3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - PAK TIN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.08 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: DUBLIN STAR (NZ 4yo g Savabeel – Maxmara) too good for these, after jumping a stride slowly soon into the box-seat trailing fourth the fence and ready to pounce. Chad Schofield angled him one-off the fence off the turn and though a bit raw for a few strides the son of Savabeel balanced out nicely to career away and win easily. Trainer Manfred Man elects to step up to the 1200m this time, he's held him at 1000m in his five previous starts. Now at the bottom end of Class 3 after this victory but a horse that will not be too fazed by a rise in class, he is a natural galloper despite being a little quirky.
Runner-up: HELAKU KNIGHT ran through the line nicely from midfield, real improvement from him after two less than favourable efforts so far this season under new trainer David Hayes. He picked up his act and performed well today. Two wins in Sydney as 'Helaku' for the Snowden stable.
Run Of The Race: BIG LUCK CHAMP was the one that caught the eye making up good ground to run into third. Only the one career start before this and also placed third that time, also in a Class 4 1200m on this track. Paul O'Sullivan is going to have some success with him this term. Brother Lance prepared him to trial in New Zealand before export to Hong Kong.
Disappointment: MONKEY JEWELLERY looked in a tough spot giving weight to them all today and that really did tell the story when it mattered. Lacked the finishing burst required under the 133lb. NOBLE DESIRE was quite bland, too.
Comparison: A tick under standard. Small field and quite tactical. Track looks beautiful.
Market Mover: DUBLIN STAR $6.40 to $3.30
RACE 2 - SO UK HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.87 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: BELUGA (NZ 4yo g Tavistock – Prestigious Miss) extends an already impressive record with win two in just start four under the guidance of David Hall, the son of Tavistock doing a fine job after going through the NZB Ready To Run Sale in 2018 for $NZ400,000. So, he's not a cheap horse but has a very good pedigree and clearly he is all about repaying the faith going on his will to win. He had not needed to be a star to win this, trailed and angled around one horse to win going away in what appears to be moderate company. But all you can do is win, and he did easily under Zac Purton with the 133lb.
Runner-up: SAM'S LOVE was clearly the slowest out of the barriers and last all the way until drawing wide to make his run. A really handy sustained bid from the son of Smart Missile who was successful in December last year over 1400m among a number of inconsistent performances.
Run Of The Race: SAM'S LOVE was the pick of those behind the winner. In the wrap up BELUGA was a few lengths superior to them and proved it.
Disappointment: SPEED FAY FAY found a nice rhythm second-from-last and never too far away, ran up into it at the 300m and from that point very dour.
Comparison: Bang on the standard with little pressure applied once they found their positions.
Market Mover: SPEED FAY FAY $6.00 to $4.40
RACE 3 - PAK TIN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.61 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: MIGHTY VALOR (AUS 4yo g Snitzel - Ain'Tnofallenstar) is way too smart for these, dwelt at the start but soon using his raw speed to take control and from then on it was a procession, Vagner Borges chalking up another effortless riding win as the son of Snitzel showed his best form in leading and kicking right away. A horse that has promised a little more than he's given to date, so a nice return to his winning ways for Ricky Yiu who had him in fine condition going into this one, the first run for the horse since July. He's a speedy customer and loves to be in front so today's early patterns really pointed to him being very hard to catch on the rail. He'll head to Class 3 now, an exciting horse he will be with no weight in that class.
Runner-up: INNO LEGEND ran on nicely, never a chance to gather up the flying leader and winner but a solid performance nonetheless. It was really interesting to see him in front first up for the season after not hinting that as a likely pattern in two starts last term. So, a change in rhythm here, Purton having him off-pace and finding the line. Manfred Man paid $180,000 for him out of New Zealand as a two-year-old.
Run Of The Race: MIGHTY VALOR was superior to them, easily the best in the race. A worthy run from CALIFORNIA LEVEE who was back and wide and quite brave in his continued improvement in the straight to run third. Very much a mixed bag in eight previous starts in Hong Kong and this his first show of placed form. One start one win in Ireland before arriving here.
Disappointment: WINNING STRIKES was favoured to go a good race today but lacked the final dash. FORTUNE MASTER did not match a decent tote plunge.
Comparison: Nice and quick, this track had looked the part all day they just hadn't run the earlier races with any tempo. A hot time 0.15 outside record speed.
Market Mover: MIGHTY VALOR $4.60 to $3.40, FORTUNE MASTER $12.30 to $7.50
RACE 4 - UN CHAU HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:35.10 Standard Time: 1:34.85 Course/Class Record: 1:34.38
Winner: NUNCHUKS (NZ 6yo g O'Reilly – Mama's Choice) delivers the killer blow to win the Class 5, coming from off the speed on the rail, out to make his run off the corner and too swift out wide under the urgings of an in-form Vincent Ho. He starts to show some form after a series of misses last season in nine outings for Caspar Fownes and the improvement logically in a drop from Class 4 to Class 5 which is usually the point that triggers something better. Reward for patience here, the six-year-old has been a work in progress, no doubt about it.
Runner-up: YES WE CAN got back and then tagged onto the winner's back after they straightened for home, finding the line well out wide under Chad Schofield. He ran really well in the corresponding race last Sunday coming from a long way back to run fourth so no major surprise to see him running through the line again. Class 5 victory must come the way he's going.
Run Of The Race: YES WE CAN was really good, and MASTER ROMAN did a solid job from the tail of the field as well. Both horse searching for form and finding some.
Disappointment: SMART THINKER sat fourth and fifth one off the fence and there to pounce, got the run he needed at the top of the straight and was not good enough. He's going to win one but Happy Valley could be his track.
Comparison: Above standard, a hack along once they jumped out and found their spots.
Market Mover: GREAT HARVEST $8.80 to $6.30, MASTER ROMAN $20.00 to $12.70
RACE 5 - SO UK HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.90 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: APEX TOP (SAF 4yo g Flower Alley – Cosima Liszt) secures his first win in Hong Kong after showing some moderate form in five previous attempts, and a fresh up ninth on this track on September 13 to start the new season. The turnaround comes off the back of an improved trial on September 26 with race rider Antoine Hamelin on board, punters taking note as he was backed in on the tote from $14 to $9.70. The straight was barely long enough for him, trailed fourth the fence and tracked the two leaders right into it, laboured half-way down but really picked up under the stick and hit the line well the last 50m to get the job done late. He looks a little limited, but a great win for connections today.
Runner-up: GOLDEN FOUR dashed home smartly from last and very wide on the corner, the best run in the race for sure. That's four consecutive placings for trainer Michael Chang as the son of Denman continues to race very well on a strict diet of 1400m races at Sha Tin. He's tackled this track and trip in his last 12 outings – for a win and six placings.
Run Of The Race: GOLDEN FOUR really good, and also paste BEST FOR YOU in the hat as the one to follow up on. He had a winning double this course and distance in the middle of last season, looked a shade below his best in two runs back so far this term, but picks it up nicely here and he's looking a fitter horse. Sits on a winning weight in a Class 4 race anytime soon. Was $49.00 today.
Disappointment: MALDIVES was quite plain as favourite, a really cosy trip sixth the outer and travelling well. But once Zac put him under pressure the response was not there. CASAMIRO also disappointing, looked to have the advantage in front and on the rail today and gave in sooner than expected.
Comparison: On the standard, no sparks int his which is why CASIMIRO was ultimately a little disappointing as the leader and favourite.
Market Mover: CASAMIRO $4.50 to $2.80, APEX TOP $14.40 to $9.70
Fined & Suspended: Jerry Chau (GOLDEN FOUR) $15,000 and two days for careless riding passing the winning post.
RACE 6 - TAI HANG TUNG HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:47.32 Standard Time: 1:47.65 Course/Class Record: 1:46.54
Winner: NATURAL STORM (NZ 4yo g Pins – Miracle Miss) has turned the corner and well and truly in peak form now for Ricky Yiu, the Kiwi import now successful in two of his last three starts, and placed fresh up in the new season in between times. The 1800m really seems to be his best trip, not a horse to get involved early in his races, again today settling well back with Vincent Ho plotting the course, the dash later in his races a real strong-suit. He enjoyed a trouble-free run into it after working his way off the fence just before the turn and was too swift out in centre-track. Ricky Yiu paid $NZ420,000 to secure the horse from vendors Waikato Stud at the 2018 Karaka Sales. His dam, a daughter of O'Reilly, was a winner on five occasions.
Runner-up: BUNDLE OF ENERGY also raced well back off a slow start, tracked the winner into the race along the fence for the major part of it then angled out to issue a challenge. He was clearly second-best in the race, and in backing up from a smart victory in Class 5 to begin his season, into a fast-finishing fifth back in Class 4 on September 23. David Hall has the consistent galloper racing in peak form.
Run Of The Race: Hard to split the top two though NATURAL STORM was rather superior to them today and he's not finished winning yet, a horse that can achieve more at the staying trips this season.
Disappointment: EXALTATION was given a gun ride by Zac Purton on the fence, appeared the winner coming to the turn, but the gap just didn't open. He never let the horses head go, there was simply no space to work in. Disappointing for backers of the favourite.
Comparison: A bit of tempo as they vied for the leading spots early, a group of five or six of them took their time to sort that out.
Market Mover: FAMILY LEADER $8.80 to $5.50, CROWN AVENUE $8.80 to $5.70
RACE 7 - LAI KOK HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.60 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.31
Winner: KA YING MASTER (AUS 5yo g Snitzel – Make Me Dream) won the first two starts of his career and looked a bright chance to do the big job in Hong Kong but that winning run ended quickly and it has taken him 12 months to bounce back to his best. Not a cheap yearling, he was sold for $A525,000 then prepared in New Zealand by Nigel Tiley who had him impressing at the trials. Already third-up this season, punters jumped on board, they must have got plenty as he was $32.00 to $13.00 at the jump and in-form rider Vagner Borges making no mistake of it, perfect ride again from the talented South American. He swooped up off a handy sit one-off the fence and put them away very quickly. One of the better betting plunges of late. Trainer Benno Yung has a few horses racing well right now.
Runner-up: SMART LEADER was every bit as good as the winner, a mile off them in the rear trio and with some ground to make up. The son of Delago Deluxe was a well beaten ninth fresh up this season on September 13 and improves sharply off that for Tony Cruz, firing home under Neil Callan to grab second money. He's a decent horse, knocking on the door of $4 million HK in stakes.
Run Of The Race: SMART LEADER was the pick of them but a worthy mention to INNER FLAME who was involved in quite the tussle up-front and never got his own way, stuck to his guns impressively in the straight to hold third.
Disappointment: SUNSET WATCH started a warm favourite but was quite bland and there seemed little excuse for him today.
Comparison: Great early tempo in this race and that set up a really swift time on a track that accommodates it.
Market Mover: KA YING MASTER $32.20 to $13.50
RACE 8 - LAI KOK HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.54 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.31
Winner: HEALTHY HAPPY (AUS 4yo g Zoustar – Lady Lakshmi) makes it a winning debut in Hong Kong following two wins from five Sydney starts under the guidance of Peter and Paul Snowden when known as 'Leviathan'. Quite a sharp trial mid-September after being a way off the pace in a trial in August so trainer Francis Lui was peaking him towards a bold first up run. He's be in work in Hong Kong since May and seems to be followed everywhere by Australian hoop Chad Schofield who was the successful rider today. Schofield was the rider in each of his three trials since arriving. Jogged up to the leader after trailing and too good today. Doubt that will be his last win.
Runner-up: PRIVATE ROCKET was well-backed to win the race and gave a great sight in front, the two-time Hong Kong winner giving a strong kick under claiming apprentice Jerry Chau and for a few strides the 17lb differential looked as though it could favour him. He peaked late though brave in defeat behind an obviously talented horse.
Run Of The Race: WINNING FOR ALL very good after getting back a few places further than ideal from gate one. Made up plenty of ground to finish third. A few that ran well here without reward. COMPASSION SPIRIT, WINSTON'S LAD, CLASSIC POSH, and PING HAI BRAVO all sprinted home nicely, the rail just favoured the leaders more today.
Disappointment: SUPER DOBBIN was favoured to win this, outside leader and gone in two strides once they straightened for home. Vetted, no findings.
Comparison: Really quick, some lovely speed into the race early.
Market Mover: PRIVATE ROCKET $10.10 to $6.10, COMPASSION SPIRIT $5.30 to $3.30
RACE 9 - NAM SHAN HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:20.98 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: CRAIG'S STAR (AUS 5yo g Your Song – Little Less Lip) was super-sharp today with the blinkers on, he trucked into it fourth the outer with seemingly a big head of steam and once Matthew Chadwick said go it was all over in two strides. He's a big powerful boy, probably hasn't delivered his optimum performance until now, and puts the writing on the wall here. That's win three in start 20, plus five second placings for trainer Danny Shum and there's another big win coming – he gives the impression he has hit the peak of his powers into his third season of racing.
Runner-up: CHANCHENG PRINCE had not shown the form of old in two starts this season. He was a dominant Griffin but the rise to Class 3 has certainly tested him so a good turnaround from him today, tracking the winner into the race and finishing off well. He was on-pace as a Griffin, racing off-pace now up in quality. He's going to progress further ridden back, so tactically a smart move from Francis Lui to have him ridden colder.
Run Of The Race: E STAR really good again from back in the pack, the fifth first up from the tail of the field an excellent run, to 1400m here and raced just back of midfield running it out strongly. Quick win coming for this talented son of Ferlax.
Disappointment: STAR OF YUEN LONG did work along a little early to place himself up outside the leader but failed to offer anything in the straight when asked to go.
Comparison: Another race of very genuine pace and well under the standard
Market Mover: CRAIG'S STAR $11.60 to $5.30
RACE 10 - CHAK ON HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.63 Standard Time: 1:08.65 Course/Class Record: 1:07.89
Winner: CALIFORNIA RAD (AUS 4yo g Fastnet Rock – Radharonafarraige) keeps extending, keeps finding more as his winning record goes through the roof in Hong Kong, winning his fifth race in his last eight starts. And while four of those have been at Happy Valley he dispels any rumour he is a one-trick pony, dominating them today from outside the leader on the big track here at Sha Tin. A hot start to his season for Tony Cruz, three starts two wins and a third, and rising in the ranks, a 48 point Class maiden in January, now a five-win Class 2 sprinter rated more than 40 points above that earlier standard. Late winning double for rider Matthew Chadwick who replaced regular rider Karis Teetan.
Runner-up: GOOD LUCK FRIEND jumped well as usual, tracked the speed and kicked on like he does every start. We talk about consistency in the winner, this horse no different, eight race starts four wins and three placings. His worst one when he ran fourth on debut. A good friend to have if you're a fan.
Run Of The Race: Dead-heat the first two. They did the early work, set the tone and kicked away from them, really impressive stuff.
Disappointment: You could say LUCKY EXPRESS (fifth) and WINNING METHOD (eighth) were disappointing and perhaps so. The rail just dominated this race though, trailer and outside leader kicking away too strongly giving nothing a chance. The latter pulled too hard early, that didn't help.
Comparison: Bang on the standard, they had control of the speed out in front. Sprinting hard off the corner the telling factor was the clock. Nine of the 13 runners bettered 22.00 the final 400m.
Market Mover: CALIFORNIA RAD $14.70 to $9.90
