Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.

Race 1 – Ruby Handicap, HK $1,170,000,

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1000m – Track Good

Time: 55.81 Standard Time: 56.65 Course/Class record: 54.94 United We Stand

Zac Purton and Chris So combined in the opener with LIGHTNESS OF MUSIC (AUS 3yo g Press Statement – Convene) who jumped an odds-on favourite on debut. After jumping well from an outside barrier, Purton landed just off the speed close to the grandstand rail and travelled well though the middle stages. As they joined the Course Proper, Purton elected to go back to the middle part of the track to make his run, rather than staying close to the outside which we usually see down the straight course. Once he got off heels and into the clear, the three-year-old let down impressively, moving up to take the lead inside the final 150m and he was a cut above on debut, running away to score by two lengths, with a good margin spread through the field. AMAZING GALAXY showed good early speed to sit just off the leader on settling down, racing just to the inside of Lightness Of Music in the run. He was improving down the grandstand rail and took the lead inside the 400m marker, showing a strong sprint which left most of his rivals behind. Lightness Of Music was just too good for him in the end; however, he finished in a clear second position as a $43 chance. Back in third position was KA YING WARRIOR stuck on well from midfield to grab third as a $11 chance, but it was all about the winner.

Race 2 – Spessartine Garnet Handicap, HK $875,000,

Class 5 – Turf - Distance 2000m – Track Good

Time: 2:02.53 Standard Time: 2:02.90 Course/Class record: 2:01.28 Happy Hero

GOLDEN FAIRY (NZ 6yo g Burgundy – Steal) picked up the third win of his career, capitalising on a good run of recent form to score comfortably, handing Chris So a race-to-race double to begin the card. The gelding broke well from barrier three and showed good early speed to take up the running under Lyle Hewitson, getting across as they worked around the first turn to lead the field. The South African hoop set just a moderate tempo up front down the back straight, before raising the bar slightly as some rivals changed position. It wasn't until they'd turned off the back that Hewitson made his own move, leading comfortably past the 800m and putting the foot to the floor from the 600m point, leaving his rivals under pressure around the home turn. He extended his lead early in the straight to lead by some four lengths at the furlong pole and although he did get tired late in the race, he never looked like getting beaten, winning by 1-3/4 lengths. STORM RUNNER was caught racing wider into the first turn with Zac Purton unable to find a spot to slot into, though he did have cover out wide as he landed in the second half of the field. He was shuffled back slightly as they turned off the back straight, but still looked to have plenty to offer around the turn as he built into the race nicely under the Australian hoop. He had plenty of work to do at the top of the straight and he was the widest in the run, but he was one of the strongest late in the race as he closed off nicely to finish in second position. SUPER HONG KONG was another that finished off strongly from the tail of the field to finish in third place, 2-1/4 lengths off the winner.

Race 3 – Diamond Handicap, HK $1,170,000,

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good

Time: 1:09.29 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight

LO PAN SPIRIT (NZ 4yo g Charm Spirit – Potions) was back in grade today and landed the knockout blow in a well-planned attack by the Jimmy Ting barn, giving Purton an early double. Lo Pan Spirit got away on terms from barrier one and was ridden along by Purton to take up the running as they turned off the back straight, leading the field at a good tempo. After being backed into $1.5, the gelding travelled sweetly up front and kicked away strongly when the Australian hoop asked for an effort at the top of the straight. There were a couple of horses looming large in the closing stages, but with 100m to run he looked to have it all sewn up, with Lo Pan Spirit returning to the winners' circle by 1-1/4 lengths. IGOR STRAVINSKY turned in his best performance since coming to Hong Kong, charging into second position under Angus Chung. The gelding jumped on terms and Chung immediately got onto the back of Purton and the eventual winner. He stalked Lo Pan Spirit throughout the race and remained to the inside fence down the stretch. He never really made any ground on the leader, but he didn't lose any either in a solid performance. CIRCUIT VICTORY closed off nicely from midfield under Britney Wong, finishing in a clear third position.

Race 4 – Topaz Handicap, HK $1,170,000,

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good

Time: 1:34.99 Standard Time: 1:34.95 Course/Class record: 1:33.28 Bright Inheritance

MISTER DAPPER (NZ 5yo g Tivaci – Posavina) made it back-to-back wins as he held on to win narrowly as the race favourite. Brenton Avdulla was able to roll across from barrier eight in the early stages, taking his time down the long back straight to land in the one-out-one-back position as they sorted their order out. He travelled sweetly on the back of an even tempo and peeled three-wide at the top of the straight to make his challenge, looming up on the outside of the leaders under a good hold. When Avdulla asked for an effort, he was a little wayward, but once he levelled out eh sprinted quickly, getting away from most of his rivals. Coming down to the line Fortune Boy was gaining on him, but the post came up right on time, as he held on to win by a nose. FORTUNE BOY ended up near the tail of the field on settling down despite jumping from an inside barrier. He remained at the back throughout the race, with Purton trying to get off the fence and navigate his way through traffic around the home turn. He was held up on straightening and again coming to the 300m point, but the Australian was able to finally see daylight with around 250m to run. It took his mount a while to wind up, but he flashed late and just missed by a nose on the line in a tough watch for connections. He probably should have won if he had got out at the top of the straight. PEARL OF PANGS stuck on well after sitting to the inside of Mister Dapper on the leader's back in running, finishing a neck away in third position.

Race 5 – Diamond Handicap, HK $1,170,000,

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good

Time: 1:09.00 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight

SZERYNG (NZ 3yo g Almanzor – Choctoc) scored his maiden victory at start three as he went to Sha Tin for the first time in his career. After jumping well from an inside barrier, Karis Teetan held his position to end up on the back of the leader as they passed the 800m point. He was travelling well to the turn as the field broke apart around the home turn, leaving Szeryng with plenty of galloping room in the straight. Teetan was able to move off heels and get into the clear with ease, taking the lead with 150m to run and proving too good at the finish, scoring by 1-1/4 lengths on the line. INVINCIBLE IBIS got away on terms but was taken back from the outside barrier, landing toward the back of the pack as they sorted their order out. Luke Ferraris ended up sitting three-wide with cover towards the back of the pack, spotting the leaders a big start as they worked around the home turn, with Ferraris building into the race as the widest running in the straight. He let down well and kept coming under the urgings of the South African, running to second with 100m to run but may have peaked on the run late. He finished a clear second as an $8 chance and looks like a winning hope in the near future. PERIDOT finished in third at a massive $133 starting price, running home strongly between horses as Hugh Bowman ran up the inside to steal third position.

Race 6 – The Premier Cup (Handicap), HK $4,200,000,

Group Three – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good

Time: 1:21.15 Standard Time: 1:21.30 Course/Class record: 1:20.05 Beauty Generation

It was an upset in the Group Three sprint on the card with $26 chance COPARTNER PRANCE (AUS 5yo g Epaulette – Woodstock Hussey) getting the job done for his first Group win of his career, and the first for Keagan De Melo in Hong Kong. After getting away on terms, the gelding was able to roll to the front with ease under De Melo, taking up the running at just an even speed early on. He wasn't pressure out in front and was able to back off the tempo as they turned off the back, with the South African sitting pretty as he ramped up the tempo around the home turn. He was travelling well to the 300m point before De Melo asked for an effort and he was challenged from all angles midway down the straight. Despite the challengers, He packed plenty of punches and fought off all his competitors, winning by a head on the line to win the Premier Cup. HAPPY TOGETHER used the inside barrier to his advantage and landed just off the speed once they sorted their order out, kicking up as they turned off the back to be on the back of the leader. He was poised to strike coming to the turn as Alexis Badel eased three-wide and into the clear and loomed large on the outside with 200m to run. Just as it looked as though he'd run away with the race, he never took the lead with Copartner Prince kicking strongly along the inside. He would have to settle for second position at the post, but he had his chance if he was good enough. PACKING HERMOD ended up worse than midfield in the run and was left with too much to do as the field sprinted quickly on straightening. He was doing his best work late in the race as he finished in third position, but he was no real threat to the winner as the $2.9 favourite.

Race 7 – Emerald Handicap, HK $1,170,000,

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good

Time: 1:21.74 Standard Time: 1:22.05 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair

FUN TOGETHER (NZ 6yo g Rip Van Winkle – Honorjeu) ended his winning drought, picking up his first win in over a year for Benno Yung and Jerry Chau. After jumping well, the local hoop rolled forward and settled in a midfield position under Chau, stalking the speed which was genuine in the early stages. He raced comfortably along the fence as they worked through the middle stages of the race and looked to have plenty to offer as he ambled between horses and into the open at the top of the straight. He moved up to the leaders with 200m remaining and took the lead inside the final 150m, sprinting quickly when Chau asked for an effort to win very impressively. THE AUSPICIOUS settled in the back half of the field for James Orman after jumping from the inside gate. He tracked Fun Together in the run, sitting on his back throughout the middle stages before opting to come off his back and make his run wider in the straight. He got through the same gap Fun Together went through and while he closed off nicely, he never looked like catching the winner, finishing 1-1/4 lengths away. DO YOUR PART stuck on gamely after setting the tempo up front, holding on for third position as he finished 3-1/2 lengths off the winner.

Race 8 – The Premier Plate (Handicap), HK $4,200,000

Group Three – Turf - Distance 1800m – Track Good

Time: 1:46.19 Standard Time: 1:47.35 Course/Class record: 1:45.25 Southern Legend

The final Group race of the Hong Kong calendar went the way of BEAUTY JOY (AUS 8yo Sebring – Impressive Jeuney), scoring his first win of the season and his first since April last year. The gelding was slowly away from the barrier and landed near the rear of the field as the field found their positions. The speed was just moderate passing the 1200m point, with Brenton Avdulla sitting along the inside rail as they turned off the back. The field packed up passing the 600m point which allowed the Australian hoop to make some moves, getting toward the outside and just needing some daylight at the top of the straight. He got the space required to make his mark and he lengthened impressively as he hit top gear with 200m to run. He took control inside the final 100m and got away from his rivals to win by 1-1/4 lengths. CAP FERRAT has continued his impressive form since winning the Hong Kong Derby. Hugh Bowman was unable to land in the running line and was left racing three-wide with through the opening stages of the event. As they worked around the turn, Bowman was pushed out very wide and was forced to make his move prior to the home turn, whipping around the field and trucking into the race nicely out wider. He took the lead inside the final 300m when asked for an effort but couldn't fend off Beauty Joy when he loomed up with 100m to run. He held on to finish in second position, getting the nod in a photo finish. BUNDLE AWARD was in last position throughout the race and flew home to finish in third position.

Race 9 – Lapis Lazuli Handicap, HK $1,860,000

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good

Time: 1:08.52 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner

JUMBO TREASURE (AUS 4yo g Written Tycoon – Secret Liaison) was up in grade after a narrow defeat last start, but he wouldn't be caught this time as he returned to Sha Tin. The gelding showed good speed from out wide and rolled across under Derek Leung to take up the running as they turned off the back straight. The speed was hot early as it broke the field apart, but he traveled strongly to the turn and had extended his margin through the middle stages to by 2-1/4 lengths in front at the top of the straight. That margin looked to grow bigger in the first half of the straight and while he was getting tired close to home, the gap he'd built was big enough. BUNDLE OF CHARM had land ed just off the speed in the run after also getting across from a wider barrier and got to the outside to make his move early in the straight. He quickly ran to second and looked like a winning hope with 200m remaining. While Jumbo Treasure was getting tired, so too was the chasing group and Bundle Of Charm couldn't reel the leader back in, finishing in second position by a length. SUPER INFINITY didn't have the best of luck in the run after being buried from barrier one, sneaking up the fence late to grab third position, but drawing away from the fence looks beneficial to his chances.

Race 10 – Sapphire Handicap, HK $2,050,000,

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good

Time: 1:34.34 Standard Time: 1:34.75 Course/Class record: 1:33.19 Beauty Fit

MORGAN SUCCESS (IRE 4yo g Siyouni – Shamreen) picked up his maiden win in Hong Kong after being well backed. From the mile chute, Lyle Hewitson was able to take up a handy position from a good barrier, sitting just off the speed as they sorted their order out. The speed was solid early, before the leaders backed it off through the middle stages of the race. Despite the tempo slowing, the leader was still clearly in front with Hewitson having to pop out three-wide to avoid being boxed in around the home turn. He travelled into the straight nicely and quickened impressively to take the lead with 300m to run. He didn't run away from his rivals as he had shaped to do at the top of the stretch, but he was able to keep them at bay right to the wire, scoring by three-quarters of-a-length. ATULLIBIGEAL found his way back into Class 3 today and returned to form under Hugh Bowman. The Australian hoop put the gelding in a midfield position on the back of the race favourite and eventual winner, with Bowman forcing Hewitson's hand on the turn as he swung wide into the straight. The pair made their runs together entering the straight and would lock horns right down to the wire. Atullibigeal couldn't get in front of Morgan Success at any point, finishing in second position as a $40 chance. MAGNIFICENT NINE didn't have the best of luck in the run and was held up behind runners for a long way in the straight. Just as it looked like he finally got clear, the gap closed in front of him again, halting his momentum slightly. He ended up in third position, 1-1/4 lengths off the winner, but should've challenged for the win had he seen daylight.

Race 11 – Amethyst Handicap, HK $1,860,000

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good

Time: 1:21.10 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship

FLYING FORTRESS (NZ 4yo g Shamexpress – Starguru) flew over the top to score a big win as a $33 chance, knocking over the heavily-supported race favourite. Harry Bentley, ended up in a midfield position on settling down, racing between horses. The speed was good throughout, and the gelding was travelling well under Bentley until the 600m point, with the Englishman beginning to ask for an effort as he got wide on the turn. He built into the race nicely and loomed on the outside of the leaders, with he and the race favourite pairing off to fight it out. They were neck-and-neck until the 50m point where Flying Fortress proved too strong, inching away to score by a neck on the line and upsetting favourite backers. FLYING FORTRESS had every possible chance under Brenton Avdulla, settling on the back of the leader in the run. He was able to edge off the fence as the field packed up around the home turn, slicing through the traffic as he and Flying Fortress made their runs together down the outside. He looked to sprint away as he took the lead coming to the furlong pole and he was expected to just run away with the race. However, he couldn't shake Flying Fortress and was gunned down close to home. DAZZLING FIT was left racing wide and with cover in the second half of the field but flew home impressively to grab third position under Luke Ferraris.