Sha Tin Selections

Race 1: Belcher Bay Handicap

#7 Money Marshal was squeezed for a run last start. Had he received clear running room, he arguably would have finished closer. He’s still got plenty to give and represents value against this bunch. #4 Sky Gem is a steady improver who with two runs under his belt already appears ready to peak. #3 Regency Gem has gone close in each of his runs this season. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks through. #1 Full Of Chances steps back to Class 5 so expect a better effort.

Race 2: Central Handicap

#1 New Elegance peaked when second-up last season, closing for a narrow second over this course and distance. He’s returned to a competitive rating and his first-up effort holds him in good stead for this. #3 Sunny Power is consistent even though he’s only won once. The extra furlong on offer here suits and he’s another who is expected to improve sharply with that one run under his belt. #4 Blastoise is untested over 1800m. He’s been racing well over the shorter distances and he’s given every indication the step up in trip is a welcome one. #7 Indigenous Star is next best.

Race 3: High West Handicap

#12 Wonderful Tiger is winless across 26 starts. He’s shown on a number of occasions that he is capable of breaking through and against this field he represents value. #7 Let’s Come Back turned his form around last start. He’ll relish the added distance on offer and this race appears well within his grasp. #9 Mi Blanco comes into this following two runner-up efforts. He found his best form late last season and his two trials leading into this suggest he has held that condition. #2 Association Fans has returned in good order. He’s one for the exotics.

Race 4: Kennedy Town Handicap

#9 Colorado High returned in excellent order last start, with only his race-fitness giving way over the closing stages. He’s a promising talent on the rise who from the inside draw will be afforded every chance to break through. #4 Fresh Power’s only win came when he was second-up last season. He’s another who has returned in excellent order and he’s a leading chance with Zac Purton taking the reins. #3 Eptiwins only needs to overcome the wide draw to suggest he’s a winning option. #7 Majestic Conqueror caught the eye on debut when closing for a narrow fifth. Expect improvement, albeit against a relatively strong field.   

Race 5: Lung Fu Shan Handicap

#9 Sprint Forward resumed impressively last start over this course and distance. Suspect he’s a steady improver who with that run under his belt is capable of breaking through. #8 My Winner doesn’t exactly live up to his name, having gone winless in 14 starts last season. Still, he’s racing well and deserves another chance here. #7 Lucky Guy has gone close in his two outings this season. He’s in career-best form and he’s drawn to get all the favours throughout. #3 Sunshine Warrior got off the mark two starts ago before struggling in his latest. He’s next best. 

Race 6: Mount Davis Handicap

#9 Casimiro turned his form around two starts ago when narrowly clinging on for second. He then came out and struggled, but in a race devoid of speed he’s likely to get his own way. #10 Promise Kept returned an excellent fourth upon resumption this season. He made ground from well back and the rise in distance to 1650m is in his favour. #12 Good Runners Way got off the mark first-up this season. Expect improvement at his second start on the dirt. #5 Enfolding is looking to end a run of five consecutive minor placings. He’s racing well and must be included.

Race 7: The JCI Hong Kong Senate Cup (Handicap)

#11 Deal Maker seeks the hat-trick of wins. He faces Class 3 for the first time, which is always difficult, but his forward style of racing will ensure he gets every chance. #4 Bear Slam displayed sharp improvement first-up this season as opposed to last when he could only manage one placing from 10 runs. He’s drawn to get every opportunity. #1 Packing Warrior resumes. His latest trial caught the eye and this race appears to be a suitable starting point. #9 Clear Choice can’t be overlooked with no weight and Joao Moreira aboard.

Race 8: Sai Ying Pun Handicap

#14 Bellagio makes his seasonal return following an eye-catching trial success at Happy Valley. He steps up to Class 3 for the first time, however, he appears up to the task after finding a new lease of life under the care of Ricky Yiu. #4 Band Of Brothers resumes following a three-win campaign last season which saw him skyrocket 22 ratings points. He’s proven in this grade as a Class 3 winner previously and with Purton on, he will remain hard to beat. #3 War Room likes to mix his form but his last-start third down the Sha Tin straight holds him in good stead for this. #5 Solar Wai Wai is up to this level, although he does have the awkward gate to overcome. 

Race 9: Shek Tong Tsui Handicap

#1 Cantstopthefeeling made his debut last start, and, after he was slow out, he managed to rattle home strongly alongside Solar Wai Wai. He’ll have taken plenty of experience from that run and although this is a difficult task, he represents value on an each-way basis. #13 Chicken Dance has done nothing but impress across his short career. He steps up to Class 3, which is tough, but the good gate and 117lb on his back will ensure he gets every chance. #2 Solomon’s Bay scored over this course and distance last start. He remains in Class 3 which suits and he appears to have plenty of ratings points in hand. #4 Lone Eagle has looked very impressive in his latest trials. He’s a big watch.

Race 10: Sheung Wan Handicap

#3 Hezthewonforus has been forced to overcome gates 14, 14, 11 and 12 in his last four outings, which have seen him do a stack of work early, however, this time he breaks from gate 1 which should afford him next to no work in the run. He’ll roll forward to lead and from there prove difficult to reel in. #5 Gold Chest romped home last start following a Hong Kong Derby campaign which threw up mixed results. This is suitable and he’s capable of winning again. #2 Fast Most Furious is in career-best form. He narrowly missed last start and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get on with it here. #9 Hello Beauty still has plenty to learn but with luck he can get into the finish.