Adam Cusworth's Sha Tin preview and tips: Sunday, November 5
Trackside at Sha Tin racecourse
By Adam Cusworth
Racing in Hong Kong is at Sha Tin on Sunday for a 10-race programme that includes the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy.
Here is our preview of the meeting.
Race 1
This might be the one for the 18-start Maiden, NOBLE ONE (3). The five-year-old hasn't been far away at his last four runs and was ok late in the piece last time when 4th over the 1200m behind Ka Ying Cheer. He draws better than the likes of CASA LEGEND (5), who is a 17-start Maiden that is also in the mix after a last start effort that saw him close off for 5th over the 1400m. Zac Purton rides and will look to land in the running line. FORTUNE MASTER (11) is another that draws out but must be respected after a last start runner-up behind Gluck Racer. APEX TOP (9) is a possible leader that can hang on for a first four finish.
Selections: 3-5-11-9
Race 2
Hard to go past I GIVE (2) in Race 2. The five-year-old has won all three starts at his current preparation with those coming at the track and trip. He will look to cross from the barrier and lead all the way, a recipe that has worked this season. HAPPY FOR ALL (1) looks to have come back in good order. He backed up some strong trial form by running on for 3rd behind Sparkling Dolphin over the 1000m on October 1 and is a previous track and trip winner. There are four debutants in the race. MEEPMEEP (7) has trialled well and might be one to keep an eye on in the betting with the booking of Purton. MASSIVE TALENT (10) will be running on.
Selections: 2-1-7-10
Race 3
Interesting race with five debutants in action, including a few with some excellent trial form. STERLING WONGCHOY (9) might be the pick. He has won his last two trials and draws perfectly in barrier 4. HONG KONG HALL (3) resumes and was a winner at the end of last season. He will look to cross from the wide barrier. MULTISUPER (4) is an eight-start maiden that should hit the winners list soon and has a fitness edge on a number of these. The Ricky Yiu-trained galloper was runner-up behind Summit Cheers over the 1000m on October 15 and will settle handy from the nice draw. PARENTS LOVE (7) is another debutant that won his last trial in dominant fashion. Include.
Selections: 9-3-4-7
Race 4
This shapes as a wide-open betting race. AESTHETICISM (10) is a solid contender and comes in with two recent minor placings. The Pierre Ng-trained galloper should enjoy the run of the race from barrier 4 with Purton to ride and can break through. BULB PRINCE (12) will be better suited over the 1600m and can improve off a first up effort that saw him place 7th behind Ka Ying Cheer over the 1200m. He was a track and trip winner three starts ago. MASTER HERO (7) will settle handy and should be in it for a long way. He has placed at his past couple and enjoys the 3kg claim for Angus Chung. PAKISTAN FRIEND (9) has won his last three and must be included.
Selections: 10-12-7-9
Race 5
The Class 2 gallopers feature in Race 5 and GALAXY WITNESS (4) can go close in what is an open race. The Casper Fownes-trained galloper won his first four starts but has tapered since then. Last few efforts have been promising and he does seem to measure up well in comparison to this lot. ERIMO (3) has had one start this season for a 4th behind All For St Pauls and will strip fitter. Brenton Avdulla will look to push up to settle handy and the pair can stick on. SUPERB BOY (8) gets his shot at this level and will be shooting for the hat-trick. His recent wins have come either side of the new season and he draws to save ground from barrier 2. BEAUTY LIVE (2) can land in the first four.
Selections: 4-3-8-2
Race 6
This might be the one for ARIEL (2) to chalk up his first win since coming over to Hong Kong. The David Hayes-trained galloper has finished runner-up in two of three since dropping down to Class 4 and draws much better than a last start effort when filling the exacta behind Karma. He should enjoy the run of the race from barrier 4 and will be hard to hold out. TOP TOP TEA (1) is another that dropped to this grade recently and will strip fitter after a first up 5th behind Leslie, beaten less than a length. DIVINE ERA (4) has placed at his past two and finished alongside Ariel last time. He is in the mix. WINNING DATA (13) is a lightweight candidate that was runner-up at Happy Valley at his latest. Include.
Selections: 2-1-4-13
Race 7
SUPER SUNNY SING (7) can go close in the Group 3 Sa Sa Purse. The five-year-old has come back well from his HK Derby (2000m) campaign and claimed the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) before running 8th in the Derby. A last start winner over the 1600m, he will get back and challenge them late in the piece. MONEY CATCHER (1) can measure up and stuck on for 5th behind California Spangle in the Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) on October 15. He will camp forward and has won his past two over the 1800m. RUNNING GLORY (5) resumes off a six-month break but must be considered and comes in with a number of trials, while the Size/Purton trainer/jockey combo must be respected. LA CITY BLANCHE (10) saves ground and is in first four calculations.
Selections: 7-1-5-10
Race 8
gets his chance in Race 8. The John Size-trained galloper will be out to break a drought that stretches nearly two years and was unlucky when 3rd behind Leslie on October 15. Purton will look to sit leaders back and if the gaps come at the right time, the pair will be hard to hold out at the business end. ALWAYS FLUKE (4) shows promise and was runner-up in the same race as Pins Prince last time. He is in contention. BEATO (3) gets the 3kg claim for Angus Chung and has caught the eye at his two runs this season. The five-year-old comes into it with any tempo in the race. RIVER VIEWS (9) goes forward and can stick on for a first four finish.
Selections: 5-4-3-9
Race 9
LADY'S CHOICE (10) can go one spot better than a last start effort that saw him finish a narrow runner-up behind Ka Ying Cheer at the track and trip on October 1. The four-year-old settled handy that day and just missed out in a photo, putting a gap on the rest. BEAUTY CRESCENT (1) is a former Irish galloper that has come back in solid fashion at his second campaign here and caught the eye when running on to fill the exacta behind Lucky Encounter on October 15 over the 1200m. GREENWICH (12) is a lightweight chance that hasn't finished further back than 5th in his five career starts and draws to be prominent. GLOBAL HARMONY (5) is next best.
Selections: 10-1-12-5
Race 10
YELLOWFIN (6) can just about make it back to back wins when he steps out in the final race of the day. The Francis Lui-trained galloper led all the way in quick time at the track and trip back in September and draws perfectly in barrier 4. There are four last start winners in this and GREEN 'N' WHITE (7) can measure up after claiming a Class 4 at his most recent run. The four-year-old was a sharp winner in a recent trial and is another chance on the day for Purton. BLUE MARLIN (4) will be going for a hat-trick of wins and must be included, despite the poor barrier. GOOD BUDDY (5) adds value to multiples.
