3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - MODY HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – All Weather – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:48.98 Standard Time: 1:48.65 Course/Class Record: 1:47.54
Winner: CROWN AVENUE (AUS 8yo g Hard Spun – Royal Tour) had to be the tough old warrior he is to win this, never closer than three-wide the entire race and still too good for them, a very brave performance over 1800m. There had been some consistency in effort this season in four runs, two on the turf and two on the dirt, finishing no further back than fifth and placed twice. So, the win was coming, and he grabs his seventh in a 57-start career in Hong Kong, and you can add another in Australia before his arrival. A nice end to a frustrating month or so for rider Antoine Hamelin, too. Things had not really gone his way lately, his lone win in November a Class 5 victory aboard Happy Win Win. Good to see a good adaptable horse winning again, and an exceptionally talented jockey.
Runner-up: EZRA was well supported in the final stages of betting and looked a good chance to win at the top of the straight after being given every chance by Chad Schofield. He rallied well, never really looked like picking up the winner. This his debut run of the all-weather track for Tony Millard, his lone success came on the turf at Sha Tin over 1400m in October 2019 and we had seen little of that sot of form since. Obviously, some confidence in him today on this surface off a very forward trial third on November 24.
Run Of The Race: None better than CROWN AVENUE, gave them all a chance in sitting wide over 1800m and still beat them, do that and you are the superior horse, no argument. DOUBLE TAKE sat well off them and ran on strongly into third, his first try beyond 1650m and a decent attempt at it.
Disappointment: SWEETLY BABY was very plain, off the bit and chasing some way out after receiving a cosy trip on the fence. Well backed this horse so plenty of cash went down the drain.
Comparison: Outside standard, mixed pace so no surprise to see them running this around this time.
Market Mover: SWEETLY BABY $4.70 to $3.00, EZRA $14.30 to $9.50
RACE 2 - NATHAN HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – All Weather – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.31 Standard Time: 1:09.30 Course/Class Record: 1:08.46
Winner: TREASURE CHEST (NZ 5yo g Ocean Park – Batroun) is one of the few to back up from Wednesday to Sunday these days but makes it an emphatic quick turnaround with a stunning end-to-end victory over 1200m, especially when you consider he tackled the 1800m just four days earlier. A great effort from this horse to shake of the exertions midweek and do this – punters on his side to succeed. He breaks his Hong Kong maiden, start 19 today and he has been toiling, his twelfth consecutive start in Class 5 so there have bene opportunities along the way. Ricky Yiu finds the key, perhaps he will be looking to back him Wednesday night at Happy Valley! Not the worst Class 5 field this and he second rated them. Neil Callan continues his top form in the saddle.
Runner-up: STRATHCLYDE backs up his impressive upset victory at Happy Valley on November 11 with a return to the all-weather surface and another fine effort, good to see him showing some consistency. He raced on the dirt literally all season in 2019-2020 with two minor placings to his credit. There has been a real turnround in fortunes for this son of Toorak Toff and off a rating of 37 points he will find success again in Class 5 very soon.
Run Of The Race: TREASURE CHEST so dominant and the best on ground, though WAYFOONG CHARMER did a fine job from a long way back to make up some big gaps to run into third. He dropped to Class 5 for the first time since July 2019 when he won on this track, had been in Class 4 ever since. Likely tilts back to Class 4 again next time but a big winning chance should he remain in the low grade.
Disappointment: VIVA COUNCIL was made to work quite hard early and they really rolled along that opening 600m. Found wanting at the turn he faded right out. REGENCY POET was used early to share the lead then took a trail but soon battling. Backed $14 to under $6 so a big plunge for him first time in Class 5 failed to come off.
Comparison: Bang on the standard time and they really rocketed along so the inside track certainly not about to realise any record speeds today.
Market Mover: TREASURE CHEST $7.50 to $4.70, REGENCY POET $14.30 to $5.90
RACE 3 - HUMPHREYS HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – All Weather – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.11 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.14
Winner: GOLFMAN STAR (AUS 5yo g Animal Kingdom – Pretends) had been unsuccessful in five previous outings in Hong Kong though he showed more when finishing fourth in his drop to Class 4 on November 4, so there was obvious confidence around his chances this time around. A two-time winner in Australia on the provincials he also placed at Randwick and Rosehill before being snapped up to head offshore. The usual transition for most, some less than convincing form in Class 3 to start him off now in his rightful grade. A handy draw and Alfie Chan's 7lb claim a big help here, soon in the trail today and around the heels of the leader to get up late, though not without a fight. Race winning dam Pretends is a daughter of Exceed And Excel. Sire Animal Kingdom of course a former Kentucky Derby winner.
Runner-up: HAPPY TANGO was terrific, every bit as good as the winner despite relenting late. He was used up to get over from a wider gate and made to work to find the front, steadied the ship through the middle and kicked back so determinedly in the straight, going down in the final couple of bounds. He has just recently transferred to Me Tsui's stable from Douglas Whyte, the former top jockey unable to find the key to him in 13 starts and as is so often the case a change of environment works a treat.
Run Of The Race: DEMONS ROCK was a mile off them and rear and wide before the corner, he dashed up very strongly in the run home to grab third money at long odds. A bold Class 5 winner two starts ago on the dirt he was forgotten here after a failure on the turf, but he obviously favours this all-weather track, an excellent performance. He is underrated, won four from 10 in the UK before making his way to Hong Kong where he struggled for some time. David Hall has this horse at his best just now. Put WINNING VOLATILITY in the black book, far from terrible in seventh on his debut run here, second fastest last 400m split behind DEMONS ROCK (23.18) in running 23.51.
Disappointment: There were a few. The favoured brigade WAR LORD, GOLD COMET, and CAPSULE KING all very bland in their efforts trying to chase a good strong speed. WAR LORD kept in for the fight to run fourth, but punters were dusted on this trio.
Comparison: A very solid gallop. They were just the 0.06 outside standard which stacks up as quick today.
Market Mover: WAR LORD $5.60 to $3.80
RACE 4 - SALISBURY HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – All Weather – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.72 Standard Time: 1:39.70 Course/Class Record: 1:38.60
Winner: TURF BRILLAINT (AUS 5yo g Manhattan Rain – Paradise Lost) breaks the duck in Hong Kong, a losing streak of 12 comes to an end as Tony Piccone guides him to success for trainer Chris So in lucky start number 13. The signs were out last start, his first of the new season when he finished on strongly from well back to run fifth on this very track at this distance. Not surprise to see some tote support for him off the back of that. A perfect ride from Piccone, soon had him the one-one from gate three and waiting to go on the back of the favoured CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE. Once presented off the turn he hit the line best. He has been a test for Chris So but maybe he is finding his best now. He kicked the horse off over 1200m in his earlier days and did ask him to run over 1800m at the end of last season as a wee tester. He could well lift those distance levels again – he certainly runs like a 2000m race would suit him.
Runner-up: CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE was soon alongside the leader and dictating terms from there, looked to shoot to the front off the home turn and did not give enough. But in his defence, he did kick back well when he looked beaten to hold second, a handy effort. Now 17 starts without a win he is proving a frustration for those on his nose. This just his second start in Class 5 so he will break through in this grade without too much fuss.
Run Of The Race: How about PROUD SKY at 90/1? He rocketed home from a mile off them to run third and performed well ahead of expected standards at such a long price. He has proven difficult to follow for some time since winning in January 2019 but in his corner trainer Peter Ho who really does have his team going well, particularly those in the lower grades. SKY GEM also came on well from a mile off them to run fourth, solid in his effort today.
Disappointment: The favoured pair of DRAGON COMMANDER and SHINEALOT have similar excuses, both getting the shuffle up in the early and middle stages and both left with plenty of work to do. They came wide and ran on but always just too far away. Based on the runs of PROUD SKY and SKY GEM they barely get a pass mark.
Comparison: Another one right on standard. No spectacular times on the dirt track today but they have run them at steady pace. The better horses may fire up on it later.
Market Mover: TURF BRILLAINT $10.70 to $8.50, DAILY CHARM $76.00 to $43.00
RACE 5 - HANKOW HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C + 3' – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.77 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: EXCELLENT CHARIOT (NZ 4yo g Jimmy Choux – Tantrum) goes back-to-back and extends a smart early record in Hong Kong as the son of former NZ Derby and Rosehill Guineas winner Jimmy Choux goes from strength to strength after a break in seasons. That is two from two in 2020-2021, ridden expertly again by the in-form Neil Callan for Ricky Yiu who unlocks the horse's true talents after a transitional period earlier this year when he ran fifth in three consecutive starts. An impressive three-time trial in winner in New Zealand before joining Yiu's successful stable, he now marches his way into Class 3 and a date with some older, more hardened gallopers. The rise in quality will not bother him, he is very progressive, but his lack of experience could be a factor for a while. A gun ride, gate four and straight into the trail then out to make his claim at the turn and strong enough to hold on and beat a potential star in SOARING TOWER. No mean feat to beat that horse, he looked very special when he won on debut. Irish jockey Callan now on fire, nine winners since November 11.
Runner-up: SOARING TOWER loses no friends in going down a short head. He settled well beyond midfield, third-from-last at the 600m and with plenty to do. Karis Teetan waited his turn, drew wide and asked the topweight and favourite for the supreme effort and he gave it everything. With 133lb on his back and having to swoop very wide his run was exceptional given we know the talents of the winner and he made up a good eight-lengths on him from the home turn. He would have appreciated some more pace in the race looking at the time they ran.
Run Of The Race: SOARING TOWER huge, and VIGOUR CHAMP enormous coming from behind him to run off his coat tails and power home wide out. A final 400m in 22.91 was a race best in shading SOARING TOWER for the fastest sectional. Worthy of mention MONSTER KAKA a shade unlucky, ran well, and a watch horse next time MY ECSTATIC, not all the luck when needed it in the run home.
Disappointment: VECTOR again disappointing after leading. He seems to be a bit keen and leaving nothing in the locker for later just now. Has ability, Tony Cruz will iron him out.
Comparison: A half-second outside standard time and this time quite indicative of how it was run.
Market Mover: EXCELLENT CHARIOT $3.80 to $3.00
RACE 6 - CARNAVON HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C + 3' – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.54 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: KA YING EXCELLENT (IRE 4yo g Holy Roman Emperor -Musical Rain) too swift, back to his best off two runs this season and simply a fitter horse after a good four-month break between campaigns. Joao Moreira posted him up outside the leader and major rival IGNITING and soon put him away after straightening for home, kicked right away at the 250m and always held a clear margin despite the late exertions of runner-up E STAR. Win two from start 14 for Tony Cruz, this Irish-bred has placed on another six occasions and has been very consistent, every start to date on the big track at Sha Tin. He was sold for $HK 2.3 million at the 2019 International Sale in Hong Kong and has now banked more than that figure. More to come, he carried just 119lb today and therefore a real advantage over his rivals.
Runner-up: E STAR was game in defeat, racing ever so well this horse. He looked amazing pre-race and performed to that standard again, beaten by a smart type with a 14lb weight advantage so the tide was against him, but he failed to let that be an issue. A huge win the start previous and racing in grand form. Weight stops them and he needs some relief so a start or two in Class 2 would not hurt him right now.
Run Of The Race: Shamexpress gelding HAPPY QIJI came from second-last with a big surge out widest on the track in a terrific lift in performance at no less than 283/1. Punters did not want a bar of him as he had finished twelfth in each of three previous runs in Hong Kong and just not looked likely. He won three from 16 in New Zealand one at listed level though never set the world on fire there, but he did place in Group 2 company. Connections will be thrilled to see him turn the corner and run so well. He ran 22.87 and 22.99 his last two 400m splits, race bests. AMAZING NEWS gets an honourable mention, strong finish on debut from the two-time UK winner.
Disappointment: CHICKEN DANCE was terrible He is a much better horse than that. Trailed and given every possible chance today but he was first beaten when the turned for home and dropped out to run last. Paul O'Sullivan has work to do there. The well backed LEAP OF FAITH was quite plain, three-wide with cover and failed to give a kick. Both horses vetted, no findings. CHICKEN DANCE ordered to trial.
Comparison: They beat the standard by a tenth and it looked sharp, too. The Class 3 gallopers always turn up the speed for us.
Market Mover: LEAP OF FAITH $14.50 to $8.10
RACE 7 - MIDDLE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C + 3' – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.85 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: MY SUGAR (AUS 4yo g Deep Field – Kerimba) takes the next step today, he promised this, heavily backed in three previous starts and though right there at the end unable to win. Today all bad luck taken out of play, straight onto the lead under Karis Teetan and far too strong for these winning rather easily in the end. The rise to 1400m and a chance to catch his breath in the middle stages quite likely the key, he looked at times a little uncomfortable over 1200m and as a big striding horse the extra distance looked bound to help him. He was a cheap horse as a yearling, just $26,000 through the sale ring but a whole lot better than that would suggest. He will jump into Class 3 for an early look at the higher grade now and looks the type to thrive as he gets further tested. We may not see his very-best for a while yet but there is something brewing in that big frame. Nice hose for Jimmy Ting to have on board. Irish dam Kerimba was unraced but has left a bunch of winners, including Exceed And Excel mare Cathay Lady who won seven and placed on a further 10 occasions from just 27 starts under the training of John Sargent.
Runner-up: CASAMIRO sat last and swooped wide to run down the entire field over 1600m in his previous outing, today ridden with urgency early to be handy and ultimately in the trail. He looked the only danger at the 300m and was game in defeat but never reached the winners' tail. Racing well this horse with the extra help of Jerry Chau's claim. Tactically, two rather different rides of late.
Run Of The Race: Favourite CHEERFUL DAYS did a fine job to run third, he was swimming against the grain from the wide gate as the fist and second horses scooted along on the rail. And big ups to SON OF MAKFI and BRAVE POWER for also getting home strongly from well back at longer odds.
Disappointment: Last start winner DIAMOND RHYME was used up to get handy and after sitting outside the leader he was first beaten, fading out to finish a long way back. He is noted to run on speed but gate 14 was never going to be good here.
Comparison: Exactly the standard time. Very much par for course today.
Market Mover: CASAMIRO $15.60 to $8.40,
RACE 8 - CAMERON HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C + 3' – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:56.18 Standard Time: 0:56.35 Course/Class Record: 0:54.89
Winner: PING HAI BRAVO (AUS 4yo g Red Dazzler – Mountain Bluebird) had to be just as good as he was the previous start, even better, to win this. Two outstanding successes on the bounce for this talented sprinter, both wins coming on the low side of the track over 1000m up the Sha Tin chute and that is never an easy deal. He looked 100/1 and drifting today but the leaders suddenly came back to the pack at the furlong and he was just winding up on the inside, almost a carbon copy of his win on November 14. Twice a winner over 1200m it appears the straight 1000m and the ever-consistent speed in those races is rather suitable for this fellow. New rider Alexis Badel will not want to vacate this seat for a while, he's clicked with the John Size-trained gelding and will undoubtedly be on board when he seeks his third consecutive win next time around. A rags to riches sort of story, $9000 his price as a yearling in Australia.
Runner-up: VALIANT DREAM maintained a run on the outside fence which is generally the place to be up the 1000m straight and he capitalised late in proceedings to run the winner quite close in the end. He was off the bit and chasing at the 400m mark but maintained his gallop to strongly pick up and challenge, a nice lift in effort second up for the season after failing on October 4. Francis Lui had done a lot of work on him in the meantime, including a nice positive trial in late November to have him ready. Good record this horse, 16 starts, three wins and six placings. He came through the Mark Newnham stable and trialled impressively before his export to Hong Kong.
Run Of The Race: PING HAI BRAVO outstanding on that low side of the track was king of the hill today. Make room for GOOD BEAUTY in the bets next time, his final sectionals were strong from a long way back in an interesting twist from trainer Manfred Man. In 33 previous starts this horse had never contested a 1000m dash before, all his racing between 1200m and 1650m so a quirky change in regime from connections. Without running top three his run was as good as any in the field. TELECOM SMART and LITTLE BIRD also did some nice work late.
Disappointment: Hot favourite JOYFUL FORTUNE raced up third and fourth and in a premium place to strike but he was first beaten, the $1.60 favourite very ordinary today and a long way below what he has shown he is capable of. Vetted no findings, stewards order him to barrier trial before racing again.
Comparison: A good quick run down the straight to break standard comfortably.
Market Mover: PING HAI BRAVO $11.60 to $6.80
RACE 9 - GRANVILLE HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – All Weather – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:38.82 Standard Time: 1:38.55 Course/Class Record: 1:37.22
Winner: TURIN REDSTAR (GB 6yo g Kyllachy – Meddle) has dropped 29 rating points in 12 months and finally finds his niche again after a long baren year in the wilderness. Dennis Yip took over at the turn of the new season, debuted him from his stable on November 14 and things didn't look a whole lot better – running 12th over 1400m on the turf and seemingly still some way from good form. You go all the way back to May 2018 to find him in winning form on the all-weather in Class 3 company at the top of the weights. No surprise to see him go around at 60/1 here, only those with some faith in his form of days gone by would have played. Terrific run, and a smart ride from Keith Leung who went for the fence early and picked his path around the corner in saving valuable ground, too strong once he presented the gelding at the 250m. Weight was an advantage, 119lb on his back today.
Runner-up: PARTY EVERYDAY is always tough to beat on the dirt track and again good here, sat on speed, wide to make his move at the 600m and he again kicked hard, just did not have an answer for the powerful finish from the upset winner. Seven starts in a row on the all-weather track on either side of the season break for three wins and four second placings. You would not even bother starting him on the turf, would you?!
Run Of The Race: Two big efforts from last, GREAT TREASURE and BRIGHT KID made up an enormous amount of ground to dead heat for fourth in 23.37 and 23.13 respectively, the fastest final 400m splits in the race. At $45 and $121 respectively neither was fancied to win this, and they ran above the expected standard.
Disappointment: The money was piled on RIGHT CHOICE to run a big race, but he failed to come up to those expectations after getting a good enough run in transit.
Comparison: Three tenths outside of standard about right given the times today.
Market Mover: RIGHT CHOICE $27.60 to $11.00
RACE 10 - ASHLEY HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 100-80 – All Weather – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.29 Standard Time: 1:08.15 Course/Class Record: 1:07.27
Winner: AMAZING CHOCOLATE (AUS 6yo g Sepoy – Nanda Kot) wasn't in great shape when he failed at 1400m on the turf track on October 1, returning to scale with substantial blood in the trachea and fears he may have bled quite badly. But he bounces back a couple of months later, upsets them in just his second ever race start on the all-weather in beating arguably Hong Kong's best dirt horse, Will Power. Trainer Tony Millard actually trialled him on the turf track on November 24 and he worked along beautifully winning his trial and on track, seemingly, for a turf return. Millard obviously caught everyone by surprise in heading to the dirt track. Odds of 27/1 ridiculously long for a horse of his quality regardless of the racing surface. Wonderful to see this good horse back to full health and in winning touch again. He was dynamic, almost unbeatable in a hot streak of form when winning three last season within four starts. His strength being able to get well off the speed and fire home, not dissimilar to his pattern today, although he raced midfield which is closer than he often is. Too swift out wide in the last couple of bounds for the warm favourite, and any horse able to beat him on the track he literally owns is a great feat.
Runner-up: WILL POWER went close to keeping his unbeaten record this season, already twice successful here and shooting for three. Karis Teetan was kind on him until late when he really needed that big effort and he gave his all under the big weight, succumbing in the final three strides. That is nine starts on the Sha Tin all-weather for five wins and three placings, only once out of the top three. Teetan has been the rider in every start and knows him so well. This issue now becomes a weighty one. Is the time right for Douglas Whyte to play his card and get stable apprentice Jerry Chau up to ease the weight? We will find out.
Run Of The Race: AMAZING CHOCOLATE just superb first up on a track foreign to him. Great training performance from Tony Millard to have him ready for that. MEGA HEART is the one to follow up out of the race, he stormed home from last at 32/1 and looks ready to win again. He was successful in two of his last three starts at the end of his campaign last season, both on the all-weather track. A lot fitter now after four runs this term since a good spell.
Disappointment: WINNER SUPREME a flop, led and folded quickly. LARSON was also poor by his standards; he usually gives it a good crack, but he was obviously well below his best here. Both vetted, no findings.
Comparison: In comparison to the other times on the inside track today about par for the course, being a touch above standard.
Market Mover: WINNER SUPREME $5.00 to $3.80
