3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE - 1 DB PIN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:56.55 Standard Time: 0:56.50 Course/Class Record: 0:55.07
Winner: WINNER METHOD (AUS 3yo g Deep Field – Magical Belle) had done to groundwork in Australia and looked the goods, the $150,000 yearling winning two trials from two public appearances for Bjorn Baker before Danny Shum snapped him up for Hong Kong. Three trials for two impressive wins and a second set him for this debut, he was actually ready earlier but withdrawn in late December with a minor complaint. Zac Purton had him straight on the front end dictating the terms and never let him go to win easing down, very smart. A horse with a bright future he is going to make his way to the higher grades rather quickly. Dam Magical Belle (by Blackfriars) won her first two race starts in Perth over 1300m and 1400m in 2008.
Runner-up: BELLA BABY continues a lovely run of form to come from last after settling and beat all but one home, a sparkling effort. The Irish gelding has amassed a super record this season, now four starts for two wins and two placings, the first three in Class 5 so good to see him cope well with the rise back to Class 4. These 1000m sprints at Sha Tin really do agree with him.
Run Of The Race: BELLA BABY had to rattle out strong sectionals to come from last and his effort was full of merit, the best in the race behind the winner who looked about three classes too good for these.
Disappointment: CALIFORNIA GUNGHO had the outside line and the rail to use, maintained his advantage to share the lead out there but was first beaten, a disappointing sixth in the end with one or two things in his favour.
Comparison: On standard and that looked about right they never really ripped into it and the winner did it under double wraps.
Market Mover: WINNER METHOD $2.60 to $2.00
RACE - 2 GIANT TREASURE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:47.28 Standard Time: 1:47.65 Course/Class Record: 1:46.54
Winner: PAKISTAN FRIEND (AUS 6yo g Not A Single Doubt – Heaven Beneath) was a handy sixth without all things going his way on January 10 on this track over 1600m. The rise in further distance would seemingly not hinder him and so it proved, at 32/1 and well over the odds he grabs his fourth win in Hong Kong in his 18th start. Ridden nice and forward early he lobbed the one-one and made his move when he needed to, had to outkick a quick dash from the runner up then had them under control at the furlong. Last a winner in December 2018 and lightly tried since he has had his issues but a talented galloper at his best.
Runner-up: SHADOW BREAKER tailed the winner throughout fifth the outer, swept up to make it interesting at the top of the straight and looked highly likely. Peaking on his run at the 200m mark he kept on fighting to take a clear second and finally get some points on the board in the 2020-2021 season. He had not impressed in seven outings previously since the September turnaround and trainer Jimmy Ting will be pleased to see him back in some sort of form again.
Run Of The Race: EZRA came from third-last on the fence to pick a path close to rail and run strongly into third, another nice lift in performance from the South African bred who ran second on the all-weather here in early December. Showing better form having snuck back into Class 4 and should gain a win along the way soon.
Disappointment: At $5.30 RAINBOW LIGHT missed the kick badly and was a long last on settling, tagged on but never went past a horse in the straight. Expensive day for his supporters. BUNDLE OF DELIGHT was favoured but did not perform and returned with blood in the trachea.
Comparison: Nicely under standard, they did roll from the 1200m to the 600m and that really got them ticking.
Market Mover: SMART COUSIN $21.90 to $12.50, LIGHT MY DAY $21.70 to $14.00
RACE - 3 GLORIOUS DAYS HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.98 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: MASTER HERO (NZ 4yo g Savabeel – Eudora) promised this, placed in two of three since arriving as an unraced $500,000 yearling, on-sold for a healthy $HK 6 million at the 2020 International Sale. Some coin to get back on this well-related gelding, his first steps good enough as he breaks through for his first win and it will not be his last. A lovely economical ride from Joao Moreira who has that knack of guiding inexperienced horses through the early stages of their careers better than any. Gate one was for some the winning of the race, but Moreira's ride was just so cool, a real help to the horse.
Runner-up: CHARITY GRACE was superb, last and giving them a big start in a slowly-run affair it would take a huge effort from any horse beyond midfield to get close. He went within a short margin in the end and if not held up for three or four strides inside the furlong he would have won. Good horse this, he should have won twice at least, is New Year's Day victory that preceded today's mammoth run a real sign of what he could do. Restricted to 1200m and 1400m to date he will run a strong 1600m, even 1800m.
Run Of The Race: CHARITY GRACE by the length f the straight. A terrific run. After getting back and wide and not suited by the walk and sprint tempo there was also nice work late from ULTIMATE GLORY. Also tidy from the back BREEZE OF SPRING.
Disappointment: Favourite FORTUNE MASTER had the drop on them sitting handy on a slow pace but he just battled over the concluding stages.
Comparison: Just outside of standard which looked about right, no pressure at all and slowly run. This track is ideal today.
Market Mover: ULTIMATE GLORY $20.00 to $10.00, CHARITY GRACE $12.70 to $7.10
RACE - 4 BEAT THE CLOCK HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:22.15 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: SEA OF LIFE (AUS 4yo g Sebring – Life On The Edge) has made a promising start to his Hong Kong career, back-to-back wins now in just his third and fourth starts. A two-time winner on the Kensington track in Sydney up to 1550 metres for trainer John O'Shea, he headed to Hong Kong with a solid six start, two-win, two placing record rated to 73 points. Two starts to get acclimatised and now he is well underway. Smart ride from Vincent Ho, he used a good draw to jump straight into a great spot one out and one back, issued his challenge at the 300m without being under real pressure and was too slick for them late in the piece. A nice step forward, first up win was over 1200m on New Years Day and he rises to the 1400m with ease here. Francis Lui has him well worked out now and the future looks bright.
Runner-up: PRIME MINISTER settled third line the fence and once off and through a gap at the top of the lane he was particularly strong late. Nice step in performance from this horse, four unsuccessful attempts of which three came this season before a real leap forward. He won four of just five starts in New Zealand as 'Mac Attacka' to 1600m. It would appear he is now well on the rise for trainer Ricky Yiu.
Run Of The Race: SACRED IBIS was speeding home from the tail after a slow start and impressive. He wins one soon, it has been two years since he last saluted, though just the 14 starts in that time. BELUGA was back and wide and then wide out trying to stake his claim and against the grain his run was particularly handy.
Disappointment: CRAIG'S STAR was ridden positively to take bad luck out of play but he disappointed. Leading and getting his own terms he folded earlier than expected.
Comparison: Quick time and well under standard suggests how good this track is for the Group events today.
Market Mover: BELUGA $6.70 to $3.50
RACE - 5 THE CENTENARY SPRINT CUP, HK $12,000,000
GROUP ONE – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.01 Standard Time: 1:08.40 Course/Class Record: 1:07.50
Winner: HOT KING PRAWN (AUS 6yo g Denman – De Chorus) would not be denied today, if ever a horse deserved a Group One win it was him and today his day to shine in what appeared to be the perfect race for him. The grey has been such an ever-present force in the Group sprints in Hong Kong and been close to G1 success before – running second to stablemate Beat The Clock in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint in December 2019. Win 12 from start 23 here and what a record, well in excess of $HK 30 million in stakes there is little more to be said. Joao Moreira gave him a peach of a ride on the leaders' heels, peeled to make his run off the turn and it was all over quite quickly.
Runner-up: REGENCY LEGEND ran the race of his life to charge into second money under in-form rider Antoine Hamelin, unbelievably his first start since December 29, 2019 and an incredible training feat from Danny Shum to have him so forward for a Group One event first up. This horse won his first four in a row in Hong Kong after two wins and a G2 placing in New Zealand under the training of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. The sum total of eight starts in Hong Kong only. He returned with blood in the trachea, so very brave he was.
Run Of The Race: BIG PARTY was as good as REGENCY LEGEND charging home strongly and in a close photo for that second position. The ghostly grey rarely misses a Group race fight and this his ninth consecutive run at group level so good to see some rewards coming.
Disappointment: VOYAGE WARRIOR was well supported to give them a shake and after leading disappointing in the fact he couldn't kick a little stronger.
Comparison: Lovely constant speed set for a Group One race and nicely under the standard in a quick 1:08.
Market Mover: VOYAGE WARRIOR $5.20 to $3.80
RACE - 6 SEASONS BLOOM HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 2000m – Track Good
Time: 2:02.33 Standard Time: 2:01.95 Course/Class Record: 2:00.37
Winner: STIMULATION (JPN 7yo g Deep Impact – Baahama) looked second-best at the 200m but a strong late rally took him for home and deserved win, reeling in ABOVE in the shadows of the post. Just the second win of a 28 starts career in Hong Kong for the Japanese bred galloper who won three from six in France dating back to 2016 and 2017, and a winning run at Saint Cloud over 2400m. Staying certainly not an issue today, he was strong through the line in winning for a patient trainer Tony Cruz.
Runner-up: ABOVE swept upon them to take command and looked all over the winner at the furlong until the late arrival of the former. Cloe to back-to-back 2000m successes on this track after Class 4 victory on Boxing Day and Tony Millard had him in perfect order for a Class 3 return here. A hardy stayer the son of Tavistock has won five of 30 in Hong Kong and always to the fore at the longer distances. Millard took over from Joh Moore when he retired at the end of last season.
Run Of The Race: FLYING MIGHTY and ENRICHMENT were both catching the eye over the concluding stages from a long way back. AWE dashed into third and was shade unlucky not to get a crack earlier.
Disappointment: SPLENDOUR AND GOLD could not overcome a wide draw and a wide run and faded out to run last. He was well backed after being strong late over 1600m the previous start. Vetted, an epiglottic entrapment found.
Comparison: A mixed bag, the tempo stopped and started, and it showed on the clock.
Market Mover: ABOVE $17.10 to $10.20
RACE - 7 THE STEWARDS CUP, HK $12,000,000
GROUP ONE – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:33.35 Standard Time: 1:33.50 Course/Class Record: 1:32.64
Winner: GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS 5yo g Medaglia d'Oro – Gaudeamus) puts the heart flutters among the patrons in making this remarkably interesting, a lot closer than most would expect. So dominant he is an easy victory was expected but the great old warrior SOUTHERN LEGEND never knows when to give up and he offered the champ a real race for the money today. Vincent Ho seemed happy three-back on the outside and plotting his path into the race at the top of the straight as per the normal. He galloped up so strongly but the margin was never a widening one, a head to spare at the finish – always good enough. Amazing record this horse, now unbeaten in 12 consecutive races and successful in 15 of 16 starts. And back-to-back Group One's after the big one in December winning the Hong Kong Mile. Full credit to Francis Lui, he produces this champion at his best every time.
Runner-up: SOUTHERN LEGEND was amazing, the great horse dug so deep in his attempt to fend off the young bull and today he went close to taking his scalp. The eight-year-old knocks on the door of $HK 50 million in stakes with this placing, an incredible career and this placing in his 26th consecutive Group race appearance. Few would ever achieve that.
Run Of The Race: SOUTHERN LEGEND. Fantastic from the warrior and he made it a race to remember. As of course GOLDEN SIXTY.
Disappointment: They all had their chance.
Comparison: Under the Group race standard and a nice gallop set up by genuine leader KA YING STAR who kicked on well to hold third in the end.
Market Mover: SOUTHERN LEGEND $23.00 to $11.80
RACE - 8 THE HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE, HK $12,000,000
Four-Year-Olds – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:33.81 Standard Time: 1:33.50 Course/Class Record: 1:32.64
Winner: EXCELLENT PROPOSAL (AUS 4yo g Exceed And Excel – Procrastination) makes Blake Shinn's decision to ride through a tough period and stick to his plan in Hong Kong the right move in carrying the Aussie hoop to victory in the prestigious Classic Mile for the four-year-olds. Incredible to think he went around at 22/1, a horse that has shown so much talent in winning three from five for trainer John Size and certainly one that should not have been forgotten as the 4yo series begins. Back second and third last from a wide gate his run was constant from the 600m and so strong to the line after showing a real turn off foot at the top of the straight. He will not be so underrated again this season, no doubting this gallopers ability to compete at the highest level despite his inexperience.
Runner-up: LUCKY EXPRESS got home strongly through the centre after also drawing wider and getting back. Never runs a bad a race and was not about to start here. Still trying to find that very-best run and one day soon it will come – maybe a 4yo series victory.
Run Of The Race: EXCELLENT PROPOSAL was terrific coming from well off pace as the next two to follow him home. The race turned into a field day for the back runners who swooped into it as the leaders faded.
Disappointment: ENRICH DELIGHT broke down during the running and was pulled up, the $3.00 favourite sustaining an injury to his left front leg.
Comparison: Outside standard and a little surprising given they looked to have run along a little more.
Market Mover: HEALTHY HAPPY $38.00 to $24.00, LUCKY EXPRESS $14.00 to $9.00
RACE - 9 HELENE PARAGON HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 100-80 – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:47.70 Standard Time: 1:46.85 Course/Class Record: 1:45.88
Winner: ASSIMILATE (AUS 6yo g Sebring – Jester's Girl) follows a remarkably similar pattern to that of the previous event, where sitting back and swooping wide was the winning formula, it proves correct again here. The noted back runner suited to today's clear pattern and he charges from second to last to first in a big win for Jimmy Ting, his first this season in six starts, though without even placing he had been at times unlucky. A nice step from him to get to 1800m and win, two previous victories here were at 1400m, the former Canberra Guineas winner at 1400m for Peter and Paul Snowden finding his way in a tough Class 2 grade. This will likely set the benchmark for things to come, Ting will persevere with him at 1800m and even beyond.
Runner-up: CHARITY GO was last and super good in second, making up many lengths to charge home just inside the winner and miss by a small margin. Handy racehorse this fellow, a winner over this trip under William Buick in December during the International Jockeys Championship and backs that with a strong placing here. Danny Shum has him at absolute peak right now and another staying victory is right around the corner. He won two in the UK before export.
Run Of The Race: Hard to split first and second, they gave the field a big start and a fair beating in the end. PACKING WALTHAM was also a solid finisher from back of midfield and he is not far away from success after five runs for Tony Cruz. He won three from four in France.
Disappointment: Based on the slow time they ran the leaders were given every opportunity to be better, so considering that RELIABLE TEAM and GREEN LUCK had their chances.
Comparison: Really slow, nudging a full second outside of standard which is surprising as the track raced so much better than this.
Market Mover: CHARITY GO $10.20 to $7.30
RACE - 10 PENIAPHOBIA HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'A + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.85 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.31
Winner: SIGHT SUCCESS (AUS 4yo g Magnus – Tarp) leads and too good, the easiest and without fuss win of the day for this very promising sprinting son of Magnus. Cannot argue with the class he shows each time he steps out and off the back of a poor day for the leaders he went totally against that grain to set terms and bolt in which makes his victory that little more special. Three starts and unbeaten for John Size and Joao Moreira, they have a good one on their hands here. He was bred in Western Australia, sold and trialled in South Australia before arriving in Hong Kong unraced. From day he has never disappointed, on the training track, trial track, and now the racetrack. Quick rise from a 52-point maiden to now around the 80-point mark in three starts.
Runner-up: BIG FORTUNE sat outside the good-thing and fought tenaciously, no surprise there he is a very determined horse this fellow; his seasons work super strong with a win first up followed by four successive top three finishes. Trainer Douglas Whyte has him in great order just now and apprentice Jerry Chau compliment that work with his seven-pound claim still in effect. A really low gate would help, and he should be able to win in his next couple of starts.
Run Of The Race: REGENCY BO BO stood out, back last and doing better work than any other over the concluding stages. He has not won a race since September 2018 and obviously well overdue. Now back-to-back runs suggesting something is brewing, the long drought could be closer to ending.
Disappointment: MASTER MONTARO was back again from the wide gate and very plain from turn to winning post in basically offering nothing. Zac Purton said he felt lethargic. Vetted, no findings.
Comparison: Under standard and he did what he had to, just too classy in front the winner. Has a few gears.
Market Mover: DUBLIN STAR $16.00 to $11.00
