Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
"BANK OF CHINA"HONG KONG RACEDAY
Traditional, and final lead up events for local gallopers aspiring to compete in the 2024 Hong Kong International Races.(SHA TIN - SUNDAY 8TH DECEMBER)
Rail - B+2 Position
R1 - 1,4,10,3,9
R2 - 10,8,2,3,1
R3 - 3,7,1,12,10
R4 - 5,2,6,3,4
R5 - 5,7,2,8,4
R6 - 4,8,10,7,9
Race 7
"JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT"
(GP2 - 1200m - SWP)
#4 KA YING RISING is the new kid on the block and a genuine star when it comes to the current Hong Kong sprinting ranks and shall start a red hot favourite.His win first up in the Chief Executive's Cup was both awesome and arrogant as he crossed the line in cruising mode before a dominant on speed demolition, under handicap conditions, in the G2 Premiere Bowl.With further improvement still likely and a return to the set weights and penalties scale a Herculean performance by all opponents is required to defeat him.
#1 CALIFORNIA SPANGLE resumed following a successful International campaign last season with a typically honest and professional performance.He wasn't suited to conditions of the G2 Premier Bowl first up but did send out a warning that he's not faraway.The Hong International Sprint in December is the primary target of course so he'll remain slightly underdone, but the switch in race conditions has him better positioned at the weights.However, Hong Kong's champion sprinter from last season doesn't realise any of this and won't be giving an inch.
#9 HELIOS EXPRESS is well drawn for his second up run following a monster final 800m first up in the G2 Premier Bowl.The Hong Classic Mile and Classic Cup winner from last season must be respected off the back of that effort, however, the second up syndrome could certainly raise its ugly head.The 1200m was a fraction short first up and he struggled through the first half to keep in touch, plus, the change in weights and freshness out his legs could certainly quell his closing burst.Nonetheless, with a sprinting campaign on the table this time around, he might just be a different horse all together.
#7 HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE has been a quality animal from day one and is now at the door step of genuine G1 company.He was given no chance first up after being eased out at the start but closed off strongly at the end.The weights turnaround can be offset by the better barrier draw, and booking of James McDonald, so you can be confident he'll be well positioned in the run.He'll require a career best effort if he's to trouble the big boys for the win but he's poised and positioned to deliver.
#10 BEAUTY WAVES recorded excellent sectionals over the 1200m in the Chief Executive's Cup first up where he chased home KA YING RISING to the line.He followed that up with a thrilling win in the Gp3 National Day Cup over 1000m and announced himself as an elite talent.Whilst the 1200m and elevation to Gp2 company at set weights does produces a whole new set of rules, I'm optimistic with race fitness on his side, he can perform.
Selections : 4,1,9,7,10
Race 8
"JOCKEY CLUB MILE"
(GP2 - 1600m - SWP)
#5 GALAXY PATCH has come along way from winning his maiden at Morphettville in South Australia and returned with a bang first up to claim the G2 Sha Tin Trophy over 1600m.With a pair of Gp3 wins accumulated at the back end of last season the victory made it three on the bounce for the highly talented son of WANDJINA.How much higher he can go is a fascinating question in itself, but he's an outstanding individual with a punishing and tenacious turn of foot.He's yet to win at the highest level but it's seemingly only a matter of time.
#1 VOYAGE BUBBLE defeated BEAUTY ETERNAL at set weight in January before finishing an admirable third to him in the Gp1 Champions Mile.Like the majority of these top shelf thoroughbreds he enjoyed a good spell during the off season break and appeared refreshed when runner-up behind GALAXY PATCH first up.With minimal opposing speed and the equal top weight to carry its envisaged James McDonald again looks for cover, in an effort to keep him relaxed.Whatever the decision, his first up performance was excellent after working hard throughout whilst lugging weight.
#2 BEAUTY ETERNAL finally cracked it for a win at the highest level with an all the way victory in the Gp1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin last campaign.On that occasion, Zac Purton took the bull by the horns and crossed the field with speed from the outside barrier.With the set weight conditions of this event a little more to his liking, compared to those assigned in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy first up , he's expected to atone.Zac Purton has also recently declared, "he's much improved for the run and right on target for the big day in December".
#3 STRAIGHT ARRON is pressing towards a crack at the G1 Honk Kong Mile this year following a brilliant final 600m first up in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy.With a change of stable to Ricky Yui, from Casper Fownes during the off season break, a change of race distance has also followed suit.We are still yet to see the best of this fellow, although his luckless fourth in the G1 Hong Kong Cup behind ROMANTIC WARRIOR certainly gave us a taste, so I'd treat him with caution because he's the potential surprise packet in this event.
#7 RED LION completed last season's campaign with a runner's up finish behind BEAUTY ETERNAL in the Gp1 Champions Mile on a yielding track.It was the first time he'd stood up at this level, and probably not the last, with many of today's opponents finishing behind him in the run to the line.The inside draw gives him the right run so he's worthy of some respect.
Selections : 5,1,2,3,7
Race 9
JOCKEY CLUB CUP
(Gp2 - 2000m - SWP)
#1 ROMANTIC WARRIOR needs no introduction following five consecutive G1 wins last campaign and the excitement is obviously brewing surrounding his return.With GOLDEN SIXTY now retired, and enjoying life after racing in a lush green Japanese paddock, ROMANTIC WARRIOR is the lonesome undisputed King of Kong.With Hugh Bowman warming the seat for James McDonald in three lead up trials, two of which he's won, all is in readiness for the G1 show to begin.The opposition are inferior, and the 5lb weight penalty is water of a ducks back, so standby for the roar if he gets beat.
#4 ENCOUNTERED struggled with the depth of opposition for most of last season but ran a cracker second up for the new stable of John Size.The former Manfred Man trained runner certainly knows how to win, with eight career victories to his name, and ultimately finished a credible eight in the G1 Hong Kong Mile last year.With Hugh Bowman now up from a low advantageous draw I reckon he's worthy of including in all exotic plays.
#8 ENSUED hasn't raced as much as connections would have hoped and is still to be fully exposed regarding engine size.The former English galloper arrived a maiden from three starts but quickly raised his rating after a gallant second in the 4yo Hong Kong Classic Cup.His two runs back this campaign have been extremely encouraging, in particular his gutsy victory last start.The wide barrier is a worry, as is the set weights scale, but there appears to be more prize money on the way.
#5 LA CITY BLANCH is obviously using this contest as a preparation run for his attack on the G1 Hong Kong Vase but should receive every chance from his position in the run.With the 2000m start point often tricky for those runners drawn wide he's perfectly poised to box seat from gate 5.Mathew Chadwick was aboard recently when he was game behind ENSUED so another finish in frame is a chance.
#3 FIVE G PATCH is ultimately looking for the longer journey of 2400m as well and he'll receive that in December when contesting the G1 Hong Kong Vase.The outside barrier caused all sorts of issues recently in the G3 SASA Ladies Purse so just forget he even went around.Prior, his form was solid and suggesting he was on track so expect a bounce back and competitive display.
Selections : 1,4,8,5,3
R10 - 14,2,6,3,7
R11 - 1,14,5,7,9
