3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - TOURMALINE HANDICAP, HK $725,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good TF
Time: 0:55.64 Standard Time: 0:57.25 Course/Class Record: 0:56.29
Winner: UNITED WE STAND (AUS 3yo g Delago Deluxe – Register) drops to Class 5 and that easing in quality is immediately noticed, the Australian-bred gelding out of South Africa very zippy in winning the first the of the day in a now common spot on the pace. Wide draw a real plus to him over the 1000m sprint up the straight, he was quickly to the front and setting the terms on the outside rail and in a different hemisphere to the others today. Jerry Chau’s 10lb claim in full effect back to 123lb carried also a major factor. The closest he’d finished previously was sixth in Class 4 from seven previous runs. Back to Class 4 he goes for Danny Shum.
Runner-up: JIMSON THE DRAGON fought ever so bravely to hold second after jumping quickly and chasing the free-running winner all the way. Now 11 times winless in Class 5 but his best performance to date. Racing better than his 20-start drought suggests.
Run Of The Race: Winner UNITED WE STAND supreme to the rest today. From well back MONEYMORE ran on well to pick up many places inside the final three furlongs and home in 22.64 (400m) only bettered by the winner in 22.58.
Disappointment: The $5.80 chance OVERSUBSCRIBED never got going and drifted right out to finish last, a poor one from him after some better efforts leading in.
Comparison: Smashes the class record and despite the fact it was wind assisted the performance of the winner seemed to match the time he ran.
Market Mover: UNITED WE STAND $8.70 to $4.90, LA BOMBA $22.70 to $11.10
RACE 2 - GARNET HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:08.98 Standard Time: 1:09.50 Course/Class Record: 1:08.46
Winner: WINNING BREW (NZ 4yo g Swiss Ace – Diamond Hailey) goes one better than a smart second when he debuted here on the all-weather track May 27 coming with a spectacular finish to win with his head on the chest. Never closer than three-wide the trip, but with cover, the Kiwi-bred and prepared gelding was simply superior to these second up, and looks a horse destined for much more in Hong Kong. He was a $NZ130,000 yearling buy and won his lone trial in New Zealand for trainer John Bell before being imported to Hong Kong.
Runner-up: GOLDEN MISSION hit the line beautifully from back of midfield himself, a strong finish from a horse who remains winless in now 11 HK starts but continues to show promise. Interestingly, the Rock N Pop gelding is another to bounce of some all-weather track racing to really perform strongly on the turf.
Run Of The Race: WINNING STRIKES was exceptional from the tail of the field, scooting home with a very quick burst of speed from near last on the turn. Two previous starts two failures at Happy Valley in January and February, spelled and back a better horse for Paul O’Sullivan.
Disappointment: GOODLUCK GOODLUCK faded after setting the speed outside leader and stopped quickly. Based on the good plunge for ROMAN IMPERO the money wasn’t well placed but the finishing burst, and interrupted in the straight in stages, was really good. Always just too far back to be winning.
Comparison: Under standard and run quite hard through the early and middle stages into a strong wind, allowing those further back in the field to pick them up quite easily late.
Market Mover: WINNING BREW $4.10 to $2.80, ROMAN IMPERO $21.50 to $9.30
Fined & Suspended: Chad Schofield (DR PROACTIVE) $50,000 and July 8 race meeting for careless riding at the 650m mark
RACE 3 - THE PREMIER CUP HANDICAP, HK $3,250,000
Group Three - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:20.89 Standard Time: 1:21.10 Course/Class Record: 1:20.05
Winner: JOLLY BANNER (AUS 8yo g Lonhro – Valkyrie Diva) is raced sparingly in tough company this season but he gets his reward late in the term with a lovely win over four others in the feature race. Just his fourth start in 2020, Ricky Yiu now selecting his races carefully as the eight-year-old lacks the legs of old that has seen him win seven from 40 starts and now over $HK 13 million in stakes. His career started five years ago, winning a maiden for Pat Carey in Victoria before heading to Hong Kong, and a great buy he’s proved. The 1400m is his trip, all his HK victories at this distance apart from a stunning 1000m win in Group 3 company at 90/1 in January 2019.
Runner-up: PERFECT MATCH had them all off the bit off the corner and looked as though he may keep up a gallop strong enough to hold on, but was edged late by the stronger horse. A super season from the horse, seven runs three wins and two placings and much the better for the racing leading into next season’s Group race sprints.
Run Of The Race: Has to be the winner in a five-horse race. And it was. JOLLY BANNER too tough for them.
Disappointment: THANKS FOREVER couldn’t go with them today on a quick track with such a big weight. The winner got 19lb from him, just too much pudding. PERFECT MATCH returned with blood in the trachea.
Comparison: Smart bowl along in a five-horse race, often they become stop-start affairs but not this one.
Market Mover: JOLLY BANNER $7.20 to $4.50
RACE 4 - GARNET HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:09.17 Standard Time: 1:09.50 Course/Class Record: 1:08.46
Winner: FIRST RESPONDER (IRE 4yo g Helmet – Capote West) finds the shift in scenery his friend, first start for the new stable of Douglas Whyte after placing twice from 18 for John Moore. A really difficult introduction for him, having to kick off in Class 3 after two placings in Ireland and it has taken some time for him to find his feet. Apprentice rider Jerry Chau claimed the 10lb which would again prove to be a big plus, the horse having carried 133 and 131lb in two starts in Class 4. Outside the leader after the jump he dictated terms from there and Chau, who was registering his second win on the day, had plenty of horse left when he asked for the effort. Second win won’t be long coming.
Runner-up: GOLDEN LINK was a warm favourite and finished strongly but just never looked like he would pick up the winner at any stage. He was hot in demand after a superb second at Sha Tin in just his second race start on May 24 and loses no friends here whatsoever.
Run Of The Race: LUCKY PUZZLE catches the eye dashing into sixth from last in slick time. At 123/1 he was not favoured having finished well down the track in seven runs in Hong Kong. We’ll not forget this effort. Two wins in Australia as ‘Lucky Mission’ for Kelly Schweida.
Disappointment: MAGIC SUPREME did nothing today after sitting just behind the speed from an nice inside gate. That win on yielding ground much stronger June 7.
Comparison: No hot pace here, Jerry Chau dictated terms outside the leader and for a young apprentice his assumption of time seems to be very, very good.
Market Mover: FIRST RESPONDER $17.10 to $8.10
RACE 5 - GARNET HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:08.88 Standard Time: 1:09.50 Course/Class Record: 1:08.46
Winner: YEE CHEONG PEGASUS (AUS 5yo g Lonhro – Sparks Fly) is as honest as they come and he fights back to win this under pressure with the 133lb so no excuses the rest. What a sparkling little season he’s had, did not return until January and has finished first or second in every start, now three wins and four second placings from seven outings in 2020. Win two today for former champion Lonhro after Jolly Banner’s success in the G3 Premier Cup. He still stands at Darley Australia for a fee of $A66,000. A big old betting move on this horse today, $6.10 to $3.30 a very strong push.
Runner-up: SKY FIELD was fantastic, back and wide and just on the wrong leg around the final two turns so his withering burst, coming up short at the line, was the run of a horse going places. The $NZ170,000 yearling is so inexperienced in line with the winner, this his first time to the races after just one start in January for Casper Fownes after winning a trial as a late two-year-old in New Zealand in July 2019.
Run Of The Race: SKY FIELD terrific in 21.54 the final 400m very slick. TAILOR MADE home in 22.10 from last to fifth was an eye catcher at 70/1 and one worth following out of the Michael Chang stable.
Disappointment: KINDA COOL battled on well enough o run third but after trailing the leader and having to come around just one horse he perhaps should have offered a little more as the $2.60 favourite.
Comparison: Well under standard, a good battle for the pointy end through the race, four or five horses running keenly up front.
Market Mover: YEE CHEONG PEGASUS $6.10 to $3.30
Fined & Suspended: Joao Moreira (MORE THAN ENOUGH) $75,000 and July 8 race meeting for careless riding approaching the 600m.
RACE 6 - OPAL HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 2000m – Track Good TF
Time: 2:01.99 Standard Time: 2:02.85 Course/Class Record: 2:01.62
Winner: BULLISH GLORY (IRE 7yo g Roderic O’Connor – Biz Bar) goes back-to-back and extends his season’s successes to three from 15 starts for Michael Chang after winning at 2000m on May 31. The Irish gelding just loves a scrap and he didn’t flinch one bit again today despite having to come very wide around the final turn from well back and keep up a big run wide on the track. He’d joined Tony Cruz in Hong Kong after three wins in Italy for Stefano Botti, though Cruz just couldn’t find the key to him. It seems maturity has been his best friend, racing better and better as he ages.
Runner-up: MISTER MONTE makes it a Michael Chang quinella fighting on bravely along the inside to snare second money. The weight pull helped his cause, carrying just 115lb at the bottom of the handicap. A busy season with 15 starts but he has won twice and will get a run in Class 5 again soon.
Run Of The Race: BULLISH GLORY was the pick of them, he gave plenty a chance to outstay him but none were up to the task. He actually eclipsed the field sectionally from 800m to winning post.
Disappointment: CROWN AVENUE was heavily backed and ridden confidently but failed to deliver, fading to run last.
Comparison: Oddly not far from class record time so the track is quick given they made this such a stop-start affair. Very muddling speed throughout.
Market Mover: GIANT TURTLE $10.10 to $7.10, CROWN AVENUE $30.50 to $10.80, VICTORIOUS SEEKER $10.20 to $6.60, CHEERFUL STAR $23.40 to 12.10
RACE 7 - LAPIS LAZULI HANDICAP, HK $967,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:34.85 Standard Time: 1:34.90 Course/Class Record: 1:33.78
Winner: REGENCY MASTER (NZ 3yo Savabeel – Lady Chaparral) finally gets Zac Purton another win, his second today, it’s been a lean run by his standards lately. This Kiwi-bred galloper looked like he’d turned the corner when stretching out to 1600m the previous start and gets the job done nicely second up at the trip today. Exemplary turn of speed when Purton asked for the big effort, this horse is no duffer.
Runner-up: CALIFORNIA LEGEND trailed the leader had every chance but kicked on well when others felt the pinch. Honest performer this guy, always races on speed but rarely wins. Would be nice to see him utilise the turning track at Happy Valley.
Run Of The Race: Spelling it out quite clearly REGENCY MASTER ran 22.24 from 400m to winning post and leaders 23.03 and 23.40 so he blitzes them sectionally.
Disappointment: SO WE JOY and STUNNING IMPACT went around as first and second favourites in the race but the wide draws beat them. Both went back at the start and both dashed home strongly but those that camped much closer to the speed got the cash in this one. Last 400m section quick 22.52, 22.41 respectively.
Comparison: Walk and sprint home took care of the favoured pair out the back they had too much work to do when they sprinted off a run on standard time on a day where breaking standard comfortably was considered standard.
Market Mover: SO WE JOY $4.50 to $3.20
RACE 8 - THE PREMIER PLATE HANDICAP, HK $3,250,000
Group Three - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:45.84 Standard Time: 1:46.60 Course/Class Record: 1:46.18
Winner: DANCES WITH DRAGONS (NZ 6yo g Savabeel – Around The Clock) wins four of his past six starts in a stunning surge of form for Casper Fownes in gaining his most important win yet since joining the Hong Kong scene in 2017. Fownes took over the training of the horse in February and it’s been spectacular stuff ever since. A very experienced and well-performed racehorse when he arrived as ‘Hall Of Fame’ he’d won five from 12 starts in New Zealand including the G1 Levin Classic for Te Akau Stables and a ready-made contender for higher honours in Hong Kong. He was electrifying today and all credit to rider Keith Leung who took his opportunity with both hands, smart ride.
Runner-up: HELENE LEADINGSTAR was really good, attacked the line hard after failing to sprint with the winner and off heels at just a crucial stage but it would not have mattered. Second was always his best result today and he did his job well from last in the small field.
Run Of The Race: DANCES WITH DRAGONS obvious but when you glance at the sectionals he blasted his way home in 22.06 which is very quick at the end of an 1800m race. Next best ran 22.53.
Disappointment: MORE THAN THIS took command after settling and had his chance.
Comparison: Quick run, record speed and great to see such a lovely strong tempo in a race worthy of more than a hack around.
Market Mover: DANCES WITH DRAGONS $29.50 to $17.20, HELENE LEADINGSTAR $13.20 to $7.60
RACE 9 - ALEXANDRITE HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:21.10 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: FLYING SWORD (AUS 4yo Foxwedge – Whiffle) won a 2yo maiden in New Zealand at the back end of 2017 and had not won a race since then in 10 subsequent starts in New Zealand, and another 10 in Hong Kong. So, win two for his career was well overdue but in two starts for Tony Cruz after a stable change he had shown real improvement. Nice step forward again today, camping third in a gap off two tearaways and very strong when Karis Teetan asked him to go under the whip at the 300m.
Runner-up: FANTASTIC SHOW was well off the bit at the turn but in customary fashion super strong to the line as he always is. Wonderful heart this horse, he’s beaten but never ever fails to give his very best. Has not finished out of the first three since he ran sixth in November 2019.
Run Of The Race: PICKEN back and wide the turn rocketed home and deserved a bigger cheque at the end of this for effort. One of those races you could pick six or eight out and say they all ran well without all things going their way. NOBLE STEED ran ninth and far from poor.
Disappointment: SUPERRICH was expected to run well but he faded right out of it and disappointing despite being wide. After a quick treble to start his career in 2018 he has been unable to reproduce that form. Vetted, no findings but will barrier trial and be vetted prior to resuming.
Comparison: Quick race, leader went helter-skelter in front and had the back runners really chasing along coming to the home turn.
Market Mover: FLYING SWORD $4.80 to $3.70
RACE 10 - ALEXANDRITE HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:21.33 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: AMAZING CHOCOLATE (AUS 5yo g Sepoy – Nanda Kot) is just flying right now and Tony Millard has him in such a great run of form he’d be wishing the season wasn’t about to end. A big lift in weight would not stop him, he jumped 12lb after winning so easily at 1400m on May 24. Win three in his last four starts from the Sepoy gelding who had won a couple for James Cummings in Australia as ‘Nathula’ but showed none of the form he is in now as a fully matured horse.
Runner-up: KA YING EXCELLENT had the weight scale in his favour and Joao on board from a better gate, received a better trip, but could not withstand the raging finish wide on the track. Sitting so close to a drop back to Class 4 he’d lap them if able to sneak back in there before season’s end. An Irish bred by Holy Roman Emperor he will only get better with racing and is a lightly tried four-year-old with just 11 runs under the belt.
Run Of The Race: AMAZING CHOCOLATE amazing again.
Disappointment: TAKING AIM got the front pretty comfortably and caved in when the pressure went on as another well backed commodity with Jerry Chau aboard.
Comparison: A good half-second inside standard par for the course on today’s quick track.
Market Mover: TAKING AIM $16.10 to $9.90, KA YING EXCELLENT $5.60 to $3.80
Fined & Suspended: Jerry Chau (TAKING AIM) $15,000 and July 8 race meeting for carless riding past the 1300m mark
RACE 11 - AQUAMARINE HANDICAP, HK $1,450,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf ‘A’ Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good TF
Time: 1:08.79 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.32
Winner: GOOD LUCK FRIEND (NZ 3yo g Swiss Ace – Maravilla) grabs Joao Moreira a late win to keep him in touch with Zac Purton. He guided this Kiwi-bred to victory on May 24 at this trip and doubled up as punters piled the money on to get out on the favourite in the final event. Very promising horse, three wins in five starts for Ricky Yiu after being bought out of New Zealand’s Ready To Run Sale in 2018 for $NZ90,000 by the trainer himself. In such a competitive field it took the length of the straight to get there today, a split to come at them from just behind the pace and too strong the last few strides. On the fast track to Class 2.
Runner-up: BIG FORTUNE was another very well backed to win with the services of quality 10lb claimer Jerry Chau in the saddle. He’s a consistent horse but in a tough grade after easy wins in Class 4 to start the season. Chau’s claim dropped him to just 110lb here and he nearly got the job done from a nice sit just off the pace. The Moshe gelding deserves a win, though just a small handful of points from a Class 4 drop, he’ll be too good for that grade once that happens.
Run Of The Race: Against the grain both SUPER DOBBIN and WIND N GRASS were exceptional from the tail of the field to finish fourth and sixth respectively, the latter in a race best 22.13 the final 400m.
Disappointment: No obvious disappointment in a very competitive field of Class 3 horses.
Comparison: Under standard and on the button again the way the track has played. They continue to provide such a great racing surface.
Market Mover: BIG FORTUNE $14.80 to $8.30, ELIGERA $20.30 to $12.10
Fined & Suspended: C Wong (STANLEY PARK) $7500 and July 5 race meeting for carless riding passing the 950m
