Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.

Race 1 – Mr Award Handicap, HK $875,000

Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm Time: 1:09.43 Standard

Time: 1:09.75 Course/Class record: 1:08.64 Iron King

It was a dominant victory by SUPER ELITE (AUS 4yo g Deep Field – Petit Cheval) to kick off the season finale, securing his first win at start 14. The four-year-old jumped on terms and landed in a midfield position on settling down, with Hugh Bowman able to slot in one off the fence. Working around the home turn, the Australian hoop was able to creep forward, sitting in the one-out-one-back position with 600m remaining. Bowman continued to course wider on the course as they entered the straight, springing strongly down the outside and looming up to the leaders with a furlong remaining. He took the lead with 150m left to run and shot away from the chasing pack, opening up a two-length margin to shed the maiden tag. JOYFUL LIFE got away well from a wide draw and gradually worked across to land on the outside of the leader on settling down. The gelding was travelling nicely throughout the event and Leung still had a strong grip on his mount, with Joyful Life taking the lead when Leung shook the reins. He stuck on well from in front but was no match for Super Elite when he shot clear late in the race. CHEER FOR SOUTH led the field turning for home and while he was overtaken shortly after straightening, he kept on strongly to the line to finish in third.

Race 2 – Joy And Fun Handicap, HK $2,840,000

Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm

Time: 1:08.01 Standard Time: 1:08.80 Course/Class record: 1:07.89 Thanks Forever

BEAUTY WAVES (IRE 4yo g Starspangledbanner – Little Sweetheart) continued his strong end to the season with his third win in Hong Kong. After being a little slow into stride, the gelding settled near the back of the field as they sorted themselves out. After remaining toward the back of the field throughout, the sprint came on and Alex Badel got off the inside rail to make his move. The gap appeared with 200m to go and the Frenchman short through to charge after the leader, gunning him down with 50m to run and getting away to win by 1-1/4 lengths. CALL ME GLORIOUS jumped a $1.50 chance for Zac Purton and landed in the one-out-one-back position. After solid run in transit, the gelding loomed into the race strongly turning for home and moved up to take the lead with 150m remaining. Beauty Waves was baring down on him close to home and the odds-on favourite was unable to hold off the late challenge. DUKE WAI continued to turn his form around, running on strongly into third position, beaten 2-3/4 lengths.

Race 3 – Miraculous Handicap, HK $875,000

Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm

Time: 1:21.89 Standard Time: 1:22.35 Course/Class record: 1:21.53 Exponents

Zac Purton scored his first win of the day with PERFECT PEACH (AUS 5yo g Sebring – Fashion) for the Michael Chang stable. After jumping well from barrier 11, Purton snagged the gelding to the second half of the field with 100m left to run. With a solid tempo being set up front, the field was strung out turning off the back straight with Purton already picking his way through the field passing the 600m point. As they swung around the home turn, the Australian jockey ended up near the centre of the course as he began to make his run down the outside. He was spotting the leader 3-1/4 lengths at the top of the straight and was working home strongly out wide, inching closer and closer with every stride. He eventually took the lead with 50m to run and scored by a neck on the line in a gutsy performance. AROMATICA landed just off the pace from barrier four and looked to be travelling sweetly under Harry Bentley. The gelding had a lovely run throughout the race and popped off heels and into the clear for an unimpeded run right to the post. He took a narrow lead with 100m to run as he ground away out wide, but Perfect Peach was right on his hammer and eventually gained the upper hand close to home. Aromatica wouldn't go away but was unable to peg back the margin and had to settle for second place. TSUEN WAN GLORY had settled in front of Aromatica in the run, sitting in the one-out-one-back position and had every chance to win if he was good enough. He finished clear in third position but bumped into a couple better on the day.

Race 4 – Solar Hei Hei Handicap, HK $1,170,000

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1800m – Track Good

Time: 1:48.73 Standard Time: 1:48.15 Course/Class record: 1:46.54 Crown Avenue

It was a tight finish in the fourth event with VOLANIC SPARK (NZ 4yo g Wrote – Peggy Hookham) getting his nose down where it mattered most to run down the leader. After jumping well from barrier 11, Karis Teetan snagged the gelding back into the second half of the field on settling down. The pace wasn't overly strong, with Teetan getting in one off the rail. As they turned off the back straight, the Mauritian moved into the three-wide trail, obtaining a nice cart into the race with cover as the field began to fan right across the track. Volcanic Spark was right out near the middle of the course as they swung into the straight but was coming home strongly out wide as he built his momentum around the turn. He joined the leaders with 150m to run and drew away close to home in what was a ding-dong battle. The gelding dug in close to home to keep his rivals at bay, winning by a short head on the post. FOREVER FOLKS jumped on terms off the inside draw and was able to hold his position along the rail. Ben Thompson had the gelding travelling comfortably midfield and saw an opening to get off the inside rail approaching the 600m point. Thompson made the move and began to improve into the race as he went looking for clear air at the top of the straight with the gelding setting out after the leaders. He looked a spent force with 150m to run, but the gelding kicked back strongly late in the race to challenge Volcanic Spark as he took the lead. They were head-and-head down to the wire, but Volcanic Spark just held the advantage. FOREVER FLORIOUS was fighting hard back along the inside after leading the field in running. He didn't lay down, responding well to the riding of Lyle Hewitson to hold on for third.

Race 5 – Victory Marvel Handicap, HK $1,170,000 Class 4 – Turf -

Distance 1200m – Track Good Time: 1:09.75 Standard

Time: 1:09.40 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight

Zac Purton bought up his second winner of the day with FIRST LOVE (NZ 3yo g Proisir – Pirinitete) extending Pierre Ng's margin in the Trainers' Premiership. Purton found himself midfield and along the rail from barrier two with a decent pave being set up front in the early stages. As they worked off the back, Purton was able to get off the inside rail and get a nice trail into the race, peeling wide at the top of the straight. Purton again came down the outside of the field, with the gelding quickening well to round up the leaders with 100m remaining. He was too strong over the closing stages, keeping his rivals at bay and securing a half-length victory to break his maiden status. FUN N GLORY showed plenty of pace out of the barrier to work across from the deep and slot into the one-out-one-back position for Harry Bentley. The leaders were going along at a strong tempo and the Englishman was happy to sit just off them in a stalking role through the middle stages, Bentley popped off heel on straightening and while it took the gelding a little while to wind up, he eventually hit the front with 200m to run. The eventual winner was coming at him strongly though, wrestling the lead away with 100m remaining, but Fun N Glory didn't let up. Bentley's mount stuck on gamely down to the post, finishing just a half-length off the winner. SUGAR BALL stormed home from a mile back to finish in third position in what was a blanket go for the minor placings. He was 6-1/4 lengths off the leader on straightening and ended up just 2-1/4 lengths off the winner, savaging the line late in the race.

Race 6 – Medic Kingdom Handicap, HK $1,170,000 Class 4 – Turf -

Distance 1400m – Track Good Time: 1:22.18 Standard

Time: 1:22.10 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair

HAPPY DAILY (NZ 6yo g Pins – Genius) notched up his first win of the season in the season finale under Vincent Ho. The gelding was roused along after the start but could only find a position in the second half of the field. After a nice run in transit, Ho began to edge out wider on the course as he made his run at the top of the straight. He was coming right down the outside and had 4 lengths to make up on straightening with the gelding building up the revs out wide. He was coming home strongly, sticking his nose in front close to home between horses to win by a short head on the post. BRILLIANT EXPRESS jumped the $3.80 favourite and settled on the back of the leader from his inside barrier. He raced comfortably under Hugh Bowman with the Australian hoop just pocketed for a run at the top of straight. Bowman was able to push his way into the clear and charge after the leaders with 300m remaining, moving up to take the lead with 150m remaining. Happy Daily was coming home with a wet sail though and despite Bowman's best efforts, they were unable to keep the winner at bay. FIGHTING MACHINE came from a mile back and made his run alongside the eventual winner down the stretch. He may have peaked on the run late, but the first three across the line finished well clear of the chasing pack.

Race 7 – Big Profit Handicap, HK $1,170,000

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good

Time: 1:22.13 Standard Time: 1:22.10 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair

Zac Purton began Franic Lui's fightback in the Trainers' Premiership as they combined with STEPS AHEAD (AUS 3yo g Written By – Avodcado) shedding the maiden tag. After getting away well from barrier six, Purton was able to put the gelding into a prime position oneout-one-back early in the race. The pace was even and the three-year-old was travelling well through the middle stages, stalking a nice tempo and having plenty of space to be produced at the top of the straight. He let down impressively when Purton pressed the button, taking the lead with around a furlong to run and he put his rivals away comfortably in the end. He was wobbling about under pressure close to home but had enough left in the tank to win by 1-1/4 lengths. TOP PEAK worked across from a wide alley to sit in second position in the run, just ahead of the eventual winner. The gelding produced a strong sprint under Jerry Chau as they turned for home, but the winner had the softer run in transit and quickly assumed control. Top Peak didn't fall away though, sticking on gamely to the finish and holding on for second position. SMILING COLLECTOR motored home late in the race to grab third in an eye-catching performance.

Race 8 – The Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy (Handicap), HK $4,075,000

Class 1 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good Time: 1:33.78 Standard

Time: 1:34.25 Course/Class record: 1:32.24 Preciousship

The winning formula of Purton and Lui continued into race eight, the feature event of the day as the $1.70 favourite CHANCHENG GLORY (USA 4yo g Mor Spirit – Solid Scam) showed he's up for better races next season. After jumping well, Zac Purton ended up in the second half of the field with a good tempo being set out in front. The Australian hoop remained away from the rail in running and while the field did stretch out a bit, Purton didn't panic around the turn. Approaching the final corner, Purton started to urge the gelding along, getting onto the back of the leading group before swinging wide turning for home. It took a little bit for the gelding to hit top gear, but he let rip down the outside once he did. He moved up to take the lead with 200m remaining and continued to draw clear over the concluding stages, winning easily by 2-1/4 lengths and stamping himself as contender in better races next season. MOMENTS IN TIME also ended up in a midfield position with the pace being set up front. After being midfield in the run, Bowman was able to wedge his way between runners around the turn and get into the clear on straightening as he began to make his run. He never quite hit the front as he was swamped by Chancheng Glory once he loomed, but he stuck on well over the closing stages to hold on for second position. THE GOLDEN SCENERY ran on strongly from the back of the pack to finish in third spot, with a big gap back to the rest of the field.

Race 9 – Pingwu Spark Handicap, HK $1,860,000

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm

Time: 1:08.75 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner

For the third race in a row, Purton and Lui came out on top as the progressive PACKING HERMOD (AUS 3yo g Rubick – Black Tulip) made it two from two. The three-year-old was slowly away once again but mustered well to charge through and sit up on the speed. With a solid tempo being set up front, Purton was able to track the leader around the turn before peeling off the leader's back to make his challenge at the top of the stretch. The three-year-old ambled up to take the lead shortly after straightening and kicked strongly when Purton pressed the button, breaking clear of the chasing pack. The margin only got larger the longer the race went on, winning by a widening three lengths on the line in a very impressive win. MONTA FRUTTA ran home strongly from the tail of the field to finish second at a massive $55 starting price. He was a little slow into stride under Angus Chung and the local jockey went right back to the tail of the field. He was still well back on straightening, but Chung was able to pick his way through the traffic with the gelding closing off strongly in the run to the line. He got his nose down on the wire to steal second place in a photo finish. SUPER JOY N FUN was there to strike alongside Packing Hermod at the top of the straight, being pushed three-wide as the eventual winner made his run. Jerry Chau tried his best to keep in touch with the winner, but he was unable to keep him within reach in the straight. Super Joy N Fun was keeping on well to the line, but he was just caught right on the post, ending up in third. Race 10 – Sight Winner Handicap, HK $2,050,000 Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good Time: 1:34.69 Standard Time: 1:34.75 Course/Class record: 1:33.19 Beauty Fit The Zac Purton show continued with his sixth winner on the night, bolting in again with YOUNG ACHIEVER (FR 4yo g Seabhac – Angel Of Harlem) getting his first win in Hong Kong. The four-year-old jumped well but ended up in the second half of the field on settling down, racing between horses. The field was bunched up with 1000m to run but the gelding was racing comfortably under Purton, with the Australian hoop beginning to peel wide around the home turn, getting a nice trail into the race. The champion jockey still had a good grip of the gelding around the turn, with the son of Seabhac getting into clear air on straightening. He quickened impressively to run to the lead with 200m remaining and he never looked like being beaten. He continued to draw clear with every stride in the run to the line, winning easily by 2-1/4 lengths. HOLY LAKE raced in a midfield position under Antoine Hamelin. The French hoop was able to edge his way off the inside around the home turn but was held up for clear running upon entering the home straight as he was bumped around trying to get into the clear. He never took the lead as Toung Achiever flew down the outside, but it was a gutsy performance by Holy Lake to finish in second position, holding off his dangers in a three-way photo finish. THE HEIR stormed home from well back in the run to finish in third place, just holding on in a photo finish. He continued his strong run of form but is finding his maiden Hong Kong victory elusive.

Race 11 – All You Wish Handicap, HK $1,860,000

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good

Time: 1:21.46 Standard Time: 1:21.80 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship

It all came down to the final race of the season to decide the Trainers' Premiership, and it was Francis Lui who came from behind to take that crown with PATCH OF THETA (AUS 4yo g Zoustar – Fortune Of War) winning the finale. Hugh Bowman was able to get the gelding out well from barrier six and he rolled forward from that draw. There was a few vying for the lead early on, allowing the Australian hoop to drop into spot just off the speed. The pace was solid through the first half of the race and Bowman was able to get off the inside and edge his way into the clear with rivals on his outside beginning to weaken. He moved into the race ominously at the top of the straight and ran to the lead with 250m to run with Bowman still sitting quietly atop of the gelding. When the Australian eventually pushed the button, he shot away from the chasers and put up a 2-1/4 length margin to end the season in fine style. BEAUTY CRESCENT jumped well from a wide barrier with Zac Purton looking to get across and slot into the running line. The Australian was able to do just that, sitting worse than midfield as they turned off the back and racing along in that position. As they worked around the home turn, Purton was able to track a few horses into the race before coming out wider and sprinting quickly down the outside. He kept coming under the riding of Purton to run into second position close to home. PRESTIGE ALWAYS loomed at the top of the straight for the Pierre Ng barn and was there to win if he was good enough after being caught wide throughout the race. He peaked on the run close to home though under Karis Teetan and ended up in third place.