SHA TIN PREVIEW

R1 – Ashley Handicap (Class 5) (3yo+) (Dirt) 1650M

Two picks, in racecard order, beginning with top-weight BOOM ALLIANCE for Douglas Whyte. Formerly trained in England by Ralph Beckett, the Archipenko gelding has been largely disappointing in Hong Kong, but efforts this season have been mildly encouraging. Returning to this surface I regard as a positive and Zac Purton takes the reins for the first time. Gate 9 is wider than ideal but dropping into the ‘basement grade’ provides him with strong claims. STARSHIP EIGHTY is included for the season’s leading trainer. In my opinion, he much prefers this surface and I regret tipping him last month when a modest 7th of 14 on turf. Two runs on dirt this campaign have seen him placed and Karis Teetan sticks off a career low mark. Fiery Flying is 0-13 but has made the frame in his last three starts. The son of Teofilo has strong claims if transferring his turf form.

R2 – Cameron Handicap (Class 5) (3yo+) (Dirt) 1200M

The Mark Newnham trained, ALL IS READY clearly appreciated the strong pace when winning over track and trip last time. A cosy winner crossing the line, he goes up 7Ib but is well drawn to repeat the dose under Luke Ferraris. Included goes the frustrating, MIRACLES for Manfred Man. The Better Than Ready gelding is 0-17 but boasts 7 barrier trial wins and it’s encouraging that Zac Purton, onboard for his latest, takes the reins on race-day for the third consecutive time. With less convictions on dirt, the selection appeals from the plum draw and his second to California Vanes on the surface last season compares favourably to his best turf efforts.

R3 – Carnarvon Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+) (Dirt) 1800M

ALL ARE MINE (Each Way) finished behind the re-opposing Mission Bravo and Lucky Banner in October but gets the vote in this competitive heat. The New Bay gelding kept on well in the straight and didn’t enjoy the best of luck the following month when a never nearer seventh at Happy Valley. Both runs suggest he needs further and the 1800M can induce the necessary improvement.

R4 – Hankow Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+) (Turf) 1200M

KA YING RISING arrives with an unbeaten stack of barrier trials – the last two under Zac Purton and little surprise the champ takes the reins on Sunday. The Shamexpress gelding gets the vote but we’ve seen numerous ‘good things’ unable to convert trial promise to race-day, so I’ll include the once raced, JOYFUL LIFE (Each Way) for Ricky Yiu. Carrying 131Ib (and my vote) on debut proved beyond him, but he ran well for fifth behind the winning machine, I Give. With normal improvement he can make the frame under Derek Leung. Another worth considering is the luckless, Strathpeffer for Douglas Whyte. He tries hard and ran second on three occasions. He’s vulnerable to a precocious type – last time it was Raging Blizzard and it might be a similar scenario for the son of Dundeel.

R5 – Middle Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+) (Dirt) 1200M

Back to the ‘dirt’ and I’ll take a chance on SMILING COLLECTOR (Each Way) under regular pilot, Luke Ferraris. The Jimmy Ting 5YO will be tested back in trip, but he made a successful debut at the distance, and is 2Ib below his last winning mark. Recent form has been admittedly patchy, but his latest barrier trial was a winning one, and a last start fourth to Holy Lake was his best effort of the season. The obvious danger is GREENWICH, reunited with Zac Purton. With no wins in 4 starts this campaign, Pierre Ng has yet to sprinkle his fairy dust on the War Decree gelding but perhaps a first time visor will do the trick instead. Despite being costly to follow, he continues in good form and just couldn’t see it out last time when fifth behind Global Harmony on turf. He’s never raced in anger on dirt but two winning trials provide cause for optimism and worth a saver. Flying Dragon is another to consider. The Dennis Yip 6YO has winning form on dirt and was an excellent third behind Killer Instinct on his seasonal debut. He’s hard to predict but well drawn and Angus Chung has his second opportunity on the son of Per Incanto.

R6 – Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup (Handicap) (Class 2) 1200M

YOUTHFUL DEAL (Best Bet) gets the vote in a cracking sprint. The Deep Field began his campaign in the Chief Executive’s Cup, trailing in last behind a select field including Victor The Winner and Lucky Sweynesse. A lack of opportunities on dirt was exacerbated when Typhoon Koinu cancelled the October 8 fixture, for which he was favourite for the Class 2 dirt clash. Unlucky last time when upped to 1650M, he reverts to optimum conditions under Vincent Ho. Ideally berthed to track likely pacesetter, Campione, the Frankie Lor 5YO can snare his fifth C&D victory and keep alive his trainer’s Golden Shaheen aspirations on Dubai World Cup day. Dangers aplenty include Flying Ace for David Hall. The Swiss Ace gelding is a victim of his own consistency, having risen 5Ib this season without saluting. While barrier trials have been good, he has to prove his effectiveness against confirmed dirt specialists, including Majestic Star, who meets the selection 15Ib better off for a 4 length defeat in June. The booking of James McDonald catches the eye but he needs to better two average turf runs this campaign. A bigger threat may come from Xponential. The 8YO Equiano has left it late to try dirt, but is arguably better than ever, and can’t be discounted off a low weight.

R7 – Humphreys Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+) (Dirt) 1650M

The vote goes to FIERY DIAMOND (Next Best), a son of Battle Paint bidding to better an excellent second to Perfect Team on his latest start. He landed a hat-trick of wins over 1200M last season and has untapped ability over this trip.

R8 – Mody Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+) (Turf) 1000M

Vying for the toughest race on the card, my dart lands on SUMMIT CHEERS for the David Hall barn. The Zoustar gelding had a busy campaign last term without making much of a splash, but won over C&D on his seasonal return with Hugh Bowman taking the reins. Off 7Ib higher, he followed up with a bronze behind the progressive, Invisible Sage and can confirm superiority with Pleasant Endeavor and Metro Warrior under Frenchman, Alexis Badel.

R9 – Nathan Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+) (Turf) 1400M

MeepMeep was more ‘sleepsleep’ from the gates on debut but kept on well for second behind I Give. Zac Purton, onboard that day, maintains the partnership. With normal improvement, the John Size 4YO has every possibility of gaining compensation but this looks competitive enough and I wasn’t totally swept away by his recent trial. Holy Lake enters the equation following a C&D success last month – the Francis Lui 3YO has the plum draw to follow up. Chilli Baba, a winner on debut last season, has run well in two starts this campaign and holds each way claims under Andrea Atzeni. Ka Ying Cheer is unexposed but I’ll take RIVER VIEWS for Benno Yung. The Written Tycoon gelding is well drawn to execute his front-running tactics with Ellis Wong taking over from Karis Teetan and excellent value for his claim.

R10 – Salisbury Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+) (Turf) 1400M

An excellent Class 3 brings the curtain down. MASSIVE ACTION was unable to deliver back to back wins last time but made his usual spirited effort to make all. With some of his main rivals drawn wide, the excellent Lyle Hewitson can hopefully enjoy an uncontested lead on the Frankie Lor 6YO. At juicy odds I’ll include SETANTA (Each Way) for David Hayes. The Fastnet Rock gelding has made little impression this campaign but don’t rule out a big run under Derek Leung.