Best Bets | Sha Tin, 27 February 2022

Plikclone (Sha Tin Race 7 No.11)

I had this guy black booked after his last start effort behind En Pointe, where he come from a long was back to go down narrowly on the post. He was bumped at the 50m mark which was a touch crucial and probably denied him a chance to win. The issue with this bloke is that he will be giving his opposition a start, which is likely to happen here from the wide draw and he goes up 1kg from the last run despite the 1.5kg claim of Jerry Chau. The likely favourites Golden Empire and Oriental Smoke will have to improve at least a length and a half to be major factors so long as our bloke doesn’t go backward. He will likely come up with a big price here, so a small play is a recommendation, but he should be flying late.

Suggested bet:  0.2 unit @ $20.00

Romantic Warrior (Sha Tin Race 8 No.2)

This is the feature of the day and California Spangle has come up the favourite with a better draw and Purton aboard, and with last start winner Romantic Warrior drawn wide, he has ended up the second favourite. Romantic Warrior goes on top for me as I truly believe he is going to relish the step up to 1800m. I think the margin last start flattered his rivals because he didn’t get clear until 150m out but show an electric turn of foot to salute well. He has drawn very wide, and I expect them to attempt to stride forward a touch and try to find a midfield position with cover. He will be giving his main rival a start but if he is within striking distance 300m out, look out!

Suggested bet: 1.1 units @ $3.80

Running Glory (Sha Tin Race 9 No.6) & Sauvestre (Sha Tin Race 9 No.3)

Once again, it’s between the two-champion jockeys and once again it looks like Moreira has the better ride. Running Glory is aiming for three-in-a-row here and like Brilliant Way earlier, he has timed it perfectly for the return of Moreira. He won impressively last start, showing great acceleration from the rear of the field to salute by half a length over Copartner Ambition and Charity Grace, who have both either won or placed since. He has since had a 1000m trial where he wasn’t asked to do much except stretch out, so I expect him to be ready to go here. The wide draw ensures they will head back again, and Moreira will be flying late with him down the outside.

Sauvestre I backed last start when $3.00 favourite and he just couldn’t match it with Beauty Fit, but he also did a bit wrong in the run. Purton sticks which to me indicates that he thinks he can get this horse through, and the draw certainly help as he will get into a prime position and he is an advantageous position upon entering the straight. If Running Glory gets into bother, this bloke will already be off and gone. Perfect backup bet.

Suggested bet: 1.9 units @ $2.15 & 0.9 unit @ $4.60

Stoltz (Sha Tin Race 10 No.10) & Cordyceps Six (Sha Tin Race 10 No.8)

This is a cracking race to finish off the card with a nice handful of winning chances. I am banking on one of the Aussies saluting here, mainly either Purton or Shinn. Purton sticks with Stoltz, who has broken track records on his way to winning two straight but faces a stiff task here, stepping up into Class 2 but he does get a lot of positive favours. He has drawn perfectly for a horse of his running style and Purton sticking with him at 54kg is a sign in itself. The Purton/Lui combo has been mentioned quite a bit in my articles and currently stands at a 36.8% winning strike rate (14/38) in the last 12 months, 75% in the last month (6/8), 75% in the last fortnight (3/4) and 100% in the last week (3/3). Even though this is his first go at Sha Tin and at 1200m here in Hong Kong, you can’t knock his form.

Cordyceps Six is another who is facing 1200m for the first time in Hong Kong but based on his last start where he manhandled his opposition over the 1000m, surely 1200m shouldn’t be an issue. He has gone very close to making it five wins with narrow defeats in two of his last three where he arguably should have won. Last start it all came together nicely for him beating home Alcari and Whizz Kid whilst running the fastest last 200m of the entire meeting and third fastest last 400m of the entire meeting. He is drawn awkwardly, but if Shinn can get him into a nice position, I see no reason why he can’t be in the finish.

Suggested bet: 0.8 unit @ $5.50 & 0.6 unit @ $7.00