Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - B+2 Position
Race 1
#3 CASA LEGEND produced another solid and consistent effort recently to get the job done in comfortable style. Conditions are quite similar here, as he lines up for his third win in five starts, and there's a strong chance he'll be good enough to again get it done. The 7lbs increase appears the only area of concern when reading between the lines, but he's a big strong boy so it shouldn't be a major problem carrying the weight.
#5 PAKISTAN FRIEND as a 10yo, commences his final season of racing and the champion jockey is booked to ride. With one ride, for one win, the current score sheet reads unchallengeable, however, this is class 5. A pair or recent trials, the later over 1600m, has seen him find the line well, but I'd anticipate he steps perfectly and is quickly in search of the lead.
#9 PRECISION GOAL has been honest in all three outings this preparation whilst racing on varying tracks and surfaces. He'll secure the perfect run in transit from gate 5 and in the process save plenty of energy for the home straight. He's only been placed once at Sha Tin from seven total starts, but he went extremely close that day to securing his second career win.
#2 NOBLE WIN was the first Hong Kong runner to race under David Eustace. He was transferred from John Size during the off season break, as a multiple roarer, following a down the track finish at his final race start last season. He has the engine and mindset to win a race of this nature, and he went good last start, but it comes down to whether he can breathe properly under pressure.
Selections : 3,8,5,9,2
R2 - 6,8,5,4,12
R3 - 1,2,3,4,8
R4 - 3,11,4,2,1
Race 5
"HKJC 140th ANNIVERSARY CUP"
(Class 2 - 1600m - Hcp)
#10 KARMA put together a pair of high rating victories last season over this exact course and trip and is a serious contender with the predicted high race speed. He was certainly in need of the run first up but still found the line with power and a rise to the mile enhances his chance. He's yet to conqueror a race of this class and calibre but if he continues in the direction he's headed, it's only a matter of time before he reaches the top echelon.
7 STUNNING PEACH proved he was a worthy purchase last start when he picked up a sizeable private purchase bonus. The former Joseph O'Brien trained galloper was a high quality juvenile before transferring to Hong Kong and there is still plenty to work with going forward. The 4yo Classic Series and Hong Kong Derby next year are the long range targets, and it's likely he'll pick up plenty more wins before he gets there.
#6 PATCH OF THETA is a good looking son of ZOUSTAR and this big bulky chestnut has better still to come. He won 4 out of 10 during his first preparation of racing last season and didn't miss a place the other 6 starts. His first up run was as good as a victory despite being unable to catch the winner, and the rise to 1600m today suits ideally. The rise in weight and outside barrier draw are however slight concerns, but that doesn't mean he can't win.
#12 STAR CONTACT has produced a stella line of form at Happy Valley over the past 6 months and now transitions back to Sha Tin whilst rising in grade. The initial analysis gave the impression he'd probably struggle in this event but the speed map and 10lb claim suggest he's a rough hope. If Brittany Wong can settle him forward,and into a nice rhythm on speed, then he can battle away strongly all the way down the home stretch.
#1 CHIU CHOW SPIRIT continued his rise up the handicap mountain with a dominant win first up. It was a copy book ride from Alexis Badel on that occasion from gate 3 but a trickier assignment followed next start when he drew barrier 7. He ended up with the worse run possible that day after covering ground throughout and was thereafter declared a roarer following a post race scope. A return to easier grade creates a golden opportunity but there are reservations regarding his breathing.
Selections : 10,7,6,12,1
R6 - 5,2,1,4,13
Race 7
"THE PREMIER BOWL"
(Gp2 - 1200m - Hcp)
#2 KA YING RISING is the new kid on the block when referencing the Hong Kong sprinting ranks and is going to start the short price favourite. His win first up in the Chief Executive's Cup was both awesome and slightly arrogant as he crossed the line in cruising mode whilst gearing down. With further improvement on the cards it's difficult to find any crack's, although, BEAUTY WAVES is at the top of his game and it's the first time he's met a genuine Gp1 such as California Spangle.
#8 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 rising to 1200m and elevating to Gp2 company does produces a whole new set of rules, I'm optimistic with only 115lbs to shoulder, and race fitness on his side, he can measure up.
#1 CALIFORNIA SPANGLE resumes following a successful and International campaign last season and there'll be plenty of eyes keen to see where he's at. The Hong International Sprint in December is his first primary target this campaign so he'll be far from completely ready for this assignment today. The handicap conditions are also greatly against him first up with some opposition better placed and looking strong. However, Hong Kong's champion sprinter from last season doesn't know any of that and he'll be out there just doing his thing.
#11 HELIOS EXPRESS is awkwardly drawn for his seasonal debut but the Hong Classic Mile and Classic Cup winner shouldn't be completely overlooked. The 1200m appears as though it'll be to short first up but it's worth remembering that he's only been beaten once over this course and trip. It's difficult to envisage him winning under these circumstances so a minor place appears his best chance, but it's likely he'll ping sharply through the later stages with pure freshness the key first up.
#4 TAJ DRAGON was at a career high rating first up in this Gp3 Celebration Cup and only the big weight cost him the win. He elevated himself an impressive 36 handicap points in total last season with a tally of 4 wins over 1400m. However, connections have now opted towards a sprinting campaign following his excellent run in defeat first up, with blinkers subsequently applied. Whether he's got the goods to match this opposition over the shorter trip is yet to be determined, but he's worthy of a chance.
Selections : 2,8,1,11,4
R8 - 2,12,11,5,10
R9 - 3,6,7,4,9
R10 - 9,11,2,1,6,4
