SHA TIN PREVIEW

Race One – SUPERB DADDY

A typically tough opener where the son of Tavistock gets the verdict. He remains 5Ib above his last winning mark but returned with an encouraging third over 1600M, a trip on the short side these days. Reunited with Karis Teetan, who won on the selection last season.

Race Two – ALWAYS AWESOME

Caught the eye on debut over track and trip in April. A massive price that day, he was significantly shorter on his next two starts under Hugh Bowman. The Australian has begun the season in sparkling form and it’s significant he keeps the faith. A saver looks advised on Ruby Sailing from the Manfred Man stable. Runner-up in two Griffins last term before filling the same position on the opening day of the season. Zac Purton takes over from Brenton Avdulla.

Race Three – CALL ME DANDY

Ended last season in winning form and returned with an encouraging fourth to Supreme Lucky over track and trip. Has to reverse form with third placed, Beauty Crescent but highly likely given his better draw. Plenty others you could give a chance to – Galaxy Patch makes his local debut having impressed in barrier trials. Armour Eagle is a model of consistency for Jamie Richards while NABOO LEGEND (Each Way) sees Zac Purton onboard for the first time – he lost his way last season but returns off a dangerous mark if recapturing his best.

Race Four – NOBLE ONE

Teetering on a class drop (where he would be very interesting) but still a force in this grade. Fifth to Champion Method over 1000M on the opening day of the season. Nicely weighted here, drawn well and Alexis Badel keeps the faith.

Race Five – MODULECONSTRUCTION (Best Bet)

Consistent as they come, the son of Overshare has never missed the frame in 7 starts. A winner two back when hitting the front a long way out but finding plenty for pressure. He ended last season’s campaign with a respectable third, in this grade for the first time with Dragon’s Luck, back in fourth. They renew rivalry with the latter a serious threat having had the benefit of a recent run, albeit a luckless one under Lyle Hewitson who, try as he might could not find a clear run. Zac Purton takes over this time. Hewitson, a three time winner on the Douglas Whyte 5YO, rides Pulsar Strider for Benno Yung.

Race Six – SMILING COLLECTOR

Keeping faith with the son of Turn Me Loose, a track and trip winner last season under today’s pilot, Luke Ferraris. He made his seasonal return two weeks back, and on that running has to reverse form with Lucky Eternity and President’s Choice – a strong possibility given a better draw this time. Rated only 1Ib above his last winning mark, I’m hopeful of a strong showing.

Race Seven – SUPER SUNNY SING (Next Best)

A revelation last season with 4 consecutive victories, including the Hong Kong Classic Cup under Vincent Ho. Sent off second favourite in the HK Derby, the son of Nicconi finished a creditable eighth to end the campaign. He returned to action this month with a fine third to The Golden Scenery and looks capable of going two better despite the steadier of 132Ib. I’ll also include The Best Peach for Tony Cruz. Formerly trained by Clive Cox in England, he steadily improved last season, culminating with an excellent second in a Group 3 Handicap.

Race Eight – WE ARE HERO

Rockets take flight in the National Day Cup (Group 3 Handicap) over 1000M.

The Manfred Man 6YO is ‘wrong’ at the weights but will strip fitter for his return in the Causeway Bay (Class 2) under Hugh Bowman. Stoltz ended last season on a high and looks the main danger under Zac Purton.

Race 9 – KARMA

Disappointed on return last month (no reason found) under Ellis Wong but a serious contender if reproducing his track and trip success under Vincent Ho. Gate 10 is wider than ideal but a full field of 14 go to post and the Casper Fownes 5YO looks capable of more improvement after a mere four local appearances.

Race 10 – GOLDEN ARTIE

In a tough to unravel finale I’ll take the Ricky Yiu 4YO to capitalize on his plum draw under ‘new boy’ Andrea Atzeni. The son of Artie Schiller may still have more to offer on local start number ten and I liked his C&D success in April off a 5Ib lower mark.