3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Sunday’s race meeting at Sha Tin (03/11/19).

Race 1: #2 Adonis, #12 Nashashuk, #3 Starlot, #5 Surewin 
Race 2: #6 Lucky More, #2 Victory Power, #1 Duke Wai, #3 Takingufurther
Race 3: #6 On Excel Star, #2 Majestic Conqueror, #1 Fresh Power, #8 Breeze Of Spring
Race 4: #1 General's Delight, #9 Beauty Applause, #2 Endearing, #11 Star Majestic
Race 5: #1 Colorado High, #12 Casimiro, #2 Relentless Me, #6 Sprint Forward
Race 6: #2 Fat Turtle, #9 Dan Control, #6 Thanks Forever, #5 Refined Treasure
Race 7: #2 Southern Legend, #8 Furore, #6 Singapore Sling, #11 Sacred Capital
Race 8: #6 Picken, #11 Regency Bo Bo, #14 Prince Of Gems, #13 Flying Victory
Race 9: #12 Smiling Pride, #4 Cool Team, #7 Champion Supreme, #14 Bellagio
Race 10: #10 More Than This, #12 Band Of Brothers, #4 Enjoying, #1 Hezthewonforus

Race 1: L'oreal Paris Handicap

#2 Adonis has gone to a new level since joining the Douglas Whyte stable, including a first-up win for his new handler two starts ago. He's the one to beat here and if Regan Bayliss can slot him in somewhere close to the speed, he'll prove tough to beat. #12 Nashashuk returned a competitive half-length defeat first-up. He gets in with just 114lb on his back and with a clean run; he'll be fighting out the finish. #3 Starlot flashed home to score last start. Paul O'Sullivan and Zac Purton are striking at an impressive 36% this season, which is four wins from 11 starts. #5 Surewin was far from disgraced on the dirt last start. He can figure.

Race 2: Kate Tokyo Handicap

#6 Lucky More has set the track alight in his trials and if he can translate that form to race day, he's going to prove hard to beat. Zac Purton takes the reins which is a significant push and he could be worth taking a chance on here. #2 Victory Power has gone close in each of his last two outings, finishing second in each. He returns here with Alfred Chan who takes 10lb off his back and if he runs up to his usual consistent level, he'll be in the finish. #1 Duke Wai returns here second-up following a first-up third behind Allied Agility. Expect improvement here, especially from the good draw. #3 Takingufurther struggled first-up. He might need another run but if he can overcome the wide gate, he should be thereabouts.

Race 3: Kose Cosmeport Handicap

#6 On Excel Star steps out on debut with the newly arrived Alexis Badel, who arrives to Hong Kong on a short term contract. The Niagara gelding has trialled well in the lead up to his debut and against this field; he could make his presence felt. #2 Majestic Conqueror has steadily improved across each outing. He gets the services of Joao Moreira for this and if he takes another step forward, he's going to be around the mark. #1 Fresh Power hasn't been far away across two outings this term. His consistency holds him in good stead for this. #8 Breeze Of Spring is next best.

Race 4: Canmake Tokyo Handicap

#1 General's Delight is an Australian import previously known as 'Millard Reaction' where he was a winner of two from three, including a runner-up effort in the Listed South Pacific Classic at Randwick. He's trialled well in preparation for his debut and this race looks well within his grasp. #9 Beauty Applause has crafted an impressive record of two wins from five attempts. He's still very immature and green in his racing but his raw ability holds him in good stead for this and the inside draw should see him settle on the speed with ease. #2 Endearing is a two-time course and distance winner. This race drops away outside of the leading chances and his experience should see him finish around the mark. #11 Star Majestic remains a big watch with no weight on his back.

Race 5: Suisse Programme Handicap

#1 Colorado High was an impressive last-start winner. He can continue on his way again here following that performance and the step up to 1400m is expected to suit. #12 Casimiro went close first-up this season, however, since then he's appeared to struggle on both turf and dirt. He's proven his capability and if he can recapture his best run from three starts ago, he might be good value at an each way price. #2 Relentless Me won well last start. He's struck another suitable race and Alfred Chan's 10lb claim sees him well in at the weights. #6 Sprint Forward is worth forgiving from last start. He can be a factor if they elect to take up a forward position. 

Race 6: Revlon Handicap

#2 Fat Turtle has speed to burn and if he finds the front again, he'll prove difficult to run down. He led and won well last start and in a race devoid of speed such, he's more than likely going enjoy an easy time of it up on the pace. #9 Dan Control caught the eye from the tail of the field last start, finishing eighth behind Fat Turtle. He made significant ground that day and with a more forward ride he can run a bold race. #6 Thanks Forever mixes his form. He holds a win over the talented Voyage Warrior and his last-start third behind the record-setting Aethero was full impressive. It just depends on which version of him rocks up, as he has bled in the past. Admittedly #5 Refined Treasure is better down the straight, however, he's still put in a number of competitive runs around the bend and if he can get a clean run, he might be up to the task.

Race 7: The Sa Sa Ladies' Purse (Handicap)

#2 Southern Legend finished alongside Beauty Generation in the G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy last start. That was his second run this campaign and if he's continued to thrive since then, he's the one they have to beat, especially as he is a seasoned international campaigner. #8 Furore returned in excellent order first-up, closing for fifth over 1400m. He receives a welcome rise in distance to 1800m and as the reigning Hong Kong Derby champion he commands plenty of respect. #6 Singapore Sling put in a total forgive run first-up after he was boxed in at the tail of the field with too much work to do. He can figure with a more positive ride. #11 Sacred Capital is a dual MAC G1 victor. He's a largely unknown quantity but just maybe his best can catch a few of these off guard, especially as their target races are still over a month away.

Race 8: Ahava Handicap

#6 Picken returned in excellent first-up from a lengthy break last start to finish a narrow second after travelling wide throughout and without cover. He can bounce back to winning ways following that. #11 Regency Bo Bo is third-up. He's racing well and from the inside draw he should find himself up on the pace and getting every chance. #14 Prince Of Gems returned impressively first-up on the dirt, finishing fast to grab second. He can progress further on the turf and with no weight on his back he's capable of winning here. #13 Flying Victory is lightly raced. He was far from disgraced last start and he remains a big watch with Grant van Niekerk in the saddle.

Race 9: La Estephe Handicap

#12 Smiling Pride has gone to a new level since switching to the Jimmy Ting yard. He's a two-time winner who put in an eye-catching trial last week. His best is capable of winning this, especially off that trial. #4 Cool Team got off the mark two starts ago. He's still racing well and if he can settle up on the pace early, he's in with a chance to give Blake Shinn his fourth win. #7 Champion Supreme resumed impressively first-up, closing from the tail of the field to grab third. Expect he does the same again here and with added fitness - go close. #14 Bellagio has a tendency to miss the kick. If he can jump with them he's an excellent chance, as his raw talent is definitely good enough for Class 3.

Race 10: Eleanor Handicap

#10 More Than This seeks the hat-trick of wins following a dominant display last start when first-up. He can progress further from that run and with even luck he'll take running down. #12 Band Of Brothers steps up to Class 2. He gets in light with just 118lb on his back and the step up to 1600m also enhances his claims. #4 Enjoying steps out for his Hong Kong debut after arriving from Australia where he was a dual G2 winner. He's on a Hong Kong Derby trail but off his trials there's no reason to suggest he can't make an impression this early on. #1 Hezthewonforus is next best.