Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - B Course
AWT - 7,10
Race 1
#3 CIRCUIT FIERY was held up at the top of the straight last time out, which cost him valuable momentum, but he still got to the line well. Zac Purton takes the ride this time and from barrier three, he should get the run of the race. He's only recently dropped down into this grade, he's got a good record over this course and distance for a horse at this level, and looks due for a win.
#1 GALLANT CROWN gets the all important drop into class five and has a strong record when competing in this company. The blinkers are back on, he's a previous winner at the track and trip, plus he also has an in form jockey and trainer teaming up, with Brenton Avdulla riding for David Hayes.
#2 TEAM HAPPY also benefits from the class drop and is very well rated having won twice in class four this season. He also boasts a win over the 1400m and gets a bit of weight relief thanks to Ellis Wong's five pound claim. He's likely to make his own luck close to the speed and will be right there at the business end of proceedings.
#12 TSUEN WAN GLORY brings some of the best recent form, being the only last start winner in the field. However, the outside gate and significant increase in the weights means that he's more of a place hope than a winning chance.
#5 FOREMOST TEDDDY's been thereabouts of late since dropping in grade and has the services of Luke Ferraris in the saddle, who's had a very good season. He's drawn awkwardly and arguably, he's better suited to Happy Valley, but off his recent form, he's entitled to be amongst the each way hopefuls.
Selections : 3,1,2,12,5
R2 - 4,2,1,3,11
R3 - 6,3,2,1,9
R4 - 5,8,7,4,14
R5 - 3,9,6,13,10
R6 - 2,1,12,13,4
R7 - 9,6,8,11,13
Race 8
#1 MAGIC CONTROL is a straight track specialist who gets the appropriate conditions to return to form in this event. 1200m races at group level are a bridge too far for him at this stage but this is a winnable race for him, coming back in trip to 1000m and back in grade to class one. Further to that, Ellis Wong's five pound claim sees him well weighted here.
#2 WUNDERBAR bounced back to form last time out under a perfect ride from Hugh Bowman, who's been replaced here by Brenton Avdulla due to suspension. He's always been a classy horse and remains the only horse in the world to have beaten Ka Ying Rising. My slight concern with him is the drop back from 1200m to 1000m, given he's taking on horses who specialise over this track and trip, and he's conceding weight to all of them. He's certainly got the ability to win this, however.
#3 BEAUTY WAVES can also return to his best form in this contest due to the straight course. He boasts a terrific record over the 1000m at Sha Tin and has a touch of class, which was proven by his success in the Group 3 National Day Cup earlier this season. He's drawn to be in the right part of the track and should be thereabouts when it matters most.
#6 HORSEPOWER wasn't suited by the rise in distance to 1200m last time out at Happy Valley and perhaps the rain affected track went against him as well. His previous form over 1000m was very good and the fact that Zac Purton is riding him at his minimum weight is significant.
#8 STELLAR EXPRESS scored over this course and distance two starts and his overall stats over it are very strong. He's likely to lead and although it will be tough for him to win against this class of horse, he's capable of holding on for a placing.
Selections : 1,2,3,6,8
R9: 3,2,9,5,14
R10: 2,8,1,6,5
Race 11
#3 KA YING ATTACK is a progressive horse who can make it back to back wins here. He's won three of his six starts, is proven over this course and distance and can make his own luck up on the speed. Barrier twelve looks tricky on face value but there's not a lot of speed on in this race and he can capitalise on that scenario. He's got further rating points in hand, Matthew Poon's been in very good form this season and he should go close here.
#1 BEAUTY ALLIANCE looked like a promising four year old earlier in the season, so much so that he earned himself a place in this year's Hong Kong Derby. He's had a freshen up, he's been back to the trials and on his level of ability and with further potential, he's also a live chance. Being trained by John Size also helps, as does the fact that he's drawn a reasonable gate, with Karis Teetan booked for the ride.
#4 TOP DRAGON is another promising young horse who's very consistent and has won his last two in a row. He's got a good turn of foot, is tough and has Zac Purton sticking with him. On the other hand though, I do worry about where he'll got to from the outside draw and in a race that lacks pace, so he's going to need some luck to win this.
#6 BEAUTY BOLT won his only start in Ireland by three lengths at Dundalk and has trialled well in the lead up to his Hong Kong debut. This is a competitive race that he's found himself in first up but he's done enough groundwork to be fit for this. I'm expecting a positive showing that will make him a horse to follow out of the race.
#11 RISING FROM ASHES ran well two starts ago and then had excuses last time out. He's drawn a better gate this time, he's got a lightweight and can finish in the placings at as reasonable price.
Selections : 3,1,4,6,11
