3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Saturday’s (8th May) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin with a minor update included.

Race 1: #1 Eligere, #9 Fantastic Fabio, #5 Lucky Ruby, #8 Sunday Betting
Race 2: #11 One Step Ahead, #1 Universal Crown, #8 Golden Mission, #5 Alloy Star
Race 3: #7 Seasons Bliss, #2 Pegasus Glory, #8 Shenron, #11 Gallant Cavalier
Race 4: #1 Kung Fu Tea, #3 Moon Peaks, #10 Alloy King, #4 Go Ballistic
Race 5: #13 Daily Charm, #6 Super Fast, #10 Stunning Impact, #5 Zhan Jiang Rocks
Race 6: #14 Sun Of Makfi, #9 Peach Blossoms, #1 My Ecstatic, #3 Zone D
Race 7: #9 Speedy Mouse, #11 Killer Bee, #10 Dublin Star, #7 Super Win Dragon
Race 8: #1 Elite Patch, #8 Party Everyday, #3 So We Joy, #2 Clear Choice
Race 9: #7 Perfect Pair, #12 Gallant Express, #10 Super Ten, #2 Yo beauty
Race 10: #14 Righteous Doctrine, #1 Elusive State, #7 Hongkong Great, #5 Preciouship

Race 1: Daphne Handicap (1st Section)

#1 Eligere doesn't get a much better chance than this to finally breakthrough for a first Hong Kong win. He draws well, meets a relatively weak field and is paired with champion jockey Zac Purton. This is his chance to finally go on with it. #9 Fantastic Fabio can roll forward from gate one as he usually does. From the inside he should find the front with ease and give a good sight. #5 Lucky Ruby is looking to build a hat-trick of wins. He only needs to transfer his superb dirt form to the turf. #8 Sunday Betting is on the improve off the back of an eye-catching trial. The engagement of Joao Moreira bears close watching.

Race 2: Jasmine Handicap

#11 One Step Ahead slots in light and is enhanced by the booking of Joao Moreira. He has some ability, enough to suggest that a breakthrough win in Class 5 was a possibility. He gets his chance here. #1 Universal Crown steps out for the in-form Jerry Chau and Douglas Whyte, both of whom bagged midweek three-timers at the Valley. The five-pound claim from Chau holds him in good stead. #8 Golden Mission is not short of some talent. He's in contention. #5 Alloy Star is looking for back-to-back wins. He draws well and remains a player.

Race 3: Daphne Handicap (2nd Section)

#7 Seasons Bliss has the talent and he showed this with the manner in which he closed off last time out. He draws well this time, finds a suitable a contest and is the one to beat. #2 Pegasus Glory is proven as a one-time winner. He draws well and off the back of his last-start effort he appears in good shape. #8 Shenron struggled on debut when finishing eighth at Happy Valley. He trialled well prior to his debut and he's not without a chance to bounce back to that level on race day. #11 Gallant Cavalier closed nicely for fifth last start. He draws a touch sticky but is on the steady improve.  

Race 4: Lotus Handicap

#1 Kung Fu Tea has proven he is ultra-competitive back in Class 5. The booking of Zac Purton bears close watching here and in this grade he appears more than capable of getting on the board. #3 Moon Peaks mixes his form but has a splitting turn of foot on his day. Suspect he can figure with the right run. #10 Alloy King is nearing form that suggests a win is close. He only needs to offset the wide gate to put himself in contention. #4 Go Ballistic is next best with race experience on his side.

Race 5: Hydrangea Handicap

#13 Daily Charm kept on strongly last start from an awkward position. He's competitive in his spot over this trip and with the light weight it wouldn't surprise to see him go on with it. #6 Super Fast has shown steady improvement. He looks like he'll relish the added trip and the good draw favours him. #10 Stunning Impact mixes his form but has shown that he can display considerable talent when required. It wouldn't surprise to see him run in contention. #5 Zhan Jiang Rocks shouldn't be too far away.

Race 6: Erica Handicap

#14 Sun of Makfi slots in at the bottom of the handicap. He draws well and has shown ability on a number of occasions, enough so to suggest that this was a more than winnable contest. #9 Peach Blossoms is expected to improve at his second start for trainer Tony Cruz. #1 My Ecstatic is looking for back-to-back wins. He remains in the grade which suits and the inside gate only enhances his claims. #3 Zone D is racing well as a winner three starts ago. Joao Moreira up from the good gate commands respect.

Race 7: Balsamine Handicap

#9 Speedy Mouse is on the up. Zac Purton takes the reins now which bears close watching for his fourth Hong Kong start and from gate two with a light weight, he shapes as the one to beat. #11 Killer Bee slots in light and was a debut winner two starts before finishing second at his latest outing. He's the main danger off the back of a smart trial effort. #10 Dublin Star draws well and has proven his worth over the sprint distances. #7 Super Win Dragon is next best.

Race 8: Chamomile Handicap

#1 Elite Patch gets a handy five-pound claim from apprentice Jerry Chau who knows the horse well. He narrowly missed two starts ago in this grade and with even luck he's capable of going one better here. #8 Party Everyday likes to get back and run on. With a clean run to the line he can make his presence felt. #3 So We Joy is looking for his third win from his last four starts. Don't discount. #2 Clear Choice won well two starts ago. He's racing well and is always competitive in his spot.

Race 9: Celosia Handicap

#7 Perfect Pair has narrowly missed at his past two outings, finished third and second respectively. He gets his chance once again in this grade, over this course and distance, especially with Vincent Ho engaged. #12 Gallant Express slots in light. He won well on debut before finishing a rather flat fourth last start. Still, he's better than that and it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back to form here. #10 Super Ten is the likely leader. He steps up in grade off the back of a blistering all-the-way success last time out. #2 Yo Beauty has shown improvement. He can make his presence felt.

Race 10: Carnation Handicap

#14 Righteous Doctrine gets his chance at the bottom of the handicap. He ran well with a wide run at Happy Valley last start and a return to the dirt, plus the form that he is in at present indicates a win is close. #1 Elusive State has the class edge on this bunch. Though, he will need to lug top weight which is a slight concern. #7 Hongkong Great can roll forward and play catch me if you can. He's a tough on-pacer who will be hanging around at the finish. #5 Preciousship is finding form. Suspect he can make his presence felt.