Sha Tin Picks
Race 1: #8 Ka Ying Victory, #2 Happihood, #5 Kaholo Angel, #6 Super Bonus
Race 2: #4 El Valiente, #6 Run Run Good, #1 Chiron, #13 Travel Glory
Race 3: #8 Red Elegance, #3 Multisuper, #10 Soaring Pengshan, #2 Faribault
Race 4: #7 Nice Birdie, #1 Righteous Doctrine, #3 Amazing Teens, #6 Billionaire Secret
Race 5: #1 Perfetto, #3 Smiling Collector, #9 Bulb Prince, #4 Publicist
Race 6: #2 We Are Hero, #6 California Deeply, #12 Mayhem, #3 Atomic Force
Race 7: #3 Happy Golf, #1 Call Me Dandy, #7 Timestorm, #2 Fast Buck
Race 8: #3 Courier Wonder, #1 Lucky Sweynesse, #2 Wellington, #4 Cordyceps Six
Race 9: #1 California Spangle, #4 Beauty Joy, #6 Running Glory, #2 Waikuku
Race 10: #5 Packing Treadmill, #3 Fantastic Treasure, #9 Red Lion, #1 Circuit Stellar
Race 11: #1 Winner Method, #4 Solid Impact, #6 Run Run Buddy, #10 Unpresuming
Race 1: Barker Plate
#8 Ka Ying Victory looks to have his fair share of ability, enough so to catch the eye of Zac Purton first-up in Hong Kong. Difficult race with limited form, however, he looks forward enough to suggest he can be the most competitive. #2 Happihood looks very immature, like all of these. Pierre Ng’s stable is flying through its first season and it wouldn’t surprise to see him contend on debut. #5 Kaholo Angel did enough in a recent trial. He’ll be thereabouts for Caspar Fownes, who scored a four-timer at Happy Valley. #6 Super Bonus is next in line.
Race 2: Harlech Handicap
#4 El Valiente is in the right vein of form to suggest a win is close. He’s a course and distance winner who pairs favourably with Hugh Bowman after several consistent runs. #6 Run Run Good did well to win two runs ago. Expect he’s holding his condition, however, he just needs to offset a very challenging gate. #1 Chiron savoured an overdue first win last time out. He gets another sweet draw which gives Derek Leung every opportunity. #13 Travel Glory has been disappointing of late. Still, the ability is there and he deserves respect.
Race 3: Homestead Handicap
#8 Red Elegance has trialled up impressively and gets the services of Zac Purton for his debut outing. He looks straightforward enough to be winning first-up in Hong Kong. #3 Multisuper has ability. Chances are he puts himself up on the speed and from there gets every opportunity to score a first win. #10 Soaring Pengshan is better than his record suggests. His debut fourth was nothing short of eye-catching and a return to that level of form holds him in good stead. #2 Faribault is next best.
Race 4: Lugard Handicap
#7 Nice Birdie has the runs on the board and is doing enough to suggest he can win. Zac Purton sticks aboard and he’s shown enough prowess on the dirt to be winning in this grade, especially from a good draw this weekend. #1 Righteous Doctrine is the class runner of the race and knows how to win in this grade and on this surface. #3 Amazing Teens turned in a super effort for second last time out. Hugh Bowman’s up and he gets every chance here. #6 Billionaire Secret is consistent and just needs to offset the tricky draw.
Race 5: Peel Handicap
#1 Perfetto finds a more than suitable contest here. He’s the clear on top pick, especially after a dominant win two runs back – form which he can easily return to under Zac Purton. #3 Smiling Collector rarely runs a bad race and any pace in the race should allow him to finish off fast. The inside gate should see him do next to no work in the run. #9 Bulb Prince mixes his form but the light weight and Karis Teetan’s services are an ideal combination. #4 Publicist has ability and it wouldn’t surprise to see him put his best foot forward.
Race 6: The Hong Kong Lions Cup Handicap
#2 We Are Hero continues to improve as he races down the straight with a trio of course and distance wins this season. He’s proven in the grade and looks well placed to persevere with his rise here. #6 California Deeply is lightly raced but showing enough ability. He can contend under Vincent Ho. #12 Mayhem makes his debut but does appear to be doing everything right in his trials and trackwork. The light weight affords him an opportunity. #3 Atomic Force found form and it wouldn’t surprise to see him kick on with that now.
Race 7: Plantation Handicap
#3 Happy Golf is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s found his feet and can easily carry on with his form from gate one this weekend with Hugh Bowman up again. #1 Call Me Dandy sprung to form last start. He was impressive that day and should be fighting out the finish here for an in-form Matthew Chadwick. #7 Timestorm has the consistency, even if he is yet to record a win. Expecting another solid effort here. #2 Fast Buck can bounce back under a positive ride from Zac Purton. Keep safe.
Race 8: G2 Sprint Cup
#3 Courier Wonder has shown he’s ready to win and with the right run this looks to be a suitable contest. Difficult to overthrow a few of these, however, he’ll be a decent little price to do so and is worth taking a chance on with Hugh Bowman up. #1 Lucky Sweynesse has the form on the board and is the one they all must beat. He’s chasing a fourth straight win and there’s every chance he gets it. #2 Wellington is holding his condition and will be competitive again. #4 Cordyceps Six is next best. He’ll mount a challenge.
Race 9: G2 Chairman’s Trophy
#1 California Spangle is the one to catch here. He’s still in-form and his latest efforts in defeat have been sound, especially against top-liners like Golden Sixty and Lucky Sweynesse. One to beat over this track and trip. #4 Beauty Joy is a quirky galloper but on his day he’s got the class to threaten this group. #6 Running Glory is consistent and still looks to be improving with every outing. #2 Waikuku has the class, wins and runs on the board. He’ll be fighting out the finish, even if he’s getting on with age.
Race 10: Pollock Handicap
#5 Packing Treadmill is a classy type who still has plenty of rating points left to climb. He’s the one to beat here as he appears capable of raising the bar even higher. The only knock is the draw, however, chances are he rolls forward to offset this. #3 Fantastic Treasure can mix his form but this is definitely his best course and distance. #9 Red Lion can lead under the light weight. He’ll take a bit of getting past. #1 Circuit Stellar is in form and chases a hat-trick of wins. He has the rating and recent form on his side.
Race 11: Severn Handicap
#1 Winner Method has been racing well of late, enough so to suggest that a win is very, very close. Zac Purton hops up which is a big plus and gate one should see him save ground throughout. One to beat. #4 Solid Impact is doing everything right this season and was a tidy winner three starts ago. He’s holding his condition and remains a threat. #6 Run Run Buddy is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He’s continued to improve and only needs to offset the wide draw to be a factor. #10 Unpresuming is doing little wrong. Next in line.