3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE - 1 YUE YEE HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 2000m – Track Good
Time: 2:03.68 Standard Time: 2:03.15 Course/Class Record: 2:01.56
Winner: KUNGFUMASTER PANDA (GB 7yo g Royal Applause – Hypoteneuse) promised this for a while, had not delivered the ultimate performance but today in Class 5 for the first time he was simply too good for them. A perfect setup for him, 2000 metres and a pattern that suits, getting back and hitting the line strongly late. Another win for the in-form combination of trainer Paul O'Sullivan and rider Derek Leung. O'Sullivan has won with four of his last six runners, three of them ridden by Leung who grabbed a treble at Sha Tin last weekend, followed by another midweek success at Happy Valley. This horse won four offshore, two in Britain and two in Ireland, so a surprise it had taken him 17 starts to win one in Hong Kong.
Runner-up: AMAZING AGILITY did a good job, used gate one to his advantage and in most cases a good enough run to win a Class 5 staying race. He met a sharp horse today. Peter Ho stepped him back up to a winning distance ere, he was successful over 10 furlongs in October but well contained since in two at 1600m.
Run Of The Race: THE JOY OF GIVING could not match the winner for its sheer dominance but a terrific run nonetheless coming from second-to-last to run past the majority of the field into third money. JOLLY FOREVER also improved, a sound run after being slow away, made good ground. On heels in the straight FORTUNE PATROL was a shade unlucky.
Disappointment: The well backed NUREMBERG was a clear leader through the middle stages and seemed to have them worried at the 600m but once headed there was nothing left.
Comparison: Outside standard on the 'A' course though a Class 5 stayers race never a great pointer to track conditions.
Market Mover: FORTUNE PATROL $6.90 to $5.00
RACE - 2 RED PACKET HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:23.81 Standard Time: 1:22.15 Course/Class Record: 1:21.53
Winner: NOBLE MAN (AUS 5yo g Exceed And Excel – So Tempted) was 13 starts into his career heading into today's race and already with nine runs this season. No success since he debuted with a second placing in Class 4 in December 2019. Trainer John Size has stuck with him, there had to be something there and today that promise finally realised as the son of Exceed And Excel controlled things second n the outer, swept to the lead after turning in and won in commanding fashion. A step up in trip to 1400m may well have done the trick, all nine previous runs were over 1200m, eight of those at Happy Valley. We may see some more of him at Sha Tin now. Dam has also left the very talented Group 1 winner Happy Archer (South Africa), and Femina Fashion (six wins to 2000m).
Runner-up: SUN OF MAKFI was well supported with Jerry Chau's claim and the aid of gate one. He gained a sweet trip fourth the rail, sped through at the 200m and looked likely but the winner had too much in reserve. An honest horse, generally always running on, remains winless in nine career starts.
Run Of The Race: Two impressive late charges from well back, favourite JIANGXI STAMINA got caught in traffic off the home turn and his dash a belated but strong one into third, and also mark down SIEZE THE SPIRIT, on heels looking for space and superb over the latter stages. That is two impressive outings in a row from that horse.
Disappointment: FOR FUNS SAKE took a real hit on tote markets but he was upset in the barriers and missed the kick, never a factor after.
Comparison: Basically 1.7 seconds outside of standard, which is awfully slow for the 1400m.
Market Mover: FOR FUNS SAKE $25.00 to $15.00
Suspended: Tony Piccone (SEIZE THE SPIRIT) two days for careless riding at the 75m mark.
RACE - 3 LUCKY STAR HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:22.50 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: DANDY YEARS (IRE 4yo g Dandy Man – Talitha Kum) had not been sighted at the finish in two previous starts, but a sharper horse third up for Danny Shum and he had to be, coming from barrier 14 to beat them. Three-wide the trip but with the aid of some cover the Irish bred was resolute through the wire, a strong staying performance which may well indicate he may still be short of his best trip. Christophe Soumillon gave him a great ride from that gate, worked his way into it without fuss early and rode the gelding out strongly when under pressure. Interesting to see where this horse heads, would be nice to see him try a mile soon. Big support for him here and extremely well founded, backed into $4.20.
Runner-up: NEW FUTURE was also back and wide, made a sweeping run off the home turn and sustained that bold finish on the winners outer. He charged home to win at 1200m the start before and matches that effort with another fine performance. Handy horse going places for Benno Yung.
Run Of The Race: SPARKY STAR was a conspicuous last, still back there near the turn and he drew right to the outside to charge on past the majority to grab third, a huge effort. The son of O'Reilly was rated a 33/1 outsider, but punters will alter their thinking when he next appears.
Disappointment: SUPER TEN got a cheap lead, ran off the corner as though he would kick away but was floundering late and well beaten into fourth as the $2.30 favourite.
Comparison: So far, the track seems a little on the dead side given the times.
Market Mover: DANDY YEARS $6.70 to $4.20
RACE - 4 KUT CHEONG HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.19 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: FANTASTIC TREASURE (AUS 3yo g Written Tycoon – Brambling) could not have been more impressive in winning on debut, a stunning victory and brilliantly ridden by Chad Schofield. Back third from last and a huge wall of horses in front of him, Schofield decided to take the risk and go for runs in the middle, and it seemed everywhere he went anther gap opened for him. They needed to, the powerful galloper surging his way home to gain a nose decision with the perfectly timed run. David Hayes is slowly sending out a few of his fresh stock, this the next one to be seen, a product of the Leon and Troy Corstens stable before joining the Hong Kong crew. At 27/1 he was not favoured but a small amount of money trickled in late. The 1200m will ultimately be short of his best distance.
Runner-up: SMART WONGCHOY zipped over to get a lovely run on the fence, drew out to make his bid and looked the winner for much of the straight then had to relent in the final stride. A great effort in almost sealing his maiden win, frustratingly close as he has been before.
Run Of The Race: No horse better than FANTASTIC TREASURE his performance and bravery to take runs as he did in his first race start showed what a handy horse he is and can be. At 164/1 GOOD BUDDY ran a bottler for David Hall and Blake Shinn, running through the line with real purpose from well back.
Disappointment: BULLISH UNICORN sped over to lead and was found wanting in the run home, the debutant well backed to win this. Also a bit plain was HOT CHILI PEPPER who had a nice run in transit and failed to give the kick expected.
Comparison: Well outside of standard and they seemed to roll along a little. The fence seems off, the action is in centre track.
Market Mover: FANTASTIC TREASURE $35.00 to $28.00
RACE - 5 KUT CHEONG HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.73 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: DECISIVE TWELVE (AUUS 4yo g All Too Hard – Kamarla Rose) has at times been a duffer out of the barriers and the winning of the race for him today a clean beginning putting him in pole position. Vincent Ho had him relaxed outside leader SUPER WINNER and in the end all he had to do was run past that one horse to get the job done, a decisive win, pardon the pun. He resumed on January 10 after seven months away from the track and Chris So had given the gelding plenty of time to find his feet in his second preparation. The stable paid $A260,000 for him out of a two-year-old sale and off to Hong Kong he headed. Placed in three of his previous five starts this comes as no surprise, a horse with some promise.
Runner-up: SUPER WINNER tried valiantly to be the first leader to get home, succumbing late but never shirked his task. He was strong getting home from further back when winning at 1400m in September and had no raced since, a lengthy stint at Conghua and a winning trial before he returned to Sha Tin just a few days ago. Victory looms for him.
Run Of The Race: Pencil in DRAGON FORTUNE, barrier 13 was of no help whatsoever to the debutant and he had to get back, was seen making nice ground over the final stages and one to follow out of the Frankie Lor stable. Another of the stock of Per Incanto, he won a couple of soft trials at Conghua and shows ability. The 22.18 last 400m very slick, and it was race best.
Disappointment: Favourite DIVINE ERA lacked that real kick when Karis Teetan produced him at the 300m, he was solid through the line, but the sharp speed needed not on show. Looks a miler on type. A solid debut and he will improve.
Comparison: Nearly a half-second faster than the previous Class 4 1200m sprint and it did seem a genuine tempo throughout.
Market Mover: DIVINE ERA $4.20 to $3.00
RACE - 6 PROSPERITY HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:35.36 Standard Time: 1:34.70 Course/Class Record: 1:33.78
Winner: DECISIVE ACTION (IRE 5yo g Rip Van Winkle – Shared Experience) doubles up on the day for Danny Shum and Christophe Soumillon, the combination saluting earlier with Dandy Years in a big form surge, this horse with some form on the bard in the past, though battling away somewhat of late. Punters liked his chances here, $3.60 the best you could get late and out it down to another Soumillon special taking runs in mid-pack from well beyond midfield to steer the Irish-bred to a comfortable win. Shum took over the training of the gelding this season after Dennis Yip won with him last term and has concentrated solely on 1600m races at Sha Tin. Reward for persistency, some would say. Soumillon's current riding contract ends today.
Runner-up: GREEN ENVY is racing so well right now and Karis Teetan was never going to be unlucky, the first to pop out of a cosy sit on the outer to lead them up three-wide before the corner. He booted away to win but the former was just too good inside the final 100m. A win and three placings from his last four starts, the former Class 5 galloper is now a much better horse than he was.
Run Of The Race: COPARTNER ERA was a clear last a long way behind the leading few, gave them a big start and rattled home into fifth to beat the majority home. Barrier 13 could be considered his undoing today.
Disappointment: With all the money for him, LAND POWER was disappointing, landed the one-one sit and had no answer when Jerry Chau went for him.
Comparison: Another well outside standard time, track has n fire in it despite it being a lovely surface.
Market Mover: DECISIVE ACTION $5.90 to $3.70, LAND POWER $11.00 to $6.90, SHANGHAI DRAGON $19.80 to $10.00
RACE - 7 GREAT PROFITS HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 85-60 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.86 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: MASTER MONTARO (AUS 4yo g Toronado – Circus Polka) strikes back in a showing of that form that saw him debut so impressively with a 1200m success in December. Beaten twice since he was lacking in concentration it seemed so David Hayes went for the cheek pieces and a solid trial hitout to sort things out - the right move, so it seems. He was fashionably back of midfield where he seems most comfortable, laboured for several strides when Vincent Ho presented him in the middle of the track but a quick response when he felt the whip behind the saddle, charging up to them to win like the horse we think he is. First time up to 1400m today and that seemed to agree with him, he relaxed well in the run when at times over 1200m he had been a tad racy. Nice step forward again from a progressive horse.
Runner-up: HORSESAIN BOLT had not raced since April 2020 and had been seen in numerous trials as he worked hi way towards today's resumption. Well-tuned off those trials he produced a fine effort in chasing them home. This will please a patient trainer in Douglas Whyte, he obviously has faith in the two-time Irish winner, both at 1600m.
Run Of The Race: GREAT TREASURE was unbelievably good, a noticeably clear last when they sorted themselves out, he was miles away at the 600m and powered through his work from there, drawing widest on the track in the big field and flying home. Start 77 today and you would think he was a spritely three-year-old, instead a nine-year-old racing in great heart. A great old warrior. Mark down THE CROWN, superb performance third up in Hong Kong, a very talented horse ready to win.
Disappointment: TRUE LEGEND zipped over to lead, and the heavily backed commodity quickly headed in the straight, a disappointing run with just 111lb on his back.
Comparison: Just outside the standard in a genuinely run contest and by far the most exciting and competitive race of the day.
Market Mover: TRUE LEGEND $11.10 to $6.90
RACE - 8 THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CUP HANDICAP, HK $3,000,000
Class 1 – Rating 110-85 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.34 Standard Time: 1:21.15 Course/Class Record: 1:19.92
Winner: BEAUTY SMILE (IRE 4yo g Free Eagle – Pale Orchid) hits peak form at the right time, backs a smart Class 2 win at 1400m with a career-best performance to take the day's feature race and the big slice of the $3 million stake. Perfectly judged ride from Matthew Chadwick who retained the ride after that last start success, angled up from sixth the outer without placing the horse under pressure. It was obvious he had them covered some way out. A young horse with a bright future. Good form around him in Ireland in five starts where he won twice and placed in listed company.
Runner-up: STAR SHINE got back and rattled home beautifully, was never going to catch the winner but a grand effort in Class 1 company. The seven-year-old has now won more than $HK 7 million in a 27-start career and rarely disappoints. He ran the fastest last two sections of 400m.
Run Of The Race: Hard to go past the winner, clearly better than them today. Off the clock STAR SHINE was excellent.
Disappointment: CALIFORNIA RAD was poor by his lofty standards, made a brief dab off the turn and looked likely but that run came to a rapid end.
Comparison: Two tenths outside of standard is a good time based on today's results. Leader KINGS SHIELD always sets a good tempo.
Market Mover: AMAZING CHOCOLATE $16.00 to $10.00
RACE - 9 FAT CHOI HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 100-80 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.56 Standard Time: 1:08.65 Course/Class Record: 1:07.89
Winner: WELLINGTON (AUS 4yo g All Too Hard – Mihiri) makes in win five in just start seven as the brilliant son of former class galloper All To Hard extends a superb record for trainer Richard Gibson, his flagship horse who continues to do great things. Zac Purton sat him third outer and went to warm favourite SIGHT SUCCESS in a stride, quickly put him away at the 300m mark and coasted away. A bold challenge late from DUKE WAI woke him up again inside the 100m but he had something in hand. Quality performance stepping up to the 1200m after two at the 1000m to begin his new campaign. In breaking standard it proved how classy he and others in this race are. Track had played rather dull until this point.
Runner-up: DUKE WAI fabulous again, middle outer and first to go three-deep, a sustained sprint of some 450m from him and at his strongest through the line. Yet to win in six starts this term which is staggering really, but that will change very quickly. An in-form Paul O'Sullivan has him cherry ripe.
Run Of The Race: ALL IN MIND and SUPER WEALTHY are worth a follow into their next start or two, both dashing through the line nicely from beyond midfield, both at long odds.
Disappointment: SIGHT SUCCESS led them up at $2.20 and had no answer off the corner, once WELLINGTON went past him that was that.
Comparison: Really quick in comparison to the day's racing. Super time.
Market Mover: CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT $60.00 to $30.00
Fined & Suspended: Jerry Chau (DUKE WAI) $40,000 and two days for careless riding passing the 250m.
RACE - 10 GOOD FORTUNE HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.18 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.31
Winner: TRUST ME (NZ 5yo g Guillotine – Cassie May) outstanding in sitting three-wide on the speed the entire race from barrier 14 and still too good for them, a brilliant win. In great touch after taking the major race on the card rider Matthew Chadwick was full of confidence and did not panic when he was left stranded, the horse doing the rest. The Kiwi bred has done a decent job for Dennis Yip he won three last season, all in Class 4, it has since been a bit of a transition into Class 3 though consistency has been his forte, rarely seen going a bad race. Back to a rating of 61 he was nearly back in Class 4 but will now rise in points again. That may not matter the way he disposed of these.
Runner-up: JUNEAU PARK found some severe traffic issues in the straight and flew once into the clear, too late to catch the winner who did deserve his success. Rider Tony Piccone was angling looking to get off heels in the midway portion of the home straight and was one a few not to get all the luck in this race. A very tidy run as John Size drops him back from 1400m to 1200m.
Run Of The Race: TRUST ME had to be good wide without cover the journey. Mark down 76/1 outsider MAJESTIC STAR as one t keep an eye on. He was awfully slow away, regathered to make up some ground on the rail then showed some nice dash to look a place chance and end up in fifth.
Disappointment: WHEN YOU BELIEVE was okay late but he blew it with a slow start from gate 3 and just never recovered from there. Heavily backed second up in Hong Kong so follow the smoke.
Comparison: Just outside of standard but a good gallop nonetheless.
Market Mover: TRUST ME $13.00 to $7.60
RACE - 11 KUNG HEI HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:34.73 Standard Time: 1:34.50 Course/Class Record: 1:33.27
Winner: SUPER FOOTBALL (NZ 4yo g More Than Ready – Raziyya Of Sydney) continues on his merry way with another smart performance in taking consecutive wins at 1600m for trainer Jimmy Ting and rider Zac Purton. Middle outer and well back off a tearaway leader he was quietly urged into the race by Purton without being asked to fully extend at the turn, once the whip was shown he showed that sharp turn of foot we're already accustomed to after just four starts in Hong Kong. Seven runs in New Zealand and never won, though he placed in good 3yo company.
Runner-up: PRECISE EXPRESS super good from a long way back, charged at them wider on the track in slick sections. RIGHT CHOICE dead-heated with the former for second, he raced handier to the pace, brought the pack up to runaway leader Harmony Win Win and was gallant in defeat after toiling hard to reel in that margin.
Run Of The Race: PRECISE EXPRESS and LEADING FORTUNE were the pick of them from well back in the fastest final sectionals. The latter ran a little greenly wide out late.
Disappointment: SACRED IBIS got too far back and had work in front of him he could not make up. Not a poor run by any stretch though it looked a nice race for him and did not pan out that way.
Comparison: A good even clip set by the tearaway leader, it really opened them up.
Market Mover: BEAUTY DAY $1870 to $12.50, LEADING FORTUNE $11.10 to $7.80
