3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Sha Tin races.
Race 1
#9 Wonder Express has been consistent all season and recently coped well with the Happy Valley mile. He's now at the peak of his current preparation and with barrier one to jump from and Vincent Ho aboard there are reasons to feel confident. The one concern I have from the low draw is the "A" course rail position, it can often favour those 4-5 of the fence so I'm hopeful he peels deep when they straighten for home.
#1 Jianxi Stamina looks the main danger with honest efforts throughout this current campaign. He only started competing at the end of December last year and hasn't been overly taxed throughout the season. That freshness in hand should turn in to gold this time of year with many others tired and drained. Plus, he'll be getting to the middle part of the track which is likely the best place to be.
#5 Lucky Missile only arrived in this grade last start and at his best he's a class 4 winner. Purton jumped aboard in that event over 1800m and the pair tired through the final furlong. The good draw tonight and return back to a mile are attractive so I'd be surprised if he didn't run well.
#8 Jimmu is having his third start in the lowest grade and Hong Kong's soon to be crowned "2020/2021 Champion Jockey" knows him well.
The pair were placed twice in class 4 earlier in the season and should be kept safe. It's difficult to recommend a 26start maiden but it's not beyond his capabilities to win.
#11 Joy Master could well be the ruffy result after two good efforts back from a bleeding enforced break. Casper Fownes is doing everything he can to secure another Trainers Premiership and this fellow is well placed at his best. He should be entitled to an economical run and has a juicy claim.
Selections : 9,1,5,8,11
R2 - 5,6,12,11,4
R3 - 2,7,12,4,5
R4 - 11,7,3,1,4
Race 5
"The Premier Plate"
#1 Southern Legend has endured a lengthy season but like a true seasoned warrior keeps fronting up and fighting hard. He has all the class to win however the weight maybe the detrimental factor. Conversely it might not be enough to hold the trojan at bay. He's was topped off for his final race this season with a superb 1600m trial win, with Zac Purton aboard. Incredibly he's finished top four in all events this season but is still yet to win, with local champion "Golden Sixty" providing the most resistance.Trainer Casper Fownes shall want this win for many reasons and I expect he'll go close to getting it done.
#3 Butterfield has elevated himself to a career high rating following a class one and Group 3 victory. Despite winning over 2400m recently I'm of the opinion the return to 1800m is superb. Like many he's on the downward spiral of his current campaign but I'd expect he finds the line better than most.
#2 Columbus County appears a winner without penalty despite the recent defeat at the top level. The return to handicap conditions with "Southern Legend" in the race places him well at the weights. He's no doubt vulnerable to a better turn of foot when they dash, however, if those ahead don't keep up the gallop he'll drop on them when it counts.
#9 Charity Fun is on the up and has been a real find this season for trainer Danny Shum. The drop back in trip does look a query but the good types can normally adapt. He's far from the fully furnished product with the elite stamp still absent alongside his name, but he has that potential in time. He'll run well as he always does and another victory isn't far away.
#8 Reliable Team looked on his mark at the commencement of the season but has maintained a consistently high standard. He'll race handy before kicking hard to the line but I fancy he'll be overhauled in the end.
Selections : 1,3,2,9,8
R6 - 6,3,8,7,2
Race 7
"The Premier Cup"
#8 Healthy Happy has been over shadowed by Derby winner "Sky Darci" throughout the season but is a high quality galloper in his own right. There's a nice amount of pace foreseeable today and his tactical speed should position him amongst it well. Dropping back to 1400m is in his favour against most and I expect him to run particularly well.
#2 Sky Darci did a phenomenal job to win dropping back to a mile with his superior turn of foot being the difference. He again reverts to the shorter trip of 1400m which potentially looks tough along with the weight. But he's a genuine star on the rise and the Derby form always produces future Group 1 performers.
#5 Sky Field is having just his second run at 1400m and gives the impression he'll enjoy the journey immensely. The race tempo looks strong and should allow him to work in to the finish over the final 200m. Recent results alongside his name have been against the two best sprinters in Hong Kong and that must be taken in to account.
#1 Might Giant has enjoyed another progressing season with three high quality wins from just the nine attempts. The handicap conditions here are clearly against him now he's rated 120, but his record at 1400m is outstanding. He'll adopt a forward position, if not the outright lead, but it's likely he'll be vulnerable when they are kicking for the line.
#6 Rattan has the blinkers removed as he returns to his career best distance of 1400m. The sprinting campaign undertaken this season hasn't produced the desired win but he's gone close on a number of occasions. It's the closing stages off a distinguished career and the change in journey might produce another winning result.
Selections : 8,2,5,1,6
R8 - 2,5,4,10,7
R9 - 2,3,4,1,9
R10 - 8,4,5,6,7
