SHA TIN PREVIEW

R1 – FWD Insurance Act Private Handicap 2000M (Class 4)

Eighth of the 14 strong field contested a similar event this month, won by Winning Steps for Pierre Ng, currently leading the Trainers’ Ranking. The vote goes to SHARPEN BRIGHT(Next Best), fourth in that contest but a winner two back, at Happy Valley. He remains lightly raced and Karis Teetan keeps the faith.

R2 – FWD Insurance Goahead Group Handicap 1600M (Class 3)

Eleven line up with Stunning Peach making his local debut for Tony Cruz. Formerly trained in Ireland under the name Islandsinthestream, he signed off last season with an excellent second in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud in France. His chance is clear but I’ll side with track proven, VOYAGE SAMURAI, a Dissident gelding boasting a progressive profile for Frankie Lor.

R3 – FWD Insurance ICBC (Asia) Handicap 1200M (Class 4)

DIVANO, an impressive winner on debut, can defy an 8Ib impost under Lyle Hewitson. Slightly better drawn on this occasion, the son of Brave Smash comes off an excellent trial on the AWT. I’ll also include LUCY IN THE SKY (Each Way) for Me Tsui. The son of No Nay Never built on a promising debut with an excellent second to King Miles – that, after missing the break completely under Karis Teetan. With a clean start he may well gain compensation.

R4 – FWD Insurance Bocom Handicap 1400M (Class 4)

Another very tricky puzzle to unravel. Personally, I could pick six here and still miss, but someone has to salute so I’ll take GENEVA, placed in all starts and stepping up in distance under Blake Shinn. At juicier odds I’ll include MISSION VOICE (Each Way), a handsome Vancouver gelding with a future.

R5 – Chairman’s Sprint Prize 1200M (Group 1)

Taking a chance with INVINCIBLE SAGE, one of two for David Hall. The 4YO by Thron (hence his Australian moniker ‘Thron Bone’) continues to improve this term, culminating with an excellent second to Lucky Sweynesse in this month’s Sprint Cup over C&D. An ease in the ground surely helped and connections will be hoping the recent deluge continues as Sunday nears. Either way, the selection has risen 30Ib in the ratings this season, and looks the value against the ‘Top 3’ headed by California Spangle, reinvented by Tony Cruz over this shorter distance and winner of the Al Quoz Sprint in Meydan.

R6 – FWD Insurance NCB Handicap 1400M (Class 3)

An open contest can go to Zac Purton on KA YING VICTORY for David Hall. The selection started his career with two wins, pleasing favourite backers, but hero turned villain with consecutive defeats at short odds. A latest third to Eighty Light Years represented a return to form and the step up to 1400M looks about right.

R7 – FWD Champions Mile 1600M (Group 1)

GOLDEN SIXTY continues to defy his advancing years and looks the safest option in a race where ground conditions will be a key factor. Galaxy Patch, a massive improver this season, can’t be underestimated in his bid to dethrone the ‘three time horse of the year’.

R8 – FWD QEII Cup 2000M (Group 1)

Dubai Honour could be a huge player if rain continues to fall but defending champion, ROMANTIC WARRIOR has bagged the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, Longines Hong Kong Cup and Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup in his last three outings and remains the one to beat. Prognosis, runner-up in last year’s renewal, is entitled to be on the premises but an unknown quantity if the ground comes up soft. For an ‘Each Way’ play, NIMBLE NIMBUS (Each Way) can’t be discounted. The Sacred Falls gelding has risen 22Ib this season and returning to this distance under Andrea Atzeni are to his advantage.

R9 – FWD Insurance CCB (Asia) Handicap 1400M (Class 2)

OUTGATE pitches up in excellent form and gets the verdict in an impossibly difficult handicap.

R10 – FWD Insurance CMB Wing Lung Bank Handicap 1200M (Class 3)

HASTEN DELIGHT ran out a comfortable winner last time and Hugh Bowman sticks. I’ll also include STAR CLUB (Each Way) – Zac Purton prefers Storm Rider but Blake Shinn takes over and he won nicely last start.