3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Friday's race meeting at Sha Tin (01/01/2021).

Race 1: #9 Oh Bravo, #12 Vigor Champ, #8 Master Fay, #13 Hero Star
Race 2: #11 Wins All, #6 Diamond Rhyme, #1 Hello Beauty, #2 Monster Kaka
Race 3: #1 Computer Patch, #4 Stronger, #5 Explosive Witness, #3 Amazing Star
Race 4: #14 Proud Sky, #3 Yes We Can, #9 Socket Elite, #3 Sky Gem
Race 5: #7 Good Shot, #1 Authentic Champ, #2 Ultimate Glory, #12 Sam's Love
Race 6: #4 Scores Of Fun, #2 Mr Aldan, #3 Super Dobbin, #10 Ares
Race 7: #1 Master Montaro, #4 Silver Express, #12 Lucky Quality, #3 Cruising
Race 8: #7 Winning Dreamer, #4 Mighty Giant, #2 Buddies, #1 Ka Ying Star
Race 9: #5 Beauty Applause, #2 Duke Wai, #3 California Rad, #7 Czarson
Race 10: #13 Soaring Tower, #12 Beluga, #5 Mighty Valor, #8 Looking Great
Race 11: #3 Lucky Express, #8 Circuit Three, #2 General's Delight, #14 The Rock 

Race 1: Palm Handicap 

#9 Oh Bravo looked solid in his latest trial. He looks well prepared for this and rates as a leading chance to win on debut. #12 Vigor Champ has race experience on his side. He's been competitive this term but will need luck if he is to finish over the top of them as he tends to settle deep in the field. #8 Master Fay is another who steps out on debut. He bears close watching with Joao Moreira up. #13 Hero Star is next best, though he will need to offset the awkward draw. 

Race 2: Poplar Handicap (1st Section) 

#11 Wins All has been consistent all term and is unlucky not to be a three-time winner. Stepping up to 1400m looks right up his alley and he's capable of winning this. #6 Diamond Rhyme scored a tidy on-pace success two starts ago before struggling from the wide barrier last time out. He can return to form from gate one. #1 Hello Beauty has class on his side as well as the services of champion jockey Zac Purton. #2 Monster Kaka gets a handy seven-pound claim. He should be around the mark again. 

Race 3: G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy 

#1 Computer Patch was a comfortable winner at G3 level down the straight earlier this season. He's capable of adding another to his haul here. #4 Stronger was far from disgraced at G1 level last start and prior to that, was competitive at G2 level. He's a course and distance winner who deserves respect with no weight on his back. #5 Explosive Witness has gone from strength-to-strength of late with three wins from his last four starts. He's racing well but will need to step up sharply in grade. #3 Amazing Star is next best. 

Race 4: Willow Handicap 

#14 Proud Sky slots in light with next to no weight on his back. His form of late has been sound and the switch from the dirt to the turf is a big push regarding his chances, as is the booking of Joao Moreira. #3 Yes We Can is racing well. He'll just need luck in running. #9 Socket Elite has gone close in both of his last two runs, missing by a short-head each time. He commands respect. #3 Sky Gem draws well and will see out the distance with ease. 

Race 5: Poplar Handicap (2nd Section) 

#7 Good Shot has ability but mixes his form. Still, in saying that he does appear to be hitting his straps at present and it wouldn't surprise to see him go on with it here. #1 Authentic Champ is looking for three in a row. He's up against it this time with the big weight but is favoured by remaining in Class 4. #2 Ultimate Glory rarely runs a bad race in his spot. He has a win nearing. #12 Sam's Love finished second last time out. He's consistent and does draw well. 

Race 6: Cotton Tree Handicap (1st Section) 

#4 Scores Of Fun is nothing short of consistent. He's looking to snap three consecutive runner-up efforts and while he is becoming costly for his supporters, he is still a proven talent in his spot and does appear to have a number of rating points still in hand. #2 Mr Aldan is no stranger to turning his form around and winning following a poor showing last start. Seven pounds comes off with the apprentice up and in a tricky affair he has the class to shake things up. #3 Super Dobbin found his best last start when closing fast for a close-up second. He deserves respect. #10 Ares is next best. 

Race 7: Cotton Tree Handicap (2nd Section) 

#1 Master Montaro could not have been more impressive when winning on debut and he looks to have a very bright future in Hong Kong. He draws wide but does appear to have more than enough talent to offset this minor issue. #4 Silver Express showed ability prior to export in Australia and now, in Hong Kong, he has caught the eye at the trials. #12 Lucky Quality is capable of turning his form around. #3 Cruising is solid and always rates well. 

Race 8: G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap 

#7 Winning Dreamer is a rising star of Hong Kong racing and looks capable of grabbing his seventh unbeaten victory here. He steps up to 1400m for the first time which is a question mark and as well, he does step into G3 company for the first time, though he does appear to be one out of the box and still, is not done climbing the handicap. #4 Mighty Giant is as honest as they come. He'll relish the dip in grade and should run his usual consistent race from the front. #2 Buddies is the likely leader. He'll look the winner for a long way. #1 Ka Ying Star has the class edge. He'll too sit on the speed and look the winner at some stage in the straight. 

Race 9: Cherry Handicap 

#5 Beauty Applause should be able to find the front with ease from gate four and from there, prove difficult to run down. #2 Duke Wai won four consecutive races last season. He draws well and gets his chance with fitness now on his side. #3 California Rad is a two-time winner this term. He's a fast-finisher who would relish a fast tempo. #7 Czarson crushed his rivals by five lengths last time out. He only needs to translate that form from the dirt to the turf to be competitive. 

Race 10: Flame Tree Handicap 

#13 Soaring Tower is an exceptional talent who won well on debut two starts ago. He steps up to Class 3 now but does get a handy dip in weight. He draws well and should get his chance to finish over the top of them. #12 Beluga has ability and does still appear to have a number of rating points still in hand. #5 Mighty Valor will roll forward from the inside draw and play catch me if you can. #8 Looking Great has caught the eye at the trials. He's worth including. 

Race 11: Chinese Banyan Handicap 

#3 Lucky Express doesn't know how to run a bad race. He's consistent and is looking to snap two consecutive runner-up efforts. He's a talented four-year-old who is on the right trajectory. #8 Circuit Three has race-experience on his side. He's another who is nothing short of consistent with 10 top-three finishes from 16 runs. Expect a bold showing. #2 General's Delight won fourth-up last term and is trying to repeat the dose once again. He's honest and gets the services of Zac Purton. #14 The Rock is next best with no weight to carry.