SHA TIN PREVIEW

RACE ONE – CASA LEGEND

The Tavistock gelding is 0-16 but makes plenty of appeal in this grade for the first time with the booking of Hugh Bowman significant.

RACE TWO – UNIVERSAL PURSUIT

Whatever happens on Sunday, the son of Charm Spirit is one to have on your side. He caught the eye on debut when dead-heating for fifth behind Sparkling Knight, and last time, when rearing at the start and losing considerable ground before staying on strongly in the closing stages. Vincent Ho, onboard for both starts, is currently suspended so the excellent Lyle Hewitson steps in. The selection may require more time but is well drawn, won his latest trial and stepping up to 1200M looks a natural fit.

RACE THREE – CHAMPION METHOD (BB)

Zac Purton had to get pretty serious but the son of I Am Invincible prevailed to make a winning debut on day one of the new season. Gelded since, the selection steps up in trip off a 5Ib higher mark, with Andrea Atzeni replacing the champ.

RACE FOUR – STURDY RUBY

Winless in 6 starts but has snippets of form that stand up in this grade. Returned with a good third to D Star at Happy Valley last month and claims off the same mark.

RACE FIVE – METRO WARRIOR / EXPLOSIVE WITNESS (EW)

Beauty Waves (formerly Starspangledwaves) looks the obvious ‘go to’ horse, but I’ll take two against the field. Metro Warrior is well drawn under Andrea Atzeni and all wins have come over track and trip.

For Explosive Witness, its been a while between drinks but the 9YO has returned in good form and well treated on past glories.

RACE SIX – BEATO / NORTHERN BEAST (EW)

Beato caught the eye this month when fourth to Karma over track and trip. From a handy barrier he holds serious claims under Brenton Avdulla.

Northern Beast showed promise in three starts under Hugh Bowman and interesting that the Australian keeps faith for his return. Two trials leading into this, the first, under Matthew Poon, was particularly eye-catching.

RACE SEVEN – VICTOR THE WINNER

The market expects Lucky Sweynesse to exact his revenge, but the selection won with some authority in the Chief Executive’s Cup and gets the vote to confirm placings over the Manfred Man 5YO.

RACE EIGHT – GOLDEN SAMURAI (NB)

Two wins from 5 for the Francis Lui 5YO. Vincent Ho’s loss may well be Zac Purton’s gain and the latter got acquainted with the selection for his latest barrier (a winning one) trial this month.

RACE NINE – HELENE FEELING / NIMBLE NIMBUS (EW)

Formerly trained by Michael Bell in the UK, the Sioux Nation gelding has yet to finish worse than third in six local starts. Returned this season in winning form and capable of landing the hat-trick for Danny Shum.

Nimble Nimbus is more speculative but quietly progressive and a credit to trainer, Ricky Yiu. The selection is 0-3 in this grade but unwise to discount him. In good form and a live each way chance under Andrea Atzeni.

RACE TEN – FIND MY LOVE / SWEET ENCOUNTER (EW)

Drawn wide but Find My Love is tactically versatile and excellent second to The Golden Scenery in this grade last month.

Sweet Encounter returns to this trip for the first time in almost a year but should go well off an attractive mark.