Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Miraculous Handicap, HK $875,000,
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.99 Standard Time: 1:22.30 Course/Class record: 1:21.53 Exponents
Andrea Atzeni and John Size got Sha Tin's final meeting for the season off to a winning start, with a change of tactics proving a winning move for SIGHT DREAMER (NZ 4yo g Almanzor – Sacred Rhythm). Despite not being the fastest away from barrier eight, Atzeni was able to improve the gelding's position in the early stages to slot in just off the pace. He was racing in the one-out-one-back position as they sorted their order out but was pushed wider turning off the back straight. Atzeni was happy to remain three-wide however as he rolled forward around the home turn and loomed ominously on the outside of his rivals on straightening. He ran to the lead at the top of the stretch, with he and Fight Time clearing out from the rest of the pack. It was a good battle down to the last 100m, but Sight Dreamer was always in front, and he showed his late strength, pulling away to win by a length on the line to pick up his maiden win. FIGHT TIME jumped the race favourite and landed on the back of Sight Dreamer in the run for Zac Purton. The Australian hoop tracked into the race four-wide from the 600m point as the field fanned across the track, but he was there to win if good enough. He had his chance in the straight, getting clear of the chasing pack as he tried to stick his nose in front of Sight Dreamer. Fight Time peaked on the run with 100m to run however and was forced to settle for second position. PANDA LEGEND got a long way back in the run and Antoine Hamelin rode for luck in the straight, persisting with an inside run. The gap came and he snuck up the fence to grab third place as a $26 chance.
Race 2 – Mr Award Handicap, HK $875,000,
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.68 Standard Time: 1:22.30 Course/Class record: 1:21.53 Exponents
It didn't take long for Zac Purton to get on the board with CIRCUIT MIGHTY (NZ 7yo g El Roca – Summalucky) in race two. The $2.1 favourite was ridden along at the start to try and offset the sticky barrier with Purton hard at work aboard the gelding to get him close to the speed. He eventually got across to land on the outside of the leader in running and travelled strongly around the home turn where he stuck his nose in front whilst still under a hold from Purton. The gelding got by the leader, though he was challenged strongly early in the straight and was clearly headed by Verbier at the furlong pole. He was still behind Verbier with 150m to run, but Purton was throwing everything he had at his mount as he got his nose in front inside the final 100m of the race and inched away to score by three-quarters of-a-length. VERBIER kicked up on the inside of Purton early in the race, forcing his rivals to use up some petrol early in the race to cross as he landed on the back of the leader. Ellis Wong pushed his way off the inside and presented Verbier at the top of the straight as he moved up to challenge Circuit Mighty. The big gelding took the lead approaching the 200m point but couldn't shake the race favourite who was just too strong late in the race. DRACO closed off nicely from back in the pack to finish in third position, though he was 2-1/2 lengths off the winner.
Race 3 – Big Profit Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.20 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
ALL'S WELL (NZ 3yo g Frosted – Ruby Queen) picked up his maiden victory at start four, finishing over the top of his rivals in good fashion. From barrier 10, Ben Thompson eased the gelding back into the second half of the field, racing between horses with a solid tempo being set up front. The gelding travelled well just worse than midfield, with the Australian jockey off the fence and tracking wider early in the straight. The gaps came for Thomspon when he needed, getting into clear air at the 300m point and storming down the middle of the track. He picked up strongly inside the final furlong to hit the front with 100m to run and got the job done by three-quarters of-a-length. BLUE BARON settled on the outside of All's Well in the run, racing in the three-wide trail and he got a lovely tow into the race with the field fanning wide around the home turn. He was one of the widest in the run and he made his run alongside All's Well in the straight. He couldn't match the finishing burst late in proceedings and ended up in second position. AWESOME TREASURE settled just off the speed and stuck on gamely under Britney Wong to finish in third position, beaten 1-1/4 lengths in a strong performance, albeit in defeat.
Race 4 – Pingwu Spark Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.88 Standard Time: 1:22.05 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
DEVAS TWELVE (AUS 5yo g Headwater – Phar Too Fast) picked up his third win of the season to round out a successful term, with Matthew Chadwick on board for Chris So. The gelding jumped on terms and mustered good speed early to be close to the front for Chadwick, landing on the outside of the leader as they sorted their order out. He travelled well in the run and dropped in with some cover from the 600m point as the leader looked to get away on the home turn, though the local hoop always kept him within striking distance. As they turned for home, the gelding was able to get off the fence and make his move on the leader, eventually hitting the front at the furlong pole. Pejibaye was right there however as the pair squared off over the final 200m of the race, battling it out right down to the wire, where Devas Twelve was able to keep his head in front. PEJIBAYE sat just off the speed in running for Andrea Atzeni, with the Sicilian hoop moving up to join Devas Twelve at the top of the straight. The pair made their runs together, though Devas Twelve always looked to have the ascendancy. Despite Atzeni's best efforts, he couldn't get his nose in front. THE AUSPICIOUS closed off nicely from beyond midfield, coming right down the outside to finish a clear third, beaten 1-1/2 lengths.
Race 5 – Solar Hei Hei Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:34.63 Standard Time: 1:34.95 Course/Class record: 1:33.28 Bright Inheritance
HAPPY UNIVERSE (NZ 5yo g Zacinto – Kovka) secured his maiden victory at start 13 with Derek Leung in the saddle for Jimmy Ting. The five-year-old got away on terms and rolled forward from barrier nine early on, though Leung was unable to find a spot in the running line and was forced to face the breeze three-wide. With an even pace up front, it wasn't a bad spot to be, with Leung able to ride his own race and keep the leader within striking distance as he began to stoke up Happy Universe turning for home. Despite the tough run, he picked up nicely early in the straight to hit the front with a furlong to run, getting away from the majority of his rivals, though Etalon Or made one last lunge at him. Happy Universe was able to hang on by a short head at the post, getting his nose down where it mattered most to secure the win. ETALON OR raced in the three-wide line, though he was well back in the second half of the field on settling down. Alexis Badel was able to get a nice tow into the race wider on the course with the field bunching around the home turn, with the French hoop building up the revs nicely as he ended up near the middle of the track on straightening. He was about a length off Happy Universe on straightening but lost some ground midway down the stretch as Happy Universe ran to the lead. It was Etalon Or's late strength that kicked in, rallying back to challenge for the victory, though he came up just short. CALIFORNIA BANNER was ridden for luck close to the inside after settling in the back half of the field, with Angus Chung weaving through traffic to finish in third position, beaten a length.
Race 6 – Medic Kingdom Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.76 Standard Time: 1:22.05 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Trainer John Size made it a winning double on the card as RAGING RAPIDS (AUS 4yo g Zoustar – Liesele) scored his maiden win in a big form reversal. He wasn't the best away, though he rallied through nicely to find the one-out-one-back position for Karis Teetan with a good tempo being set up front. The speed was backed off through the middle stags of the race, though the gelding travelled well around the turn and just needed some room to move on straightening to make his challenge. He got into the open with 250m remaining and set out after the leader. He put his nose in front with 50m to run and proved too good after the perfect run in transit, winning by a half-length on the line in a good performance. DO YOUR PART rolled forward from out wide to sit on the outside of the leader as they sorted their order out. After a cosy run, Ferraris still had a strong hold of the gelding on straightening and only asked for an effort approaching the 300m point where the gelding responded and ran to the lead. He sprinted well to take up the running but couldn't fend off Raging Rapids who had his back in the run, getting over the top of him late. ONLY U finished off nicely down the outside under Harry Bentley after settling in the second half of the field, finishing in third position as a $9.1 chance.
Race 7 – Victory Marvel Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.89 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
The 2024/25 Champion Jockey Zac Purton picked up a winning double on the day as BULB GENERAL (NZ 3yo g Embellish – Stylish Achiever) showed his debut performance wasn't a fluke, shedding the maiden tag in good fashion. Purton ended up near the tail of the field on settling down as he drifted back from barrier 11. The speed was strong up front however, with the Australian hoop finding himself 6-3/4 lengths off the leader as they turned off the back straight. The $4.1 chance tracked into the race strongly around the home turn with Purton ending up near the middle of the track on straightening, coming right down the outside with his run, and it was very impressive. He lengthened impressively when Purton shook the reins, and he had taken the lead as they passed the furlong pole. The three-year-old ran away with the win, scoring by 2-1/2 lengths in dominant fashion, and showing everyone that he's one to keep an eye on next season. KING OBERON settled in the running line under Ellis Wong as he landed in a midfield position from barrier four. The race favourite looked to be travelling well in the run and he had plenty of space to improve into the race as they swung for home. He moved up to join the leaders midway down the straight but was given windburn as Bulb General flew right by him. He stuck on gamely late in the race to finish in second position, but he was no match for the winner. STRAIGHT TO GLORY showed plenty of grit in the straight to hold on for the final placing after sitting on the hot speed throughout.
Race 8 – The Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy (Handicap), HK $4,075,000
Class 1 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:33.40 Standard Time: 1:35.25 Course/Class record: 1:32.24 Preciousship
BUNDLE AWARD (AUS 4yo g Shamus Award – Ecosse) rounded out a successful debut season in Hong Kong, bringing up a winning treble for John Size and a double for Andrea Atzeni. The gelding was taken back to last place right after the jump, ending up a long way off the leader early in the race with a strong tempo being set in the first half of the event. Bundle Award was 12-3/4 lengths off the leader as they turned off the back straight, though Atzeni wasn't panicking as he remains one off the fence and on the back of his main rival in the run. The Sicilian started urging the gelding along from the 600m point and still had plenty of ground to make up as he got to the outside on straightening. It took a while for him to wind up, but he came with a strong surge late in the race to join the leader with 50m remaining. He was too strong late in the race, getting his head in front and securing the win as the $4.7 favourite. HAPPY TOGETHER settled a little worse than midfield in the run for Alexis Badel, sitting one off the fence. The Frenchman waited until they'd entered the straight before making his move and he was forced to push his way into the clear midway down the straight. He ran to the front inside the final 100m of the race, though he was gunned down close to home by Bundle Award. BEAUTY JOY snuck through the traffic late to grab third in another good performance. Derek Leung elected to ride for luck over the concluding stages, getting through late to finish in third position.
Race 9 – Sight Winner Handicap, HK $2,050,000,
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:34.13 Standard Time: 1:34.75 Course/Class record: 1:33.19 Beauty Fit
HUGE WAVE (NZ 5yo g Vadamos – Stanica) made it a winning treble on the day for Zac Purton, scoring as favourite and picking up his second win for the season. The $2.2 favourite jumped on terms and was eventually able to slot into the running line, settling just off the speed. He travelled well off the back straight and when the leader tried to stack the field up through the middle stages, Purton got on his bike and didn't allow his mount to get caught up in traffic. He cruised around the outside of his rivals to be close to the lead on straightening and the gelding ran to the front when asked for an effort in the straight. He got a half-length in front with 100m to run and held that margin down to the post, winning rather comfortably in the end. MISTER DAPPER couldn't make it three wins in-a-row after landing just ahead of Huge Wave and Purton in the run. After being in the one-out-one-back position in running, Karis Teetan made his move around the turn as the speed slackened, and he took the lead early in the straight. Huge Wave was there to strike shortly after he ran to the front, but he stuck on gamely down to the line, never letting the margin get bigger than a half-length. ATULLIBIGEAL finished off strongly under Matthew Poon to rally through the traffic late in the race and finish in third position as a $17 chance.
Race 10 – Joy And Fun Handicap, HK $1,860,000,
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.71 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner
CELESTIAL HERO (AUS 3yo g Deep Field – Granny Red Shoes) picked up his first win in Hong Kong as Hugh Bowman and Douglas Whyte combined to win the penultimate event in an exciting finish. The Australian jockey eased his mount back from a wide draw but was able to settle three0wide with cover as they sorted their order out. The pace was strong through the middle stages, setting it up nicely for Celestial Hero who got to the outside on straightening. He had 6-3/4 lengths to make up at the top of the straight, but he knuckled down strongly from the 200m point to romp home down the outside. He picked up strongly to run to the lead in the last couple of strides, getting his nose down to win by the barest of margins. LITTLE PARADISE settled in the second half of the field from barrier four and was strung up along the inside as they turned off the back straight. Luke Ferraris was trying to fight his way into the clear early in the straight, but after being pocketed for a run, he dived back toward the rail and weaved his way through the traffic. He was airborne late in the race, flying through the field to just miss out on the win in a very unlucky run, going under by a short head. BUNDLE OF CHARM enjoyed a lovely run on the back of the leader in running and railed through when the leader kicked to move up and take the lead with 200m left to run. He got to the front but peaked on the run inside the final 100m as horses swarmed from everywhere to reel him in. He was only beaten a short head on the line despite finishing in third.
Race 11 – All You Wish Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.11 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
The final race at Sha Tin this season went to this season's Champion Jockey, with Zac Purton making it four winners on the day as BEAUTY BOLT (IRE 3yo g Night Of Thunder – Song Maker) picked up his maiden win in Hong Kong. After getting away well from barrier five, Purton was able to slot the gelding into a handy position right after the start, settling around midfield with a good tempo being set up front. The field strung out as they turned off the back, but with the leader slowing the tempo, it allowed Purton to be within striking distance around the turn as he shoved his way into the clear at the 400m point. He set out after the leaders with the three-year-old showing plenty of late strength. He moved up inside the final 50m to take the lead and pulled away strongly late in the race to win by three-quarters of a length. MASTER OF ALL settled close to the speed after getting across from barrier 10. After sitting third in the run, Alexis Badel peeled off the fence and worked into the race ominously, with the gelding moving up to the leader under a strong hold. He had to fight to gain the upper hand. As he got to the front inside the final 100m, Beauty Bolt came with the last shot and Master Of All couldn't fend him off. SPIRIT OF PEACE flew home late in the race under Matthew Chadwick to finish in third position, just missing out on second place in a photo finish.
