Sha Tin Preview

RACE ONE – SPLENDID STAR

The son of Deep Field has more to do up 9Ib, but remains in this grade and might still have more to offer.

RACE TWO – MULTISUPER (Best Bet)

A son of Vancouver who shaped nicely on reappearance when fourth to Killer Instinct on his first try over dirt. The Ricky Yiu 4YO has cost supporters dear in just seven starts (a beaten favourite on 4 occasions – twice at evens) but has run up against some talented rivals and well drawn to gain compensation. He has raced predominantly over 1200M but I liked his solitary appearance over the minimum trip when a never nearer third behind Red Elegance. Keagan De Melo onboard last time, maintains the partnership from an excellent 13 gate. Dangers include Ruby Sailing, lightly raced and has ability but a beaten favourite in both runs this season, latterly under Purton who keeps the faith. Sparking Dolphin won last time, a big step up on his seasonal bow. All wins have come over track and trip. Lyle Hewitson was onboard last time but switches to the Douglas Whyte debutant, Lapras, leaving fellow countryman, Luke Ferraris to ride the Me Tsui 7YO.

RACE THREE – KA YING WARRIOR / COMMANDING MISSILE (Each Way)

A rematch between I Give and Ka Ying Warrior, the former just prevailing in a desperate finish to record back to back wins for Pierre Ng. A wide barrier and 6Ib rise might tip the scales toward the runner-up, a twice raced son of Written Tycoon, trained by Dennis Yip. Having looked the likely winner last month, he was outgunned close home but will have learnt plenty from the experience.

Post-race, Zac Purton stated that, ‘as he placed Ka Ying Warrior under full pressure, his mount did not respond well as he had expected due to its inexperIence and proved difficult to ride out’. He added that, ‘the horse’s pre-race behaviour and the fact that it raced keenly in the early and middle stages were also contributing factors’.

From an each way perspective, I will throw in Commanding Missile, a C&D winner three back and agonizing runner-up last month when nailed on the post by Always Fluke. He can expose any flaws in the leading players.

RACE FOUR – WIDE BLUE YONDER

An open heat with the tentative vote going to the David Hayes 5YO. He returned with an encouraging fifth to I Give, a worthy effort over a trip shorter than ideal, but his favoured 1400m on Sunday can see him in a better light. Gate 6 is fair and the excellent Lyle Hewitson maintains the partnership.

RACE FIVE – NOBLE PURSUIT

Casper Fownes has his string in fine heart and I’ll chance the unexposed Noble Pursuit to make it third time lucky. The Savabeel gelding made a low key debut last term but left that well behind with an unlucky fourth to Green N White on his return. Hugh Bowman keeps faith with the selection, who, despite a wide barrier looks capable of making an early impact.

RACE SIX – SNAFFLES / POWERFUL WINGS (Each Way)

Two career wins in Ireland for this son of Churchill but yet to open his account in 10 local starts. Third on his seasonal return over 1400M, the David Hayes 4YO got closer to the target two weeks later when an unlucky second behind Happy Together. He was entered to run last Sunday but the meeting was cancelled due to Typhoon Koinu – breaks from a more favourable barrier this time, but would have appreciated last week’s rain softened ground. Karis Teetan retains the ride.

Snaffles had several of today’s field in his wake, including Powerful Wings. The son of Kingman struck form toward the end of last season with a breakthrough success over 1600M. His comeback ninth was nothing special but I’m hopeful of an improved run reunited with Alexis Badel. Gate 9 is tricky but an improvement on previous barriers ‘14, 13, 14, 13, 12’ and he remains unexposed at this trip.

RACE SEVEN – BEAUTY ETERNAL (Next Best) / ENCOUNTERED (Each Way)

John Size, the record breaking champion trainer in Hong Kong, has made his customary tardy start, but even by his standards it’s a slow one. Should Size land the feature with Beauty Eternal it may even be the trainer’s first winner of the campaign. The selection arrives on the back of two encouraging trials and it’ll take a superb performance from defending champion, California Spangle, to give 12Ib to the son of Starspangledbanner. That said, he carries top-weight for a reason, and remains the chief threat in a fascinating renewal of the Group 2 handicap. Of the others, Russian Emperor would prefer further but ought to give a good account, for all that trainer Douglas Whyte, will have an eye on future targets. Encountered disappointed in the Celebration Cup last month but went into it a progressive horse. He can make the frame at generous odds.

RACE EIGHT – LUCKY ENCOUNTER

A son of Epaulette very much on an upward curve. Only five local runs but already boasts a hat-trick of victories over track and trip. Began this season’s campaign with a ready success over Super Fortune and looks capable of defying a 7Ib rise.

RACE NINE – JOYFUL HUNTER

Unbeaten in two starts for Francis Lui, currently leading in the Trainers’ Ranking. The son of Darci Brahma returned to the track last month when a luckless third to Lucky Encounter over 1200M. Connections waste little time stepping up in trip and with a clear passage looks a serious contender under Vincent Ho.

RACE TEN – DREAM WINNER / BUNDLE OF CHARM (Each Way)

A hot favourite to remain unbeaten last month but a disappointing last of five behind complete outsider, Kurpany. For all that, he was only beaten 1½ lengths and the son of Exosphere can overcome a problematic barrier to gain compensation under Vincent Ho.