3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE – 1 SUFFOLK HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.58 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:09.24 All Best Friends
Winner: ALLOY STAR (AUS 5yo g Sebring – Steps In Time) was very slow to leave the machine and settled third last on the fence after travelling 400m. Pinched a few positions along the rails before being shifted off heels 300m to go in the lane. The gaps presented a furlong from home and he was punched through the middle to finish strongly under heavy riding by Purton. He put the writing on the wall with a handy second last time out and finally breaks the maiden status.
Runner-Up: UNIVERSAL CROWN jumped with them from gate 10 and found himself three wide with cover in the back half of the field. Got a nice cart into the straight in the three wide train and let down on the outside with 300m to go. Really savaged the line late but the winner had stolen it.
Run Of The Race: SPICY GRILL missed the start noticeably from the outside gate and could barely keep up with them in the middle stages. Tacked on as they approached the turn and came down the outside to finish off into fourth beaten under two lengths. Finishes a lot closer with a better beginning and lower draw.
Disappointment: SMART CHARADE was well in the market but never looked likely finishing ninth.
Comparison: Slower than standard with the first two coming from the second half of the field.
Market Mover: GOLDEN MISSION $13 to $9.7
RACE – 2 CORNWALL HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 56:59 Standard Time: 56.35 Course/Class Record: 54.89 Voyage Warrior
Winner: CARROLL STREET (AUS 3yo g Outreach – Brooklyn Rain) was slightly awkward to begin from gate nine but got into a nice rhythm after travelling 200m down the straight course. Cruised up to the leading bunch a couple off the outside fence and really let down with authority when asked a furlong out. Didn't put them to the sword over the final stages but did enough to hold them all off at the post. That makes it two wins and a third from three career starts and he is building up a handy record.
Runner-Up: METRO WARRIOR pinged out of the barriers to be in front after travelling 100m. Led them up the entire journey one off the outside fence but was just outsprinted over the latter stages. Has now placed at his past couple and a win isn't far away.
Run Of The Race: CARROLL STREET had to overcome an average start but was too strong on the line.
Disappointment: ELON jumped third favourite but faded to finish seventh.
Comparison: Just slower than standard in a pretty evenly run affair.
Market Mover: SUPER WIN DRAGON $13 to $9.4
RACE – 3 DORSET HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3– Rating 80-60 – All Weather – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:37.72 Standard Time: 1:38.55 Course/Class Record: 1:36.87 Hongkong Great
Winner: SO WE JOY (AUS 5yo g SO YOU THINK – SOHO SECRET) was last to leave barrier nine and was snagged back to the fence leaving the straight the first time. Stole some positions along the rails and settled mid-field in the back straight. Got a nice suck run on the inside of runners and followed the second horse into the home straight. Hit the lead a furlong from home and darted away from them late to win by and ever-widening four lengths at the post. A perfect ride by Leung who didn't go around another runner. Has now won two of his past three starts and is racing in career best form.
Runner-Up: PARTY EVERYDAY jumped well from the inside gate and rallied up along the fence to be inside six horses across the track as they left the straight. Eased in the back straight to sit second but the leader never crossed him on the rails and he was able to push back underneath them to retake the lead when they turned for home. Was asked for an ultimate effort 300m out but the winner breezed on by and he did well to hold for second.
Run Of The Race: We'll rename this Ride Of The Race as it was an absolute peach from Leung.
Disappointment: STAR OF YUEN LONG started second favourite but faded badly to be beaten over 12 lengths.
Comparison: Much faster than standard as the winner put a gap in them.
Market Mover: STAR OF YUEN LONG $7 to $4.9
RACE – 4 SOMERSET HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:50.13 Standard Time: 1:47.65 Course/Class Record: 1:46.54 Crown Avenue
Winner: SHANGHAI DRAGON (AUS 6yo g All Too Hard – Miss Tizzy) sprung out of the barriers from gate 13 and crossed to lead them quite easily. He and Lucky Missile set up a commanding lead in the middle stages although the times indicate that they weren't going at a breakneck pace. Kicked strongly upon straightening and held off all challenges late in a perfect frontrunning ride. He is racing in career best form now with three wins from his past four starts with Teetan in the irons for two of those victories.
Runner-Up: DAILY CHARM jumped well from gate three and found himself third in the run upwards of seven lengths off the leading duo. Had to cart the field up to them and ground his way to the line but never looked the winner. Not a bad effort having to do all the heavy lifting dragging the field up to the leading duo.
Run Of The Race: Hard to go past SHANGHAI DRAGON who led them all the way albeit in a slow time. Special mention goes to MORE THAN A HORSE who was the only one to make considerable ground from well back in the field to finish fourth.
Disappointment: JOYFUL HEART started favourite but never looked likely and finished 11th.
Comparison: Much slower than standard with the leaders stealing sectionals in the middle stages.
Market Mover: DAILY CHARM $23 to $9
RACE – 5 NORFOLK HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4– Rating 60-40 – All Weather – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.01 Standard Time: 1:39.00 Course/Class Record: 1:38.02 General Dino
Winner: UNITE SPIRIT (SA 5yo g Master Of My Fate – Americas Cup) jumped cleanly from gate six and was eased to take a position one off the fence just behind mid-field. Eventually found himself on the rails in the back half of the field as they travelled towards the home turn. Followed the second horse along the paint when they hit the lane and took the gap through the centre with a powerful finish under heavy riding by Shinn. That brings up his first win in 16 starts.
Runner-Up: DOUBLE TAKE travelled on the inside of the eventual winner in the early stages before taking a position one pair in front of him on the fence. Stole plenty of rails runs up until the straight and poked along the fence to look the winner a furlong from home. Just got run down late in a tight go but was certainly not disgraced.
Run Of The Race: UNITE SPIRIT made up many lengths late and was very strong on the line.
Disappointment: EL VALIENTE jumped at $3.1 and had the run of the race in behind the speed. Didn't really let down when he got clear in the final stages.
Comparison: Bang on standard with every horse having their chance.
Market Mover: LADY FIRST $4 to $2.9
RACE – 6 CUMBERLAND HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – All Weather – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.13 Standard Time: 1:08.65 Course/Class Record: 1:07.40 Dehere's The Love
Winner: FLYING BONUS (AUS 6yo g Snitzel – Sabanci) was given a squeeze out of the inside barrier to take up an easy lead after travelling 200m. Managed to pinch a few quiet sectionals in the middle stages before being clicked up again with 300m to go. Gave a good kick over the final furlong with a wall of horses chasing him in behind. Just fell in with the second horse in front a couple of strides past the post. He has really found some confidence now with two wins from his past three starts.
Runner-Up: SKY SHOW was hustled out of the machine from gate 10 and eventually managed to settle one out one back in the middle stages. Got going three wide as they turned and let down for one final effort but just ran out of time. Has placed at his past three starts now and is knocking on the door.
Run Of The Race: SKY SHOW had to be used a bit to get across from the wide draw and that may have told over the final furlong.
Disappointment: No real disappointments with the favoured runners all in the frame.
Comparison: Half a second outside standard and you could throw a handkerchief over the top six.
Market Mover: FLYING BONUS $8.5 to $5.9
RACE – 7 ESSEX HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – All Weather – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.04 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.14 Happy Tour
Winner: LUCKY RUBY (AUS 4yo g Zoustar – Elysian Hera) jumped well from gate eight and was hustled up to eventually cross them before the first turn. Got a short breather in the middle sectional before being revved up again as they straightened. Was actually headed by the second horse 300m out but fought back strongly along the fence and held them all off. That makes it two from two on the all-weather and he may have found his ideal surface.
Runner-Up: PEGASUS GLORY was used up a bit in the early stages to finally get over and sit outside the leader. Got into a ding dong battle with the eventual winner all the way down the lane but just fell short. That was his best performance since last year and may pay to follow.
Run Of The Race: THE BEST HERO jumped at $41 but flew home from last to finish fifth just behind the placegetters. PEGASUS GLORY was also brave in defeat.
Disappointment: SEVEN HEAVENS jumped well in the market but was a bit one-paced and could only manage a plodding eighth.
Comparison: Right on standard with only four lengths separating the top nine on the line.
Market Mover: LUCKY RUBY $9 to $6.2
RACE – 8 KENT HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:22.35 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Winner: UNICORNBABY (IRE 6yo g Dragon Pulse – Clenaghcastle Lady) pounced out of the machine to cross from gate 13 and found the lead after travelling 400m. Ran them along up front and had a few of them off the bit when he straightened. Gave a strong kick and was still three lengths in front of them with a furlong to go. Got a little tired over the final stages but was entitled to. That was Piccone's first time in the irons on this horse and I daresay he'll be engaged again.
Runner-Up: DRAGON FORTUNE jumped mid-field from gate 10 and settled three wide with cover during the middle stages. Got a nice trail into the straight before being let down with 300m to go but the bird had flown. Finished off strongly to lessen the margin but never looked like the winner. Was heavily backed late but just found one too nippy.
Run Of The Race: UNICORNBABY had to burn the candle at both ends but was the only horse that looked the winner in the run.
Disappointment: MERCURIAL started third favourite but was beaten over 12 lengths.
Comparison: Half a second outside standard with Piccone pulling their pants down in front.
Market Mover: DRAGON FORTUNE $7 to $3.1
RACE – 9 ALNWICK HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2– Rating 100-80 – All Weather – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.54 Standard Time: 1:08.15 Course/Class Record: 1:07.27 Winner Supreme
Winner: RED DESERT (GER 5yo g Oasis Dream – Capichera) jumped well from gate seven and mustered up to take a forward position after travelling 400m. Settled third on the fence in behind the speed before shifting off heels as they straightened with 300m to go. The leader gave a good kick a furlong from home, but Red Desert really knuckled down and stuck his head out on the line. That makes it one win from one steer for Hamelin who certainly got the best out of him late.
Runner-Up: SUNNY BOY left the machine well and found himself one out one back once they had balanced up. Travelled in clear air before pulling out four wide to set out after the leading trio. Savaged the line late but just went down in a bobbing go.
Run Of The Race: SUNNY BOY jumped at $47 and powered to the line late to just go down.
Disappointment: AMAZING CHOCOLATE started at $4.5 but never got into the race finishing eighth.
Comparison: Slightly outside standard with the top three all racing on speed.
Market Mover: CZARSON $21 to $9.5
RACE – 10 DEVON HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:22.29 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
Winner: TAKING AIM (AUS 6yo g Choisir – Girl Hussler) was pushed out of the gates from out wide and crossed them to lead after travelling 400m. Stole a bit of a breather when they started the turn and came back underneath Chau as he nursed him into the lane. Gave a good kick a furlong from home and looked the winner a long way from home. That brings up his first win for over two and half years.
Runner-Up: PERFECT TO GREAT jumped evenly from gate eight and settled mid-field with cover in the early stages. Got going in the three wide train 600m from home and was let down upon straightening with 400m to go. Finished strongly down the outside but the winner had stolen it with some cheap middle sectionals. Has now finished in the top four at his past four starts and he should be shedding the maiden tag shortly.
Run Of The Race: Hard to take anything away from TAKING AIM who won by three lengths. Special mention to TURQOISE ALPHA who jumped at $142 and could barely keep up with them early doors. Flashed home to finish fourth for his best effort in four starts.
Disappointment: CHANCHENG PRINCE started favourite but could only manage 10th.
Comparison: Half a second outside standard with Chau rating the winner perfectly in front.
Market Mover: TAKING AIM $11 to $7.7
