3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Sha Tin races.

With the cooler months approaching and the International Races in December looming the Shatin turf track receives a well earned spell. Tonight see's the first of three full all weather programs which gets underway at the normal time for an eight race night  card. Sunday racing this week also takes a different direction with a 10 race card scheduled for the city circuit, it's the one off annual Sunday race day at Happy Valley. Both programs shall have there challenges for punters and form students and there'll be no doubt some surprise results along the way. What shall be intriguing, with a good guide to future winners, is the continued progress of apprentice jockey Jerry  Chau. Jerry Chau had a fantastic grounding in South Australia before receiving the call from the HKJC for his crack at the big time. As you would expect it took time settling but under the elite tutelage of champion jockey Douglas Whyte he's continued maturing and is now in high demand. His current 10lb claim is reduced to 7lbs once he rides twenty winners and that is just around the corner. There are no issues at present and he'll continue to be in high demand, expecting to ride winners once he reaches that 7lb mark. However, when it again drops to 5lbs and then 3lbs respectively, more questions shall be asked, and then answered.

Race 1

#1 Demons Rock has only the one career victory to his name from thirty starts and that was achieved right here on the dirt. He'd pottered around for months and months at happy valley before eventually dropping in to class 5. Then in May last season after dropping 43 points from his original arrival rating of 80, he finally got it done. Tonight he returns to class 5 for the first time since that memorable occasion and trainer David Hall has called upon apprentice Jerry Chau and a 10lb claim. As already mentioned Jerry Chau is edging very close to riding twenty career winners which shall see his 10lb claim reduced to 7lbs. If you look at his book tonight you can clearly recognise he's in high demand for exact reason.
#3 Well Dragon after seven starts finds himself in the depths of class 5 for the first time. He ran quite a creditable race first up in class four and recently trialled well in blinkers. He's by Frankel and may ultimately be looking for the mile but he's improving sharply and should find the line well. He's a winning chance if runners can make significant ground from down back.
#5 Tailor Made appears a solid each way chance and I selected him last season in a similar race on the all weather, only it was class 4 company. He went dreadful that night and overall has been a costly conveyance for both connections and punters. However, there was some positives from the trial track leading into that run and again leading in to tonight. At the end of the day it's not going to get any easier for this fellow and this rates as his best opportunity to win. 
#10 Corre Rapido began the season with some particularly encouraging work and trials on turf, which is a surface he generally performs poorly on. Almost every single dollar he's accumulated in prize money has been gained through races on this course, over this distance and in this class. Tonight he returns with many ticks alongside his name and must be treated with respect.
#4 Adonis has been placed two of three starts this campaign which is a solid report card for a class 5 galloper at anytime. He's only recorded minor placings on dirt but shall be rejoined by jockey Alexis Badel, who is one of only two men to win on him. Drawn well and generally strong it would not be a surprise to see him fighting it out.

Selections : 1,3,5,10,4

R2 - 6,4,11,9,2

R3 - 9,5,1,7,3

R4 - 12,1,11,3,2

R5 - 6,5,2,9,1

R6 - 3,8,2,7,11

R7 - 4,8,1,2,11

Race 8

#3 King Shield is the real deal when he steps on to the all weather track under race conditions. I'm not suggesting he's unbeatable as he's on a career high rating, but his performances have been outstanding. Like many American bred gallopers he naturally relishes the surface underneath, ploughing through it like a tractor. His race style is jump, search for the lead and once there gradually build, build and build. He's a prolific sweater and can get fizzy as he prepares for battle. But but don't be concerned as that's all part of his pre race act.
#1 Elusive State is a proven benchmark thoroughbred in Hong Kong when it comes to all weather racing and he doesn't get beat to often, when back in his comfort zone. It's been sometime since a race on this surface that he qualifies for has been available, as there are limited dirt races on the calendar for a horse on his rating. He won a race similar to this at the same time last year carrying 13lbs, so if he's anywhere near right you can expect him to be in the finish.
#6 Righteous Doctrine has been terrific at both runs back and is highly qualified for a race of this stature. He's become extremely versatile with maturity by handling both surfaces but still remains a somewhat specialist when it comes to dirt racing. He threatened for months to win a race last season an when it finally eventuated he went right on with the job, winning another two in quick succession.
#2 Helene Leadingstar is the query horse under race conditions on the all weather but it's worth noting he won a trial at the Conghua training complex in October. Pound for pound he's right up to his eye balls in this as he's been placed at group 3 on the turf, so
a definite runner of interest.
#12 Touch Of Luck was dominant in victory as soon as he arrived in to the stable of Douglas Whyte, back in early June. John Moore has done all the ground work but the change of environment obviously played its part in bringing about success. How much higher he can go is a debatable subject but with no weight and a perfect draw, I'd rather have in than leave him out.

Selections : 3,1,6,2,12