3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Sunday's race meeting at Sha Tin (29/12/19).

Race 1: #2 Rich And Lucky, #3 Lucky Quality, #7 King Dragon, #8 Kelmimi Wins
Race 2: #10 Master Bernini, #6 Dragon Warrior, #7 Sky Gem, #12 Winning Circle
Race 3: #3 Destine Jewellery, #7 Sparkling Star, #2 Daily Beauty, #1 Mr Wiseguy
Race 4: #1 Clear Choice, #3 Best Alliance, #4 Dragon Commander, #7 Good Fit
Race 5: #8 Kung Fu Fighter, #3 First Responder, #2 Be Ready, #10 Diamond Brilliant
Race 6: #6 Breeze Of Spring, #10 Gala Night, #12 Fantastic Show, #4 Mighty Giant
Race 7: #3 Jolly Banner, #4 Thanks Forever, #7 Big Party, #1 Regency Legend
Race 8: #13 Falcon Turbo, #14 Such A Happiness, #5 Seerite Dragon, #3 Mr Wealth
Race 9: #1 Elusive State, #6 Glorious Artist, #11 Buddies, #3 Ugly Warrior
Race 10: #5 Holy Heart, #2 Endearing, #6 Volpino, #7 Last Kingdom

Race 1: The Griffin Trophy

#2 Rich And Lucky turned his form around last start to grab second. Zac Purton now takes over which suits and from the soft gate he should get every chance. #3 Lucky Quality snatched third on debut. He should be suited by the added distance at Sha Tin. #7 King Dragon has done enough across two outings to warrant respect in a small field. #8 Kelmimi Wins has race experience on his side.

Race 2: Wong Yi Chau Handicap

#10 Master Bernini is racing well. He's placed on several occasions this season and this contest appears more than suitable for him. #6 Dragon Warrior has to overcome the wide gate but with four runs under his belt so far, he should be race-fit and ready. #7 Sky Gem has narrowly missed a few times this season. He's in excellent form and this race looks well within his grasp. #12 Winning Circle is next best.

Race 3: Tai Long Tsui Handicap

#3 Destine Jewellery caught the eye on debut when finishing third over this course and distance. He can progress further with that run under his belt. #7 Sparkling Star also finished third on debut. He'll need a race run to suit if he is to finish strongly but he's shown enough talent to warrant respect. #2 Daily Beauty gets Zac Purton in the plate for his debut. He'll need to overcome the wide draw but the services of the three-time champion jockey command respect. #1 Mr Wiseguy steps out on debut. He's next best.

Race 4: Wong Shek Handicap

#1 Clear Choice steps back to Class 4 where he is a winner previously. He's drawn to get the gun run for Zac Purton and he should have a class edge on these. #3 Best Alliance is racing well. He was trapped far too back in the field last start with too much work to do. #4 Dragon Commander grabbed second last start. He can progress from that with the right run throughout. #7 Good Fit has drawn well for Karis Teetan. He commands respect.

Race 5: Long Ke Handicap

#8 Kung Fu Fighter steps out on debut for David Hall and Zac Purton. He's showed plenty of promise in the trials and this race isn't too deep for his first Hong Kong outing. #3 First Responder is unlucky not to have won already. He has the wide gate to contend with but again, this race isn't overly strong on paper. #2 Be Ready has progressed nicely since his debut. Joao Moreira now takes over and he's a leading player. #10 Diamond Brilliant rarely runs a bad race. He can figure with the right run.

Race 6: Tai Tan Handicap

#6 Breeze Of Spring has been racing well this season and now with Zac Purton taking over, he appears ready to win, especially from the ideal draw. #10 Gala Night has shown he is capable. He turned his form around last start to grab third and further progression is expected. #12 Fantastic Show has placed in his last two. Grant van Niekerk is in-form and his booking commands respect. #4 Mighty Giant is honest. He can figure with the right run.

Race 7: The Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (Handicap)

#3 Jolly Banner surprised in this race last year when winning as an 89/1 chance. He won't be anywhere near that price this time around but he's racing well this season, narrowly missing in his latest. #4 Thanks Forever returns to his preferred distance where he is a three-time winner. This race appears suitable and he might have found it at the right time. #7 Big Party rocketed away to win last time out at Happy Valley. That win was dominant and if he finds that level of form here, he'll go close. #1 Regency Legend is next best back to his preferred distance.

Race 8: Luk Wu Handicap

#13 Falcon Turbo is racing well for in-form trainer Douglas Whyte. He's found himself a very winnable race and with only 118lb on his back, he shapes as the one to beat. #14 Such A Happiness is looking to go back-to-back. He's up to Class 3 now but he appears to have a few more ratings points in hand. #5 Seerite Dragon flashed home two starts ago. Zac Purton takes the reins here which commands respect. #3 Mr Wealth shouldn't be too far away.

Race 9: Chek Keng Handicap

#1 Elusive State is a dirt specialist. He stepped out on the turf last start and finished an admirable seventh. He'll appreciate the return to his preferred surface here and with even luck, take plenty of running down. #6 Glorious Artist wasn't too far away at the Valley last time out. He'll relish the return to Sha Tin here, especially on the dirt. #11 Buddies has proven he's up to Class 2. He has the wide draw here but this is well within his reach. #3 Ugly Warrior is another who prefers the dirt. He'll need to recapture his best though if he wants to be in the finish here.

Race 10: Pak Tam Chung Handicap

#5 Holy Heart flashed home to narrowly miss at his latest. He's racing well and with Joao Moreira taking the reins here, he'll prove tough to catch. #2 Endearing has the wide gate to contend with but he has the class edge on a number of these. #6 Volpino gets the services of Zac Purton. He's drawn to get the gun run and his best form commands respect. #7 Last Kingdom can roll forward for Lyle Hewitson. He could give them something to run down here.