3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - THE CHAIRMEN'S DAY PLATE, HK $850,000
Griffin - Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1000m – Track: Good
Time: 0:56.57 Standard Time: 0:56.80 Course/Class Record: 0:56.00
Winner: CHENGCHENG PRINCE (USA 3yo g Carpe Diem – Bliss) had the form background and experience as the big edge over these and so it proved, sharing the pace until Joao pushed the button and away he went, winning very easily. He was sold for $US150,000 in the 2019 Spring Training Sale.
Runner-up: HONGKONG HARMONY debuted well, another US bred by Sharmadal from Galileo mare Patronising. Not a cheap horse this one, sold for 340,000 pounds in Great Britain at the 2019 Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale, so some money to recoup there.
Run Of The Race: CHENGCHENG PRINCE a class above. Moving on.
Disappointment: Because there was tote support SEA MONARCH didn't do as expected.
Comparison: Under standard and a nice kick along for the Griffins in a race without great pressure.
Market Mover: SEA MONARCH $5.80 to $4.20
RACE 2 - RYRIE HANDICAP, HK $725,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.83 Standard Time: 1:22.40 Course/Class Record: 1:21.53
Winner: IMPECCABLE FELLOW (IRE 6yo g Acclamation – Moment Juste) finally drops to Class 5 after one success in Class 4 back in 2018 and takes advantage of the easier grade. Wonderful ride from French jockey Antoine Hamelin, dropped to last after the jump, went for the rails immediately and he saved every inch of ground to wear down leader and favoured runner SHANGHAI DRAGON.
Runner-up: BUNDLE OF ENERGY ran as favourite and also very good, his path coming from behind the winner but wide from the 500m when the former stuck to the rail. Winner runs 23.16 the last 400m, this horse 22.96 wide. The difference was real estate covered and that's all.
Run Of The Race: BUNDLE OF ENERGY the pick of them, and Hamelin's ride superb on the winner.
Disappointment: SHANGHAI DRAGON had his chance out n front, the other pair superior on the day.
Comparison: Nicely under standard, track looks lively based on this.
Market Mover: VITAL SPRING $12.70 to $9.90
RACE 3 - THE MACWHINNIE CUP HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:55.20 Standard Time: 0:56.85 Course/Class Record: 0:55.12
Winner: SPARKLING KNIGHT (GB 4yo g Holy Roman Emperor – Connote) was found in the market at good odds by some and that off a smart trial in the lead up. Though not expected to test the favourites by most, the Me Tsui-trained gelding got to the hot part of the track – the outside rail – from and inside draw in gate two, making this victory a special effort. Lightly-raced, only five previous starts under the belt after starting his career as a Griffin in April 2019. More to come without question.
Runner-up: FABULOUS EIGHT carried much more weight than SPARKLING KNIGHT and drew superbly at the outside rail. So differing factors came into play and weight ultimately not his friend. Gallant try nonetheless in quick time.
Run Of The Race: None better than winner SPARKLING KNIGHT, to come from gate two and get to the outside rail then kick away in 55.20 is a special performance. He galloped away in a race-best 21.77 the final 400m, very sharp work.
Disappointment: If anything, DUBLIN STAR lacked a final kick off a good trip but a stretch to say disappointing as in poor given the time they ran.
Comparison: A very HOT time showing what the winner is capable of. To break standard by 1.65 seconds over 1000m and clock just outside record speed you know they're humming along.
Market Mover: DUBLIN PRINCE $5.20 to $4.20, SPARKLING KNIGHT $28.40 to $22.00
RACE 4 - THE PURVES QUAICH HANDICAP, HK $2,100,000
Class 2 – Rating 100-80 - Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:33.02 Standard Time: 1:34.50 Course/Class Record: 1:32.96
Winner: LAKESHORE EAGLE (AUS 5yo g Master Of Design – Rose Syrah) is in a bubble all of his own right now and trainer Chris So won't want it to burst. That's three wins on end from the Aussie import and six from 12 total, a superb record. The $75,000 yearling is so versatile, twice a winner at 1200m, and a 1400m victory on his way to the hat-trick at 1600m. He dropped the bit back on the fence today and burst through them when Karis Teetan said go, posing the question if he's a possible 2000m horse next season. On pedigree perhaps not given he's out of a Testa Rossa mare, though she got to a mile in four wins.
Runner-up: ASSIMILATE took on 1600m for just the second time in Hong Kong and found the line strongly off the back of a 1400m win at Sha Tin on May 9. The former winner of the Canberra Guineas (1400m) for Peter and Paul Snowden has been a consistent performer since his arrival and trainer Jimmy Ting will get good success out of the gelding at a mile. He placed on a soft track in the Fred Best Classic at Doomben as a 3yo so remember that when he strikes a yielding track. Handling a tough initiation to HK nicely in tough grades of Class 2 and Class 3.
Run Of The Race: LAKESHORE EAGLE gave the majority a start and a sound beating. He's in the zone and unmatched again today.
Disappointment: Favourite NICCONI EXPRESS had a lovely run, loomed wide to win it at the 350m and peaked soon after.
Comparison: Another very quick time, just 0.06 outside record speed. Track is lightning.
Market Mover: NICCONI EXPRESS $3.10 to $2.60
RACE 5 - THE SWAINE CUP HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.40 Standard Time: 1:22.15 Course/Class Record: 1:21.08
Winner: HANG'S DECISION (NZ 8yo g Postponed, Bislieri) has been out of form for some time, a winning double at the back end of 2018 and not in the first three in 18 subsequent starts. So, a surprise to see a form turnaround though the answer obviously in a recent drop to Class 4, a couple of better efforts leading in, and the eight-win veteran having plied his trade in Class 2 and 3 for many months. In perspective he won 16/04/16 in Class 4 and returned to the grade 17/05/20. Patience is a virtue. Back-to-back wins for a rampant Karis Teetan-Chris So combination. A closing $4.90 price signified the confidence.
Runner-up: CASAMIRO was again well backed, lovely ride Neil Callan to give him every chance and he looked the winner tracking up to the home turn. The former followed him and came off his back to unwind best. With Paul O'Sullivan for his last half-dozen starts, the Irish bred is closing right on some career best form. He's only won one from 24 in HK but that record will change next season.
Run Of The Race: SPARKY STAR scooted home nicely into third and an eye-catcher on debut, a 220k NZ yearling and kicking off late as a 4yo. FAST PACE, a son of Savabeel with Casper Fownes and having just start two in his career was very strong from last to run fifth. He's finished strongly in both runs at 1200m then 1400m. Looks a mile to 2000m horse.
Disappointment: GALLANT LEGACY shared the pace but had no kick as a 5/1 chance from the home turn.
Comparison: Knocking on the door of record speed once again. Track has perked right up after some recent rain in the region and in perfect condition.
Market Mover: CASAMIRO $5.80 to $4.10
RACE 6 - THE WONG CUP HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – All Weather Track – Distance 1200m – Track Slow
Time: 1:09.05 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.14
Winner: SUPER ALLIANCES (NZ 3yo g Zacinto – Footsie) had promised plenty, never quite delivered, so John Size took the bull by the horns and went for the bog move – turf to dirt. And he played an ace, the Kiwi-bred enjoying the underfoot surface to dart home from beyond midfield and secure his first Hong Kong win in 12 starts. He's well related this horse and should get better with time. Dam won at 2000m and her ¾ brother Wall Street was a very smart horse winning three Group One's in New Zealand followed by the G1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington, and also ran fourth in 2011 W.S Cox Plate to Pinker Pinker.
Runner-up: GUNNAR took a late split and loomed to challenge the winner but the momentum was well up wider from the former and the gap unable to be reeled in. Now three starts and two second placings on the dirt, this Hinchinbrook gelding will win one really soon on the all-weather track.
Run Of The Race: Nine better than SUPER ALLIANCES he's found a new lease of life reverting to the dirt track and was quite dominant late. JOYFUL MOMENTS did well late to run fourth from last.
Disappointment: FORTUNE HAPPINESS got back and never fired, expected to do much better after winning three on the trot at the back end of 2019 on the all weather track.
Comparison: Bang on standard, the dirt certainly not as hot as the turf today and rated that way.
Market Mover: SUPER ALLIANCES $11.90 to $5.90, GUNNAR $4.50 to $2.80
Find & Suspended: H W Lai (DOLLAR REWARD) fined $5000 and suspended June 24 meeting for careless riding at the 800m mark.
RACE 7 - THE LI CUP HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:47.24 Standard Time: 1:47.55 Course/Class Record: 1:46.18
Winner: GOD OF DRAGON (AUS 5yo g Red Dazzler – Pardees) has made hard work of winning in Hong Kong but he's found something better in 2020 winning now two of his last seven and now two of 31. To be fair to him he'd won four from seven as 'Pardue' for Tony Sears in Australia and had to meet them at Class 3 on arrival. Since joining Tony Cruz midway through his career he's been better. The magic rubbed off on him today, rider Karis Teetan winning his fourth race in succession and just in different zone to the other jocks today. Beautifully timed run.
Runner-up: SUPER ELEGANCE started favourite despite having not won in 15 starts in Hong Kong. He has however been consistent in placing in Class 3 at 1600m and 1800m and his turn looked due. A maiden win in New Zealand penalised him greatly having to kick off in Class 3. Honesty soon to be rewarded.
Run Of The Race: With 133lb and having to come wide on the track CHAMPION SURPREME gave away plenty to the former pair but he was stoic in third.
Disappointment: DEFINING MOMENT looked to be jogging turning for home, had traffic troubles getting through then the gap appeared, and he battled into fourth. And ABOVE was well backed but folded after sitting outside leader. DYNAMIC EAGLE returned with substantial blood in the trachea.
Comparison: Just a nice even tempo here though under standard.
Market Mover: ABOVE $12.80 to $7.00
RACE 8 - THE ARCULLI TROPHY HANDICAP, HK $2,100,000
Class 2 – Rating 100-80 – All Weather Track – Distance 1200m – Track Slow
Time: 1:07.87 Standard Time: 1:08.40 Course/Class Record: 1:07.27
Winner: RED DESERT (GER 4yo g Oasis Dream – Capichera) kicked off in Hong Kong 12 month ago and he has developed a really tidy record for champion trainer John Size. The German-bred won two in Great Britain at 1473m and then 1592m before heading to HK and he's not missed a beat in a tough school, Class 3 into Class 2 never easy. No duffer on the turf, winning 1200m Class 3 in 1:08.76 in June 2019, his two subsequent wins on the all-weather track. Big betting go for him, nearly halving in price, so confidence was high.
Runner-up: HIGHLY PROACTIVE so gallant in being run down. He did a bit early to cross them and only clear of the field in front after a 400m dash to get there. Once RED DESERT made his claim off the trail there was nothing but tenacity in his effort to fight all the way to the line. Won two-from-two in the South Island of New Zealand before being exported as 'The Last Won'.
Run Of The Race: HIGHLY PROACTIVE the pick of these, after working early he never gave up fighting.
Disappointment: WILL POWER lacked his usual dash on the all-weather track, off their backs and wide the turn to make his run he didn't really flatten out.
Comparison: Quick time, they scoot along breaking 1:08.00 and on a track rated slow it was run at very stern speed throughout.
Market Mover: RED DESERT $9.70 to $5.60
RACE 9 - THE CHAN TROPHY HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.60 Standard Time: 1:22.15 Course/Class Record: 1:21.08
Winner: CHEVALIER PRINCE (NZ 3yo g Rock n Pop – Zoe Spice) had been a horse many had highlighted as quality since arriving into the care of Frankie Lor. A trial winner in New Zealand after being sold for just $40,000 as a yearling, the Rock n Pop gelding had been superb in two runs previous, charging home from the tail of the field at 1200m then 1400m. Zac Purton had already had a feel, riding him into second at Sha Tin on May 17. Handier but three-wide the pressure was on 400m out but as he'd done already the final stages were his best work, a big win to take control inside the furlong and actually get away late. Big future this horse.
Runner-up: LEADING FORTUNE came even wide the turn and was so brave, looked likely to pick them up out widest on the course but met a good one on the day. Returning to 1400m after a try at 1800m seemed to agree with the French-bred gelding who had stormed to victory from last at Sha Tin on April 12 at the same distance.
Run Of The Race: CHEVALIER PRINCE the pick, and mark down O'Reilly gelding NUNCHUKS who came from barrier 14 and last to fourth. His first run since March 25 and improvers effort all around.
Disappointment: GALACTIC was well found but after leading no response for Moreira once they got down to business in the straight. Vetted no findings.
Comparison: Well under standard and par for the course the way the day has gone on the turf track.
Market Mover: MIGHTY POWER $11.70 to $7.50, WONDER BRAHMA $23.60 to $10.20
RACE 10 - THE STEVENSON CUP HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – All Weather Track – Distance 1200m – Track Slow
Time: 1:08.00 Standard Time: 1:08.70 Course/Class Record: 1:07.40
Winner: MEGA HEART (AUS 7yo g Foreplay – The Baroness) continued a stellar all-weather track run with his second win in the past three starts for Michael Chang who took advantage of Jerry Chau's apprentice claim. In very similar circumstances to his April 19 victory, MEGA HEART sat off midfield and came with a big bold run centre-track, really his trademark these days. He was unbeaten in New Zealand as 'Oh Romeo' in two starts for Nick Wigley and looked a smart type, repaying the buyers with over 4.9 million HK in the bank from 28 starts.
Runner-up: GOOD FOR YOU has been racing here for five years and still churning out some great performances, his big dash from the rear of the bunch here his third placing on end, all on the all-weather track. The winner of seven from 65 starts has won all his races on the turf tracks in Hong Kong but we think his maiden dirt track victory is very close.
Run Of The Race: GOOD FOR YOU exemplary, never easy to come from so far off the speed and in 1:08.00 flat a huge effort to make up so much ground.
Disappointment: SUNNY BOY and UTOPIA LIFE shared the pace and the favoured pair in the race but surrendered over the final stages.
Comparison: Well under standard, anything in the 1:08.00 range is fast so this was run at genuine Class 3 speed.
Market Mover: SUNNY BOY $5.10 to $3.40, UTOPIA LIFE $7.10 to $4.10
RACE 11 - THE IP JUG HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.27 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.32
Winner: CALIFORNIA GUNGHO (FR 5yo g Shakesperean – Less Crazy) had found life a little difficult in Hong Kong following a winning double in France to begin his racing career, and therefore a start in Class 3 on arrival. A brief stint in Class 4 of just two starts saw him win immediately in the easier grade and the transition back to Class 3 had again proven a difficult one. The breakthrough finally came today, Neil Callan to gain many of the plaudits for a superb tactical ride in front, dictating the pay above standard time on a day where they had run red hot times. Not a big margin at the line, but a short-head enough.
Runner-up: MIG ENERGY started favourite and provided leading trainer Tony Cruz with the quinella. Strong bid from off-pace sixth the fence angling outward after the turn. Looked likely to beat his stablemate but the former stuck to his guns to hold the margin.
Run Of The Race: HAPPY ALUMNI will give the same each time, he will always be slow away, always race back, and always fire home. No change today, a big final stretch burst clocking 22.31 the final 400m to eclipse the field sectionally. The Starcraft four-year-old must win his second race very soon.
Disappointment: BE READY got a good enough run from a cosy draw but didn't finish it off the final stages with 131lb. The four-times Australian winner from seven starts remains winless in HK off 10 starts.
Comparison: Slowest race of the day based on overall time and tempo. Smart ride Neil Callan on the winner to lead from gate 12 and dictate the terms over standard time.
Market Mover: CALIFORNIA GUNGHO $24.60 to $15.80, HAPPY ALUMNI $9.60 to $6.50
