3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Sunday’s race meeting at Sha Tin (20/10/19)

Race 1: #14 Victorious Leader, #11 Big Bully, #3 Flying Noble, #6 I'm The Conquist
Race 2: #6 Yichun Blitz, #5 Judy's Star, #3 Quadruple Double, #11 Super Eighteen
Race 3: #1 Ivictory, #6 Full Of Beauty, #2 Rattan, #4 Wishful Thinker
Race 4: #5 Classic Unicorn, #7 Super Junior, #10 Meridian Genius, #13 Mr Right   
Race 5: #6 Blastoise, #7 California Legend, #2 London Hall, #3 Such A Happiness
Race 6: #1 Falcon Turbo, #4 Eptiwins, #8 Sprint Forward, #3 Sunshine Warrior
Race 7: #2 Mr Croissant, #3 Lone Eagle, #1 Aerohappiness, #8 New Asia Sunrise
Race 8: #1 Beauty Generation, #3 Southern Legend, #6 Singapore Sling, #8 Waikuku
Race 9: #5 Hezthewonforus, #11 Golden Sixty, #8 Gold Chest, #2 Flying Thunder
Race 10: #5 Charizard, #13 Ezra, #12 Great Treasure, #9 Everyone's Joy

Race 1: Piaget Excellent Handicap

#14 Victorious Leader has taken his time to acclimatise to Hong Kong but he appears to have come down to a competitive mark. He's at the bottom of Class 5 which should spark some improvement, especially with no weight on his back and his latest trial under Zac Purton was encouraging, who also retains the ride here. #11 Big Bully went agonisingly close last start, missing by a neck over this course and distance. Still, he comes into this third up and although the draw is a touch awkward, he remains an excellent chance for the in-form Neil Callan. #3 Flying Noble comes out of the same race as Big Bully. He's racing well and if he can overcome the gate, he'll find himself in the finish. #6 I'm The Conquist is capable of sneaking into the placings once again.   

Race 2: Corum Excellent Handicap

#6 Yichun Blitz notched up four minor placings last season and was unlucky not have broken through in a number of those. He's trialled well leading into this and if Joao Moreira can overcome the awkward gate, he'll prove tough to beat. #5 Judy's Star has to step up from Griffin to Class 4. He's worth taking a chance on if he can make the grade. #3 Quadruple Double scored impressively last start. He'll need to lug an extra 6lb off that win but if he can, he'll be in the finish. #11 Super Eighteen is next best.

Race 3: The G2 Premier Bowl (Handicap)

#1 Ivictory is on the comeback trail after going winless last season however prior, he claimed the 2018 G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize. His latest trial was impressive under Blake Shinn and if he can manage to recapture his best form, he's going to be a great value proposition first-up. #6 Full Of Beauty sizzled down the Sha Tin 1000m last start. Joao Moreira has indicated this galloper will improve going around a bend, which he gets. He'll roll forward and with that run under his belt, find himself in the finish. #2 Rattan has gone to a new level as a born-again sprinter. He placed at G1 level over this course and distance last prep and with his last-start first-up effort under his belt already, he should be much improved for this. #4 Wishful Thinker was a tad unlucky last start. Still, he closed well and if he can manage the same again here, he'll be fighting out the finish.   

Race 4: Franck Muller Excellent Handicap

#5 Classic Unicorn is in search of his third unbeaten win. He's done everything right so far and as a winner first time in Class 3, he rates highly to repeat. The super-consistent #7 Super Junior slots in for second. Derek Leung has built a nice association with this galloper and his two runs already this prep hold him in good stead for this assignment. #10 Meridian Genius surged from the tail of the field to score first-up at his latest. He faces Class 3 for the first time, but, if he's held his condition from that run he's going to be very competitive. #13 Mr Right gets in with just 114lb on his back. He's better than his first-up run suggests and if he can turn his form around, he's a place chance.   

Race 5: Parmigiani Fleurier Excellent Handicap

#6 Blastoise has shown he's capable and he stepped up admirably to 1800m last start, missing by only a half a length. If he's continued to hold his condition he shapes as an excellent chance to give Umberto Rispoli and David Ferraris their first wins each, if they haven't already broken through. #7 California Legend is doing everything right. He's returned for two runs this campaign, winning the first and placing in his latest. He's the likely leader under Karis Teetan and the pair should give them something to run down. #2 London Hall won two out of his final three starts of last campaign. He trialled averagely however, the good gate should afford him every opportunity to bounce back. #3 Such A Happiness is capable. He did it third-up last prep and it wouldn't surprise to see lightning strike twice.

Race 6: H. Moser & CIE. Excellent Handicap

#1 Falcon Turbo sits on the cusp of Class 3 following a slashing second place effort last start. He gets Purton this time in a bid to break through for the first time since mid-2018 and with even luck; he should be doing exactly that. #4 Eptiwins is a steady improver. He was far too back in the field with too much work to do last start, however, he still managed to close off nicely, and enough so to suggest that he's a winning chance with a positive steer. #8 Sprint Forward is looking to end a run of placings. He's racing well and if he can overcome the awkward gate, he'll find himself fighting out the finish. #3 Sunshine Warrior should be around the mark again.

Race 7: Grand Seiko Excellent Handicap

#2 Mr Croissant was game when scoring last start, clinging on under Zac Purton to win by a neck. He'll have improved further from that performance and if he finds the front again, he's capable of going back-to-back. #3 Lone Eagle's fitness gave way first-up, causing him to be outpaced over the closing stages, resulting in a competitive third place finish. #1 Aerohappiness resumes this season. He trialled impressively and although his fitness might not be at its peak, he still deserves respect as a three-time course and distance winner. #8 New Asia Sunrise is not without claims, he can run well again here.

Race 8: The G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy (Handicap)

#1 Beauty Generation returned in course record time first-up to score his 10th consecutive win. He steps up to a mile where he is also course record holder and if he brings his best again, he'll get every chance to win again. #3 Southern Legend returned competitively first-up. He isn't in the same league as Beauty Generation, but still, he can run well and pick up valuable prizemoney as his fitness continues to build. #6 Singapore Sling is in the same boat. He's next best, especially with one run already under his belt. #8 Waikuku ran well first-up. He's waiting for 10 furlongs, but again, he can nick some prizemoney behind Beauty Generation. 

Race 9: IWC Excellent Handicap

#5 Hezthewonforus has returned in excellent order this season. He's displayed plenty of talent across his short nine-start career and his first-up placing behind Uncle Steve over this course and distance rates highly. #11 Golden Sixty is a winner of four from five. He's done what not many in Hong Kong can do, progress through the class system this early on in his career, lifting his debut rating to a now, imposing figure of 84. Draw suits and he still has improvement to come. #8 Gold Chest was caught too forward just behind a hot tempo. He can bounce back sitting off the pace with a slower tempo. #2 Flying Thunder resumes as a G3 winner. He's trialled impressively so it'll be up to his fitness to determine how well he runs.

Race 10: Girard-Perregeaux Excellent Handicap

#5 Charizard is as consistent as ever, finishing inside the top three in each of last six outings, including two wins. He closed impressively first-up and with that same run, he's capable of getting the job done. #13 Ezra scored first-up under Aldo Domeyer, winning by over three lengths with ease. He steps up in class which is always difficult but with that run under his belt, he should be ready to improve further. #12 Great Treasure was enormous last start. He's won previously in similar conditions and against this field he is the value, and worth something small each way. #9 Everyone's Joy is next best.