3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - PATERSON HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.04 Standard Time: 1:10.35 Course/Class Record: 1:09.73
Winner: FORTUNE HERO (AUS 4yo g Starspangledbanner – Pachelbel's Song) shows his best form, blinkers on, Jerry Chau on, two important key factors in his success. He had led in three starts this campaign, happy to sit outside the leader and control the tempo from there tonight, and too strong for the rest as they all had a chance but were simply inferior. We predicted he could run very well in the switch to Happy Valley and 1200m tonight after being tested at Sha Tin over 1400m of late. A $130,000 yearling in Australia, out of an unraced daughter of Encosta de Lago.
Runner-up: TIGERLAD trailed, off the fence to stake his claim at the point of the turn and he chased well, just never in contention to win the race as the former was off and gone. Still without a win in now 18 starts in Hong Kong but the Kiwi-bred has place din four of his lasts even under the guidance of Tony Millard and should gain an overdue success in Class 5 soon off a lowly rating of 21 points into tonight's event.
Run Of The Race: VITAL SPRING was the pick of them outside the winner, was trapped three-wide the entire trip and gallant to keep finishing hard out wide on the track to beat home the majority and run third. September 2019 and several starts later since he last won but looking due in the low grade for Francis Lui. Outsider SHANGHAI POWER ran on better than most from the rear into sixth.
Disappointment: DESTINE JEWELLERY was plain, travelled into it well enough at the turn from the third line on the fence, through a gap quickly off the turn and floundered from there. Vetted and substantial blood found in the trachea.
Comparison: A good three-tenths under standard time which is a nice sign for the night's racing.
Market Mover: WAYFOONG CHARMER $10.30 to $7.10
RACE 2 - GREAT GEORGE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.27 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: COLONEL (NZ 4yo g Ferlax – Outrageous Fortune) has found his best form and not surprisingly it is around the bends at Happy Valley. He had tried, not always poor at Sha Tin, but this turning circuit in the city is up his alley, gains a second win in his last three starts for Ricky Yiu, and Zac Purton was up tonight, his first ride on the gelding for a few months. Outside leader and dictating early, he took cover to sit third and waiting to pounce, too strong once Purton asked him for the supreme effort. They race and win from on speed in the two opening races on the card tonight. A $17,000 yearling, so he is proving a few bidders wrong now. Heavily backed to win this.
Runner-up: MY ECSTATIC was keen to find the front and eventually made is way there under Moreira who was not going to take no for an answer from a wider draw. He kicked backed well under pressure at the 200m mark to hold second very comfortably, a nice lift in overall performance from the son of All Too Hard who was prepared in New Zealand by Roger James and Robert Wellwood to trial impressively before joining up with Frankie Lor.
Run Of The Race: STREET SCREAM did scream home and was a bit luckless in stages too. A horse to follow out of this, his third run for the season for trainer David Hall and his best performance of his 10-start career to date. A maiden winner on his home track at Wyong for Kim Waugh before making his way to Hong Kong. That form is close. Debutant VUKAN was also tidy wider and late. The son of Sacred Falls and former good mare Mill Duckie (eight wins) looks promising. He was prepared by Lance O'Sullivan who sent him across to brother Paul to race in Hong Kong.
Disappointment: A bit of support for FLYING PHOTOS but after receiving a decent trip behind the front few the final dash was not there tonight. HERCULES was again on one rein in the straight and proved a difficult ride at times for Jerry Chau. Blinkers on and he seems to be a bit lost.
Comparison: Outside standard here, they jumped and settled, no real urgency early apart from the move from Moreira to lead.
Market Mover: COLONEL $3.40 to $1.90
RACE 3 - KINGSTON HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:40.79 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83
Winner: CHARITY WINGS (AUS 7yo g Bel Esprit – Viva Dubai) had to be brave to win, never closer than three-wide the entire trip and without cover from much of the final 800m of the race. He had indicated the Hong Kong maiden win was coming, two handy runs at this track and distance in November and December, making ground on both occasions, was the catalyst for victory tonight. Joao Moreira gave him a no panic ride despite the wide run, the horse gets the plaudits for this, though. He has been well tried in Hong Kong, 46 starts for six wins and obviously an old favourite in the Danny Shum yard.
Runner-up: EVER LAUGH was sent forward to take command, scooted away to a four-length buffer 1000m from home and when he looked like he would be reeled in and fading on his run he kicked back very strongly to go under by a reasonably narrow margin in the end. Clever front-running ride from Alexis Badel who is a man in great form, no surprise to see him in the photo finish. Another well-tried veteran this horse with all his best form at Sha Tin so tidy work from him here carrying top weight.
Run Of The Race: CHARITY WINGS had to be better than them after having a less than easy trip in transit. In beating them he was clearly superior. Off a decent trip back then wide with cover FEARLESS FIRE ran on okay late. Bias is with the leaders and right on-pace tonight.
Disappointment: The well backed FAITHFUL TRINITY was middle inner and gaining a good run but dropped out sharply around the home turn and Purton eased the gelding right out of the race. Vetted, an irregular heart rhythm was found.
Comparison: Some way outside standard in the end, they seemed to be rolling along that opening half mile but certainly a slowly run back-half to the race.
Market Mover: FAITHFUL TRINITY $6.70 to $4.90
RACE 4 - THE JANUARY CUP HANDICAP, HK $3,500,000
Group Three – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:48.68 Standard Time: 1:48.50 Course/Class Record: 1:48.10
Winner: SAVVY NINE (FR 5yo g Inodin – Insan Mala) found the race to suit and he does the job, some would say finally, but in fairness to him there have not been many easy races for him since arriving in Hong Kong as a Class 2 rated 81 points off Group race placed from in France. He had done nothing but rise in points since then, tackled several Group events and the four-year-old series since his arrival. He ran a bold fourth in the $20 million BMW HK Derby in March 2020 behind Golden Sixty. Given a beautiful trip, sitting patiently off middle by Christophe Soumillon, the standout looker was too powerful off the home turn in powering to success, Soumillon later admitting his own cut in weight to ride the horse at 119lb was not easy work. He also said it was great to win for trainer Douglas Whyte whom he battled against many times when Whyte was the leading jockey in Hong Kong. Win one finally comes from start 17 for this horse, but with several million in the bank for his efforts. Whyte took over the training when John Moore retired at the end of last season.
Runner-up: GLORIOUS DRAGON was extra good swooped late and made a statement for some staying contests ahead. He is a lightly raced horse in Hong Kong, this just his 15th run here and second up for the season so a horse well on the rise for Francis Lui. A French-bred English-raced import he has joined Lui's stable this season after some good success for Tony Millard last term, including back-t0-back 1800m and 2000m victories. Quick winner coming this fellow.
Run Of The Race: GLORIOUS DRAGON had to beat them all, nearly did that, only one better than him on the night after coming from last. HARMONY VICTORY also did a solid job in making up good ground from some way back.
Disappointment: RELIABLE TEAM was ridden a little urgent early to get up outside the leader and in doing so found himself with nothing left later in the race. To be fair he is a dedicated front runner and just found this company too tough tonight.
Comparison: Just outside standard and that was a decent gallop after TIME WARP was allowed t crawl his way forward and take an easy lead.
Market Mover: RELIABLE TEAM $6.50 to $3.80
RACE 5 - GREAT GEORGE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.48 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: NORDIC WARRIOR (IRE 6yo g Dutch Art – Girl Power) jumped slowly, ended up last and supporters of this well-backed commodity not on the best terms with themselves as he finds himself last after 200 metres. The Irish-bred was still giving them a huge start at the home bend, copped traffic trouble at that point and had to barge his way through a gap that needed opening. To get up and win a wonderful effort. A statistic few have on their record – he was a last a winner at Conghua - where he won the $2 million Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy in the hands of Matthew Chadwick in March 2019. Apprentice Jerry Chau had his first ride on the horse tonight and made it count.
Runner-up: SHINING ON was as good as he always is, got back in running and firing home strongly as he so often does, just could not fend off that big finish from the eventual winner late in the piece. What a season he is having, two wins, two thirds, now a second placing in five starts and a great little money spinner for the Francis Lui stable and connections. Rising rating points and therefore weight the only thing against him in the weeks ahead, but still comfortable around that 52 rating points.
Run Of The Race: One act affair, NORDIC WARRIOR gave them a big start and based on the slow time the leaders should have been able to sneak this one. He was terrific in beating the clock as well as the opposition tonight.
Disappointment: A SMILE LIKE YOURS had his chance, ridden handy and closer than he had been before which may have been a tactic that worked against him in the end. Seems happier doing less and running on stronger later.
Comparison: Slow, a long way above standard in a race that surprisingly saw the back markers get up.
Market Mover: EVER FORCE $10.90 to $7.40
RACE 6 - CANNON HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:56.68 Standard Time: 0:56.85 Course/Class Record: 0:56.11
Winner: KURPANY (FR 4yo g Mayson – One River) was superb here on December 16 when flying home over the same distance from the rear of the field and no less impressive tonight, Alexis Badel using gate one to keep closer in contact and once he achieved that the French gelding was always going to prove awfully hard to beat. He coasted up behind them at the 400m like he had just joined the party and from there a one-act affair, booting away to win like a sprinter that will be competitive at a rather high level. Caspar Fownes took over the training after the Mayson gelding won his lone start in Ireland, also a 1000m at Tipperary in June 2019.
Runner-up: WILD WEST WING shared the speed as he so often does, gave a good kick off the corner but in his rear-vision mirrors was KURPANY who was waiting to pounce. Gallant in defeat and a good lift again in form, he had run a couple of below par ones since winning here in mid-November. Eight starts this season, all over 1000m at Happy Valley for two wins and five placings.
Run Of The Race: KURPANY head and shoulders the pick of this lot. And good work late from debut runner KAI XIN DRAGON, a first up fourth good out of the David Hayes stable in finding the line well from midfield under Karis Teetan. This horse won three on the Gold Coast of Australia as 'The Drinks Cart' for Toby and Trent Edmonds at 900m to 1100m so he is a noted speed horse.
Disappointment: FLYING GENIUS was slow to begin after poorly anticipating the start and never in the race after. A disappointing result after a consistent run of form where he had been racing a lot handier. Put this one down to bad luck and move on.
Comparison: Good to see a nice genuine tempo over the 1000m, they cut it out in good time under standard and based on the results in earlier races that suited the winner ideally.
Market Mover: WILD WEST WING $22.80 to $9.60
RACE 7 - KINGSTON HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:40.69 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83
Winner: MALDIVES (NZ 4yo g Burgundy – Celtic Dream) caps some consistent placed from with a win, albeit a narrow one to get his career underway. The Kiwi-bred looked well poised to take this one after a solid few runs this season and now a very fit horse fifth up for David Hall it seemed his race t lose. Zac Purton the man for the job this week, a perfect ride middle inner swooping into it one-off the fence to look likely to win by a margin at the 200m, then clinging on by an eyelash at the line as CHARIZARD came at him. A $NZ65,000 yearling he was prepare din Melbourne by Mick Prince and Michael Kent Jnr to trial before making his way to Hong Kong as an unraced three-year-old. The longer distances are going to be his forte in time, getting out to 1800m and 2000m could prove beneficial.
Runner-up: CHARIZARD gave one last lunge that nearly unseated the favourite from his throne, Soumillon gunning down Purton in those final strides as the two great riders went for everything they had. This horse improves an average formline this term, four previous starts revealed little but much better through the line tonight as he looks to have taken some benefit of a run at Sha Tin over 1400m in mid-December. Limited success at Happy Valley for the three-time winner, each of his wins at Sha Tin in the 2018-2019 season for David Ferraris.
Run Of The Race: V CHEVALIERS was about to make his run when he copped pressure from underneath him forcing him wider on the track and that was at a crucial stage just before the home turn. So, to rally strongly and get through the line into third was a fine effort. Refuses to go a bad one, this seasons tally impressive with three wins and two placings from six starts, all at Happy Valley, all over 1650m.
Disappointment: REGENCY MASTER was caught out a little early from this wider gate, had to do some work wide in midfield with cover with the 133lb on his back and was first beaten, Joao Moreira not persevering with him once the signs of fatigue were up and told stewards the wide run was his undoing carrying top weight. Vetted, no findings.
Comparison: Very muddling tempo, a long way outside of standard and not track related at all. Purely a walk and sprint race.
Market Mover: REGENCY MASTER $4.60 to $3.50
RACE 8 - CAUSEWAY HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.82 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:08.68
Winner: KA YING MASTER (AUS 5yo g Snitzel – Make Me Dream) dominates the race, sets the pace from outside leader and Purton had them covered some way out. Good kick from the turn to put them away nicely, already the Snitzel gelding's third win this season as he takes a quick climb up the ratings ladder for trainer Benno Yung. From a rating of 65 to start his season, he now sits in the 80-point range and knocking on the door of Class 2. Purton's first ride on this horse and he makes it a winning one, his strike rate on first time rides is extraordinary. Versatile horse this, his form at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley is an equal, a rare achievement for most who tend to favour one track over the other.
Runner-up: ALCARI was terrific in coming from off-speed to wind strongly into late and wide. An excellent lift in performance after three runs when unplaced this season, all at Sha Tin, the return to Happy Valley seemingly to his liking as he rattles out a closing 400m in 22.76 which was well ahead of the majority. He gets his chances with good weights in Class 3 just now and deserves winning reward soon.
Run Of The Race: ALCARI was good against the grain here, and strong off the clock was HARDLY SWEARS who drew wide and rattled home from the rear in the quickest final 400m in the field, 0.01 ahead of ALCARI in that sectional.
Disappointment: SHOUSON had the run to suit in the trail, perhaps some squeezing for several strides when he went for the rails run underneath a fading leader did not help and proved costly. We will see if that was the case next time around.
Comparison: As far as this night went in the end it was par for the course to be above standard.
Market Mover: IMA SINGLE MAN $14.40 to $7.50, SEVEN HEAVENS $8.10 to $5.20
RACE 9 - CLEVELAND HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:50.25 Standard Time: 1:49.40 Course/Class Record: 1:48.30
Winner: CELESTIAL POWER (AUS 4yo g Star Witness – Askari) makes it back-to-back wins in Hong Kong after securing his first success here on December 20 at Sha Tin in impressive fashion over 1600m, taking the rise to 1800m in his stride tonight under the guidance of now regular rider Matthew Poon. Twice a winner in Australia as 'Captain Stardust' for Mark Newnham in Sydney, the so of Star Witness had found his range over ground in Hong Kong and trainer Frankie Lor has been quick to identify that strength. Gate one was perfect for him here, using no petrol for much of the race and winding into it strongly when Poon decided it was time to go. He had to fight hard to wear down a gallant leader but got there, good signs moving forward from a promising young horse.
Runner-up: BEAUTY ANGEL was given a lovely run in front by Christophe Soumillon and really, he should have got away with it setting terms in advance of a second outside of standard time. He stole some unbelievably cheap sectionals through the run and had plenty left for the final kick, unable to hold on late. Trainer Tony Cruz will be pleased to have him back on track, not his best one last time around at Sha Tin and a strong bounce back for the horse who won four in a row between July and November.
Run Of The Race: CLEMENT LEGEND and ENRICHMENT were those making up the big slices of ground from the tail of the field. Mission impossible to win on the time they ran, was nothing but a slip up the straight. The former has placed in three of his four starts this season and due a winning reward for his efforts, while the latter has struggled this season without a placing in seven runs for John Size and lacking the worthy form. He may be slowly finding his level again in the rating points, though.
Disappointment: MURRAY'S PARTNERS can usually be expected to run on a little better, but we put this down to tempo and it just did not suit him tonight. They harder they go the better he goes so a walk and sprint not his cup of tea. Keep him onside. Vetted, no findings.
Comparison: Terribly slow. Not a good race for the back runners they had no show.
Market Mover: LONDON HALL $11.70 to $8.40
