3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - WU KING HANDICAP, HK $725,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf 'C ' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Yielding
Time: 1:10.55 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:09.24
Winner: GREAT SON (AUS 5yo g Danerich – Fantastic Glen) has his first attempt on a track worse than good and obviously enjoys the switch to a rain affected track. The son of Danerich has now won two of his last three after April success at Happy Valley and now registers his fourth career win for Paul O'Sullivan. He's been in Class 5 for two years now so perhaps a start or two in Class 4 to come as he sits on the verge of the 40 point threshold.
Runner-up: KWAI CHUNG ELITE registers placing six in 16 career starts for Richard Gibson and just can't quite get the job done again today. Fresh off two placings at Happy Valley and Sha Tin he was favoured with 15lb today and gave supporters good shout once again. Just his fourth run of 2020 so he's not been so busy since the turn of the year - that Class 5 victory must come soon.
Run Of The Race: MULTI MAX lost a handy spot and rallied strongly once cleat again. No real stars here.
Disappointment: Neither the well backed MOON PEAKS or favourite SUPREME PLUS were able to offer any resistance here. Both slow away and back throughout. SUPREME PLUS scoped and blood in the trachea.
Comparison: Outside the standard and you'd expect on rain affected ground. Definitely some marking on the track as they dig into it.
Market Mover: MOON PEAKS $10.90 to $5.20
RACE 2 - PO TIN HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Yielding
Time: 1:09.98 Standard Time: 1:09.50 Course/Class Record: 1:08.46
Winner: MAGIC SUPREME (AUS 4yo g Zoustar – Any Wonder) was unplaced in 10 previous starts for the John Moore stable and finally successful fourth up in Class 4 after a tough initiation into Hong Kong when kicking off in Class 3. And he'd earned that, winning twice in Sydney as 'Hostwin Supreme' for Gary Moore, including a $A125,000 success at Rosehill. Good to see that form return, perhaps the easing in the track his friend, worth remembering. And a lovely trip on leaders heels helped. Alfie Chan claimed 7lb and with just 118lb on his back this horse was well poised.
Runner-up: REWARDING TOGETHER debuts in Hong Kong for Frankie Lor, the Pierro gelding unraced in Australia though sold for $180,000 as a yearling and twice trialled, including an October 2019 trial win for trainer Adam Duggan. Four trials in Hong Kong and he kicks off the career in good fashion, fighting on bravely when the ground really had them working hard. Looks a type to bounce onto a good track and run well.
Run Of The Race: LADY FIRST deserves a mention after being slow away and well back she got to the line better than most in a dour battle.
Disappointment: The $4.70 favourite MONKEY JEWELLRY looked to have the majority beaten at the home turn after setting the tone from outside the leader. Disappointing in the run home, went from travelling to nothing in a stride. Found to have blood in the trachea on returning.
Comparison: Outside standard but on the face of it a good solid run on track conditions not favouring a number of runners early in the day.
Market Mover: MILLENIUM FALCON $8.30 to $6.40
RACE 3 - PO TIN HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Yielding
Time: 1:09.51 Standard Time: 1:09.50 Course/Class Record: 1:08.46
Winner: MIGHTY VALOR (AUS 3yo g Snitzel – Ain'Tnofallenstar) was a $325,000 yearling out of Australia for Ricky Yiu and in five starts before today hadn't run to match the price tag. This was his moment, and whether you can out it down to the easing track conditions we will find out, but he absolutely trotted in after leading all the way and allowed to coast the final furlong under a hold by Matthew Poon who registered his second win on the day. Second dam Ain't Seen Nothin (by Nothin Leica Dane) was an eight-race winner who left former Singapore Horse Of The Year 'Stepitup' who won 15 races for Laurie Laxon and six at Group Level in 2015, including the G1 Kranji Mile and Raffles Cup. That bloodline reached the surface today.
Runner-up: SO AWESOME tracked the winner all the way and just couldn't stay in touch but fought on bravely to hold the remainder at bay. No horse was going to go with MIGHTY VALOR.
Run Of The Race: Winner has smashed them to pieces and clearly the pick of this field. A mention to LUCKY QUALITY who did some late work from last.
Disappointment: BULB ELITE lights went out on the turn and it faded to run last after some very solid tote support. Vetted, no findings.
Comparison: Right on standard and allowed to coast the final furlong suggests how smart the win was from MIGHTY VALOR.
Market Mover: MIGHTY VALOR $6.60 to $4.90, BULB ELITE $10.00 to $6.60
RACE 4 - YAU OI HANDICAP, HK $725,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Yielding
Time: 1:49.64 Standard Time: 1:48.30 Course/Class Record: 1:47.60
Winner: GREAT SMART (AUS 4yo g Fastnet Rock – Pear Tart) had not delivered a lot in 15 previous starts, in fact he was unplaced since debuting in March 2019 after two wins as 'The Founder' for the Hayes-Dabernig stable in Australia. Another to kick off in Class 3 he found that difficult. A stable change to Manfred Man and the horse has been heavily backed in both starts for him, delivering the blow right on the line to cash in some very good bets. He'd done quite a bit of racing at the tighter Happy Valley circuit, so the big striding gelding probably suits the more open spaces at Sha Tin.
Runner-up: MISTER MONTE was quickly over from his wide gate and shared the speed throughout the run, stalled them all off but for that final stride lunge from GREAT SMART to get him at the bell. Really tough effort from Hussonet six-year-old, a well-tried commodity ion Hong Kong with 45 starts now under the belt for Michael Chang. No notable yielding form in his formline, so a nice lift in effort this week after a drought.
Run Of The Race: SHINEALOT was a bit stiff not to get clear earlier when Derek Leung wanted the gap and after checking off heels he found the line well, coming from back in the bunch to run strongly into fourth. One win from 32 starts suggests FORTUNE PATROL is tough to follow but he also ran on well, running the fastest last two 400m splits in the race, though we will treat him with caution just the same.
Disappointment: LITTLE GENERAL saw some heavy support in the final couple of minutes but did not deliver in the run home after getting a decent trip.
Comparison: Well outside standard over the longer trip as expected.
Market Mover: GREAT SMART $13.80 to $9.60, LITTLE GENERAL $7.60 to $5.20
RACE 5 - TAI HING HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Yielding
Time: 1:35.70 Standard Time: 1:34.90 Course/Class Record: 1:33.78
Winner: LEAP OF FAITH (AUS 3yo Sebring – Steps In Time) wasn't a cheap yearling at $270,000 but you'd not expect him to be any less being out of former star filly and mare Steps In Time, a nine-race multiple Group race winner who bowed out a Group One winner after taking the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill in 2014. It has been a promising start to his Hong Kong career, today registering win one at start six with four minor placings already in the bag. And he had colic surgery in April so he's bounced back to full fitness for John Size. More to come from this one.
Runner-up: TELECOM ROCKET was huge, up wide and challenged the leaders across the top and went clear after straightening. But he ran all over the track in the home straight and was beaten by his greenness rather than anything else, ending up on the outside half of the track at the line. The Tavistock five-year-old shows his best at 1600m and has rarely tackled the distance. Punters liked his chances on the yielding ground, heavily backed.
Run Of The Race: TELECOM ROCKET has never had a glimpse of the inside rail and did plenty wrong so his effort a mammoth one. HAPPY WIN WIN really good, too. Back last and storming home along the fence to grab third off a smart Karis Teetan ride.
Disappointment: CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE had the chance to get the form back today after trailing and carrying no weight but really battled from the corner and disappointing.
Comparison: As per the norm above the standard. Track now well galloped on and heavily marked.
Market Mover: TELECOM ROCKET $10.90 to $4.90, HAPPY WIN WIN $14.50 to $9.80
RACE 6 - SAM SHING HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Yielding
Time: 1:22.52 Standard Time: 1:22.15 Course/Class Record: 1:21.08
Winner: CARE FREE PRINCE (AUS 7yo g Street Sense – Angora) is ridden with real urgency to get over and lead from a wide gate, rider Alfie Chan utilising a light weight to scoot and set the terms, kicked away at the 350m and held the favoured runners at bay. Now six wins and 16 placings in 55 starts for Manfred Man who has a handy team on track right now, including impressive winner earlier in the day Great Smart.
Runner-up: SPEED FAY FAY was six start and had not weighed in but the punters flocked to him in start seven for Benno Yung $13.00 to $4.90. And the performance matched the confidence, fifth the middle and seemed to be trotting, strong bid but just too many lengths to make up on a leader who slipped the cutter. The Hinchinbrook three-year-old was a $A110,000 yearling at the 2018 Magic Millions Sale.
Run Of The Race: CARE FREE PRINCE was superior. End of.
Disappointment: HEZA BEAUTY not as such disappointing in a fighting third but after gaining a split off a cosy trip he really didn't attack the line like a hot favourite.
Comparison: Excellent run just above standard and the winner did it all, wide gate to winning post.
Market Mover: SPEED FAY FAY $13.10 to $4.90 was heavily supported.
RACE 7 - FU TAI HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Yielding
Time: 0:57.10 Standard Time: 0:56.60 Course/Class Record: 0:54.89
Winner: BALTIC WHISPER (AUS 6yo g Charge Forward – Le Sillage) has today's hero Alfie Chan to thank for a bit of smart riding. Soon to the outside from the wide gate, Chan initially opted to head inwards towards centre track but quickly altered his plan, back to the outside fence and gaining momentum. He switched stick from the right hand to left and found the necessary response to gain a last-ditch win, half a nose all to spare. Apprentice Chan can do no wrong today. This horse has now won four of 28 for Danny Shum after two 1000m wins and four placings in 10 starts for Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm, Sydney.
Runner-up: WAR OF COURAGE shared the speed, looked well off the bit halfway home then rallied very strongly under Joao Moreira to strike the front. He's nabbed in the very final stride. Never further back than third in eight starts the Declaration Of War gelding is another in a strong Manfred Man stable.
Run Of The Race: TAKE WHAT YOU NEED was interesting. Landed on speed then had a real flat patch mid-race and under the stick, but good again the final furlong to run on strongly back into fourth. The track conditions obviously a factor there. Horse to follow. There starts two wins in Sydney for Chris Waller at 1000m and 1150m as 'Tough Harry'.
Disappointment: CALIFORNIA ARCHER did not look so happy on the yielding ground today and faded, drawing to the low side of the track also no help.
Comparison: Hard work for them over the final 200m and above standard but a generally solid tempo suited to the wide runners.
Market Mover: WAR OF COURAGE $2.50 to $1.90
RACE 8 - LUNG YAT HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Yielding
Time: 1:22.83 Standard Time: 1:21.8 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: WIN WIN (NZ 4yo g Casino Prince – Contented) is undeniable late, powers home in his first try on a yielding track to win his third from 15 starts in Hong Kong and an excellent effort in Class 3 after a poor run of form. That aside, this just his third run in 2020 after spelling following 1800m and 2000m failures post-Christmas. Trainer Benno Yung had him dropping to 1400m fresh up on a giving track and this seemed to prove the oracle. Gate one wasn't an ideal spot today but this horse used it to full advantage, jumping well and tracking the pace.
Runner-up: LOBO'S LEGEND could be regarded as unlucky. Middle inner he eased off the fence to take runs on the turn then was badly held up and losing momentum before finding the line well. Still to win in Hong Kong in 18 starts he's very close. Imported out of South Africa off two wins, he took the 1800m South African Classic in 2018 at Group 1 level. Well overdue winning form. Oddly, tried just three times past 1400m in Hong Kong.
Run Of The Race: Plenty to like about the runs of GREAT TREASURE and GUY DRAGON from the tail of the field. Neither horse far away from worthy form, the 1600m trip probably looks the limit on past form.
Disappointment: HELLO BEAUTY didn't settle that well and once he did the race got cracking again and he was well off the bit. A long road to find his best form for him. Lame right fore on return.
Comparison: They seemed to ease right off in the middle stages and ran a second outside standard in a slog up the straight.
Market Mover: HELLO BEAUTY $9.80 to $6.30, WIN WIN $19.80 to $13.30
Fined: C Y Ho $3000 for failing to declare 2lb overweight
RACE 9 - ON TING HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Yielding
Time: 1:35.63 Standard Time: 1:34.65 Course/Class Record: 1:33.30
Winner: HELLO DADDY (NZ 4yo g Keeper – Chihenne) had hinted he was close to his best form again and he delivers on a suitable track here, the former 2000m Waikato Guineas (G2) winner in New Zealand as 'Sponge Bob' when trained by Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker in the first three just once in six HK starts but he's on the rise. And so is Matthew Poon, three wins today to match Alfie Chan as the gun riders Purton and Moreira have a slow day. Poon found the front from the widest gate, albeit after a battle, and dictated all the terms, a very nice front-running ride. Look for even more from the Keeper gelding once he finds his rhythm at 1800m to 2000m.
Runner-up: SMART PATCH charged to the line and looked a hope to catch the winner at the furlong but the former dug deep to hold him out. The Hinchinbrook gelding has placed in four of eight starts in 2020 and racing well in Class 3. He's a one-start, one-win horse out of New Zealand when trained by Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott and an expensive yearling buy initially out of Australia.
Run Of The Race: MORE THAN A HORSE was terrific from last in flying through the pack to snare fourth, looking like a winner again at any tick of the clock. He'd won two for the Hawkes stable in Sydney before export and remains winless in Hong Kong in seven runs but that is about to change. His 23.59 final 400m eclipsed the field.
Disappointment: BEAUTY DAY was handy and did not fire on the wet track when expected to after showing yielding track form. MR ALDAN was supported and slow away never firing a shot. Mucus in the trachea on return and will barrier trial. His best form was in Australia at 1000m to 1200m.
Comparison: A full second outside standard as the track has worsened with many hooves on it, and some extra rain.
Market Mover: SMART PATCH $12.40 to $8.50, CHEERFUL LEADER $6.10 to $3.50
Fined: K C Leung $3000 for failing to declare 2lb overweight
RACE 10 - BUTTERFLY HANDICAP, HK $2,100,000
Class 2 – Rating 100-80 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Yielding
Time: 1:22.29 Standard Time: 1:21.55 Course/Class Record: 1:20.29
Winner: PERFECT MATCH (AUS 4yo g Not A Single Doubt – Modave) ends a perfect day for rider Matthew Poon who register win four on the card and shows his class with another end-to-end victory on this gelding. And he would consider himself fortunate to be on the horse, having never ridden him before despite a stunning 13 start-6-win career. He took full advantage, jumped to the front and kept on a kickin'. Bought out of the 2017 Inglis Sale for $A130,000 PERFECT MATCH is a son of unraced Montjeu mare Modave, a daughter of former class filly Vedodara who won a Magic Millions at two in New Zealand and went on to win and place at Group level on both sides of the Tasman.
Runner-up: MONGOLIAN KING is one of the most consistent horses around, particularly in a tough Class 2 grade he just never stops trying. Same again, the Sufficient gelding back from a wide gate and powering to the line to run the winner to a half-length. He won four from six for Bjorn Baker before export.
Run Of The Race: MONGOLIAN KING fantastic from the back, cuts out 23.46 on the way home when the leader ran 24.37 so exceptional work. Also catching the eye late was HIGH REV in 23.51 and powerful through the line. The son of Fastnet Rock has won four of 24 for David Hall and finding his way again after four quick wins in the second half of 2019 taking him from Class 4 to Class 2.
Disappointment: GLORIOUS SPECTRUM barely tightened a rein today, the well fancied runner midfield and gone on the corner, finishing last. Blood in the trachea on return.
Comparison: Well above standard. Track played very fair despite the yielding track conditions.
Market Mover: MORETHANLUCKY $7.70 to $5.20
