3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Mount Parker Handicap, HK $780,000
Class 5 – Turf – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:22.66 Standard Time: 1:21.95 Course/Class record: 1:21.53 Exponents
Winner: VICTORIUS LEADER (NZ 7yo g Alamosa – Awesome) jumped away fairly and found himself sitting in midfield with space either side of the gelding as they headed down the back straight. Derek Leung moved up into the three-wide line with 1000m to travel with the seven-year-old travelling well. Leung angled him into clear running with 400m to run and the chase was on, passing the leader with 150m to travel and held on to win by a half-length.
Runner-Up: VIVA POPCORN was slow away from his wide draw and settled in second last down the back straight. He remained toward the rear of the field throughout the race until Karis Teetan placed the gelding under pressure with 500m left to travel. He worked through his gears well in the home straight and really launched with 150m to go, but he was unable to reel in the winner.
Run Of The Race: OFF THE REEL carried the top weight and sat outside the leader for the entirety of the race. While most of the other front-runners dropped off in the straight, he continued to dig deep, holding on to fifth position in a gritty on-pace performance.
Disappointment: FORUMLA EXCEL was sent out as the $3.70 favourite, but after enjoying a lovely run in transit on the leaders back, he fell out of the race to finish in 12th position, 9.25 lengths from the winner.
Comparison: Outside the standard time.
Market Mover: There was plenty of late money for SHINEALOT who halved his quote, jumping at $6.70.
Race 2 – Lantau Peak Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 56.01 Standard Time: 56.25 Course/Class record: 54.89 Voyage Warrior
Winner: FIRST RESPONDER (IRE 5yo g Helmet – Capote West) jumped fairly from barrier three and stayed out towards the middle of the track throughout the race. Jerry Chau already had the gelding under the whip passing the 400m point, but he continued to knuckle down and chase the breakaway leader. He was able to take the lead in the shadows of the post and win by a neck on the line.
Runner-Up: ROCK YA HEART was sent out at big odds and was also under a ride a long way from the finish line. He appeared to be going backwards with 200m left to run but picked himself up off the canvas and ran home strongly over the last 50m to claim second position in a close photo finish.
Run Of The Race: FIRST RESPONDER and Jerry Chau have built a great relationship, with Chau now having ridden him 4 times for three wins. He looked in a world of trouble as they joined the course proper with 400m to run, but he knuckled down strongly and ran over the top to claim a good first-up victory.
Disappointment: SUPER AXIOM went out hard right from the get-go and was 2-3/4 lengths in front with 400m left to travel. He was still leading at the 100m point but weakened badly over the concluding stages and failed to finish inside of the placings.
Comparison: Inside the standard time.
Market Mover: QUADRUPLE DOUBLE was $16 when markets first opened but jumped as a $3.50 chance.
Race 3 – Yi Tung Shan Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.23 Standard Time: 1:09.10 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
Winner: PACKING VICTORY (NZ 4yo g Reliable Man – Espresso Cavallo) was pushed forward by Zac Purton in the early stages of the race to sit outside the leader with 900m remaining. He took the lead early in the straight and was very green, running about under pressure but he was simply too good. He continued to pull away in the concluding stages to win by 2.75 lengths.
Runner-Up: AMIGOS GIGGLE got away well from barrier eight and was able to find a handy position in behind the speed. He was a bit keen through the middle stages of the race as the field began to stack up with 700m left to run. Moreira got the gelding going with 500m left to run and he continued to chase all the way to the finish line, but he just ran into one better today.
Run Of The Race: It's hard to go past Packing Victory who appears to have the ability to tackle some better races this season.
Disappointment: SIGHT HERO appeared to be travelling well in a lovely spot during the race and would be there at the finish, but he had some bad luck in the straight which affected his ability to finish closer. Disappointing today, but not one I'd rule out backing in the future.
Comparison: Just outside the standard time.
Market Mover: PACKING AWARD $2.50 into $1.50
Race 4 – The HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup, HK $3,150,000
Class 1 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.11 Standard Time: 1:08.40 Course/Class record: 1:07.61 Lucky Patch
Winner: NABOO ATTACK (AUS 5yo g Warhead – Commanding Queen) has returned in fantastic shape and looks in for a big season. The barrier extensions seemed to do the trick with the five-year-old, jumping with the pack and settling just off the pace, sitting one off the rail. Karis Teetan was able to angle his mount into the clear at the top of the straight and began to work through his gears, taking the lead with 100m to run and pulling away to win comfortably by a length.
Runner-Up: LUCKY PATCH put in a very tough run, after sitting three wide for the entire 1200m journey. Despite being wide and without cover, the five-year-old put in a great effort, holding on for second position in a photo finish.
Run Of The Race: There are better and bigger races in store for NABOO ATTACK. The big boy ran on superbly from midfield and a big season is ahead for the David Hayes-trained galloper.
TOURBILLON DIAMOND also flashed home late to indicate he's returned in good order. Watch for him as he rises in distance throughout the season.
Disappointment: SHINING ACE was presented well in the mounting yard and looked set for a good run, but never seemed to threaten, finishing in eighth position, 4-1/2 lengths away from the winner.
Comparison: Well inside the standard time.
Market Mover: CALIFORNIA RAD was well tried late in betting, being crunched into a starting quote of $28.
Race 5 – Kowloon Peak Handicap, HK $780,000
Class 5 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.93 Standard Time: 1:09.70 Course/Class record: 1:09.24 All Best Friends
Winner: LUCKY MARYKNOLL (AUS 5yo m Nicconi – Brookton Flare) broke cleanly and was able to position herself in third position, racing just off the speed. The only mare racing in Hong Kong travelled well throughout the event and Ruan Maia entered the straight with a lap full of horse underneath him. Maia pressed the button with 350m remaining and the five-year-old let down well, racing to the front and drawing away to win by 1.25 lengths, giving David Hayes a race-to-race double.
Runner-Up: SPEEDY DRAGON was slightly slow away and was revved up in the early stages by Alex Lai to settle in a midfield position. He travelled well through the middle stages of the race and was on the back of the eventual winner as they turned for home. He kept finding in the straight and chased hard, but the leader had too much in the tank.
Run Of The Race: ONE STEP AHEAD was near the tail of the field during the race but was able to sneak his way along the rail and improve his position as the field straightened. He made a good charge late in proceedings along the rail and was an eye-catching run along the fence to finish third.
Disappointment: ZACIAN had to lug the equal-top weight but didn't flash home late in the race after settling near the back of the pack. He was just okay rather than good under Zac Purton.
Comparison: Outside the standard time.
Market Mover: UNIVERSAL CROWN opened at $13 and was backed into $6.60 upon jumping.
Race 6 – Lin Fa Shan Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 55.71 Standard Time: 56.40 Course/Class record: 54.94 United We Stand
Winner: NERVOUS WITNESS (AUS 4yo g Star Witness – Hadiklaim) put in an astonishing debut performance. He jumped well from barrier 10 and strode up to take the lead early on, crossing to the outside rail with 800m to travel. He got into a lovely rhythm and got all of his rivals off the bit and chasing with 400m to go with Purton cheekily looking over his shoulder at his rivals as the four-year-old continued to travel well under a hold. He went on to win by three lengths under a hold the entire 1000m journey and finished well under the standard time. The win gave David Hayes a treble on the card.
Runner-Up: CIRCUIT SEVEN jumped well from gate two and came across to sit in the centre of the track in line with the leaders. He sat a length off the leader throughout the race until Matthew Poon asked for an effort with 400m to go. He chased hard all the way to the line, but he ran into a very smart one today.
Run Of The Race: NERVOUS WITNESS appears to be a serious racehorse in the making. Maiden/debut wins don't come that easy and to do what he did whilst not leaving second gear is remarkable. Watch for him in the future.
Disappointment: CORDYCEPS SIX had performed well over this track and distance in Griffin company last campaign but failed to have any say in the race. He was a tad slow away from the barriers and never got into the race, finishing 5.75 lengths back in sixth position.
Comparison: Well inside the standard time.
Market Mover: As much as $5.50 was on offer for NERVOUS WITNESS when markets first opened and he was well supported, jumping at $1.30.
Race 7 – Yi Tung Shan Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.41 Standard Time: 1:09.10 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
Winner: VIVA HUNTER (NZ 4yo g El Roca – Catalma) wasn't the quickest out of the gates but used the inside draw to his advantage to improve into a midfield position along the rail. He had to be restrained off heels passing the 800m point as the leader put the brakes on up front, but he was able to get back into a nice rhythm as they rounded the turn. Derek Leung was able to get off the rail and into clear air as they entered the home straight. He began to work through his gears and really let rip over the final 150m, catching and passing the leaders to pull away for an easy 1-1/4 length victory.
Runner-Up: VOYAGE STAR broke well and was able to position himself behind the leader. He had to check off the leader's heels passing the 800m as the pace came out of the race, which fired him up and caused him to over race around the turn. He came off the leaders back with 300m to run to mount a challenge and took the lead momentarily passing the 100m pole before the eventual winner sped past him. He finished 0.75 lengths ahead of third position.
Run Of The Race: VIVA HUNTER was superb running down the leaders and pulling away for a comfortable win.
Disappointment: TOUCH FAITH was caught three wide for the entire event and tired late in the piece to finish 4.5 lengths away in ninth position.
Comparison: Outside of the standard time.
Market Mover: VOYAGE STAR was well backed from $16 when markets opened into $3.20 favourite upon jumping.
Race 8 – Ma On Shan Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:34.60 Standard Time: 1:34.65 Course/Class record: 1:33.78 Morethanlucky
Winner: EZRA (SAF 6yo g Oratorio – Emerald Beauty) broke with the rest of the pack and was pushed along by Karis Teetan to take up a forward position in the early stages. He was able to settle just behind the leading pair and travelled comfortably throughout the event despite being wedged between runners. Teetan forced his way into the clear with 350m to run and he began to wind up,running away over the final 100m to claim victory by a length and a half.
Runner-Up: BEAUTY SPIRIT jumped well from a wide draw and settled midfield in the early stages, albeit three wide. He had cover though and Alex Badel allowed his mount to stride forward to sit on the pace behind the leading trio. He was placed under pressure with 500m to go and got felt contact from eventual winner Ezra at the top of the straight. He continued to try hard throughout the final stages, running into second spot and finishing 1-1/4 length ahead of third.
Run Of The Race: BEAUTY SPIRITA turned in a great run after sitting three wide the trip and still finishing a clear second position. DRAGON COMMANDER was also good running into third position. He found form late last season over the staying trips, so for him to run well over 1600m shows he's in for a good prep.
Disappointment: COPARTNER ERA was well in the market at $8.60 but never played a part in the race. He was always well out the back of the field and never ran on, finishing in 10th position.
Comparison: Just inside the standard time.
Market Mover: CROWN AVENUE was well backed prior to jumping, halving his quote to start as a $21 chance.
Race 9 – Sunset Peak Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.65 Standard Time: 1:21.45 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
Winner: STAR PERFORMANCE (NZ 6yo g Per Incanto – Star Guest) was a bit slow away from his middle draw and was pushed along in the early stages by Karis Teetan to settle in a midfield position. He travelled well throughout the race and was placed under pressure by Teetan as the turned into the straight and began to chase. He was still 3-4 lengths away with 200m left to run, but he leapt out of the ground over the final furlong, taking the lead and going on to win by half a length.
Runner-Up: LUCKY FUN utilised the inside draw to his advantage in the early stages, jumping well and settling on the leaders back. He was travelling well in the straight and he ranged up to the leaders under a hold before Zac Purton asked for an effort with 350m to go. He grinded away to take a narrow advantage before the eventual winner stomed over the top. He held on for second in a photo finish.
Run Of The Race: STAR PERFORMANCE played up behind the gates and headbutted Karis Teetan just prior to the running of the race before going on to win in a barnstorming finish. A great return.
Disappointment: BEAUTY LEGACY started in the market at $8.80 and never got into the race after settling near the back of the field. He was only half a length away from the eventual winner in the straight, but couldn't go on, finishing in seventh position.
Comparison: Outside the standard time.
Market Mover: STAR PERFORMANCE $8 into $4.40.
Race 10 – Tai Mo Shan Handicap, HK $2,400,000
Class 2 – Turf – Distance 1400m – Track Good.
Time: 1:21.30 Standard Time: 1:21.20 Course/Class record: 1:20.28 Fantastic Treasure
Winner: CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT (AUS 5yo g Deep Field – Vormista) broke cleanly from barrier 11 and was able to get across and sit outside the leader passing the 1000m marker. He settled well out in front under Joao Moreira and took the lead as they rounded the turn for home. He let down quickly at the top of the straight, putting a 2-3 length gap on his rivals as they straightened, and he never looked back. He went on to win comfortably by 2-1/4 lengths to give Joao Moreira his first win of the new season.
Runner-Up: MISTER SNOWDON jumped well and was able to take up a position on the back of the leaders throughout the event. Alex Badel had to take evasive action to dodge the weakening leader early in the straight, but he was still able to run into second position, getting his nose down on the line to get the nod in a photo finish.
Run Of The Race: ZEBROWSKI has been placed twice in Group level in Australia over 2000m or further and he looks in for a great campaign with a solid return over the 1400m journey. He weaved his way through traffic in the straight and hit the line in the fastest last 400m sectional time. He looks in for a good campaign and is worth following as he rises in distance.
Disappointment: MASTER MONTARO was caught flat footed at the start and settled near the rear of the field after jumping as the $4.80 favourite. He looked as though he was about to launch down the outside, but instead he was just fair to the line, finishing 4.25 lengths back in seventh position.
Comparison: Just outside the standard time.
Market Mover: TELECOM FIGHTERS was well tried late in betting, being smashed into $15 upon jumping.
