb and if he handles the class rise, he’ll be thereabouts. #7 Racing Fighter finally knuckled down to win after placing four times. He’s capable of going on with it.