3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Pakistan Star Plate, HK 850,000
Griffin – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:10.62 Standard Time: 1:09.10 Course/Class record: 1:08.47 California Spangle
Winner: CIRCUIT NINE (IRE 3yo g Caravaggio – Bright Sapphire) jumped on terms but didn't have as much pace as his rivals, settling midfield and along the inside under Matthew Chadwick. The pace was genuine through the middle stages which prompted the field to be almost single file as they passed the 600m point, with Chadwick taking the opportunity to get away from the rail. He didn't turn all that well into the straight, hanging out toward the centre of the course, but he travelled comfortably and quickened well when Chadwick pressed the button at the top of the straight. The three-year-old went up to take the lead with 100m to run, but was forced to fight for the victory under his big weight. The second placegetter wasn't going away, but he was inch further in front with every stride, hitting the line a clear winner with the official margin being a neck.
Runner-Up: LUCKY BANNER jumped brilliantly and showed plenty of pace under Blake Shinn to get to the lead from barrier 5 shortly after the start. Shinn kept them running as they turned off the back, with the six-horse field stretching out around the turn. He quickened nicely as they straightened, leading by 1-1/2 lengths as they passed the 400m point with Shinn still having a good hold of the gelding. The Australian hoop only asked for an effort with 250m, and the gelding responded, digging deep over the concluding stages to take it right up to the winner, but he was just too good on the day.
Run Of The Race: It may sound obvious, but the first two across the line are the ones to follow. CIRCUIT NINE has shown plenty of class in his first two starts and gave weight away to his competitors today. He showed plenty of fight though, as did LUCKY BANNER, and if he continues to dig deep like that, he'll win plenty of races in his career.
Disappointment: YOUNG SPARKLE got away well from the outside draw but waws snagged back by Joao Moreira right out of the gates. He raced at the rear of the field for the first half of the race, before the Brazilian jockey improved along the inside rail to be third on straightening. He was there to win it if good enough, but just seemed to peak on his run over the concluding stages. He wasn't completely disappointing, but his market price is an indication he should have finished closer.
Comparison: Outside the standard time.
Market Mover: CIRCUIT NINE jumped a heavily backed favourite at $1.20.
Race 2 – Makarpura Star Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.71 Standard Time: 1:09.10 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
Winner: BUNDLE OF CHARM (AUS 3yo g All Too Hard – Dubleanny) jumped on terms and showed good pace out of the gates under Joao Moreira, with the champion jockey pushing him along to settle in a forward position one-out-one-back. He enjoyed a cosy run throughout the race as Moreira just began to ease out into the clear passing the 600m mark. He tracked into the race well three deep and had levelled up to the leaders as they swung into the straight, quickening nicely under Moreira to take the lead with 300m remaining. He was hanging in under pressure down the straight, but he was inching clear with every stride, eventually pulling clear inside the final 100m to win by three-quarters of a length to make a winning start to his career.
Runner-Up: VICTORY SCHOLARS jumped on terms and was able to work across from barrier three to get to the inside rail, with Zac Purton booting up to settle on the leader's back as they turned out of the back straight. Purton was able to ease his way off the rail as they turned into the straight, but just as he was building into the race, he ran into traffic. Purton had to stop riding and ease him out from behind the leaders, before getting back to work. The gelding finished off the race nicely over the final stages, running home strongly into second, but the winner was simply far too good.
Run Of The Race: BUNDLE OF CHARM turned in a brilliant performance on debut and showed he has plenty of class about him moving forward. VICTORY SCHOLARS ran on well despite being held up momentarily in the straight and could be one to follow into his next outing.
Disappointment: GREAT FOR YOU jumped on terms and was pushed along by Luke Ferraris right out of the gates, attempting to make use of the inside draw. He led the field throughout the race, but when placed under pressure turning for home the gelding found nothing. He weakened shortly after straightening and drifted back through the field, finishing in 11th place and beaten 12-1/2 lengths.
Comparison: Well outside the standard time.
Market Mover: ALL IS GOOD had plenty of support at double figures.
Race 3 – Precision Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1000m - Track Good
Time: 57.17 Standard Time: 56.40 Course/Class record: 54.94 United We Stand
Winner: SUPER AXIOM (AUS 4yo g Exceed And Excel – Stella Senza Cielo) jumped brilliant from the outside barrier and had superior speed right from the get-go, holding the lead down the outside rail as they settled into stride. He was a clear leader with 600m to run and was going along at a good clip also, having many of his rivals under pressure with 450m to run, while Dylan Mo sat motionless atop the four-year-old. Mo waited until the 300m point to push the button and responded well, never dying on his run and holding his lead right down to the line, winning by 1-12 lengths in a great front running ride.
Runner-Up: TIMESTORM jumped on terms under Luke Ferraris and settled about midfield in the run, getting across to be one off the grandstand rail. It was a great ride by Ferraris, who was forced to go from being near the grandstand rail, to out near the centre of the course in the straight. He weaved his way between runners to sustain the effort, running home into a clear second placing in an eye-catching effort.
Run Of The Race: SUPER AXIOM dominated from the front and the 'catch me if you can tactics' worked brilliantly for Dylan Mo, who bought up his 100th winner aboard the gelding. TIMESTAMP didn't have the clearest of passages, but was a big eye-catcher at massive $101 odds. If he gets more races to suit, he can feature.
Disappointment: NOBLE ONE became fractious in the barriers and underwent a veterinary examination prior to the start. He was passed fit to run and jumped on terms before settling near the tail of the field under Zac Purton. Purton began asking for an effort with 400m to run and the gelding had nothing to offer, remaining at the tail of the field throughout and finishing 14 lengths away in last. Purton could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance.
Comparison: Way outside the standard time.
Market Mover: FABULOUS EIGHT had plenty of support, whilst COLOURFUL PRINCE and JUMBO LEGEND were also supported at double figure odds.
Race 4 – Helene Super Star Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good
Time: 1:22.61 Standard Time: 1:21.75 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Winner: WIDE BLUE YONDER (NZ 3yo g Power – Pierian) got away on terms but wasn't urged along by Blake Shinn in the early going despite the wide barrier, with the Australian jockey working his way over to eventually slot in three-wide with cover in a midfield position. The pace slowed around the turn, allowing Shinn to get onto the back of a rival improving into the race with 600m to run, before pulling out even wider as they turned for home. He was still 3-1/4 lengths off the leader on straightening, but he was sticking on well out wider on the course despite laying in badly under pressure. They eventually went up to take the lead with 100m to go and proved too strong over the concluding stages to pull away and win by a half-length at his second career start.
Runner-Up: AMAZING VICTORY got away well off the inside barrier and was roused along by Karis Teetan, with the Mauritian jockey landing on the leader's back as they sorted their order out. He raced a touch keen around the turn as the pace came out of the race, but settled shortly after with Teetan coming away from the inside as they turned for home. The Mautitian hoop was able to get into the clear at the top of the straight to go up and join the leader with 150m to run, but the eventual winner ran right over the top of him at the finish.
Run Of The Race: WIDE BLUE YONDER has a stack of upside about him, being a three-year-old and already winning over the 1400m journey, with the ability to get more ground in the future. The commentary suggested he's headed toward the 4YO Series next season after beating the older horses today. It'll pay to follow him.
Disappointment: SURE JOYFUL jumped on terms but was caught racing wide and without cover from the awkward draw, with Vincent Ho unable to slot into the running line in the early stages. He got some cover turning off the back straight, but came under heavy pressure a long way from home and did not respond to the urgings. He gradually weakened back through the field down the stretch and crossed the line in 12th place, beaten 7-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Almost a second outside of the standard time.
Market Mover: RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was well backed and AURORA HERO had fans at long odds.
Race 5 – River Verdon Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.47 Standard Time: 1:08.90 Course/Class record: 1:08.28 Reve Parisien
Winner: STAR BRITE (AUS 4yo g Toronado – Chabaud) got away well from barrier three and was able to settle midfield with cover without Blake Shinn have to do any work. The were running along at a good pace turning off the back straight and Shinn appeared to be in the prime position, travelling comfortably around the turn before easing his way into the clear as they turned into the straight. He cruised up on the outside and quickened nicely when Shinn asked for maximum effort with 300m to run. The four-year-old got to the lead with 150m to run and put a gap on most of the field, but a couple of swoopers came at him late. It was too late though, with the son of Toronado having enough in the tank to hold them at bay and win by a half-length.
Runner-Up: CLASSIC POSH jumped on terms but was taken back by Luke Currie from the wide draw, settling near the tail of the field. The quick tempo suited him as he built into the race on the turn, but he was still spotting the leader 4-1/2 lengths as they turned for home. He came wide on straightening and took a while to wind up down the centre of the course, winding up late to be somewhat of a threat in the closing stages, but it was too little, too late.
Run Of The Race: READY TO WIN was the last one to leave the barriers and settled in last position through the first half of the race. He was 5-3/4 lengths off the lead as they straightened, but he was able to sustain a long run from the 550m point and finish in third place, just missing out on second in a photo finish. He needs plenty to go his way with his racing pattern, but he's been solid his past couple and is worth following.
Disappointment: FLYING DRAGON was away fairly and was able to settle midfield, racing on the inside of the eventual winner throughout the race. Karis Teetan stuck to the inside on straightening and the gaps were there if he was good enough, but the gelding found nothing under the Mauritian. He faded back to finish in 11th place, beaten 4-1/4 lengths. Despite the run looking disappointing on face value, Teetan told stewards that, in his opinion, the run was better than it appeared.
Comparison: Well outside standard.
Market Mover: READY TO WIN, FLYING DRAGON and YOUNG LIFE FOREVER were all tried.
Race 6 – The Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, HK $12,000,000
Group One – Turf - Distance 2400m - Track Good
Time: 2:26.67 Standard Time: 2:26.40 Course/Class record: 2:24.60 Viva Pataca
Winner: RUSSIAN EMPEROR (IRE 5yo g Galileo – Atlantic Jewel) jumped well, but was eased back to settle near the rear of the field under Blake Shinn, as is his usual racing pattern. Shinn and the QEII winner were a clear last as they turned out of the straight with a lap to run, as the pace remained fair through the first 1000m. The Australian hoop was happy sitting a couple of lengths off the last pair of horses as the pace quickened down the back straight. The field began to pack up on the turn with many beginning to make their runs, but this allowed Shinn to find the back of a couple of rivals that would take him into the race passing the 600m point. The five-year-old had not spent a penny in the run and was only 2-3/4 lengths off the leader as they turned into the straight, with the gelding showing off his brilliant turn-of-foot to range up and take the lead with a furlong to run. He wandered about a bit under pressure between the 200m and 100m, but Shinn was able to straighten the gelding up and pull away from the remainder of the field to post a dominant 1-3/4 length victory. The win bought up a treble on the day for Blake Shinn, and Russian Emperor's second Group 1 victory this season.
Runner-Up: KA YING STAR got away quickly from his middle alley and used his natural pace to get across to sit outside of the leader passing the winning post on the first occasion. The gelding travelled well with the fair pace, with Ferraris allowing a rival to cross in front of him down the back stretch, obtaining cover as they turned off the back. It was at the 800m point that Ferraris came off heels and worked his way around the field three-wide, taking the lead passing the 600m point and leading comfortably as they turned for home. He stuck on gamely over the concluding stages, fighting on well but the winner was just a class above.
Run Of The Race: It's hard to go past RUSSIAN EMPEROR who was simply dominant in his last-to-first victory. It was his second Group 1 of the season, and although he'll need a new jockey next season with Blake Shinn returning to Australia, I'm sure there'll be plenty of riders throwing their hat into the ring.
Disappointment: BUTTERFIELD jumped away well but was caught racing wide and without cover through the first half of the race, before Zac Purton pushed on to sit outside the leader down the back stretch. He came under pressure turning for home, and to his credit he stuck on well initially, but the tough run early caught up to him in the closing stages. He fell back to finish in 7th place, beaten 7-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Just outside standard.
Market Mover: PANFIELD and ZEBROWSKI had plenty of support just prior to the jump.
Race 7 – Blazing Speed Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good
Time: 1:22.81 Standard Time: 1:21.75 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Winner: STUNNING IMPACT (AUS 6yo g Zoustar – Annlea) got away well from barrier two, with Joao Moreira allowing the gelding to find his feet as they settled on the leader's back. The pace was good turning off the back before slowing a touch on the turn, but Moreira was already feeling for his mount passing the 600m pole. He was improving though as they turned for home, with Moreira and the six-year-old closing in at the top of the straight, dodging the leader who unfortunately went amiss early in the straight. He was able to keep his momentum up and was responding well to the urgings of Moreira, going along the inside to take the lead with 100m to run and getting clear to win by a half-length. It was the son of Zoustar's first win in 21 starts, capitalizing on his good run of form this season.
Runner-Up: ETERNAL BLOOM jumped well and was sitting on the outside of the eventual winner as they turned off the back, with the gelding travelling well under Derek Leung. Leung lost a touch of ground turning off the back, sitting just off the pace, but was holding his position between runners as he began to improve with 500m left to travel. They built good momentum turning for home and were able to come three-wide into the straight for an unobstructed run as Leung took the lead with a furlong to run. He tried hard, but the winner came through underneath him and snatched the victory away. It was a good run though and he's sure to bring up another victory soon enough.
Run Of The Race: STUNNING IMPACT had been threatening for some time and finally got the job done under Joao Moreira. It was a good win, and he can go on with the job now.
Disappointment: PLIKCLONE got away well but was taken back by Zac Purton right out of the gates and settled toward the back of the field, three-wide with cover. He was racing four-wide without cover on the turn and didn't quicken whatsoever when asked by Purton, finishing in 13th place, beaten 11-1/4 lengths. Purton told stewards he believed the circumstances of the race didn't allow Plikclone to finish off the race.
Comparison: Over a second outside standard.
Market Mover: STUNNING IMPACT was the one punters honed in on late in betting.
Race 8 – Indigenous Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good
Time: 1:22.27 Standard Time: 1:21.45 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
Winner: BEAUTY LIVE (AUS 4yo g Shamus Award – Miss Ethics) got away fairly and was allowed to stride forward under Joao Moreira, eventually going up to hold second position. Moreira stayed away from the rail, allowing him to come up outside the leader on the turn, with the pace being quite good through the middle stages. He went up to join the leader as they turned for home, but didn't quicken as he had done in the past and was made to work for the lead. It took plenty of effort from Moreira, but the four-year-old finally hit the front with 100m to run, with the gelding having enough of a gap to hold off a late challenger to win by a neck.
Runner-Up: GOLDEN EMPIRE jumped brilliantly from barrier three, but was left racing wide and without cover in the early stages, before slotting into the box seat one-out-one-back under Zac Purton. He travelled comfortably throughout and came into the race nicely on the turn before coming off heels and into the clear as they turned for home. He lost some ground at the top of the straight as other quickened better than he did, but he was able to dig deep over the final stages and stick on brilliantly to run the winner to a neck at the finish.
Run Of The Race: It was a great effort from BEAUTY LIVE who was able to sit on a pretty quick tempo and grind out a tough victory under a decent weight. He still has plenty to offer, with today being only his 7th career start, and he's sure to be contesting better races in the future.
Disappointment: CIRCUIT STELLAR jumped on terms, but was shifted right back to the rear of the field under Karis Teetan, racing a clear last throughout the race. He came under pressure a long way from home and did make some headway in the straight, but he was just too far back to have any chance of winning. He finished 3-3/4 lengths off the lead in 7th place.
Comparison: Well outside standard.
Market Mover: BEAUTY LIVE jumped a well-backed favourite at $3.70.
Race 9 – The Sha Tin Vase (Handicap), HK $3,700,000
Group Three – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:08.40 Standard Time: 1:08.30 Course/Class record: 1:07.50 Sacred Kingdom
Winner: CORDYCEPS SIX (AUS 3yo g Star Turn – Sandcastles) jumped well from barrier 6 and Alex Badel was immediately looking to get across toward the inside, shifting over shortly after the start to be midfield and between runners. He travelled comfortably behind a quick tempo, with Badel starting to push the three-year-old along as they turned for home. The son of Star Turn quickened nicely at the top of the straight and Badel was able to work his way through traffic to set out after the leader who had gotten away. He kept on gamely to grab him in the final few strides and het his head in front, winning by a neck at the finish in a terrific effort.
Runner-Up: NERVOUS WITNESS was fast out of the barrier and showed his customary early pace to head the field early on, setting a quick tempo as they turned off the back. Vagner Borges was able to get the gelding to settle and catch his breath around the turn, while still maintaining his advantage to the rest field. He had plenty of rivals off the bit and chasing as they swung into the straight, with the three-year-old kicking away at the top of the straight to lead by about two lengths with a furlong to run. Borges threw everything he had at the gelding, but he just began to tire in the final stages, with the eventual winner getting over the top of him in the shadows of the post.
Run Of The Race: The jury was out about NERVOUS WITNESS only a couple of months ago after he made a blistering start to his career, but he may have put all the naysayers to bed with today's effort. He went to the front and led at a quick tempo in front of some quality opponents and only went down in the final few strides. A great effort and it'll be exciting to see what happens next.
Disappointment: The race appeared to be setting up well for SKY FIELD, who settled in the back half of the race under Blake Shinn. The Australian stuck to the inside rail on straightening which appeared to be the inferior going throughout the day, and was constantly being bumped right down the stretch. He was never able to get a full crack at them, but it was disappointing nonetheless as he was beaten 3 lengths into 7th.
Comparison: Just outside the standard time.
Market Mover: Plenty of money bet late in this event. LUCKY PATCH and NERVOUS WITNESS were tried, while DUKE WAI and CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT were specked at double figures.
Race 10 – Viva Pataca Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1600m - Track Good
Time: 1:35.72 Standard Time: 1:34.35 Course/Class record: 1:33.19 Beauty Fit
Winner: PRECISE EXPRESS (IRE 6yo g Tamayuz – Soviet Treat) jumped well and was able to land in the box seat, one-out-one-back under Derek Leung as the field began to sort their order out. He was travelling well initially, but began to fight the rider toward the end of the back straight, throwing his head and having to be restrained off heels as they turned off the back straight, forcing him three-wide turning off the back. He began to travel much better, albeit three-wide without cover, but improved into the race nicely turning for home. He quickened nicely when Leung pushed the button with a furlong to run, but didn't quite pull away as he was inclined to do. Instead, he ground out a solid half-length victory with the final sectional being the fastest of the race.
Runner-Up: ALL FOR ST PAUL'S anticipated the start brilliantly and was able to account for his wide draw with ease as Matthew Poon crossed to the rail inside the first furlong of the race. Poon attempted to dictate the race from the front, running along at a moderate pace throughout and turning the event into a sit-and-sprint affair. It worked in his favour though as he was able to hold the lead for some time in the straight and nearly stave off the eventual winner, but the five-year-old stuck on gamely to hang on for second position in a photo finish.
Run Of The Race: POWERFUL WINGS charged home from toward the rear of the field in a race that probably didn't suit his racing pattern. To make things even more impressive, he was caught in traffic for some time midway down the home straight, but stormed home over the concluding stages to just miss out on second position in a tight photo finish. A solid effort and a horse worth following.
Disappointment: LEADING FORTUNE got away fairly off the inside barrier and was racing midfield along the inside rail in the run. He didn't have the clearest of passages as they turned for home, but he wasn't going well enough either as Alex Badel tried to get the most out of the six-year-old. He didn't respond at all and drifted back to finish in 10th place, beaten 6-1/2 lengths with Badel unable to offer any reasoning behind the disappointing performance.
Comparison: Way outside the standard time.
Market Mover: ALL FOR ST PAUL'S was the best backed runner.
Race 11 – Exultant Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 2000m - Track Good
Time: 2:02.46 Standard Time: 2:01.75 Course/Class record: 2:00.37 Champion Supreme
Winner: FIVE G PATCH (IRE 4yo c Camelot – Uliana) got away on terms, but drifted back under Joao Moreira to settle near the tail of the field as they turned out of the home straight with a lap to go. The pace was good through the first half of the race, before slowing a touch down the back straight with Moreira still toward the rear of the field, racing along the inside rail as they turned off the back. Moreira was able to improve around the turn, coming away from the inside and sliding out toward the centre of the track as the field fanned across the track turning for home. He was going nicely behind a wall of runners and Moreira was able to dart through a gap between runners with 300m to run, quickening beautifully to take the lead with 150m to run. He pulled away impressively over the concluding stages to win by 1-3/4 lengths eased down in great style.
Runner-Up: TOTAL POWER got away well from barrier two and was able to hold his position around the first turn and settle in the one-out-one-back position in the early stages of the race. Alfred Chan had the gelding travelling comfortably down the back, racing well with the speed being only moderate. He lost some ground turning off the back, but was able to quickly make it back up as they swung for home. Chan stuck near the inside and a gap appeared right away with the gelding quickening brilliantly to take the lead with 250m left to run. He was no match for the winner who was far too good, but he stuck on well despite wandering about under pressure, holding on to second place.
Run Of The Race: INTREPID WINNER will win a race one of these days, putting in his second solid performance over this course and distance. He stormed home over the final stages to finish in the placings, in a race that didn't suit his racing style. He'll need plenty to go his way, but a win isn't far away.
Disappointment: SUPERBELLA settled in the back half of the bunched field, racing three-wide with cover throughout under Blake Shinn. The Australian put him into the race with 500m to go, getting him into the clear and building into the race, but he was unable to sustain the run. He would weaken in the straight and fall back through the field to finish in 12th place, beaten 9 lengths.
Comparison: Outside standard.
Market Mover: SUPER OASIS had plenty of fans, while PERFECT MARYKNOLL was tried at double figures.
