Sha Tin preview and tips: Sunday, March 3
Racing in Hong Kong is at Sha Tin on Sunday for a 10-race programme that sees the four-year-olds line up in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).
Here is our preview of the meeting.
Race 1
The opener is on the All-Weather Track and sees the Class 5 gallopers in action. ASIAN ONE (1) dropped to this grade two starts ago and comes off a last start 3rd on the AWT behind CHIRON (9). The Jamie Richards-trained galloper will settle in a midfield position and should be strong late in the piece. The winner out of that has since finished 4th at Happy Valley and is worse at the weights but saves ground from barrier 1. M M NEBULA (2) dropped out of it last time after racing keenly throughout. He can be an improver back on the surface and with Zac Purton to ride. CHARMING STEED (7) is next best.
Selections: 1-7-9-2
Race 2
WINDCHEATER (3) can just about make it two wins from as many starts when he steps out in Race 2. The three-year-old backed up some solid trial form by leading all the way at the track and trip on February 12 and overcame trouble early in the straight that day. He can progress past this class. SKY TRUST (9) has been a bit of an eye-catcher in his two starts, running on in both. The Casper Fownes-trained galloper draws better than his most recent run when closing off solidly to place behind James Tak. ORIENTAL SMOKE (2) drops in grade for this assignment and must be respected. He hasn't been far away in recent times and is a four-time track and trip winner. GOLDEN DARCI (4) is a first four contender.
Selections: 3-9-2-4
Race 3
ADEFILL (9) can measure up to them in Race 3. The five-year-old is in career best form and performs on the All-Weather Track. He was a Class 3 winner on the surface on February 18 in slick time. YOUTHFUL DEAL (8) might be ready to show something. He was dominant on the AWT at a similar stage of his last preparation and gets another crack at the 1650m. The Frankie Lor-trained galloper didn't enjoy the cleanest start last time when 6th behind Atullibigeal. ALACRITY (6) was 5th in the same race and was runner-up at the track and trip at his start prior to that. Purton rides and the pair will attract market support. MR ASCENDENCY (3) is a last start winner that can be included.
Selections: 9-8-6-3
Race 4
LAUGH TALE (1) is worth some thought in Race 4. The former UK galloper stepped out off a long break on January 28 at Sha Tin over the 1200m and settled well back before producing the fastest last 200m when 4th behind Gorgeous Win. Step up to the 1600m suits and Hugh Bowman rides. CHILI BABA (9) is an interesting contender. He has been tried over different distances in recent times, rising from the 1000m to tackle the 1600m on January 28, sticking on well for 3rd behind Beato. He settles back from the barrier and will be running on. CELTIC TIMES (6) won't be far away in the run and landed within a length of Only U over the 1400m last time. He is a solid contender. DEVAS TWELVE (12) goes into exotics.
Selections: 1-9-6-12
Race 5
LADY'S CHOICE (6) has been knocking on the door in recent times. The four-year-old settled handy and narrowly went down behind Ka Ying Rising on February 12. He can box seat from barrier 4 and is another chance on the day for Purton. Monitor betting for the three that are new to Hong Kong, including STELLAR SWIFT (8). He was sent over to the David Hayes stable after a debut win over the 1200m at Flemington last winter and has trialled well in preparation for his local debut. TORONADO PHANTOM (5) is a solid chance, particularly if there is a solid tempo up front. The six-year-old has closed off well at his past few starts. I GIVE (1) is likely to cross over from the gate and can stick on for a first four finish.
Selections: 6-8-5-1
Race 6
Tricky race. Rolling the dice on SKY HEART (7), despite the poor barrier. The Casper Fownes-trained galloper has shown promise in his two career starts that have both yielded placings after copping similar barriers. He will be strong late in the piece. MUST GO (6) is a solid chance with Ryan Moore to ride from the inside barrier. He has been an improver at his past two starts, finishing runner-up behind Windcheater before being posted wide and without cover at his last weekend when sticking on for 6th behind Call Me Glorious. WONDERFUL UNICORN (2) hasn't had much go right since coming over from Australia. He has shown glimpses of talent and resumes for his first run since October. This is easier. MAGIC SUPREME (4) adds value to exotics.
Selections: 7-6-2-4
Race 7
The second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series is the Hong Kong Classic Cup and it is hard to tip against HELIOS EXPRESS (1). The John Size-trained galloper claimed the Hong Kong Classic Mile in dominant fashion and should handle the extra 200m. STAR MAC (14) caught the eye late in the piece in that race. The David Hayes-trained galloper was stepping up from a Class 3 and produced the fastest last 200m to place 3rd. He might have a bit of upside to come. ENSUED (4) draws wide but is one that will definitely get the trip and was a 2000m winner two starts ago before just missing out behind Natural Storm in a Class 2 in late January. He has been kept up to the mark with a couple of trials since then. HELENE FEELING (2) settled handy when runner-up behind Helios Express last time and will be in it for a long way.
Selections: 1-14-4-2
Race 8
Nice support race with the Class 2 gallopers in action over the 1000m straight track. ADIOS (2) can improve off a first up effort that saw him place 5th behind Tomodachi Kokoroe over the 1200m at Happy Valley on February 21. He settled handy in that race before just fading late. The Frankie Lor-trained galloper was a narrow runner-up in the National Day Cup (1000m) three starts back and that was the last time he tackled the track and trip. GALAXY PATCH (4) has been excellent since coming over from Australia and has won three of his past four. The four-year-old tackles the 1000m for the first time and draws the grandstand side. WHIZZ KID (3) will find this easier than a last start 8th at Group 1 level and has won twice over the 1000m at Sha Tin. He won't be far away in the run. NERVOUS WITNESS (8) might take up the running and can stick on for a first four finish.
Selections: 2.4-3-8
Race 9
The Class 3 gallopers stretch out over the 2000m in Race 9. INTREPID WINNER (8) has performed well in his last two goes at the track and trip, including his most recent start when running on for 3rd behind Ka Ying Generation. The six-year-old should enjoy a nice time of it in transit from barrier 3 and we can expect to see him fighting out the finish. NOBLE PURSUIT (6) will be going for the hat-trick of wins and overcame a wide run to score nicely over the 1800m at Happy Valley on February 15. He should enjoy the step to the 2000m. MASSIVE SOVEREIGN (4) is a former European galloper that comes in with some solid performances at the trials. The Dennis Yip-trained galloper gets the tick of approval from Zac Purton and draws to save ground from barrier 1. HOLY LAKE (9) is next best.
Selections: 8-6-4-9
Race 10
We close off with a Class 3 over the 1400m and BLUE MARLIN (1) can end the day a winner. The Douglas Whyte-trained galloper scored at the track and trip two starts ago then was posted wide without cover at his most recent start when 3rd behind Giddy Up. He draws perfectly in barrier 4 with Hugh Bowman to ride. RIGHTEOUS ARION (12) is a lightweight contender. He has finished top five at his past 14 starts and ran on well for 4th over the 1200m at Happy Valley on February 15. The son of Rich Enuff tackles the 1400m for the first time and gives the impression he is after the step up in trip. The 2kg claimer, Angus Chung, rides. MAGNIFICENT NINE (11) was luckless at the track and trip at his most recent start when 4th in the same race as Blue Marlin. He can be a factor. SUPERB KID (6) goes into quaddies.
