3 minute read

Brett Davis runs the rule over Sha Tin this afternoon.

Race 1

#10 U W Brother shall head to the races today with a solid foundation of fitness under his saddle following a hearty performance first up over the 1200m. He was well specked in betting and began faultlessly to lead that race before copping a barrage of pressure through the first 600m. In the end he was a tiring seventh but overhauled only through the last 150m, whilst those that pressured had already capitulated. He returns to a 1000m today which looks ideal as his best performance took place this course and distance last season, and in a higher grade. Drawn well in a race that appears to lack any frantic speed makes him attractive, particularly if he finds the lead and dictates.
#13 Jimson The Dragon is the lowest rated galloper in the race which doesn't advertise his prospects in great light. However, he's in the same boat as the on top selection because he also returns to the races second up, and at the shorter trip. His record over the shatin 1000m is as good as you'll find for a class fiver who's never won a race. Today he has the draw to race handy and trail the speed against the outside rail, which puts him in a prime position. If that how things roll he'll again receive an opportunity to launch at the leaders when its time to get serious.
#8 Solar Victory on form looks like he'll struggle and that may well be the case yet again. But he's a galloper that's been troubled by injury for a large portion of his career, in particular this calendar year. Last seasons champion trainer Ricky Yui has shown immense patience hoping to get this guy right and it could easily be an impossible task. However Alex Badel has also show plenty of commitment in the mornings and at trials, so there are reasons to consider improvement may be warranted. Two satisfactory trials also caught my interest and now it's down to his price.
#12 Corre Rapido is ultimately looking for a 1200m race on the all weather track, so whatever happens today he's worth putting in the fridge. It's difficult however to completely overlook his trial where he found the line with plenty up his sleeve.
#6 Green Envy looks to be going into this race underdone and is likely to settle back behind the speed. I'm sneaking him in because he's likely to be doing his best work final stages and there'll be plenty that weaken a long way out.

Selections : 10,13,8,12,6

R2 - 4,6,2,3,11

R3 - 1,5,7,2,8

Race 4

#1 Eligere returned with a solid third placing first up and continues his quest towards a Hong Kong win. Stepping to the 1400m today can allow him to position a fraction closer before unleashing his customary finishing burst. This is a race with a number of winning possibles so he'll have to be on song to get it done. Ultimately he looks a 1200m valley horse to me but I'm giving him one last chance at shatin.
#4 Charge On looked more than useful last preparation when winning a race this course and distance, and in very fine style. David Hall clearly has a talented and lightly raced youngster on his hands and a soft trial in preparation didn't over expose his well being. This galloper is likely to have a class in hand judge on the way he won last preparation and whatever happens today he's the horse to follow going forward.
#2 Nordic Warrior is a head scratcher when it comes to consistent performances. He has the engine and turn of foot to win in class 3 and possibly beyond but he lets himself down on a regular basis. Zac Purton takes the reigns for the first time in quite a while and with a decent barrier he's hard to leave out. His best would win this but as Forest Gump famously said "You Never No What Your Gonna Get".
#9 Sparking Star is far from the finished product and he's likely to be looking for even more ground than the 1400m on offer this afternoon. But he's scopy and had some genuine excuses first up when closing well into fourth. I'm keen to see how much he improves because there's every chance he's better than this class.
#11 Wonder Express has been competitive in class4 but has struggled to find that extra needed to be right in a finish. The drop back to 1400m from the mile this afternoon is definitely in his favour and I'm including him in the exotics.

Selections : 1,4,2,9,11

R5 - 3,4,8,13,12

R6 - 1,4,8,3,2

R7 - 4,5,2,9,12

Race 8

#6 Golden Sixty makes his much anticipated return today after a remarkable season that saw him clean sweep the 4yo series, capped off by an incredible victory in the derby. In Hong Kong racing there's already a lengthy list of thoroughbreds rightfully classified as superstars, this fellow has now joined that list. But the big question on everyone's mind is how well does he return. Since his derby win back in March the horse has not spelled or even spent time resting at the Conghua training complex. The months following have been filled with trotting, swimming an the very occasional gallop. Gallops have become more regular since the start of August and two trials have now also been witnessed. International day is the goal this preparation so there's obviously plenty of time still to peak. Which certainly raises the question...does he just keep winning in the meantime?
#3 Ka Ying Star has been the whipping boy to the champ Beauty Generation for a while now despite his impeccable and consistent record at the highest level. This season he'll begin his campaign an almost fully matured 5yo thats potentially on the verge of his best performances. He returns today in fabulous order with freshness in his legs following an off season that consisted of almost a hundred percent swimming. He'll get a nice time on the speed and I'm predicting he'll go very close.
#1 Beauty Generation commences what surely is to be his final season of racing. The champ has given so much to so many and I'm hoping he continues providing more incredible racing moments, but I have my concerns. His owners are generous, heart warming and humble people that have a healthy respect for his achievements and well being, so I'm confident he'll make it to his much deserved retirement paddock when they think the time is wright. Today he debuts for the David Hayes stable and weighs in at 1172lbs, the heaviest he's every been first up. His trial was fair and a he looked a long way off from what I've seen in previous years at this point. He's obviously being aimed at the Mile in December so I'd be surprised if he could win today on what I've see so far...but I hope I'm wrong.
#8 Champions Way looked to find his level last season and again it appeared that way first up. He's going to be improved by that no doubt and the step up to 1400m from the good gate gives him everychance. But he'll need to find more if he wants to keep playing with the big boys.
#5 Dances With Dragon reminded us at the end of last season how talented he can be on his day. A Group1 winner in New Zealand before his import suggested he'd eventually, all being equal, make it to the top at some point in Hong Kong. Today he takes on the cream and who's to say that he's reached his full potential yet. Many thought he was on his mark six months ago and look where he is now.

Selections : 6,3,1,8,5

R9 - 8,9,13,7,6

R10 - 7,6,11,5,14