Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
"SHA TIN - SEASON FINALE"
(Race Meeting - 87/88)
Rail - A Course
Race 1
#5 FIGHT TIME shall appreciate the easier competition of class 5 as he contests just his second event in the bottom grade.With 5 minor placings achieved from a total of 11 starts this campaign, all in class 4, he's well positioned under the guidance of Zac Purton to fight it out.He maps to settle behind the speed with cover one of the fence, whilst coming back in trip to 1400m entitles him to find the line with power.
#7 YOUNG HORIZON looked to be moving nicely in a trial at Conghua a few weeks back and ran accordingly after an average beginning last start here at Sha Tin.His career stats again highlight his suitability to the specifics of this contest and therefore he must be entertained.He's also brewed up plenty of fitness over the past few months and there is no hotter rider than Hugh Bowman right now.
#4 SIGHT DREAMER made up significant ground through the final 300m off his first run in class 5 which highlighted his ability against most in this class.Andrea Atzeni takes over the reigns from the suspended Brenton Avdulla with the former registering an outstanding and consistent season across the board.Where he ends up in the run was tricky to determine but the race should be run to his liking at a solid speed.
#9 THE CONCENTRATION wasn't suited by the all weather track two runs back but I like him back over the 1400m on turf.He'll need a solidly run race throughout to help him produce his best and we saw a glimpse of his closing energy last start.Furthermore, there's no reason to suggest he'll be covering any extra ground from an inside draw, so watch for him joining in with gusto at the business end.
#1 EURO ROCKS and #8 SMILLING COLLECTOR are both noted front runners that should be considered for multiples.They're drawn alongside each other and both have blinkers going on which is likely to see them hunting for the running rail ahead of oppositional pace.Both continue to move with fluency and enthusiasm at this stage of the season and appear dangerous to leave out.
Selections : 5,7,4,9,1
R2 - 5,1,8,2,9
R3 - 9,11,1,2,6
R4 - 9,8,10,1,3
R5 - 10,5,1,6,7
R6 - 2,14,5,1,9
R7 - 6,12,14,5,7
Race 8
HONG KONG RACEHORSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION TROPHY
(Class 1 - 1600m - Hcp)
#4 HAPPY TOGETHER has been chipping away at a black type win all season and you wouldn't deny him a result.He'll require everything to fall into place during the first few hundred meter when shuffling for position, and if that all works out well then he can go on to feature.He's a win/place option in a race of many variables but I'm backing the experience of Alexis Badel behind the wheel.The one out, three back position is where I see him travelling and from there he should give the race a decent shake.
#5 PATCH OF THETA has enjoyed another excellent and progressive season and fell narrowly short when contesting G1 company earlier in the year.His latest victory came prior, in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup, where he smashed a strong field over the 1400m.He'll appreciate the booking of Hugh Bowman back behind the wheel as the pair boast a formidable record when they combine, and if they click along at to greater rate then he's capable of catching them when it counts.
#7 BUNDLE AWARD has handled most things thrown at him this season by trainer John Size and the fact he's racing again, and not spelling, is a good sign.He's superbly weighted here back in trip to 1600m, particularly after chasing home the almighty VOYAGE BUBBLE two runs back in a G1 over a mile and a half.The wide draw is generally no concern because he likes to get back, but he'll need luck and the speed on to pick them up quickly enough in the straight.
#2 CHANCHENG GLORY had a torrid run over the 1800m last start in the G3 Premier Plate and subsequently faded out over the concluding stages.With minimal on speed runners contesting this event, and a drop back in trip on the table, he should be better suited to the races tempo and structure.He's difficult to select on a win line courtesy of his overall season stats, but he'll be a tough nut to crack over this course and distance, especially if he receives the mid-race splits he wants.
#6 MASSIVE SOVEREIGN makes his long awaited return to racing following surgery to his left hind fetlock.The 2024 Hong Kong Derby winner has trialled up nicely leading in and his body weight suggests he's ready to run well.Nevertheless, the big picture would ultimately see him somewhere near his peak in December, but, he has a stack of class and is potentially capable of pinging with explosive freshness first up.
Selections : 4,5,7,2,6
R9 - 6,2,9,11,4
R10 - 3,2,1,6,14
Race 11
#5 BEAUTY BOLT arrive to Hong Kong with a decent wrap after winning a maiden on the polytrack at Dundalk in Ireland.He'd trialled well leading in to his debut a couple of weeks ago before showing us a little preview of what's to come first up.He's a horse to follow keenly going into the 4yo series next season but his two track gallops, since his opening run, have him looking particularly sharp.He'll be required to defeat 6 last start winners to obtain the winning result, and he possesses the motor to do it.
#7 FLASH CURRENT won comfortably here over the 1400m in class 4 two runs back before interference and traffic congestion hindered him last start.He's entitled to another crack at this level coming back in distance to 1400m and the inside gate is a huge advantage.With a sub 22.00 final 400m split already produced after just six starts, there's an x-factor title already stamped alongside his newly found name.
#8 SKY VINO shall run a solid race on speed dropping back in trip to 1400m as he enters class 3 for the first time.He's been back to the trials since his last start victory at Happy Valley and despite the outside draw should cross and lead.There's a chance he may over do it in front, after being pushed to cross the field, but the light weight and claim shall no doubt assist his final closing speed.
#12 SPIRIT OF PEACE should position well in the run and may even find the back of BEAUTY BOLT on settling.He drops 12lb in weight to carry from his last start win which can enable him to finish the race off with additional power.The rise into class 3, matched up alongside his sectional data, says he shouldn't finish faraway, and coming from this high calibre stable, he's hard to pen.
#4 SOUTH STAR has now had the benefit of two attempts in the higher grade of class 3 and can't be overlooked.He's performed with credit during both recent defeats and with another low draw to exit from, he's in the hunt.Improving his closing capacity in a race of this depth is where he needs to lift, so perhaps a conservative approach early on is the option connections now take?
Selections : 5,7,8,12,4
