3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Sunday’s race meeting at Sha Tin.

Race 1: #6 Exponents, #1 Corre Rapido, #2 Fortune Happiness, #5 Dating 

Race 2: #2 Such A Happiness, #3 Sunny Power, #7 Indigenous Star, #9 California Legend

Race 3: #12 Big Bully, #5 Joy Master, #4 Lotus Breeze, #1 Blazing Partners

Race 4: #3 Big Fortune, #6 Aurora Pegasus, #7 Mischievous Sundae, #5 Supreme Plus

Race 5: #1 Touch of Luck, #5 Gunnar, #9 Promise Kept, #3 Sky Treasure 

Race 6: #9 Destin, #1 Witness Hunter, #10 Diamond Legend, #8 Chaparral Star 

Race 7: #6 Victoriam, #8 Invincible Missile, #11 Fantastic Fabio, #5 Solar Wai Wai

Race 8: #9 Loving A Boom, #11 Sunny Boy, #2 Yee Cheong Baby, #3 Elusive State

Race 9: #4 Winner Supreme, #2 Coby Oppa, #8 Silver Fig, #9 Utopia Life

Race 10: #8 Cool Team, #11 Craig's Star, #2 Follow Me, #9 Lucky Time

Race 1: Bonham Handicap

#6 Exponents delivered on the dirt last season and a recent trial on the surface suggests he is ready to fire first-up. He's an excellent chance to give Blake Shinn his first Hong Kong win. #1 Corre Rapido comes out of the same trial as Exponents. He's another who has returned in excellent order after stringing together a number of nice course and distance wins last season. Zac Purton on is a bonus. #2 Fortune Happiness is winless across seven starts. He improved sharply back in Class 5 and the draw should ensure he receives a soft run in transit. #5 Dating makes his Class 5 debut after going unplaced in six Class 4 attempts. Expect improvement down in grade.

Race 2: Caine Handicap

#2 Such A Happiness returns first-up following an impressive trial success on the dirt. He hasn't run a poor race since dropping to Class 4 and his consistency holds him in good stead for this. #3 Sunny Power hasn't won for two seasons. He was close on a number of occasion's last campaign and the draw should afford him every opportunity. #7 Indigenous Star did his best work at the tail end of last season, tallying two wins from his final three outings. He's trialled well and there's no reason to suggest his good form won't continue. #9 California Legend was put through his paces nicely in a recent Conghua trial. He's winless but he's shown glimpses of talent and with no weight on his back he remains a place chance.

Race 3: Hollywood Handicap

#12 Big Bully is winless however his final three runs of last season suggest he is nearing a breakthrough win. He's remained in work since and the booking of Zac Purton signals intent from the yard. #5 Joy Master gets the services of Joao Moreira as he seeks his maiden win. He hasn't trialled since last season but if he's held his condition, he's a top three chance. #4 Lotus Breeze got off the mark at his final run of last season in impressive fashion. Chad Schofield retains the ride, and, in a race lacking speed, he's one who could push forward to make his presence felt early. #1 Blazing Partners makes his Class 5 debut in search of his first win. He's worth a chance against weaker company. 

Race 4: The Tung Wah Group Of Hospital's Challenge (Handicap)

#3 Big Fortune returns first-up this season after transferring to the Douglas Whyte stable. He impressed in his latest trial and the soft draw should ensure he's given every chance under Alberto Sanna. #6 Aurora Pegasus is very lightly raced. He's been competitive in his only two starts and since last season he's been kept fit, doing only fast work in training. He remains a big watch. #7 Mischievous Sundae mixed his form last season. He'll put himself into the race from the low draw. #5 Supreme Plus is next best. 

Race 5: New Street Handicap

#1 Touch Of Luck turned his form around after switching stables. He arguably should have won more than once last season but nevertheless, he's trialled steadily and he's destined for Class 3 racing. #5 Gunnar comes into this off two runner-up efforts. He makes his dirt debut which is always tricky but a recent trial on the surface suggests he's ready for it. #9 Promise Kept displayed plenty of early talent before sustaining a number of injuries which slowed his development. He's done his best racing on the dirt and although he trialled quietly, it's probably worth forgiving as he has previously had soundness issues. #3 Sky Treasure was excellent on the dirt last season including a course and distance success. He's drawn awkwardly but his best is up to this.

Race 6: Po Hing Handicap

#9 Destin is a consistent customer. He found form at the tail end of last season after struggling early on and if he's held that condition, he's the one to beat. #1 Witness Hunter is a two-time Class 4 winner. He won two races early in his campaign last season and he's expected to fire early, especially following his latest trial. #10 Diamond Legend is consistent. His last win came over this course and distance last season and although he trialled poorly, it'll pay to forgive him as this is the norm for him. #8 Chaparral Star was racing honestly last season and he should be around the mark.

Race 7: Po Yee Handicap

#6 Victoriam is searching for his third consecutive win. He's done nothing but impress across his short career and his latest trial indicates his readiness to win first-up. He makes his Class 3 debut which is always difficult but an eager Aldo Domeyer will be looking to win again before his suspension commences. #8 Invincible Missile made up a stack of ground last start to finish a narrow second. His racing pattern can be his own worst enemy at times but if he finds himself closer in the run, he's a winning chance. #11 Fantastic Fabio is the likely race leader. He's drawn well and he should have every chance to be hanging around at the finish. #5 Solar Wai Wai is a two-time winner from seven. He's shaped up in this grade previously so he bears close watching.

Race 8: Po Yan Handicap

#9 Loving A Boom is worth a chance following an impressive trial. There's a stack of pace in this race which could set it up for a back-marker, especially if the leaders take each other on. Expect he'll settle just in behind them, and at a price, he's worth a play. #11 Sunny Boy is one of those who is likely to roll forward and lead. He couldn't have been more impressive in his latest trial and he'll be thereabouts in the finish. #2 Yee Cheong Baby is undefeated. He's another who should roll forward to ensure this is run at a genuine tempo, however maintaining his unbeaten record could be against him here. #3 Elusive State won four consecutive races in his first campaign for Tony Millard. He can run well again in what is a fairly competitive affair.

Race 9: Seymour Handicap

#4 Winner Supreme is a speed machine. He'll find the front under Blake Shinn and with the inside draw should prove very difficult to run down. #2 Coby Oppa is a three-time dirt winner. He's racing well and he has a few more ratings points in hand. #8 Silver Fig has trialled impressively and from the soft gate with Joao Moreira engaged, is capable of winning. #9 Utopia Life makes his dirt debut. He's trialled well leading into this and if he handles the surface on race day, he's a chance.

Race 10: Tai Ping Shan Handicap

#8 Cool Team caught the eye last season. He's winless across five starts, however he has displayed an electrifying turn of foot at times and if he finds that form here, he's an excellent chance to break through. #11 Craig's Star has been a model of consistency. His record is hard to ignore and it's only a matter of time before he wins at Class 3 level. #2 Follow Me is a two-time course and distance winner. If he can overcome the draw, he's a major player. #9 Lucky Time got off the mark two starts ago, before seasons end. He's another who has drawn poorly however, he can figure with even luck.