SHA TIN PREVIEW

RACE 1 – Bochk Cross-Border Services Handicap (Class 4) 1200M

A very competitive opener with a trio of interesting debutants. Marginal preference lies with ROMANTIC HERO for Danny Shum. The ‘Mauritian Magician’, Karis Teetan, onboard for every barrier trial, takes the reins on Sunday.

RACE 2 – Bochk Sme In One Handicap (Class 2) 1800M

CHAMPION DRAGON can go one better following an excellent second to Encountered in this month’s ‘Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse over C&D. The Tony Cruz 5YO returned this season with a close up fifth to Rising From Ashes and Alexis Badel takes the reins for the first time. Rise Brethren looks the main threat for Jamie Richards. The champion New Zealand handler has yet to work his magic on the son of Lope De Vega, but two podium finishes this season suggest his turn is near. All For St Paul’s took advantage of a declining mark last month but can’t be discounted back on turf.

RACE 3 – Boc Life Handicap (Class 4) 1200M

Only Sweet Briar prevented RAGING BLIZZARD from making a winning debut last season and recent barrier trials suggest he can go one better. From a value angle I like the chance of Strathpeffer (Each Way) a son of Dundeel and what he lacks in size, he makes up in effort. After two good runs over 1400M, the drop in trip can work to his advantage under Keagan De Melo.

RACE 4 – Bochk Asset Management Handicap (Class 2) 1200M

BEAUTY CHARGE (Next Best) gets the vote in a very competitive heat. Six of the 9 strong field contested last month’s ‘Lek Yuen’ Handicap where Lucky With You returned to form under Andrea Atzeni. The selection needs to reverse form with several foes but he was slightly hampered and I loved his recent barrier trial under Hugh Bowman. In truth, it’s impossible to discount anything but Helios Express is especially interesting. Narrowly denied on debut, the latter won second-up and defied a 10Ib rise to end last season. Another to consider is Dream Winner, a much touted, three time winner over the minimum trip. He disappointed on his seasonal return but shaped better last time and Vincent Ho sticks.

RACE 5 – Bochk Wealth Management Handicap (Class 4) 1400M

In a very tough race the vote goes to LOST CHILD, a lightly raced C&D winner for Michael Chang.

RACE 6 – Boc Credit Card Handicap (Class 4) 1400M

SWAN BOY brings a lightly raced profile to the party and won’t have to improve much to contend the finish under Luke Ferraris.

RACE 7 – Bochk Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (G2) 1200M

LUCKY SWEYNESSE (Best Bet) won the 2022 renewal in what was a ‘lucky’ quinella with Lucky Patch chasing him home. He ran out a narrow but decisive winner, rated 113 and has improved 18Ib in the interim to a top-rated 131. Despite two reverses this season, the son of Sweynesse remains the one to beat. I liked his return in the Chief Executive’s Cup – travelling powerfully turning in, and Zac Purton wasn’t hard on him when the weight, and probable lack of fitness told, mindful of bigger assignments later in the season. Last time, like many, I expected compensation in the Premier Bowl and there’s little doubt that the loss of momentum cost him dear in the final reckoning. It was another good run, however – he turned the tables on Victor The Winner, but left vulnerable to an improved Sight Success, who enjoyed the run of the race. At the revised weights I’m expecting Lucky Sweynesse to successfully defend his crown under the champion.

RACE 8 – Bochk Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (G2) 1600M

California Spangle follows the same path as 2022, having made all in the Sha Tin Trophy on his reappearance. Zac Purton, onboard the Starspangledbanner gelding last season, has committed to the exciting Beauty Eternal and was aboard the 5YO when finishing third behind ‘The Spangle’ last month. Hugh Bowman gave his rival jockeys’ a masterclass, but, with the Australian sidelined through injury, its Matthew Chadwick who takes the reins for Tony Cruz.

Beauty Eternal will rightly have his supporter’s. Its reasonable to assume improvement will be forthcoming but it’s required as he meets the Tony Cruz 5YO on 7Ib worse terms. In a sparkling quintet for the Group 2 prize, I’ll take last year’s BMW Hong Kong Derby hero, VOYAGE BUBBLE to land his first Group success. Bullish noises are emanating from the Ricky Yiu camp following two impressive barrier trials, the latter a closing third to the aforementioned, Beauty Eternal. The Deep Field gelding signed off last season with a commendable fourth to Golden Sixty in the FWD Champions Mile, having been planted three wide for much of the journey. On that occasion he finished just a place behind California Spangle and could be the surprise package under Alexis Badel.

RACE 9 – Bochk Jockey Club Cup (G2) 2000M

A tough race to call with class-act, Russian Emperor heading the weights under Matthew Chadwick. The son of Galileo won twice last season, including the ‘H H The Amir Trophy’ (Local Group 1) in Qatar for Douglas Whyte. He returned this season with a last of 10 in the Sha Tin Trophy, an inadequate trip for the confirmed stayer. Four of today’s field contested the ‘Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse’ this month with La City Blanche emerging best in third, but Money Catcher might be the one to follow this time. In last month’s ‘Swimming’ 1800m Handicap SWORD POINT failed to justify favouritism but compensation awaits under Zac Purton for trainer, Frankie Lor. A quick word on Five G Patch for Tony Cruz – he ran an excellent race for third last time – three places ahead of the selection and looks destined for a major prize this season – I’m just concerned that this is a bridge too far at the level weights, for all that he is improving, and perhaps needs a little more time.

RACE 10 – Bochk Boc Pay Handicap (Class 3) 1200M

GALAXY PATCH made the perfect debut last month and can return to winning ways following a fifth placing to Packing Bole on dirt last time.

RACE 11 – “Banking Trendytoo’ Handicap (Class 3) 1400M

SIMPLE HEDGE can make a winning return for Messrs, Purton and Size. A model of consistency last season, he won 3 times in six starts, securing back to back wins to end the campaign. Recent trials have been encouraging and only gate 11 could be seen as a caveat, though he defied stall 10 to shed the maiden tag last season. Massive Action (Each Way) returned this season with a super second to Superb Boy and compensation came next time with a C&D success. Tamra Blitz, Chiu Chow Spirit and Golden Samurai, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively, will be fancied to gain revenge but the 6YO son of Reliable Man was impressive and well drawn under Lyle Hewitson to repeat the trick.