3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin, the season finale.

Race 1: #4 Good Runners Way, #12 Celebration,  #6 Above, #1 Mister Monte

Race 2: #7 Whisky Knight, #6 Richcity Fortune, #2 Never Better, #1 Harbour Century

Race 3: #4 Pearl Champion, #8 Free View, #2 All You Need, #5 Fortunate Runner

Race 4: #5 Super Kin, #3 Monkey Jewellery, #4 Super Eighteen, #7 Blastoise

Race 5: #10 My Winner, #4 Care Free Prince, #3 My Power, #1 Falcon Turbo

Race 6: #2 Sunny Power, #10 Bullish Glory, #11 Dor Dor, #3 Smart Rocket

Race 7: #7 Ballistic King, #1 Hello Beauty, #13 Decisive Action, #3 Aerohappiness

Race 8: #10 Harmony Victory, #5 Good Standing, #4 Ka Ying Star, #7 Time To Celebrate

Race 9: #13 Little Wise Man, #6 Good Beauty, #7 Rickfield, #3 Assimilate

Race 10: #2 Buddies, #6 Cordyceps, #3 Arcada, #9 Happy Sebring

Race 11: #6 Thanks Forever, #5 Mr So And So, #11 Glorious Spectrum, #3 Elusive State

Race 1: Medic Kingdom Handicap

#4 Good Runners Way has found his mark. He closed impressively for second last start over the mile and off that run he looks ready to step up to 1800m and win. Suspect he'll settle midfield before peeling out to give chase. #12 Celebration is another who might be down to his mark. He's 0/25 which isn't ideal but he's only had three runs for Jimmy Ting and since the stable switch, he's shown marked improvement. He's the value of the race, especially if he finds himself in the right spot. #6 Above has largely disappointed across his 10-start career. He switches back to the turf which suits and under the urgings of Zac Purton he's not without a chance. Suspect he rolls forward to negate his lack of ability. #1 Mister Monte drops to Class 5 for the first time. He's more than likely not using Chan's 10lb claim to try and slip the field and if so, he could give them something to run down.  

Race 2: Mr Award Handicap

#7 Whisky Knight has been knocking on the door all season. He's twice raced over 1200m at Sha Tin with the latest of the two producing just a length and a half defeat. He stretched out to 1400m last start where he ran on only fairly and he's expected to bounce back over 1200m. #6 Richcity Fortune will find the front and lead. He'll try to make all as he has done in the past and the key 10lb claim from Alfred Chan sees him lug only 118lb. #2 Never Better impressed when winning last start. This isn't an overly strong field and his winning form holds him in good stead. #1 Harbour Century makes the crucial class drop for Michael Chang. He's shown very little but a weaker grade of racing could spark the necessary improvement required to be competitive.

Race 3: All You Wish Handicap

#4 Pearl Champion is a course and distance winner already this season. He's since been racing well and he should relish the drop in distance from 1650m to 1400m. This is well within his reach if he can overcome the wide gate. #8 Free View is open to further improvement following a recent trial and he's open to further improvement stepping up in trip. #2 All You Need has been racing well of late without winning. He wore blinkers for the first time last start which clearly sharpened him up and with them on again, he's capable of making a race of this. #5 Fortunate Runner is next best.

Race 4: Victory Marvel Handicap

#5 Super Kin impressed on debut when placing down the straight. He steps up to 1200m which suits and he appears an above average talent from the Caspar Fownes yard. #3 Monkey Jewellery is another who comes into this following an impressive last start runner-up effort. He's been well fancied since his debut indicating an opinion of the horse and with even luck he should find himself in the finish. #4 Super Eighteen made up a stack of ground after circumnavigating the field last start. He'll improve ridden closer to the speed. #7 Blastoise was an eye-catching run on debut. He'll benefit from the added furlong but there are queries around whether he needs more racing experience.

Race 5: Big Profit Handicap

#10 My Winner hasn't exactly lived up to his name this season but he has come close on a number of occasions. Latest, finishing only half a length behind High Rev; who since then has doubled his win tally with an impressive six length romp at Happy Valley. #4 Care Free Prince is the likely leader. He made all to score impressively three starts ago and although he's drawn wide, his racing pattern will give him every chance and against this field. #3 My Power has turned his form around since racing in Class 4. He's been competitive and another forward step can be expected. #1 Falcon Turbo drops in class for David Hall. It'll pay to keep this galloper safe.

Race 6: Solar Hei Hei Handicap

#2 Sunny Power is winless from 11 attempts this season. He's been close on a number of occasions and arguably he should have broken though for his second win, but nevertheless the return to 1800m could be what he needs. #10 Bullish Glory has dropped 35 ratings points since arriving in Hong Kong from Italy and is now with his second trainer – Michael Chang. He's shown glimpses of ability and against a relatively out of form field, he might be able to piece it all together. #11 Dor Dor is another winless galloper. His consistency holds him in good stead for this and a breakthrough win to finish off the season would not surprise. #3 Smart Rocket seeks back-to-back wins. He'll need to shoulder the weight rise but this is not out of his reach.

Race 7: Entrapment Handicap

#7 Ballistic King has shown steady improvement his last two starts. He should get every chance here and he's capable of taking another step forward. #1 Hello Beauty has narrowly missed at his last two outings. Still, he's racing in excellent form and this could be a season defining win if he breaks through for trainer John Moore. #13 Decisive Action has shown glimpses of talent across his career. Suspect he gets back and if he can get a nice cart in, he just might show something at a big price. He's worth something small. #3 Aerohappiness has been a model of consistency. The soft draw suits and he should be up on the pace early.

Race 8: The Sha Tin Mile Trophy (Handicap)

#10 Harmony Victory closed for an eye-catching third last start. He'll get back in the run again here and in his favour is the pace in the race as both Mission Tycoon and Ka Ying Star are likely to push forward and set a fast tempo. #5 Good Standing impressed when capturing the Hong Kong Macau Trophy two starts ago. He struggled in his latest at G3 level but he's better than that and it'll pay to forgive him here. #4 Ka Ying Star should push forward under Vincent Ho to lead. He's an impressive type and while this is a classy field, he's capable of making his presence felt. #7 Time To Celebrate has done nothing but impress all season. He loves this course and distance and whilst he may be coming to the end of his prep, his best can still ensure he is competitive.

Race 9: Sight Winner Handicap

#13 Little Wise Man is a lightly raced type from the Frankie Lor yard. He arguably should have more wins next to his name and while he struggled last start, his best is up to this and the wide draw should see him race in the space in needs out wide. #6 Good Beauty scooted up the rail to score impressively last start. He received all the favours that day and was entitled to win, but still he's racing in excellent form and he could very well deliver again. #7 Rickfield is racing well. He deserves respect. #3 Assimilate turned his form around to finish last start. He was Listed Stakes winner in Australia who is improving with each outing.

Race 10: Contentment Handicap

#2 Buddies has won three of his last four starts. He's racing in career-best form and if he handles the weight-rise, he's in with another excellent chance. #6 Cordyceps get Purton who hops off Buddies. He's been unlucky on a number of occasions this season however with the right run; he's capable of finishing over the top of them. #3 Arcada is in career-best form. Aldo Domeyer delivered an outstanding ride on him last start to score and this galloper brings the right form to this. #9 Happy Sebring is next best.

Race 11: The Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy (Handicap)

#6 Thanks Forever suffered his first defeat last start after stringing three in a row since his debut. He's a serious talent on the rise who didn't appear comfortable throughout last start. He's entitled to bounce back and from the gate he should be positive early. #5 Mr So And So flashed home last start to grab second at Happy Valley. His runs have been spaced this late in the season to ensure he is fresh and this race is well within his grasp. #11 Glorious Spectrum made up a stack of ground from near last to finish second, beaten a neck at his latest. He's an improving type who should relish every bit of 1400m. #3 Elusive State won on this day last year. Admittedly he's better on the dirt, but he's still capable of handling himself on the turf and from the good gate he should give himself every chance.