3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Monday’s race meeting at Sha Tin

Race 1: #1 Victoriam, #5 Master Galaxy, #2 Lucky Guy, #6 Max Glenealy

Race 2: #3 Keep Winning, #9 Mi Blanco, #4 Above, #6 Whampoa Star

Race 3: #2 Dancing Fighter, #10 Holee Money, #1 Super Junior, #11 Iron King

Race 4: #2 Home Run, #8 Shamport, #4 Gracious Ryder, #1 Beauty Loyal

Race 5: #3 Touch Of Luck, #4 Enfolding, #12 Deal Maker, #6 Hay Run

Race 6: #10 Famous Warrior, #8 Buddies, #2 Ping Hai Treasure, #11 Imperial Concorde

Race 7: #5 Thanks Forever, #7 Big Party, #10 Green Energy, #4 Refined Treasure

Race 8: #10 Aethero, #13 Diamond Brilliant, #5 Honest Way, #12 Ballistic King

Race 9: #4 Glorious Dragon, #1 Grand Chancellor, #2 Lobo's Legend, #9 Champion Supreme

Race 10: #12 Circuit Hassler, #10 Beauty Applause, #5 Winning Delight, #9 Star Majestic

Race 1: Racing Goes on 1200m Handicap

#1 Victoriam was an impressive last start winner over this course and distance. He rises to the top of Class 4 following that effort which will see him carry 133lb, but he appears talented enough to offset the rise and with even luck he's the one they all have to catch. #5 Master Galaxy has shown plenty of early talent on the training track. He's likely to push forward based on his trial performances and against this field he'll make his presence known on debut. #2 Lucky Guy has struggled this season. He might be nearing a competitive mark though and with the in-form Grant van Niekerk taking in the plate, he's expected to get his chance. #6 Max Glenealy is another debutante who has shown plenty of early talent. He'll be thereabouts if he lives up to his trial performances.

Race 2: World-Class Leadership 1650m Handicap

#3 Keep Winning has mixed his form. He's largely struggled of late but he is a course and distance winner this season and returning to the dirt should spark sharp improvement. Strong booking of Joao Moreira signals intent from the stable. #9 Mi Blanco is consistent. He does his best racing on the dirt and if he gets a fast pace then he'll get his chance to run on from the rear. #4 Above has shown steady improvement since his debut in February. He's dropped severely in the ratings and it's only a matter of time before he puts it all together. #6 Whampoa star turned his form around last start. He's not without a chance against a mediocre field.

Race 3: Uncompromising Integrity 1000m Handicap

#2 Dancing Fighter got off the mark on debut over this course and distance at his only start. He's since been off the scene but a recent trial effort on the turf was encouraging and he's every chance to remain unbeaten. #10 Holee Money impressed last start closing for third behind Ka Ying Master and Super Kin. He has upside and with improvement he's not too far away from breaking through. #1 Super Junior has placed in his last three starts. He's finding winning difficult but his consistency warrants respect and he's a must include for exotics. #11 Iron King is capable. He might need more race experience but he shouldn't be underestimated.

Race 4: Serving The Community 1400m Handicap

#2 Home Run pulled together a string of nice runs this season prior to his last-start struggle on the dirt. He returns to the turf here which suits and against Class 4 company he's the one to beat. #8 Shamport has largely struggled since electing to ply his trade in Hong Kong. Still, he's racing reasonably competitively and the booking of Zac Purton commands respect. #4 Gracious Ryder scored over this course and distance two starts ago. He's suited by this race and his best effort should see him in the finish. #1 Beauty Loyal is winless. He's placed on a number of occasions which holds him in good stead for a race of this quality.

Race 5: Continuous Development 1650m Handicap

#3 Touch Of Luck was awfully unlucky last start. He lost his headgear mid-way in the straight which cost him any chance of winning. He closed strongly once he picked himself up but it was a bridge too far from there as he finished second by a neck. He gets an excellent chance to atone for that defeat which is exactly what he should do here. #4 Enfolding is racing well having placed at his last two outings. Caspar Fownes and Vincent Ho have been on fire together of late and their success is expected to continue here. #12 Deal Maker gets in with just 118lb on his back. He's yet to finish outside the top three on the dirt this season and he shouldn't be dismissed. #6 Hay Run knows how to win on the dirt. He commands respect even though this might not be his optimum distance.

Race 6: The Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup (Handicap)

#10 Famous Warrior came close earlier in the season on the dirt, before running only fairly on turf of late. If he can recapture his dirt form from earlier in the season then he's in with an excellent chance at a price. Vagner Borges takes the reins, joining the Hong Kong riding ranks till the end of the season. #8 Buddies is racing in career-best form having won two of his last three outings. He was safely held last start but from the good gate he should find himself in the right spot early on. #2 Ping Hai Treasure loves the course and distance. He can still be competitive at the top of Class 3. #11 Imperial Concorde turned back the clock three starts ago. He'll be finishing fast if he gets a race run to suit.

Race 7: The Hong Kong Reunification Cup (Handicap)

#5 Thanks Forever is three from three across his short career. He sailed past Voyage Warrior last start who in his own right is a serious talent and since that defeat, has come out and won again with ease. He'll prove tough to beat. #7 Big Party returned to his best with a scintillating win last start. He didn't defeat and overly strong field last start but the manner of his win was impressive and he's clearly up to this level of racing. #10 Green Energy has returned to form this season and new trainer Danny Shum appears to have him racing at the peak of his powers. He'll roll forward and give a good sight. #4 Refined Treasure is class. He might find this tough but he's ticking along nicely and he remains a place chance.  

Race 8: Riding High Together 1200m Handicap

#10 Aethero is one of Hong Kong's brightest prospects who has shown immense talent across his short career to remain unbeaten. He'll cross to lead under Zac Purton and if he performs at his best, he'll blow this field away. #13 Diamond Brilliant got off the mark two starts ago. He's racing well and he remains a place chance at best. #5 Honest Way should be able to atone for his last start failure. His form prior was much improved and if he finds himself on the speed early, he'll be able to challenge for a top three finish. #12 Ballistic King won't be too far away.

Race 9: Sportsmanship 2000m Handicap

#4 Glorious Dragon made up a stack of ground at Happy Valley to finish a narrow second last start. He just fell short that day and if he's made the necessary improvement required from that run to win then he's in with an excellent chance at a spacious track that will suit his get back running style. #1 Grand Chancellor is in career-best form. He gets back out to his favourite distance here and he's an excellent chance to record his third course and distance success.  #2 Lobo's Legend is a South African G1 winner over 1800m. He'll relish the step up to 2000m and with even luck be in the finish depending on how far back he settles. #9 Champion Supreme notched up back-to-back wins earlier this season. He's still racing well and a form reversal is expected.

Race 10: Better Future 1400m Handicap

#12 Circuit Hassler narrowly missed last start when attempting to make all. He's likely to do the same again Vagner Borges which could be a straightforward first win for the young Brazilian. #10 Beauty Applause bounced back to his best with an exceptional all-the-way win last start. Suspect he pushes forward again, however against him is the class rise which could bring him undone. #5 Winning Delight is on debut for Fownes/Purton. He's shown ability on the training track and he remains a big watch on debut. #9 Star Majestic turned his form around to grab third last start. He's drawn awkwardly but he isn't without a place chance.