Selections and analysis for Sunday's (24/11/24) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin.
Race 1: #6 Super Wise Dragon, #11 Fire Ball, #3 Hoss, #10 So Awesome
Race 2: #2 Grand Nova, #3 Ka Ying Resilience, #1 Fun Elite, #9 Run Yes Run
Race 3: #2 New Future Folks, #3 Packing Angel, #4 Another World, #1 Roman Crown
Race 4: #3 Shanghai Style, #7 Dragon Air Force, #6 Robot Knight, #5 Offroad Master
Race 5: #7 Self Improvement, #5 Super Win Dragon, #11 Must Go, #2 Wonderstar
Race 6: #5 Satirical Glory, #12 Soaring Bronco, #3 Flying Luck, #6 Jumbo Fortune
Race 7: #9 Young Champion, #7 Karma, #12 Voyage Samurai, #8 Patch Of Theta
Race 8: #8 Alsonso, #1 Lucy In The Sky, #5 Winning Gold, #7 Charming Legend
Race 9: #2 Savvy Brilliant, #1 Full Credit, #5 Swift Ascend, #3 Lady's Choice
Race 10: #7 Lo Pan Spirit, #3 Prestige Always, #9 Sky Trust, #8 Namjong Kingdom
Race 1 - CHEVALIER E&M ENGINEERING HANDICAP
#6 Super Wise Dragon comes with some risk as he's a known 'roarer,' but he has enough ability to win this provided good health. With a low draw and facing a modest Class 5 field, he has a lot in his favour. #11 Fire Ball has been knocking on the door with two close finishes this preparation. Karis Teetan takes over the reins, and a good trial between runs adds confidence for this third-up attempt. #3 Hoss steps into Class 5 with the notable booking of James McDonald, a key factor in his favour. His record over 1400m remains the query. #10 So Awesome hasn't won in over 500 days but has shown enough in two encouraging runs this campaign to warrant consideration.
Race 2 - CHEVALIER ENTERPRISE DIGITAL SOLUTIONS HANDICAP
#2 Grand Nova will be fitter for his first-up effort, where he finished 10th but wasn't beaten far. His trial in between runs was ideal, and he has drawn perfectly for the straight course. #3 Ka Ying Resilience showed potential in two Griffin races last season and deserves respect based on his trials ahead of his return under Zac Purton for David Hayes. #1 Fun Elite is a promising horse resuming but hasn't been favoured by drawing gate 1 for the straight course. Nonetheless, he can produce an encouraging first-up performance. #9 Run Yes Run wears blinkers for the first time, and his good trial in the headgear suggests he can improve third-up.
Race 3 - CHEVALIER ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING HANDICAP
#2 New Future Folks is a strong winning chance for Ben Thompson, finally drawing a better gate after wide barriers in his first three starts. Blinkers go on for the first time following a superb trial in the headgear. #3 Packing Angel resumed with a solid second to Geneva, excellent form credentials for this contest. #4 Another World exceeded market expectations on debut, running on well for seventh from a wide draw. With gate 2 second-up, he can take another step forward. #1 Roman Crown has been edging closer to a win since dropping to Class 4. Barrier 10 may pose a challenge, but the booking of James McDonald is an advantage.
Race 4 - CHEVALIER HEALTHCARE INVESTMENT HANDICAP
#3 Shanghai Style is primed to break through fourth-up following a strong second-place effort last time. He has since maintained his form with a solid trial and benefits from Hugh Bowman taking the reins and a favourable low barrier. #7 Dragon Air Force races on the all-weather for the first time under Zac Purton, and has always trialled well on the surface, making him a contender to improve into the placings. #6 Robot Knight recorded a stylish maiden win last start and, provided he holds that form, remains a winning chance. #5 Offroad Master ran a promising fourth on debut and, from barrier 1 second-up, should secure a handy position and show natural improvement.
Race 5 - CHEVALIER INSURANCE HANDICAP
#7 Self Improvement is poised to bounce back in a race like this, and his recent trial win was eye-catching. With a strong tempo expected and James McDonald in the saddle from barrier 4, many factors align in his favour. #5 Super Win Dragon had no luck chasing back-to-back wins last start when crowded at the 700m, effectively ending his chances. #11 Must Go flagged another win is near with his strong second-place finish last time. #2 Wonderstar adopted bold front-running tactics when setting a fast pace last start, fading late into fifth but beaten only three lengths. He is steadily improving with racing experience in Hong Kong.
Race 6 - CHEVALIER LIFTS & ESCALATORS HANDICAP
#5 Satirical Glory showed little interest last start from a wide draw, yet wasn't far off when finishing ninth. Moving into barrier 1, he should return to his usual on-pace tactics, and a much-improved effort can be expected in this highly competitive contest. #12 Soaring Bronco is desperate for a breakthrough win, and with Zac Purton taking the reins, he is afforded every chance. #3 Flying Luck can be followed up after his maiden win. His low draw offers plenty of advantages, and he gives the impression of being above this grade. #6 Jumbo Fortune has James McDonald aboard and has been running well for the David Eustace stable, though his record of one win from 43 starts speaks for itself.
Race 7 - THE CHEVALIER CUP (HANDICAP)
#9 Young Champion had too much to overcome from a wide draw last start, sitting seven lengths off the lead at the 400m yet closing well to finish fifth, beaten two and a half lengths. Third-up now, he looks primed to deliver a third local win. #7 Karma was in a similar situation last time, working home strongly from a poor draw. He will need to settle closer to the speed to be a serious contender. #12 Voyage Samurai is a nice horse on the rise and he steps into Class 2 for the first time, where his mettle will be tested. Barrier 1 ensures an ideal run in transit. #8 Patch Of Theta was a commendable third second-up despite racing wide and benefits significantly from a lower draw this time, which should turn his luck around.
Race 8 - CHEVALIER PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT HANDICAP
#8 Alsonso produced a highly encouraging third on debut over 1200m, a distance short of his best. The step up to 1400m second-up should suit perfectly. #1 Lucy In The Sky is a model of consistency, missing the placings just once in eight starts. A nice trial between runs signals readiness, but barrier 10 could prove sticky. #5 Winning Gold blundered at the start last time over the mile and couldn't recover. The drop back in trip is a positive move. #7 Charming Legend arrives in Hong Kong unbeaten from two starts in Australia. While he may need the run, his trial form has shown promise, and Zac Purton taking the reins first-up is eye-catching.
Race 9 - CHEVALIER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT HANDICAP
#2 Savvy Brilliant is on an upward trajectory, chasing a hat-trick of wins. His last-start victory was outstanding, overcoming a poor start to finish powerfully over the top. From gate 3, he shapes as the favourite and is the one to beat. #1 Full Credit was a game third at Happy Valley last time but thrives at Sha Tin. He will adopt his usual front-running style from barrier 1: "Catch me if you can." #5 Swift Ascend is booming since transferring stables to David Eustace and cannot be overlooked. #3 Lady's Choice may have reached his peak but remains an ultra-consistent performer, and a mid-draw boosts his chances.
Race 10 - CHEVALIER ALUMINIUM ENGINEERING HANDICAP
#7 Lo Pan Spirit has been plagued with wide barriers this preparation but has been racing well. With a much kinder draw in gate 5, he should lead comfortably and presents a strong chance to secure his first Class 3 victory. #3 Prestige Always boasts an appealing profile with James McDonald teaming up with Pierre Ng from an ideal gate 2, paired with solid recent runs. #9 Sky Trust, while drawn wide, possesses enough early pace to offset the disadvantage and secure a position. His two Class 3 runner-up finishes in competitive contests show he is up to this grade. #8 Namjong Kingdom caught the eye on his local debut and is worth following as he progresses through his preparation. The step up in distance is favourable.
