3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Sunday’s race meeting at Sha Tin (27/10/19)

Race 1: #5 Exponents, #2 Never Better, #10 Rochford, #4 Roman Odyssey
Race 2: #5 Indigenous Star, #1 Enfolding, #3 Good Runners Way, #9 Above
Race 3: #10 Chater Thunder, #9 Little Fantasy, #3 Regency Gem, #5 Hidden Spirit
Race 4: #1 Elusive State, #7 Buddies, #4 Glorious Artist, #6 Circuit Glory
Race 5: #5 Viva Council, #12 Star Superior, #6 The Createth, #3 Gracious Ryder
Race 6: #2 Dollar Reward, #11 Wayfoong Charmer, #8 Fortune Happiness, #4 All Times Grateful
Race 7: #2 Silver Fig, #11 Aquila, #7 Team Fortune, #4 Just Not Listening
Race 8: #13 Farshad, #3 Good Beauty, #8 Bear Slam, #10 Perfect To Play
Race 9: #10 Elite Patch, #3 Coby Oppa, #8 Utopia Life, #11 General Dino

Race 1: Dongguan Handicap

#5 Exponents is on the quick back-up from Wednesday night. He does his best racing on the dirt and the booking of Joao Moreira signals intent. #2 Never Better displayed significant improvement last time out and off that he looks ready to go on with it. Dylan Mo and Peter Ho combined on Wednesday at the Valley and this Sunday they team up with the winless #10 Rochford. He maps to the find an easy lead and from there he may take catching. #4 Roman Odyssey gets the key booking of Zac Purton. He's another who is likely to roll forward. 

Race 2: Foshan Handicap

#5 Indigenous Star makes his dirt debut. He peaked third-up last campaign and against this field, he's a chance to do the same again. #1 Enfolding has placed in each of his last six outings, five of which he has finished runner-up in. He's consistent and although he's a costly commodity, he's expected to run well again. #3 Good Runners Way is in career-best form having won two out of his last three starts. He'll need to do it again and with more weight but his current form cannot be overlooked. #9 Above closed strongly first up on the turf. If he can translate that form to the dirt, he'll be competitive again.    

Race 3: Huizhou Handicap

#10 Chater Thunder has shown steady improvement this campaign for new trainer Douglas Whyte.  He's ready to take another step forward and soft run close to the speed, he should get his chance. #9 Little Fantasy performed admirably first-up. He's raced well previously on the dirt and if his progression can continue from his first-up run, he'll be in the finish. #3 Regency Gem is still looking for his first win. He's gone close on a number of occasions and the soft draw gives him every chance. #5 Hidden Spirit seeks the hat-trick. He'll need to step up again and carry more weight, but in his favour is that he remains in Class 5.

Race 4: The Kwangtung Handicap Cup (Handicap)

#1 Elusive State is a five-time dirt winner who last season rocketed 36 points up the ratings. He resumed impressively first-up when finishing second and with that run under his belt; he's going to prove tough to catch. #7 Buddies steps up to Class 2 for the first time following an eye-catching win last start. He'll roll forward and prove very competitive in this class. #4 Glorious Artist returns from a campaign in Korea which saw him finish fourth in the KOR G1 Korea Cup. He can make his presence felt over a suitable distance such as this. #6 Circuit Glory is expected to roll forward and take up the running. He'll be around the mark again.

Race 5: Shenzen Handicap

#5 Viva Council is always consistent on the dirt. Expect Dylan Mo rolls forward aboard him and with a big enough break turning for home, he could prove difficult to reel in. #12 Star Superior has placed in each of his last three outings. He put in an eye-catching effort last start, flashing from the tail of the field to grab third and if he doesn't find himself too far back here - he could challenge these. #6 The Createth is third-up this season following two midfield efforts already. He'll need to overcome the awkward draw but if he can, he's a genuine chance. #3 Gracious Ryder returns first-up. He pieced together a number of nice runs at the back end of last season and if he's held that form, he'll be thereabouts.

Race 6: Shenzen Handicap

#2 Dollar Reward seeks the hat-trick of wins. He pieced it all together two starts ago, finally breaking through for his first win at his 30th start. He can continue on his merry way and the retention of Zac Purton aboard signals intent. #11 Wayfoong Charmer turned into a new horse when winning two starts ago. His best holds him good stead for this and he appears to have a number more ratings points in hand. #8 Fortune Happiness was well supported and got off the mark impressively last start. He's another who has a number of ratings points in hand and he's capable of climbing the ladder further. #4 All Times Grateful returned a solid sixth on debut. He can find his way into the placings.

Race 7: Guangzhou Handicap

#2 Silver Fig was turned over last start as a heavy favourite after scoring an excellent first-up victory. He deserves forgiveness considering how impressive his first-up win was, and even his last-start effort carrying top-weight, was impressive. #11 Aquila got off the mark at his final run of last season. Expect he rolls forward and tries to make all at his dirt debut. #7 Team Fortune has strung a number of nice runs together at the tail end of last season. If he's fit, he'll be in the finish. #4 Just Not Listening loves the dirt and if he can put his first-up woes behind him, he should be around the mark.

Race 8: Zhuhai Handicap

#13 Farshad is winless across his 10-start Hong Kong career but his latest eye-catching run suggests that he's turned a corner this season. He can figure in the finish if he's continued to come on from that performance. #3 Good Beauty makes his dirt debut. He closed nicely for third first-up and step up to 1650m only enhances his claims. #8 Bear Slam is third-up. Expect he rolls forward to make use of the good gate. #10 Perfect To Play is next best.

Race 9: Guangzhou Handicap

#10 Elite Patch caught the eye first-up finishing fast from near last to grab second. With improvement from that performance he can break through for his first Hong Kong win. #3 Coby Oppa is a three-time course and distance winner. He was withdrawn first-up due to a fever but nevertheless, he's trialled well since and this race looks well within his grasp. #8 Utopia Life is looking to end a run of placings with a win here. He's taken a liking to the dirt and it could be third time lucky for him. #11 General Dino can run another bold race.