3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Sunday's (22 May) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin.

Race 1: #1 Circuit Nine, #3 Joyful Champion, #7 Young Sparkle, #4 Lucky Banner

Race 2: #6 Bundle Of Charm, #11 Double Show, #1 Victory Scholars, #12 Regent Glory

Race 3: #8 Super Sunny Sing, #4 Noble One, #1 Fabulous Eight, #12 Super Axiom

Race 4: #13 Best For You, #7 All Joyful, #2 Righteous Doctrine, #3 Amazing Victory

Race 5: #6 Classic Posh, #7 Power Koepp, #3 Kasa Papa, #13 Young Life Forever

Race 6: #4 Panfield, #9 Senor Toba, #3 Tourbillon Diamond, #1 Russian Emperor

Race 7: #1 Harmony Win Win, #8 King Of The Court, #10 Plikclone, #3 Eternal Bloom 

Race 8: #8 Storm Legend, #9 Oriental Smoke, #7 Golden Empire, #6 Private Rocket

Race 9: #5 Super Wealthy, #11 Nervous Witness, #10 Cordyceps Six, #2 Lucky Patch 

Race 10: #7 Leading Fortune, #4 Rise Brethren, #3 Bourbonaire, #5 Royal Bomb 

Race 11: #1 Copartner Elites, #5 Intrepid Winner, #7 Five G Patch, #12 Super Oasis 

 Race 1: Pakistan Star Plate 

 #1 Circuit Nine won well on debut last start down the straight. He gets around a bend this time and even still, he looks like he has a fair bit on this group. One to beat. #3 Joyful Champion was sound first-up. He could make a bit of improvement here at his second start. #7 Young Sparkle gets the services of Joao Moreira. He finished third first-up and does appear to be an improving type. #4 Lucky Banner has claims. Expect he can turn his form around here. 

Race 2: Makarpura Star Handicap 

 #6 Bundle Of Charm looks forward enough to make an impact on debut. He's trialled well and commands respect, especially with Joao Moreira aboard for his first start. #11 Double Show is progressing well. He's steadily getting better and another forward showing holds him in good stead against this bunch. Expect he takes his shot at this group. #1 Victory Scholars has been mixing his form but does have the class-edge. He can figure, even with the hefty impost. #12 Regent Glory has been solid so far. Next best. 

 Race 3: Precision Handicap 

#8 Super Sunny Sing looks well above average. He's caught the eye in trials and appears more than ready for his debut. Expect he takes catching under Joao Moreira. #4 Noble One turned his form around to finish second last start. He's found his way now and Zac Purton sticks aboard which looks a plus. #1 Fabulous Eight knows what it's all about. He has the class-edge as he chases an overdue third win in Hong Kong. #12 Super Axiom has speed and should run this group along. He has claims. 

 Race 4: Helene Super Star Handicap 

#13 Best For You has returned to a competitive mark. He slots in light and with a clean run can show this group what he is capable of on his day. Inside gate suits. #7 All Joyful is on the steady improve. He can make his case against this group with Vincent Ho engaged. #2 Righteous Doctrine has tumbled from Class 2 down to Class 4. He won't know himself in this grade and his pairing with Zac Purton bears close watching. #3 Amazing Victory has claims. Don't discount. 

 Race 5: River Verdon Handicap 

 #6 Classic Posh is a threat off this mark. He was a winner earlier this term, however, since then he has appeared to struggle. Still, he's capable and it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back to his best, which, would get him over the line. #7 Power Koepp won well last start. He's in-form and looks suited to this contest. #3 Kasa Papa steps out on debut after a stylish trial at Happy Valley recently. He appears forward enough. Strong booking of Zac Purton. #13 Young Life Forever can turn it around. He's better than his debut suggests. 

 Race 6: G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup 

 #4 Panfield is class over these distances and his latest effort showed that he has returned to his best form. He's been a touch untrustworthy this term but if he brings what he showed last start or last year to this race then it his contest to lose. #9 Senor Toba is on the rise and doing so very, very quickly. He draws well and should get the run of the race for Joao Moreira. #3 Tourbillon Diamond will stay all day and should find the right spot throughout from the inside draw. #1 Russian Emperor has had a long season but is without a doubt one of Hong Kong's finest middle-distance performers. Step up in trip is no concern. 

 Race 7: Blazing Speed Handicap 

 #1 Harmony Win Win makes the favourable dip down to Class 4 from Class 3. This is a big drop and with Lyle Hewitson up he shapes as the one to beat with the class edge from a good gate. #8 King Of The Court is better than his record suggests. He has the ability and with a clean shot at this group he can win. #10 Plikclone knows what it's all about and he's a threat off this mark with Zac Purton engaged. Wide gate the only concern, although, it is expected he finds himself worse than midfield. #3 Eternal Bloom is on the improve. Next best. 

 Race 8: Indigenous Handicap 

 #8 Storm Legend is progressing. He is close to a first win and his most recent two runs for third and fourth suggest this. Strong booking of Alexis Badel has him favoured. #9 Oriental Smoke is chasing back-to-back wins. This is a good ride for Luke Currie who hops aboard an improving type. #7 Golden Empire is racing well and looking for a fourth win this campaign. He has claims. #6 Private Rocket rarely runs a bad race. He has the experience to take him a long way here. 

 Race 9: G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap 

 Very, very tricky sprint contest. Siding with #5 Super Wealthy who is consistent and should find the right spot. He closed well last start at Group 1 level and his pairing with Zac Purton bears close watching. #11 Nervous Witness slots in light. He's favoured with no weight on his back and if he can step up even just in the slightest then he's going to be a major player. #10 Cordyceps Six is also steps out with no weight. He's progressing well and with a clean run gets his shot at this group. #2 Lucky Patch is next best. He's returning to his best slowly. 

Race 10: Viva Pataca Handicap 

#7 Leading Fortune is nothing short of consistent. He racked up a trio of wins in succession and since then he has held his condition well with consecutive third placings. He maps to get the right run from gate one and this contest appears suitable. #4 Rise Brethren mixes his form but has claims over these distances. Karis Teetan hops up and suspect he's ready to win again. #3 Bourbonaire is progressing steadily. He's taking his time to find his best form but Zac Purton's booking indicates that it is close. #5 Royal Bomb is in solid form. Next best, even if he continuously runs well without winning.  

 Race 11: Exultant Handicap 

 #1 Copartner Elites is closing in on a first win already, even with just four starts under his belt. He's placed in his last three and if he can offset the wide gate then he is the one to beat here. #5 Intrepid Winner caught the eye with a fast-finishing effort two starts ago. If he can replicate that here then he's a major threat, especially with a race run to suit. #7 Five G Patch has a bit of class and looks set to improve even more. Strong booking of Joao Moreira. #12 Super Oasis is chasing a return to winning ways. He's tumbled a bit with his rating and this grade suits with a low weight.