3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Chak On Handicap, HK $875,000,
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.19 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class record: 1:08.64 Iron King
RUBY SAILING (AUS 4yo g Starspangledbanner – Mutate) picked up his maiden victory at start 20 with apprentice Britney Wong in the saddle. The gelding got away on terms and was urged along to roll forward from barrier eight, getting across to lead the field as they turned off the back straight. Wong set an even tempo through the middle stages, but it was on straightening where the four-year-old put the race away. He sprinted very impressively to break away from the chasing group and lead by three lengths at the furlong pole. Nobody was making any ground on Ruby Sailing until it was too late, as the Manfred Man-trained gelding scored by 1-1/4 lengths. Race favourite KING OBERON was left racing wide and without cover on settling down as Hugh Bowman settled just off the speed. Bowman allowed the gelding to build into the race around the home turn, and he appeared the main danger at the top of the straight before Ruby Sailing kicked clear early in the straight. It looked as though King Oberon may even run third, but to the gelding's credit, he fought hard to the line to hold on for second place in a photo finish. MODEST GENTLEMAN was tucked in just off the speed and tracked King Oberon into the straight under Andrea Atzeni. For a fleeting moment, it looked as though he may challenge for the win in the final stages, however he only managed to run third as he couldn't get past King Oberon close to home.
Race 2 – Kwong Tin Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.70 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
PERFECTDAY (AUS 3yo g Gingerbread Man – Sonata) picked up his maiden victory at start two in what was a great race down to the line. The three-year-old jumped on terms and was able to hold his position from the inside barrier, kicking through to be just off the speed as they turned off the back. The speed was good throughout and as the race unfolded through the middle stages, Keagan De Melo was able to close the margin to the leaders as he snuck up the fence. He was within striking distance on the turn but was under the pump on straightening as De Melo got him to the outside. He spot the leaders four lengths early in the straight as he lacked the turn-of-foot they showed, but passing the furlong pole he began to make his move. If you'd backed the first two in the run, you were very nervous as Perfectday was eating into the margin inside the final 100m of the race. He stormed home over the top to get his nose down on the line to win by a short head on the post, and he's a horse worth following as they step up in distance. WONDERSTAR was caught a little wide early on and rolled forward to lead the field as they turned off the back, setting a solid tempo up front as he led on his own through the middle stages and into the straight. Despite setting a solid tempo up front, he kicked strongly on straightening and he and his nearest rival broke away from the rest of the pack, leading by four lengths passing the 200m point. He wouldn't lay down as he was tested close to home, fighting off his nearest rival inside the final 50m, but it was Perfectday who grabbed him in the final stride. LUNAR DASH was poised to strike at the top of the straight after being well backed late in betting. He loomed up on the outside of Wonderstar and it looked as though he would run straight past the leader, however he never got his nose in front at any stage. Perfectday got over the top of them close to home, with Lunar Dash ending up in third position.
Race 3 – Chung On Handicap, HK $875,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:22.62 Standard Time: 1:22.30 Course/Class record: 1:21.53 Exponents
SKY PROPHET (AUS 4yo g Divine Prophet – Leopard Skin) picked up his maiden win at start 15 with a change of tactics compared to recent efforts. From a wide barrier, Antoine Hamelin pressed forward to eventually get across and lead the field passing the 1000m point. He slowed the tempo once he got to the front, bunching the field past the 600m point and looked to kick away as they swung into the straight. He fought off the nearest challenger inside the final 200m and had enough gas in the tank to hold off the late flyers, scoring by a head on the line and denying the odds-on favourite. ONLY U was away on terms but lacked the early speed of some of his rivals despite being ridden along in the early stages by Zac Purton. He ended up landing in a midfield position along the inside rail and travelled nicely through the middle stages, however Purton needed plenty of luck around the home turn as he was shuffled back at a crucial stage. Purton was able to get off the fence but was hanging in as Purton tried to get him to the outside and it wasn't until the 150m point where Purton finally saw daylight. He was flying home late in the race and just missed out on the victory, with favourite backers left thinking "what if?". ISLAND GOLDEN filled the placings at massive odds as he got a nice run three-wide with cover through the middle stages He was just off the speed around the home turn and under the pump, but he lifted on straightening and put Only U back into a pocket midway down the straight. He finished off well to take third as a $63 chance.
Race 4 – Lam Tin Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:34.75 Standard Time: 1:34.95 Course/Class record: 1:33.28 Bright Inheritance
After a couple of narrow defeats, Zac Purton got on the board with the John Size-trained PING HAI COMET (AUS 5yo g Maurice – Vicky) bringing up back-to-back wins in very impressive fashion. The gelding jumped well from an inside barrier and landed in a midfield position as they sorted their order out. The speed was even through the middle stages and Ping Hai Comet travelled well as they turned off the back, with Purton able to improve his position along the fence slightly approaching the 600m point. The Australian hoop was able to get off the fence as they worked toward the home turn, improving between horses and looming ominously as they swung into the straight. He was there to strike on straightening, and he ran to the lead early in the straight. He wouldn't be run down late in the race, proving far too good to win by two lengths on the line. ETALON OR was positioned on the outside of Purton and Ping Hai Comet early in the race, landing midfield and between horses. Alexis Badel was shuffled back a touch as they turned off the back straight and ended up behind Purton and Ping Hai Comet as they rounded the home turn. Badel had plenty of time and space to get the job done if he was good enough, but he was unable to reel in Ping Hai Comet down the straight. PEARL OF PANG'S rallied back strongly late in the race after being left flat-footed when the sprint went on at the top of the straight. He was strong to the line, finishing in third position in a photo finish, but he was 4-1/4 lengths off the winner.
Race 5 – Lai On Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1000m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 55.88 Standard Time: 56.65 Course/Class record: 54.94 United We Stand
Apprentice hoop Britney Wong made brought up a winning double on the day as CHEVAL VALIANT (NZ 6yo g Charm Spirit – Folies Bergere) proved too speedy for his rivals. The six-year-old jumped well and rolled to the front and crossed to the grandstand rail from barrier nine, leading comfortably as they joined the course proper. He led comfortably with 400m to run as he scraped the paint down the outside rail. They were baring down on him inside the final 150m, and he was there to be beaten if his rivals were good enough, but they couldn't reel him in as he scored by a neck on the line. STRAIGHT TO GLORY at close to the speed throughout the race as James Orman stalked the leader down the middle of the track. He was under the pump with 400m to run but he was coming home strongly after Cheval Valiant and he looked like the main danger with 150m to run. Orman threw everything he had at the gelding, but he was unable to stick his nose in front at any point. LAHORE was poised to strike in the run as Zac Purton stalked Cheval Valiant in the run but he was unable to peg back the margin, finishing in third position just a length off the winner. The first three across the line finished well clear of the rest of the field.
Race 6 – Mei Tin Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:22.02 Standard Time: 1:22.05 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
STAR SATYR (AUS 3yo g Safeguard – Fairy Nymph) picked up his maiden win as he relished the drop in grade, scoring for Angus Chung and Tony Cruz. After being away on terms, he mustered well under the local hoop to land just off the speed as they sorted their order out. The speed was solid early on before the leader hit the brakes turning off the back straight, leaving Star Satyr in a midfield position with 600m to run. Chung was able to improve his position coming to the home turn as rivals began to fan across the track, pinching runs on the rail and being on the back of the leader at the top of the straight. Chung had to wait for a gap to appear early in the straight as he was bolting on the back of the leader, eventually having to switch off heels and navigate through a tight passage at the 200m point. He stormed home between horses to stick his nose in front inside the final 50m and was too good in the run to the line, winning by a head. COLOURFUL WINNER rolled across from out wide to sit on the speed for Keith Yeung, allowing the leader to cross him and settling in the trail. He stalked the leader through the middle stages, remaining on his back as the speed came out of the race before improving coming to the home turn. He was there to strike at the top of the straight and he sprinted well to take the lead with around 250m to run. He was able to shake off the first challenger but couldn't get away from Star Satyr who grabbed him close to the line and was just too strong. RIDING TOGETHER enjoyed a lovely run in transit one-out-one-back and came off heels to make his challenge in the straight. He was there as a winning chance midway down the stretch, fighting with Colourful Winner for the lead, however he peaked on his run inside the final 100m. He would just hold on for third in a photo finish, beaten 1-1/4 lengths.
Race 7 – Lee On Handicap, HK $2,840,000,
Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:20.72 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class record: 1:19.92 Packing Hermod
Zac Purton scored a winning double on the day and David Eustace continued his successful start to his training career in Hong Kong with LIGHT YEARS CHARM (AUS 4yo g Rubick – Dancer's Rose) making it back-to-back wins. The gelding was backed into $1.7 but had no early speed, settling at the tail of the field shortly after the start. The speed was good up front with a battle for the lead, but Purton was still a clear last as they turned off the back. The field bunched passing the 600m point which allowed Purton to improve into the three-wide line and be within striking distance at the top of the straight as he swung to the extreme outside. He was just cruising at the 300m point as he joined the leaders up front, and he took the lead shortly after Purton asked for an effort. Purton put the whip away and he was just nursed to the post, scoring an easy 1-1/2 length victory. DANCING CODE kicked up along the inside to hold out his rivals in an early battle for supremacy, railing through to lead as they turned off the back. Ellis Wong was able to slow the tempo through the middle stages and tried to ramp things up on straightening as he was challenged from all angles. He was no match for Light Years Charm as he stormed down the outside to win comfortably, but Dancing Code fought back gamely along the inside. He stuck on well to the line to finish in second position in a solid performance. YOUNG CHAMPION gave Light Years Charm a nice cart into the race but had his chance if he was good enough out wide. He was outclassed by the winner and couldn't stick his nose in front for second despite looking nailed on to finish the runner up midway down the straight.
Race 8 – Ping Tin Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.95 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
SUPERB KID (AUS 5yo g Sebring – Snitzel's Jewel) picked up his first win in over a year as he returned to winning ways for Luke Ferraris. Superb Kid got away on terms and was midfield on settling down, sitting along the inside rail from an inside barrier. The speed was fair through the middle stages with Ferraris still along the inside and forced to ride for luck up the fence with horses whipping up around him. At the top of the straight, the South African hoop was able to get off the fence and begin to look for ways through the traffic. It wasn't until the 250m point where he finally got some clear air, getting to the outside and beginning to let down in the clear. He let rip in the final 100m to hit the front at the 50m point and get the job done by a length on the line. BRILLIANT EXPRESS jumped well from a wide barrier but was eased back in the early stages as Bowman looked to slot in somewhere through the opening stages of the race. After being unable to find a back to follow, Bowman rolled forward to land just off the speed as he raced three-wide throughout the middle stages. Despite being wide, Bowman was there to strike at the top of the straight and he moved up to join the leader who kicked away on straightening. He hit the front inside the final 100m, but he couldn't fend off the fast-finishing Superb Kid. GLORIOUS SUCCESS was well back on straightening but finished off impressively under Karis Teetan to finish in third place as a $13 chance. He stormed home right down the outside to round out the placings.
Race 9 – On Yam Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1000m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 55.84 Standard Time: 56.45 Course/Class record: 54.89 Voyage Warrior
MAJESTIC EXPRESS (AUS 4yo g I Am Invincible – Unassailed) continued his strong run of form this season, picking up his second victory with Brenton Avdulla back in the saddle. The gelding got away well but was eased back in the run to cross toward the grandstand rail under the Australian hoop. He was in the back half of the field with 400m to run as Avdulla was trying for a tight run scraping the outside fence. He had to be patient as the run hadn't appeared yet, but with 150m to run it finally opened up for Avdulla and like a coiled spring, the gelding exploded. He shot down the outside to storm over the top and score a narrow victory right on the wire. FAST RESPONDER jumped on terms and wasn't far off the speed on settling down as he took a trail just off the leading division. Matthew Chadwick was away from the grandstand rail as he made his run inside the final 400m of the race as he made his challenge with 150m to run. He moved up to take the lead with 50m to run, but Majestic Express stormed home to steal victory right on the line. SUNNY DA BEST was just in front of Majestic Express in the run but moved off the rail to make his run under Andrea Atzeni which gave the run to the eventual winner. He too finished off strongly under Atzeni, finishing only a half-length away at the post in a tight finish.
Race 10 – Tin Wan Handicap, HK $1,860,000,
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.98 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner
The final race of the card went to Derek Leung and Benno Yung with AERIS NOVA (AUS 4yo c Justify – Fine Scent) bouncing back to form in impressive fashion. The colt got away on terms and eased back early on to try and find a spot from an awkward barrier. He was left racing three-wide as they turned off the back, but he did have some cover early on. He was eventually left facing the breeze coming to the 600m point, but Leung took matters into his own hands as he improved his position right around the home turn. He was there to strike at the top of the straight as he joined the leaders and moved up ominously under a strong hold. He was grinding away on the outside, but he eventually gained the upper hand and showed plenty of strength, running away from his rivals late in the race to win by 1-3/4 lengths in fine style as an $18 chance. YOUNG SUPERSTAR jumped well from out wide and pressed forward to sit on the outside of the leader early on. Angus Chung worked forward to take up the running inside the 800m point with a solid tempo being set by the local hoop, though Young Superstar travelled well into the straight. He kicked well on straightening, but he was overtaken at the furlong pole. To his credit, he stuck on gamely down to the wire as he held on for second, but he was no match for the winner. SOLID IMPACT was on the back of Aeris Nova around the home turn but couldn't go with the winner when he sprinted at the top of the straight. He stuck on well late in the race to take third position, but he never looked like a winning chance.