Xavier Blair takes a look at tonights Sha Tin meet and gives a race by race preview including his top four selections for each race.
Race 1 – JEBSEN CONSUMER HANDICAP
Turf ,”C” Course ,1000m
Rating 60-40
Going with a first starter here from the John Size yard Entrapment (6) who has had three pretty impressive trials to get him ready for his debut assignment over 1000m today. Douglas Whyte will take the reigns and he has been under a tight hold in all his trials and will certainly make his presence felt today. Hardest to beat will be Chevalier King (3) who is looking to break through for his first win after straight placings here at Sha Tin over the 1000m. He has just found one better than him recently and looks certain to be in the frame again today. Amedeo (5) made a nice debut earlier last month when he sat on the speed and managed to stick on well to place behind Multiglory over this distance last start. He will improve nicely into this even affair. Next best is the topweight Whisky Power (1) who’s form is better than it reads on paper. He has run some fair races against better class than this including horses such as Hussler, Cat Storm and China Lujia. He is one who will appreciate the drop in grade and can figure at nice odds.
Selections:
6-3-5-1
Race 2 – JEBSEN BEER HANDICAP
Turf ,”C” Course ,1400m
Rating 60-40
Have a bit of a soft spot for the top two here as they are both very honest gallopers with excellent chances in this event over the 1400m. Be My Song (2) is a tough on pacer who loves a fight. At his past three runs, he has finished second, fourth and third after leading against a couple of handy types including A Walk In The Park and Penglai Xianzi. He gets ten pound claimer T H So to take him to the top and he will take a power of beating. All Time High (1) likes to push forward in his races too and will have his work cut out from gate fourteen. If he can slide across and position up well he can win at each way odds. Gold Rush (3) was a beaten favourite last start after a nice second on debut behind Brave Heart on this course. He then was just outside the placings when a beaten favourite last start and shouldn’t be discarded from ideal gate and with top jockey up. One at odds is Full Blessings (14) who ran a cracker behind Napa II in a race similar to this back in October last year. He has been in his right race of late but gets his chance here to return to some form.
Selections:
2-1-3-14
Race 3 – JEBSEN FINE WINES HANDICAP
Turf ,”C” Course ,1000m
Rating 80-60
Really like the way Invinciblekindness (14) hit the line last start in a similar race and he drops eight pounds in weight on his latest run thanks to the claim. Before that he ran into the exciting Tai Sing Yeh on the Happy Valley circuit and looks a nice each way chance. Supreme De Union (8) is a David Ferraris trained 4yo making his Hong Kong debut after winning his only start in Australia when raced under the name Vanqualo by Queensland trainer Liam Birchley. He has had a couple of handy trials in readiness for this and should play a big part in the finish. Multiglory (13) is the likely favourite after a decisive win on debut here earlier last month. With a similar trip he can repeat the dose. Mr Vigorous (9) is an interesting one who I was waiting to get to Happy Valley over the mile but is currently rated too highly to find a suitable race. He ran on well at the end of 1200m on that circuit last time out and may run a cheeky race down the straight.
Selections:
14-8-13-9
Race 4 – JEBSEN INDUSTRIAL HANDICAP
All Weather Track ,1650m
Rating 40-10
Couldn’t Care Less (8) is drawn to win and ran on well over unsuitable trip last start behind Single Malt. His previous form over the mile was great and he looks certain to find the frame today. Joyful Years (5) will be a bit of value here and has some nice form in recent rimes mostly on the Happy Valley circuit where he has shot three consecutive placings over the mile. He has won twice on the All Weather Track here at Sha Tin and he looks to be in career best form. High Note (1) has been a bit costly for punters in recent times when going down as favourite last start behind Gallant Hussar. Before that he fought on well for a placing on this surface and should run well again but I would be hoping for each way odds before I dived in. American Glory (4) is finding it hard to win after being close up at his past three. With the claim and a good draw he can atone here.
Selections:
8-5-1-4
Race 5 – JEBSEN MOTORS HANDICAP
Turf ,”C” Course ,1800m
Rating 60-40
Sparkling (13) is shaping nicely after being supported in nearly all his runs to date where he is yet to crack it for a win but his turn isn’t far away judging on his past few efforts where he has been slightly unlucky including two back then he was held up for a run but still managed to rattle home for a placing behind Super Bobo over the mile here back in December. He mate a little ground last start over this course and distance but he gets the services of Darren Beadman here today and looks a safe bet from gate four. Rain Of Thunder (11) won well two runs back defeating Lucky Money Star and then just failed to catch Luckyme in a similar race over this route last start. He meets that fellow on better terms today and has drawn ideally. Luckyme (2) kept finding in his last start victory but meets a couple of runners worse off for his efforts. Lufeng Fortune (9) was huge last start after being four wide the trip. With any luck today he can figure at a price.
Selections:
13-11-2-9
Race 6 – JEBSEN WATCH HANDICAP
All Weather Track ,1200m
Rating 80-60
My Whisky (5) looks the good thing on the program, dropping back in distance after a gallant effort on pace when stepped up in distance last start behind Mighty Sun. He is a dual winner over this track and distance and from gate one he will go straight to the front and they won’t run him down. King Of Hearts (7) has been beaten favourite at his past three but he has been close up and I wouldn’t totally dismiss him completely just yet. Go Fay Fay (8) ran well when placing last start behind Sweet Sanette on the straight course and looks suited to the bend here today. At his only try on the All Weather track he worked too hard to lead and naturally faded. With a sit today he looks a chance to fill a place. Perfect Fit (9) is coming off back to back wins in lesser grade but looks a nice horse in the making. I’m willing to risk him today at his first try in this grade but it wouldn’t totally shock if he was just too good for them.
Selections:
5-7-8-9
Race 7 – JEBSEN MARINE HANDICAP
Turf ,”C” Course ,1400m
Rating 100-80
Back on the turf track here and I fancy Lambro (8) can get back into the winners stall following a good effort behind Ultra Fantasy last start who then went on to place behind Sacred Kingdom at Group One level last start. He has come up with gate one and should hunt up and find a nice spot on the speed and be hard to run down. Berio (2) looks hardest to beat and it is worth noting he did defeat Beauty Flash three runs back over this course and distance. If you look at that on face value, he should be odds on here as he was also very impressive in a recent trial. Horace’s Choice (5) is the blow out material here who was specked in the betting last start when sighted making good late ground for a close up sixth. He has each way claims. Bullish Gold (4) has been luckless in recent times, finding himself caught wide on a couple of occasions but still managing to fill a placing. He is drawn awkwardly again but with an ounce of luck he can place.
Selections:
8-2-5-4
Race 8 – THE JEBSEN CENTENARY VASE (HANDICAP)
Turf ,”C” Course ,1800m
Rating: 90+, HONG KONG GROUP 3
I reckon Special Days (4) has further improvement in him and he did run exceptionally well behind Fellowship last start over the mile. He is suited by the 1800m here today which he has won twice and placed twice in five attempts. Gate one and Douglas Whyte looks a winning formula. Mr Medici (3) is coming out of some hot Group Ones late last year including the Hong Kong Cup where he failed to run on over 2000m but his effort in the cup trial prior was excellent where he was just off Collection. He is another one who looks suited to the 1800m as he has a second and a fourth to his credit from two attempts. Armada (2) is in good form, running on hard over 1400m and then the mile behind Egyptian Ra and Fellowship last start. 1800m is ideal for him and look for him to be strongest at the finish. Viva Pataca (1) is getting on a bit but is pure class. If they have him right, he should beat this field easily but I’m starting to think his best may be behind him and have him as a place chance only.
Selections:
4-3-2-1
Race 9 – JEBSEN LOGISTICS HANDICAP
All Weather Track ,1650m
Rating 100-75
Special K (11) trialled very impressively with Berio recently and looks set to improve on a slashing first up run behind Royal Pericles where he ran on hard for fourth over 1200m. He is stepping up to the mile for the first time but he gives every indication it will suit. Vigor Delight (4) ran well when stretched out to the 2000m last start and is sure to hit back hard back to the mile here today where he has placed from one previous effort, that being on this surface behind Osvaldo in November last year. He draws well and gets Douglas Whyte. Danesis (1) is an enigmatic galloper who led with Egyptian Ra last start and gradually weekend. There is no Egyptian Ra in this field and his starts really do stand out over these conditions. Irish Jig (2) is struggling for that second win and was picked up late by Dumbarton Rock on the Happy Valley circuit last start. From gate one he is sure to receive all the favours.
Selections:
11-4-1-2
Race 10 – JEBSEN BUILDING PRODUCTS HANDICAP
Turf ,”C” Course ,1400m
Rating 80-60
Going for a bit of value here with Sunrise (2) who has some handy form behind the likes of Chater Way and Forever Elation on this course back in November last year. His form over this track and distance is first class and I’m tipping him to end the day on a winning note at good odds. Big Winner Again (10) stuck on well Behind Brave Kid last start and is getting better with every run. He should be nearing peak fitness for today’s assignment and should be included in everything from a good draw with top jockey on board. Takeanotherchance (1) is down in class and looks a major threat here from ideal draw. He has taken on the likes of Beauty Legend and Super Satin in recent times and has placed over the 1400m previously. Elegance Desire (3) won well tow starts back defeating Takeanotherchance but meets that fellow on much worse terms this time around although you can never underestimate the Moore/Beadman combinations.
Selections:
2-10-1-3
Written by Xavier Blair
