3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - SNOW FAIRY HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'A' – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.97 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.31
Winner: MASTER MONTARO (AUS 4yo g Toronado – Circus Polka) makes his statement, many expected he would, and he did not disappoint after coming into this unbeaten off two victories in Australia. Not an easy thing to do to settle in in a short time, he started work in Hong Kong in September with David Hayes and after three trials deemed ready to go on the big day. Zac Purton was happy to be back and well off the pace after jumping, took a while to get the big boy into a rhythm, then found some cover wide. He did duck in for a few strides in the early portion of the home straight but when Zac asked him to go the acceleration simply too much for the others. He changed hands a couple of times in the early days, an $80,000 yearling who became a $300,000 Ready To Run buy, and latterly turned over again after impressively winning on debut in Victoria. Step one done for him, and plenty more to look forward to.
Runner-up: SUPER DOBBIN was fantastic. He over-raced quite badly back of midfield on the inner, never really settled then found himself with traffic issues after turning for home. Switching ground twice he carved through the centre to rattle into second under a classy Chad Schofield ride, a fine effort and certainly his best in six starts since arriving in Hong Kong. Trainer Tony Millard enjoyed a good night at Happy Valley on Longines International Jockeys Championship night, and he gets things rolling again with this fellow. He is a listed and Group 3 winner, also placed in Group 2 company in just four starts in South Africa and a horse to keep following.
Run Of The Race: SUPER DOBBIN was great, and REGENCY BO was huge coming from last widest on the track to run fourth, closing on them all the way home. He ran the fastest last 400m split in a slick 22.16, bettering MASTER MONTARO in 22.20, and SUPER DOBBIN 22.26.
Disappointment: WINNING BREW had to get back from the wide gate and in the end a bit plain, looking for runs off the turn but just battled in the middle of the pack from there. Needs a draw. SUNSET WATCH did not race up to expectations.
Comparison: They have the track in perfect condition, easily brushing under standard to start the day without any great speed being on.
Market Mover: TRUST ME $13.30 to $7.80
RACE 2 - ABLE FRIEND HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A' – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:22.36 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: AUTHENTIC CHAMP (AUS 5yo g Star Witness – Considerable) charges home off a slack speed, picks some gaps in centre-pack at the 400m and far too good once Vincent Ho found a half-gap, then a whole one, in surging to victory. Back-to-back successes for the Aussie-bred, a big lift for trainer Jimmy Ting and connections after problems surfaced with the horse leading to just three starts between January 2019 and July 2020. He is now fit and able and with four runs under the belt this season marching his way up the ratings ladder. He had to be good today, a long way back when he peeled off the inside rail to make his move, charging home in 22.36 the last 400m which eclipsed the field sectionally. On the verge of a switch up to Class 3 but he may sneak one more at the top of the handicap in Class 4 which would see him prove extremely hard to beat in searching for a hat-trick.
Runner-up: PLIKCLONE was put on the speed by Matthew Poon, challenged hard off the home corner and kicked hard all the way down the Sha Tin straight to relent to just one. Money was pouring in for him late to achieve a winning hat-trick, he had taken a winning double in Class 5 to start his season off in super fashion and the rise to Class 4 certainly no issue here. Going very well this horse, David Hall has found the key to success with him and it should continue.
Run Of The Race: AUTHENTIC CHAMP a minute better than these in the end, giving them a big start and a big beating. STAY CHILL did some good work over the concluding stages in a tidy late sectional.
Disappointment: JOYFUL HEART was quite bland late, had the good run tracking the speed throughout from the inside draw and sliced through to win but never fired the shots expected at the business end in fifth.
Comparison: A good half-second outside standard in a slowly run race lacking any great tempo.
Market Mover: PLIKCLONE $14.40 to $7.90
Fined: Joao Moreira (ULTIMATE GLORY) $5000 for whip use.
RACE 3 - FLINTSHIRE HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-55 – Turf 'A' – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:48.40 Standard Time: 1:47.35 Course/Class Record: 1:46.18
Winner: CHARITY GO (IRE 5yo g Harbour Watch – Princess Mood) wins with a real international flavour, the Irish-bred who won two in Great Britain salutes under leading UK jockey William Buick who snares a well-deserved win in his latest visit to Hong Kong. A shade unlucky he would have been not to win, the nose decision going his way in the end after striking some traffic 400m out when bottled up in mid-pack. He chased up onto heels, eased, then got his run, surging home strongly to grab that heads-up heads-down win for trainer Danny Shum. He has been successful just once in 23 starts in Hong Kong but raced better than that at times. He is never far from the top three and primed for this second up after a good second fresh up in September, out to Conghua for a good freshen up and a trial, before heading back to Shum to be topped off at Sha Tin. Now ahead of the $HK 3 million in earnings.
Runner-up: NATURAL STORM ended up three-deep but with cover, peeled wide to make his run at the turn and came with the best run, the longest run, and was done in the very last hop. Alexis Badel gave him every possible and in the end the nose went down at the right time for the former. Smart horse this, the lack of pace really did not help him, he would have fired off a stronger clip and probably won. Fourth starts for the season, a win, two seconds and a third his return for connections as he goes from strength to strength. Ricky Yiu paid some good money for him through the yearling sales, $NZ420,000, but he is going to win a lot more than that.
Run Of The Race: FLYING MIGHTY was outstanding in third, came from last and had to get right to the outside off this slow tempo, fired home in the race-best 23.43 the final 400m. His first season of racing in Hong Kong and this his best yet, sound in four previous runs for David Hall and peaking to run his best race on Hong Kong's biggest race day. A son of Husson, he won two-from-two for Kim Waugh in New South Wales before his export as 'Hussonibis'.
Disappointment: BEAUTY ANGEL runs his worst one in a long time; he had been so impressive winning his last four starts and after trailing today just never showed the usual surge in his action when asked. No real excuses with 122lb and gate one.
Comparison: So slowly run, they had a leading group of four at the 800m after hacking their way through it. Just a sprint from the turn.
Market Mover: CHARITY GO $21.20 to $8.80, FLYING MIGHTY $32.00 to $19.00
RACE 4 - THE LONGINES HONG KONG VASE, HK $20,000,000
Group One – Turf 'A' – Distance 2400m – Track Good
Time: 2:27.21 Standard Time: 2:26.20 Course/Class Record: 2:24.60
Winner: MOGUL (GB 3yo c Galileo – Shastye) proves too powerful for the locals as Aidan O'Brien grabs the first of the big four on the day in representing the internationals at the highest level. This horse has been a Group 1 winner this year taking out the Grand Prix de Paris in September, incredibly following in the footsteps of his elder full-brother Japan who won the same race in 2019. He is certainly bred to be a star, Danehill dam Shastye a sister to former Arc de Triomphe winner Sagamix. Their yearling full sister to Mogul and Japan sold in October for a mere 3.57 million pounds. Obvious confidence in the three-year-old to win this race, his powerful big frame almost casting a big cloud over them when Ryan Moore made his move to tackle leader and favourite Exultant. In three strides the race was all over.
Runner-up: EXULTANT led without a genuine pacemaker in the race, he did not settle as well as Zac Purton may have liked, wanted to latch on at the half-way mark and he lacked that killer sprint at the end as a result. But he was great as always, bowed to a young champion who is absolute top quality.
Run Of The Race: MOGUL superior and nothing within his range today in the small field, A great watch, such a powerful horse.
Disappointment: The disappointment was the lack of a pacemaker to get them rolling along and allow the likes of EXULTANT to find a better rhythm.
Comparison: A full second outside of standard in group company is slow. Just a hack around and sprint home.
Market Mover: EXULTANT $1.90 to $1.70
RACE 5 - THE LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT, HK $22,000,000
Group One – Turf 'A' – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.45 Standard Time: 1:08.40 Course/Class Record: 1:07.50
Winner: DANON SMASH (JPN 5yo entire Lord Kanaloa – Spinning Wildcat) quickly signals the Japanese involvement, the well-performed sprinter overcoming the widest gate to secure victory in this incredibly prestigious sprinting event for trainer Takayuki Yasuda. Aussie hoop Damian Lane had won the Group 2 Spring Cup aboard this horse in May over 1400m, since then after a wee break he has been a 1200m Group 2 winner before running second on the big Group One Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama behind the great Gran Alegria. So, he bought strong form, and the wide gate aside punters probably failed to understand his absolute quality. Ryan Moore is a great touch, jumps off Mogul to ride this fellow and produces a peach, he was quite urgent early to get him rolling, saw a gap midfield to duck across into and one-off the fence which was a masterstroke. He peeled to be three-wide wit cover before staking the big claim at the 400m, too tough for them late. All the momentum with the internationals in the first half of the major championship card. At 20/1 this horse was well above the odds.
Runner-up: JOLLY BANNER runs the race of is life at 83/1, bumped one or two out his way as he rocketed through the pack from a way back to take second money. The veteran has been a great warrior in Hong Kong and he rises to the occasion when it counted. The winner of well in excess of $HK 15 million before today he may be in his twilight years as a racehorse but a wonderful old guy who will be well remembered for his deeds. Not finished yet, three seconds in four starts this term and so deserving of victory in a good race for Ricky Yiu before he bows out.
Run Of The Race: Winner huge, second great, third placed RATTAN massive, as too fourth-placed WISHFUL THINKER who was the one punching above his weight today at the absolute top level and he came out smelling of roses. Huge sprint wide from him, luckless around the turn and early in the straight, too.
Disappointment: CLASSIQUE LEGEND looks flat. He jumped slowly, well back on the inner, picked a spot of the turn to be back in the middle and after copping a check gave up. It was just not to be his day. And favourite HOT KING PRAWN below his best, too. Gained a nice trip under Joao and found a nice clear run at them but never really fired.
Comparison: Bang on the standard, no real urgency in the lead, they settled and galloped at even tempo. No fireworks which is unusual in a Group 1 sprint race.
Market Mover: AMAZING STAR $19.80 to $13.00
RACE 6 - HIGHLAND REEL HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-55 – Turf 'A' – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.63 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: LUCKY PATCH (NZ 4yo g El Roca – Gould) has been a fantastic addition to the stable of Francis Lui. The Kiwi galloper twice a winner and once placed in just three starts for the Hong Kong trainer after securing him out of Brisbane, Australia after he won two at Doomben for Billy Healy as 'Paleontologist'. An interesting horse, Lui debuted him on the dirt and he bolted in, straight to the turf and up a furlong in distance and he powered home for third. So, Lui sticks to the plan, 1400m again today and off a lovely gate and a top ride from Matthew Poon, who is back from injury after a nasty spill, the gelding just way too good for these. Quick rise in points, 75 today and therefore straight to Class 2 now but would they worry the way he is going? With a light weight he will beat the Class 2 horses, as well. Dam is a daughter of Danehill Dancer, has left seven foals and six winners so she knows her stuff the old girl.
Runner-up: SUPER FOOTBALL put the writing on the wall first time around in Hong Kong on November 22 when he charged through the line to run fifth over 1200m. The former Kiwi was winless in seven runs there but placed in decent company. He was rated highly enough in Class 3 with 69 points so not the easiest transition for him. But he has ability, another big bold finish today stepping it up to 1400m and he is going to get further yet. Jimmy Ting will be excited by this one. He is a son of More Than Ready and four-time Redoute's Choice mare Raziyya Of Sydney, from a family of some quality performers further back.
Run Of The Race: PURE LEGEND gave them a big start from well back, gate 11 just no real use to him today and he was powerful late in running into sixth.
Disappointment: HEZA BEAUTY below his best form today, raced handy enough a couple of bumps around the turn and he just did not flatten out. The 133lb against some smart ones getting a good pull from him would tell. Neil Callan said the horse raced keenly and the tempo was not strong.
Comparison: On the standard, no fire. But nicely run at even pace without the stop-start stuff.
Market Mover: TRUE LEGEND $13.00 to $6.10
RACE 7 - THE LONGINES HONG KONG MILE, HK $25,000,000
Group One – Turf 'A' – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:33.45 Standard Time: 1:33.50 Course/Class Record: 1:32.64
Winner: GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS 5yo g Medalglia d'Oro – Gaudeamus) is Hong Kong's pinup boy and for a reason. He stands up when the big day arrives, gives his very-best once again in smashing them to take this prestigious race, a race so many champions have won in the past. Add him to list of champions. Few can complete a run of eight unbeaten races in the calendar year, or 11 in a row since his one and only defeat in July 2019. Full marks go to trainer Francis Lui, his team around him, and rider Vincent Ho who all know this horse so very well and present him to race in amazing condition. His consistency of effort, the same showing of brilliance each time he steps out is testament to the hard work in the background. A job well done, all the pressure was on this horse as the local star and he delivered in spades. Vincent Ho was more than happy to sit back off them and pounce from the 600m mark, full of confidence he would pick them up as he always does. The turn of foot at the 350m mark sends those shivers down the spine.
Runner-up: SOUTHERN LEGEND amazing from him. Back and with plenty to do in a sprint home which, currently is not his noted strong suit. He is better regarded as an on-pace roller as the legs get older, but today a sharp turn of foot from well back to run second, and that is the place most were realistically for in this race. Great old horse this guy.
Run Of The Race: SOUTHERN LEGEND, the champion aside, was amazing. He altered the usual pattern today to get a great result. Excellent ride from Karis Teetan to achieve it.
Disappointment: No disappointments, the race was exciting and won by the best horse. Wonderful effort from the grand old man of Hong Kong racing in BEAUTY GENERATION. To win over 100 million in stakes and achieve what he has is a remarkable feat. He hands over the baton to GOLDEN SIXTY now but will be etched in racing history forever.
Comparison: On the standard, no great pace into the race, ADMIRE MARS happy to quietly control that tempo from outside leader. Plenty of speed late, of course.
Market Mover: SOUTHERN LEGEND $46.00 to $31.00
RACE 8 - THE LONGINES HONG KONG CUP, HK $28,000,000
Group One – Turf 'A' – Distance 2000m – Track Good
Time: 2:00.50 Standard Time: 2:00.55 Course/Class Record: 1:59.30
Winner: NORMCORE (JPN 5yo m Harbinger – Chronologist) is one that gets away from an unfortunate Christophe Soumillon who was unable to make it to the meeting due to Covid restrictions. The great jockey would have been on this mare's back, but he had to watch on as local champion Zac Purton guided her through it to powerfully put them away over the concluding stages of the great race. Terrific mare, she was a Group 1 winner for the first time in Tokyo last year and has numerous Group race successes under the girth in Japan winning seven of 17 starts. Purton admitted he felt the grey mare had over-raced enough in the run to worry him, but said she kicked when needed. "She had to dig, she found and showed heart" said Purton, who announced this would place him at the top of the tree of the most winning jockey in International races in its history.
Runner-up: WIN BRIGHT gave a great sight, a big kick to look highly likely to retain his title until the winner came too powerfully once into her work. Close to retaining his unbeaten record at Sha Tin, twice successful previously in the QE11 Cup in April 2019, and he returned to win the Hong Kong Cup in December last year. Great stayer, another wonderful attempt from the Japanese star.
Run Of The Race: NORMCORE superior in the end in a small field and hard to say if any were unlucky, it certainly appeared they all had their chance.
Disappointment: Maybe for a lack of a kick at the top of the straight, FURORE had been sharp at that stage of his races lately but today he had a wee bump with another runner when he came out to make his run and did not really fire like he can after.
Comparison: A tick under standard. Great to have a genuine pacemaker like TIME WARP in the race to make it a good strong staying contest.
Market Mover: SKALLETI $11.60 to $5.20
RACE 9 - LORD KANALOA HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 105-80 – Turf 'A' – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.85 Standard Time: 1:08.65 Course/Class Record: 1:07.89
Winner: WINNING DREAMER (NZ 4yo g Deep Field – Markisa) may not have been a headline act among the rich International races, but boy is he a star! That is six wins from six starts as he point-blank refuses to let anything beat him. Trailed and once he angled off the leaders heels he looked a huge chance as always, galloped up with that big loping stride and put them away with some ease again late. Amazing record for a horse unraced before his arrival, set the tone early with a brilliant winning double over 1000m last season, and has returned twice the horse in the new term, winning four from four all at 1200m, all at Sha Tin. From a 52-point Class 4 horse in May to now above the 100-point threshold in just six starts is as good as it gets. It gets harder, yes, but the opposition are more worried about him than the other way around. Frankie Lor has a beauty here, and if rider Vincent Ho is not spoiled enough with Golden Sixty, he has another star to keep him amused!
Runner-up: BEAUTY APPLAUSE great in defeat, set the tone and a good pace under Vagner Borges and offered a strong kick off the turn. With a horse like Winning Dreamer on his back it was never going to be easy to hang on. He had a nice 9lb pull in the weights on the winner so it was worth a try to see if they could outstay him. Not to be. Good success to follow for this horse, he was sharper and fitter fourth up today and will win again when John Size picks out his next assignment, just so close to his peak.
Run Of The Race: A few. CALIFORNIA RAD was terrific in third after being trapped wide without cover and he never shirked the task in chasing the two hot ones on the rail. DUKA WAI made up a huge amount of ground from back and wide, he had to get a long way back from gate 11 and just never a winning chance from out there the way it was run. To swim against the tide as he did and rattle into fourth was outstanding work. Also meritorious was SHINING ACE.
Disappointment: On paper it looked maybe more disappointing than it was but second favourite SKY FIELD not bad at all, he was a mile off them in traffic, copped a decent bump when he wanted a gap and finished off soundly without threat. Joao Moreira did tell stewards he felt he was disappointing.
Comparison: A couple of tenths above standard and that really has been the normal today, just a lovely sole of grass without it being too fiery.
Market Mover: BEAUTY APPLAUSE $32.00 to $20.00
RACE 10 - MAURICE HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 105-80 – Turf 'A' – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:34.53 Standard Time: 1:34.35 Course/Class Record: 1:32.96
Winner: TOURBILLON DIAMOND (AUS 4yo g Olympic Glory – Modave) was of course one of the newcomers to make such a huge impression in his first start in Hong Kong a couple of weeks earlier and pointed at this day for his time to shine. And he did not disappoint, the four-time Queensland winner and Australian Derby placegetter as 'Eric The Eel' at his best second up for Danny Shum in stepping it up from 1400m to the mile, obviously very suitable the ay he dashed home first up. And who better to have on his back than Vincent Ho, his day was already a showstopper and it got better and better in guiding two very smart young horses to victory at the end of the day. This fellow was midfield and strung up in traffic to the point where he needed a can opener, found some space as he slowly eased around heels in a tight pack and burst away to run down a gallant runner up. Making some exceptionally good strides in quick time, he started his Hong Kong routine in August and many struggle to be at their peak this early as they acclimatise to Hong Kong conditions.
Runner-up: CIRCUIT THREE gallant in defeat, tried his best to give Vagner Borges a winner on the big day but he could not hold the late and powerful finish from the winner. Borges grabbed two seconds in the final two events, both of course behind a late Vincent Ho winning double. Galloping his way back to winning form is this horse. He won four from five starts in stellar run at the end of 2019 and into early 2020 and he is closing in on that form again, just his second start for the season today.
Run Of The Race: SHADOW HERO excellent in doing strong work from well back to dash into third, loses no friends there, a must mention to NOT USUAL TALENT who had no luck in transit but refused to stop trying and his fifth as good as any in the race. ASSIMILATE was hitting the line nicely from a mile off them.
Disappointment: SUPER WEALTHY never in it from a slow start, a long way back in the field all the way and despite the fact he had enjoyed a huge day, Ryan Moore unable to get this one home for punters. Vetted and found lame.
Comparison: Outside of standard, not a huge deal of pace in this and it told.
Market Mover: NICCONI EXPRESS $15.20 to $9.00, SUPER OASIS $33.00 to $20.50
