3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Sunday’s race meeting at Sha Tin (01/12/19).

Race 1: #7 King Of Dragon, #10 Sky Darci, #12 Momentum Happy, #9 Lucky Missile  
Race 2: #2 The Full Bloom, #11 Master Bernini, #6 Megatron, #1 Mr Magellan
Race 3: #1 Quadruple Double, #12 On Excel Star, #3 Majestic Conqueror, #2 Better Choice
Race 4: #5 Corre Rapido, #1 Island Winner, #6 Exponents, #2 Bond Elegance
Race 5: #8 Speedy Wally, #9 This One's For You, #4 King's Man, #1 Ruletheroost
Race 6: #8 Breeze Of Spring, #2 Zero Hedge, #4 Gracious Ryder, #1 Strathclyde  
Race 7: #10 Duke Wai, #7 Massive Pocket, #2 Stronger, #9 California Gungho
Race 8: #8 Super Turbo, #1 Saul's Special, #7 Winner Supreme, #11 Encore Boy 
Race 9: #6 Holy Heart, #11 Deal Maker, #2 Endearing, #1 Coby Oppa
Race 10: #6 Honest Way, #12 Ezra, #8 Everyone's Joy, #1 Invincible Missile

Race 1: Ashley Handicap

#7 King Of Dragon raced at the tail of the field on debut and from there made a stack of ground to grab fifth. He can sit closer in the run this time and with even luck, take beating. #10 Sky Darci was no match for Simply The Best on debut but he did manage to stick on well for a game second. He can progress further against this bunch and the added distance also suits. #12 Momentum Happy has been consistent across all four of his appearances. #9 Lucky Missile mixed his trial form prior to his eighth on debut. He's worth keeping safe. 

Race 2: Cameron Handicap

#2 The Full Bloom is a three-time Class 5 winner and he appears to have returned to a competitive mark. The awkward draw makes things difficult but this race appears well within his grasp. #11 Master Bernini has had two runs this campaign and he's shown the necessary improvement to suggest that a win was nearing. The strong booking of Joao Moreira signals intent from the stable. #6 Megatron is the likely leader from gate 1 under Matthew Poon. He's won similar races before and if he finds the lead he could prove tough to run down. #1 Mr Magellan is somewhat of an enigma. He's been fancied on a number of occasions but just can't seem to put it together. Still, he rates highly if he manages to bring his best.

Race 3: Carnarvon Handicap

#1 Quadruple Double has race experience on his side and his last two outings have been sound, including his win two starts back. He has ratings points in hand and this looks suitable, especially from gate 1. #12 On Excel Star caught the eye on debut behind Fresh Power on debut. He has ability and the good gate will afford him every opportunity to show it. #3 Majestic Conqueror struggled last start when trying to make all and his two runs prior were much better. Take his previous form on trust and with Silvestre de Sousa up, he should get his chance. #2 Better Choice steps out for Douglas Whyte for the first time since joining his yard. He's appeared sound in recent trials and has shown he's capable of making his presence felt.

Race 4: Hankow Handicap

#5 Corre Rapido has been consistent across his career and his three runs this campaign rate highly. He's nearing a win and the good gate combined with the services of Alexis Badel, should see him prove tough to beat. #1 Island Winner steps down to Class 5 for the in-form Ricky Yiu stable. He's taken his time to acclimatise but the drop in grade is suitable and this isn't overly difficult. #6 Exponents is a course and distance winner who has been put through his paces nicely this season. He just needs to find himself in the right spot, especially under Joao Moreira who is fresh off a double at the Valley. #2 Bond Elegance is next best.

Race 5: The Chinese General Chamber Of Commerce Cup (Handicap)

#8 Speedy Wally has gone close on a number of occasions this season. His progression can continue here, especially from the good gate which helps. #9 This One's For You is nearing a break through win and off his last-start second, appears to be a leading chance. He'll get a nice cart into the race and with even luck, go very close. #4 King's Man won well at the Valley last start. He's put together a number of nice performances on the dirt prior and he's capable of winning his way back into Class 3. #1 Ruletheroost steps back to Class 4 where he was a two-time winner last season. He commands respect.

Race 6: Middle Handicap

#8 Breeze Of Spring is capable of going one better on his latest effort which resulted in a course and distance second. He can progress further from the good gate and his latest dirt trial proves he handles the surface. #2 Zero Hedge is looking to end a run of two second placings. He has the wide gate to overcome but on his preferred surface he's capable of going on with it. #4 Gracious Ryder is worth keeping safe, especially as he is on a mark where he should be able to figure once again. #1 Strathclyde is racing well enough and is a place chance yet again on the dirt. 

Race 7: The Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup (Handicap)

#10 Duke Wai wore down heavy favourite Lucky More last start, who subsequently came out and won under a strong hold by over five lengths. The form is strong and if Duke Wai gets another clean crack at them, then he's going to prove difficult to run down. #7 Massive Pocket is racing well and his last two runs over this course and distance have rated highly. #2 Stronger has caught the eye in his trials and he gets a nice gate to figure at start one. #9 California Gungho is racing well and he can bounce back to form.

Race 8: Mody Handicap

#8 Super Turbo finished fast at his latest and nearly won, however caught trouble over the closing stages which arguably cost him the race. He can go one better here if he's held his condition out of that run. #1 Saul's Special hasn't raced on the dirt since early 2018 but his recent turf form is impressive and this isn't out of his reach. #7 Winner Supreme made all impressively to score last start and he's expected to attempt the same again here. #11 Encore Boy narrowly missed at his latest. He can figure with two runs already under his belt.

Race 9: Nathan Handicap

#6 Holy Heart made ground from the tail of the field last start over 1200m and he should benefit from the step up to 1650m here. #11 Deal Maker has finished inside the top three across his last five runs, including two wins. He has the wide gate to overcome but if he can, he's an excellent chance. #2 Endearing gets out to a suitable distance now. He's racing well and his dirt form prior was excellent. #1 Coby Oppa is sired by 'The Factor' who won the G1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on dirt. He's bred to love the surface and he's shown previously that his best form is up to being competitive.

Race 10: Salisbury Handicap

#6 Honest Way has gone through his gears nicely so far this season and he gets a welcome step up in distance to 1400m here. He'll take a power of beating and as a third-up winner last season; he rates on top. #12 Ezra struggled at the tail of the field last start. He's a much better animal than that and his win prior deserves plenty of respect, if he can recapture that form. #8 Everyone's Joy is consistent and he can figure from the good gate. #1 Invincible Missile has the wide gate to contend with but he's a winner in this grade previously.