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Sha Tin – Sunday 19 September 2022
Towards Success (Race 2)
I know this is a Class 5 runner, but I didn’t mind his run in behind the winner. Despite finishing four lengths back in third, he ended up having to give the rest of the field a start when they decided to drop him back from the outside barrier. Karis Teetan took the shortcuts and finished off the race well, possibly looking for a mile now or at least another run over the 1400m. If he can get another run in this grade with a nice draw, I am sure he is one that can run well again and hopefully get his maiden victory.
Bundle of Charm (Race 7)
Following his 4.8-length win at the end of last season, this bloke had to step up in grade fresh whilst having to carry almost as much as he did in a weaker grade. He led them up and looked the winner for a long way before he just got too tired and faded for a 1.5-length fifth. He will be winning again soon, as he builds fitness so pop him in your blackbooks cause he should win one soon in Class 3 before possibly moving up into Class 2.
Kasa Papa (Race 10) & Master Hero (Race 10)
I want to lock in two from the last race. Kasa Papa was unlucky and got restricted in room late, which hindered his chance of winning. He was flying late and will only improve as we have seen on his return for his second preparation in Hong Kong. His Australian stats have him better at a mile and 2000m, so anywhere from 1400m+ is going to be good for him and he will be winning a couple this preparation. Master Hero ran a solid fourth whilst being wide without cover. Whilst he remains down in the weights in this grade, he can win another race soon providing he gets a nice draw.
Sha Tin – Sunday 19 June 2022
Rockpaperscissors (Race 8)
This was a tremendous run by the Sebring gelding who settled eleventh in the run and came with a nice run but it was to no avail, finding one better in Tuchel. The final margin of 2.3 lengths is quite deceiving as Joao didn’t fully ride Rockpaperscissors to the line, yet still managed to beat the rest of the field by 2.3 lengths. He is only three runs into his career and yet to draw a decent gate, so a win isn’t far away.
Sha Tin – Sunday 05 June 2022
Sight Spirit (Race 9)
Loved the resumption of this Toronado gelding who settled well in the front half of the field before fighting out the finish. He ran the quickest final 400m of the entire meeting whilst sitting in the front five, and it won’t be long for him to go up to Class 2, if they don’t choose to next start.
Sha Tin – Sunday 29 May 2022
Beauty Tycoon (Race 6)
Two races down for this Written Tycoon gelding and it’s two races that arguably he should have won. First-up he ran a solid fourth to Ace One despite doing a lot wrong in the run and then in his latest race, he had to work from barrier 11 to get across once he did that, he was stuck three-wide, albeit with cover. Once they entered the home straight he did look to take it a touch awkward before knuckling down and getting pipped on the line. There is no doubt the work he did throughout tolled late, especially against much fitter horses, but a win is around the corner.
Sha Tin – Sunday 22 May 2022
Tycoon Jewellery (Race 4)
His debut run is going to read fifth, three and a half lengths off the winner but that doesn’t give credit to all he had to endure. The son of Written Tycoon was in what he thought was the ideal position throughout the race only to be met with trouble all the way up the straight, never gaining any clear air. How he managed to still finish fifth is astonishing and even though he was hard in the market today, he will be even shorter next start. A win will come this preparation.
Sha Tin – Sunday 15 May 2022
Royal Agility (Race 4)
Despite all the rain around in this meeting, I really liked the run of Royal Agility. The son of Mambo In Seattle had his first go in Class 5 and not everything went right in the run, as he was left wide without cover from the 900m mark of this 1400m event. He still managed to run the quickest last 400m of the race by at least 0.28 of a second which is a massive effort considering the track conditions and the fact he was carrying 59.5kg. This is by far the best run of his career and now that he is in Class 5, a win won’t be far away, providing they remain in this grade.
Brave Dreams (Race 6)
This son of Duporth has had no luck over his past couple in terms of barrier draws but unfortunately, his racing pattern means he won’t be winning a lot of races. What I saw him do in this meeting, I really think he is knocking on the door for a win. He ran the fifth quickest last 400m of the meeting (of the turf races) and the quickest of the race, coming from near last to finish 1.5 lengths back in third. I think he is definitely ready to jump back to 1400m and even a class drop wouldn’t hurt as he has carried a high weight well before.
Sha Tin – Saturday 7 May 2022
Red Titan (Race 1) – (Next start: 5th)
Red Titan was definitely an eye-catcher in the opening race, running a tremendous last 400m sectional to finish within a length of Super Fortune and Eight Trigrams. Considering he was first-up after 328 days on the sideline due to a fetlock injury in September last year, his run to the line was brilliant. He will no doubt improve nicely from the run and he will definitely get his first win in Hong Kong this preparation.
Wide Blue Yonder (Race 4) – (Next start: 1st)
I had my eye on this bloke after his impressive trial performance in the lead-up to his debut. Despite the winner/leader of the race winning in impressive style, he was able to close the race off well from the rear of the field to finish 4.6 lengths back in third. He should come on nicely from that run and a better draw will definitely have him a winning chance in no time.
Sha Tin – Sunday 01 May 2022
No black bookers this week due to the conditions.
Sha Tin– Sunday 24 April 2022
One Voice (Race 2)
It was a good debut for the son of American Pharoah who had six lengths to make up at the top of the straight, but he only managed to make up about four and a half of those lengths, going down 1.5 lengths on the line. The leader had the dream run and I thought his effort had a lot of merit. I expect good improvement from him and if they can get him to a Sha Tin meeting on the B Course, I think he could be hard to hold out.
Light of Wanshi (Race 4) – (Next start: 7th)
He came into this Class 4 event first-up and carrying 60kg against some nice gallopers, and he nearly pinched it late. His trial leading into the race was fantastic though fitness did toll a touch late in the event. I think he might be well found next start, but he is definitely one to keep an eye on, especially if they upgrade to Joao or Zac.
Sha Tin– Sunday 16 April 2022
Right As Rain (Race 5) – (Next start: 4th)
It was quite hard to make any serious ground at Sha Tin on the weekend, but Joao Moreira gave it his best shot aboard this son of Rios. Sitting eleventh on the turn, Moreira did his best to cut corners and get this bloke home but it was to no avail, going down by 2.5 lengths back in fourth placing. Despite it being too much to do, sectionals wise, he did his best. He ran the quickest final 400m of the race and fifth quickest overall for the day. Get him at Sha Tin on a fairer rail position and he goes close next start.
Sha Tin– Sunday 10 April 2022
Erimo (Race 6) – (Next start: 3rd)
This race hurt yesterday. He did all the hard work in the race, travelling wide without cover throughout, and still had the nerve to keep fighting up the straight. This bloke just needs a good draw and some luck throughout and he will be winning. He remains in the black book as a win isn’t far away.
Stoltz (Race 7) – (Next start: Winner)
Yesterday proved something major for the backers of Stoltz, he is by far a 1000m horse. He took boom sprinted Nervous Witness right up to the line in what was an impressive display. Hearing from Zac Purton afterward, stated that if you swapped the barriers, you swap the result. This is a big call yet an accurate one, which shows just how good this bloke has gone in the race. 1000m next start either here or at Happy Valley, and he goes close again.
Copartner Elites (Race 8) – (Next start: 2nd)
Another runner who was hard done by yesterday after being stuck wide throughout. He fought very bravely and in the end, was only beaten by two backmarkers who had much kinder runs in transit. After the race, the trainer got an endoscopic examination of the horse, which revealed that he indeed had a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. Taking into account all of this, his run was better than ever and being only three runs into his Hong Kong campaign, a win isn’t far away.
Ima Single Man (Race 10) – (Next start: 8th)
After two failed attempts at 1800m and 2000m, they brought him back to 1400m which was definitely a brilliant move as his best form is over 1200m-1400m. Unfortunately, he had to give them all a start from the poor draw but flew home nicely to finish third. Although he is pretty deep into his preparation, he still has another win in him before the season ends, and if they remain at 1400m and get a nice draw in Class 2 company, he will be hard to hold out.
Sha Tin– Sunday 03 April 2022
Royal Bomb (Race 3) – (Next start: 2nd)
Came into this race well-rated and we thought he was going to salute for us, but he ended up going down convincingly in second by almost 1.5 lengths. At first glance, it just looked like he was simply outdone but Blake Shinn actually dropped the whip at the top of the straight, which would have hindered his performance a touch towards the end of the race. He has his hoof right on the till and a win isn’t far away.
Sakewin (Race 5) – (Next start: Winner)
You simply don’t do what this guy did on debut unless you have some talent, and boy did he show some talent. Beginning his career in Class 4 from the widest barrier, he shot the gates and put himself well into the race, going a touch above average in the first half of the race. Most would expect after that he would come back to the field, but instead, he went the other way and saluted comfortably by 2.2 lengths. His gate speed is going to take him a long way, and he will no doubt will be winning again this preparation.
Prince Alex (Race 10) – (Next start: 5th)
This was a cracking final race on the card, and this three-year-old colt was thrown into the deep end in his Hong Kong debut after coming over from Australia. He followed Five Elements through the race and up the straight and went with him to pretty much the final 100m when you could see he was getting tired. It was a good debut, finishing 1.7 lengths off the eventual winner Rock Ya Heart and clearly screaming for further. 1400m is imminent and maybe even a mile depending. Keen to follow him in his first preparation as I think he will come up a nice price along the way.
Sha Tin– Sunday 27 March 2022
Shining Gem (Race 10)
This bloke isn’t far from a win since stepping back to Class 3 and his effort at Sha Tin shows the horse’s determination. After drawing barrier 8, they opted to drop back but as did some others, which posted him three-wide without cover from the 1200m mark, whilst also being back in the field. Despite the misfortune, he still came home the fifth quickest final 400m of the race, finishing a brilliant second to a nice horse in Beauty Live. He isn’t far away from saluting in Class 3.
Sha Tin– Sunday 20 March 2022
Erimo (Race 1) – (Next start: 2nd)
We tipped this bloke on the day and he ran a very solid second placing on debut. He went into the race after an array of complications in preparation for his first race start but put it all behind him in style. Not only did he run a solid race, but he did it in nice time, running the second quickest last 400m of the entire meeting behind Blaze Warrior in the last. He will come on nicely from that and will be winning this preparation.
Cheery (Race 4) – (Next start: 8th)
Another horse we tipped on the day who ran home nicely was the son of Artie Schiller. He went back from the draw and hit the line nicely behind the fast-finishing Country Boy. It was only his second race start and he is yet to draw a decent gate. If they remain at 1400m and draw a decent gate, they will get their maiden win on the board.
Buzzinga (Race 7) – (Next start: Winner)
Not many horses who come from overseas can come and perform as well as this bloke did on his debut, and the way he did it, should be taken note of. Making his Hong Kong debut on the back of three nice trials, the son of All Too Hard got into a nice position in the run and burst clear in the straight to record an arrogant 1.9 length victory. It will be interesting to see how the race rates in the coming days, but I think he is a massive chance to win back-to-back races.
Navas Two (Race 10) – (Next start: 5th)
A personal favourite of mine, the son of Excelebration had a month off after making his Class 2 debut in February. The drop back to 1200m was always a concern but then he drew barrier 14 and had to go back to the rear of the field. He had to shift off heels coming around the final bend and then again at the top of the straight, but finished the race off well, finishing 2.3 lengths back in third. Sectional-wise, he ran the quickest final 400m of the race behind the winner and was top five in the meeting for the final 400m sectionals. 1400m is where his best is at, hopefully they head there next start.
Sha Tin– Saturday 12 March 2022
Super Wealthy – (Next start: 7th) & Lucky Express – (Next start: 4th) (Race 7)
Super Wealthy was brilliant on the weekend and isn’t far off winning again this preparation. After beginning awkwardly and settling towards the rear of the field, he found some trouble obtaining clear running at the top of the straight. Around the 200m mark he shifted out to obtain clear running and hit the line well behind Sight Success. His sectionals back up the eye, with the son of Epaulette running the third quickest last 400m of the entire meeting and second quickest for the race behind Lucky Express. Lucky Express is the other black booker who ran the quickest last 400m of the race. He began only fairly in the race and settle last before making a sweeping run down the outside. He got the blinkers on the first time which seemed to help him conserve his energy, and a step back up to 1400m is imminent. Both horses can win a race again this preparation.
Five Elements (Race 9) – (Next start: 2nd)
Another horse who has the blinkers on for the first time. He came into this race second-up after an average run on the rain-soaked Sha Tin meeting. He couldn’t get past the leader Super Fortune who got a cakewalk in front, but he was very brave in defeat, carrying the top weight and running the second quickest final 400m of the race. He will improve nicely off this run and his maiden Hong Kong win isn’t far away.
E Star (Race 10) – (Next start: 3rd)
Luckless is the best way to describe this blokes run. After settling towards the rear, he made a nice run to get himself within range when entering the straight, following fellow competitor and race favourite The Golden Scenery into the race. It wasn’t until the 200m – 150m mark where he was travelling better than The Golden Scenery and attempted to shift to his outside, but as he has done that, The Golden Scenery drifted out also which caused E Star to cut back to the inside. He finally started to get into gear but ended up finding the back of Captain Win who was tiring late in second. Over the final 50m, E Star was held up for a run and not fully tested as he ran 1.6 lengths back in seventh. He has had no luck so far this preparation, but he was only fourth-up on the weekend, therefore he has a chance to make amends next start.
Sha Tin– Sunday 6 March 2022
Butterfield (Race 2) – (Next start: 8th)
This bloke was back from his distant seventh in the Hong Kong Gold Cup to run a slashing race back in grade. Despite there only being six runners in the race, it was dominated up by a slow pace, and this guy settled last. He ran home in the quickest final 400m of the entire meeting whilst giving a minimum of 5.5kg to his nearest rival. With the right ride and jockey, he can win a Class 2, Class 1, or Group 3 race next start to finally get the win on the board for this preparation.
Campione (Race 9) – (Next start: Winner)
Not many horses can come into a Class 3 on their first run in Hong Kong from another country and run the way he did carrying 60.5kg. He was unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old in Italy and faced a hot field consisting of Rock Ya Heart, Flying Ace, and Pins Prince. He sat on the pace alternating between second and first at an unconfirmed time of 11.6 lengths above average but had the nerve to still be leading at the 50m mark before fading slightly to run a 0.8 length fourth. To give you an indication, the horse that was with him in the lead finished 7 lengths last whilst this guy with the top weight finished in front of Pins Prince and within a length of the first three across the line, led by Flying Ace. He will be out of this class soon and is one to watch.
Sha Tin– Saturday 27 February 2022
Rise Brethren (Race 4) – (Next start: Winner)
He has burnt me a few times this preparation but what I saw in this run gives me hope he isn’t far away. He stepped up to 1800m last start at Happy Valley and didn’t do a lot but coming to Sha Tin, he relished it. He ran the quickest last 800m and 400m of the race despite getting back in the run and coming wide, which wasn’t that advantageous on the day. Hopefully, they keep him at 1800m or go to 2000m, stay at Sha Tin, and draw a better gate to sit a touch closer in the run.
Blaze Warrior (Race 10) – (Next start: Winner)
He got out to a big price on the day, and one would assume that was because of not only his opposition but the draw. He had drawn wide and had to go back which wasn’t the pattern throughout the day before storming down the outside to run 1.4 lengths back in second behind the brilliant Cordyceps Six. Blaze Warrior ran the quickest last 400m sectional of the entire meeting and the quickest split from the 800m – 400m for all the turf races. Hopefully, they step him back up to 1400m next start and he draws better.
Sha Tin– Saturday 20 February 2022
Fun and Glory (Race 2) – (Next start: 4th)
Thought I would concentrate on something earlier in the card as the rain really set in later and destroyed a couple of nice races. Fun and Glory is the biggest example of unlucky coming out of the meeting despite running the 2nd quickest last 400m of the race. Just after the 400m mark, the son of Akeed Mofeed decided to try to get off the fence to find some clear air. Whilst doing so, he was quickly blocked again at the 300m mark before heading back towards the rail before once again getting blocked at the 200m mark. From there, he got out around 150m before savaging the line to go down by half a length in third. This was his best run to date in Hong Kong and he is knocking on the door to win.
Sha Tin– Saturday 12 February 2022
Booming Well (Race 1)
Having his first run stepping back to Class 5, the son of Spirit of Boom was well fancied to run well, but it didn’t go according to plan. Zac Purton had him settled a touch too far off from barrier one which resulted in him finishing off the race 3.5 lengths back in fifth. The race was well controlled by the leader and eventual winner Divine Era which gave no hope to the backmarkers. Booming Well still managed to reel off a fast final 400m of the race and providing he remains in Class 5 over 1400m or further, he is a massive chance to get his first win in Hong Kong.
Marado (Race 2) – (Next start: 8th)
The gelding made his return from injury on Saturday, carrying 58.5kg from a wide draw. They went to the rear with him and coming up to the 400m mark, he was still a clear last. He got held up briefly in the straight before making a slashing run through the middle to finish 1.6 lengths back in sixth. He ran the second quickest last 400m of the race to only the eventual winner which is a massive feat, especially when returning first-up with a big weight and settling to the rear of the field. Providing he draws a gate next start, he will be a force that will be hard to stop.
Flying Season (Race 5) – (Next start: Winner)
It was a beautiful debut by the son of Exosphere, who went within inches of winning despite doing everything to throw it away. He was fractious in the barriers which cause him to miss the kick, which immediately put him into a bad position. Approaching the 500m mark, he raced greenly and laid in a touch before making his run for home. Despite narrowly missing getting the win on debut, he still managed to run the quickest last 800m of the race and the second quickest last 400m, which is outstanding. He needs to fix those barrier manners for him to be a chance going forward, but if he does, look out.
Rock Ya Heart (Race 6) – (Next start: 2nd)
Another who missed narrowly was the Lui-trained Rock Ya Heart. Deciding to drop back from barrier 8, the son of I Am Invincible couldn’t get the clear air needed when making his run in the straight. At the 500m mark, he just couldn’t get clear and was faced with a wall for the majority of the straight before deciding to race in restricted room 200m out and squeezing his way through. Despite this, the ship had sailed as Texas Moon was already hitting top gear and stormed over everyone over the final stages. With a different run or a better draw next start, he can win.
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