3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Sunday’s race meeting at Sha Tin (17/11/19).

Race 1: #10 Triple Triple, #3 Gunnar, #4 Bright Kid, #6 Wood On Fire
Race 2: #3 Ho Ho Feel, #11 Mister Monte, #12 Above, #4 Won Won Too
Race 3: #3 Hello Beauty, #7 Be Ready, #9 Blotting Paper, #6 Lockheed   
Race 4: #5 Speedy Dragon, #9 Fun Times, #3 Ultimate Glory, #1 Sonic Fighter
Race 5: #14 Gift Of Lifeline, #1 War Room, #2 Winning Delight, #12 Perfect Pair
Race 6: #1 Beauty Generation, #2 Waikuku, #6 Elusive State, #7 Not Usual Talent
Race 7: #3 Rise High, #1 Exultant, #6 Time Warp, #2 Glorious Forever  
Race 8: #3 D B Pin, #2 Mr Stunning, #14 Aethero, #13 Thanks Forever
Race 9: #4 Voyage Warrior, #6 Aerohappiness, #11 Mr Croissant, #3 Water Diviner
Race 10: #13 Chefano, #3 Tianchi Monster, #5 Right Choice, #12 Nicconi Express

Race 1: Morse Park Handicap

#10 Triple Triple received no luck on debut. Suspect he has much more to offer with a clear run on offer and the good gate should afford him every opportunity to do so. #3 Gunnar has gone close to breaking through on a number of occasions. Still, he's racing well and although he's drawn awkwardly - he commands respect. #4 Bright Kid gets the services of the newly arrived Silvestre de Sousa who arrives on a short-term contract. He's shown consistency across four outings for Douglas Whyte and he just might find himself in the right spot. #6 Wood On Fire closed impressively first-up. He deserves respect. 

Race 2: Sha Tin Park Handicap

#3 Ho Ho Feel is racing better than his four unplaced outings this season would suggest. He gets a welcome step up in distance and the booking of Zac Purton signals intent. #11 Mister Monte is the likely leader. Alfred Chan takes 10lb thanks to his apprentice claim which sees him tasked with only 108lb and if he gets a clean break, he's capable of pinching this. #12 Above is career-best form. He can make his presence felt with no weight on his back, combined with the booking of Joao Moreira again. #4 Won Won Too finally gets out to a suitable distance. He won at Listed level in Australia pre-import and although that was over 2400m, the step up to 2000m on offer here enhances his claims.

Race 3: Hong Kong Park Handicap

#3 Hello Beauty struggled at the tail of the field last start at the Valley. He's much better ridden closer to the speed and a return to Sha Tin should spark the necessary improvement required. #7 Be Ready has trialled nicely in the lead up to his Hong Kong debut. Suspect he can make his presence felt under Hugh Bowman. #9 Blotting Paper was untested in a recent turf trial at the Valley. He could be a big price on debut and if so, might be worth something small each way. #6 Lockheed performed well first-up. He's winless but he's shown that he's not far away from breaking through.

Race 4: Kowloon Tsai Park Handicap

#5 Speedy Dragon went through the motions at the rear of the field last start, finishing second last at the Valley although only beaten by six lengths. He returns to Sha Tin here where he is a two-time winner and with a positive ride, he can figure. #9 Fun Times got off the mark first-up this season before finishing runner-up in his latest. He's racing well and this isn't an overly strong affair. #3 Ultimate Glory gets the services of Hong Kong's champion jockey, Zac Purton. He finished fast in his latest outing and it's interesting to note that his last win came with Purton in the saddle, who now takes over the riding duties having only ridden him once across this and last season. #1 Sonic Fighter steps back to Class 4. He can make his presence felt down in class.

Race 5: Kowloon Park Handicap

#14 Gift Of Lifeline gets in with a featherweight to carry, having been allocated 115lb in this class rising test. He's had two runs already this campaign and with a race run to suit, he can win. #1 War Room has gone agonisingly close in both of his outings this term. He's nearing a breakthrough win and this does appear suitable, especially with Dylan Mo's claim taking 3lb off. #2 Winning Delight shocked on debut at 50/1. He has an awkward gate to overcome but as a winner already in this grade he commands respect. #12 Perfect Pair is consistent. He's fit and isn't without a chance at odds.  

Race 6: The Jockey Club Mile (G2)

#1 Beauty Generation's winning streak came to an end at 10 last start after finishing third in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy. He can bounce back to form here giving only 5lb to the field and as Hong Kong's highest earner in history - he's expected to build on this figure with a win here. Hong Kong Derby placegetter #2 Waikuku has returned to racing this season in excellent order. He split Rise High and Beauty Generation last start and if he continues to progress, he's going to be a force to be reckoned with, not only in this race but moving forward across the season. Dirt specialist #6 Elusive State steps out on the turf. This race falls away outside of the top two and he's capable of nicking some prize money. #7 Not Usual Talent steps up sharply in class. He's not without claims.

Race 7: The Jockey Club Cup (G2)

#3 Rise High toppled Beauty Generation last start at G2 level over 1600m and stepping up in trip to his preferred trip here should see him prove very difficult to beat. His recent form of two consecutive stakes wins is imposing and with even luck, he should be able to snatch a third. #1 Exultant steps out for the second time ahead of his trail towards defending his Hong Kong Vase title. He could be quite short in the market here and as a result, might be worth opposing as he is still one run away from his main target. #6 Time Warp turned his form around last start. He's the likely leader alongside his brother and he's capable of progressing further. His brother, #2 Glorious Forever went through the motions at the tail of the field last start. His tactics are more than likely not going to revert back to usual front running of style of racing, which will ensure he gets every possible chance.

Race 8: The Jockey Club Sprint (G2)

#3 D B Pin steps out for his first run back as he heads toward the Hong Kong International Sprint, a race he has twice finished runner-up in. Not traditionally a first-up horse, he might get a race run to suit here with a fast pace likely to be set and as a G1 winner already, he's capable of finishing over the top of them. #2 Mr Stunning has trialled impressively ahead of his return to the track following a lengthy layoff. He's a dual G1 winner who if healthy and back to his best, could claim this. #14 Aethero broke the 1000m Sha Tin track record last start, clocking a speedy 54.69s. He's a serious talent on the rise and if he's a genuine Hong Kong International Sprint contender he will need at worst a top three finish. #13 Thanks Forever sits in a similar boat to Aethero, requiring a significant ratings rise to qualify for the Hong Kong International Sprint. He's capable of a bold run. 

Race 9: Penfold Park Handicap

#4 Voyage Warrior steps out for his second start this term following a less than impressive first-up performance. He can bounce back to form here with the right run. #6 Aerohappiness seeks a third consecutive win. This is a difficult task but his winning form warrants respect and he's capable of climbing the ratings further. #11 Mr Croissant is in spectacular form also and did finish less than a length behind Aerohappiness last start. He's drawn well and this race is well within his grasp. #3 Water Diviner can flash home at big odds.

Race 10: Victoria Park Handicap

#13 Chefano was awfully unlucky two starts ago over this course and distance before being run down in his latest by a narrow margin. He can figure returning to Sha Tin and although he's drawn wide, he should prove hard to hold out. #3 Tianchi Monster is looking to end a run of placings. He's racing well and the retention of Zac Purton is a huge plus. Silvestre de Sousa partnered #5 Right Choice to five consecutive wins last season and he reunites with the Mastercraftsman gelding here. He's in solid form and his latest effort was full of merit over this course and distance. #12 Nicconi Express flashed home from the tail of the field first-up. He might be worth taking a chance on if he goes around at a big price.