Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - B Course
Awt - 3,9
Race 1
#13 FAIRY HORSE began awkwardly last weekend and as a result gave away to bigger start. He was last and wide turning for home over the 1200m before punching out the second quickest last 600m behind the eventual winner YOURMYEVERTHING. He'll again have to deal with a wide ugly draw but the rise to 1400m appears the recipe for a long awaited success. The early speed was obliging to suit his finish style last start and it importantly reads a similar scenario 2nd up.
#4 CIRCUIT FIERY went through a checkered campaign last season with plenty of big gaps between runs. When he switched back to Sha Tin in late May he arguably should have won but traffic congestion in the stretch and a slow beginning cost him. He followed up with another hearty effort over this course and trip in late June but again found costly bother in the stretch. He's kept ticking over during the off season break with enthusiasm and Zac Purton remains behind the wheel.
#3 TEAM HAPPY won two races last season and both were recorded at the bottom of class 4. The first, off a rating of 41 when first up over this course, the second three runs later at Happy Valley when leading all the way over 1200m. It's been a similar preparation coming into this contest with two solid trials and a final gallop, conducted at Conghua last Wednesday, encouraging enough to say he runs a good race from the nice draw.
#1 NIGHT PUROSANGUE didn't show much during his first campaign although he wasn't beaten far on two occasions. He's made further improvement during the past couple of months with two barrier trials displaying that's the case. The drop to class 5 for the first time creates the best opportunity he's had to notch up a score, plus I'd feel uneasy leaving him out of the wider exotics.
#14 LAPRAS holds the lowest rating in the event following a 3 point relief from the handicapper during the off season break. He ran particularly well under Mathew Chadwick's guidance on two occasions at the end of last term before finding the 1800m out of his range his final start. However, coming back to 1400m from a good draw, and with no weigh, throws him amongst the chances of finding the frame.
Selections : 13,4,3,1,14
R2 - 4,1,5,7,10
R3 - 5,1,4,3,7
R4 - 2,7,6,8,3
Race 5
#2 FORERUNNER was quite consistent regarding effort and output levels throughout last season and is a difficult runner to fully oppose. It appears he reacts best when ridden with a touch of patience early but is quite a keen racer type that wants to go hard. Nevertheless, his form in a recent trial for new jockey Mathew Chadwick was an excellent piece of work as he dropped his head and travelled into the finish nicely. A solid win/place chance.
#4 MAX QUE was unable to break through for a win during his first season of racing but it wasn't for a lack of trying. The son of AKEED MOFEED is a sizeable beast with rating points in hand but struggled building home straight momentum with the instantaneous acceleration required. I expect that issue to transform into wins once he gets further into this preparation, but I won't be surprised if he's still good enough to win first up.
#5 AEROINVINCIBLE draws wide but he'll use the space to build his revs through the first 300m and even attempt to cross the field and lead. That's the way he got it done early last season when rating 5 points higher than his current handicap mark. He's no world beater, and after 16 career starts has found his level but a significant rider booking, and solid trial, make him a worthy runner to include.
#6 FANTASTIC FUN bled in a barrier trial in March and it's been a long road back on the training track. Trainer Danny Shum allowed him ample time to recover, and find his wellbeing, following two encouraging wins in Australia before import. He was in desperate need of the hit out first up but still found the line quite well, so the rise in trip and fitness derived puts him right in the mix and discussions.
#8 POSITIVE SMILE has enjoyed the benefit of an off season break and should start to improve this time in. The Australian import also has the support of two solid trials to work off first up which immediately gives him a fitness edge. Where he ends up from the wide gate is a question difficult to answer, but he's moving well and could definitely feature in one of the more open contests of the day.
Selections : 2,4,5,6,8
R6 - 2,8,1,11,13
R7 - 11,1,2,6,7
R8 - 3,1,4,6,7
R9 - 8,10,3,6,4
Race 10
#9 MASTER OF ALL should establish an easy lead in the final contest of the day which brands him the horse to beat. The form he holds behind BEAUTY BOLT shall end up being a reliable reference with that particular runner expect to make it to the higher grades. His all weather trial on September 2nd for race day rider Alexis Badel was precisely what you wanted to see, therefore the only attribute that seemingly brings him undone is a superior turn of foot.
#3 WINNING GOLD can utilise the starting stall that's close to MASTER OF ALL by crossing over with him to race on speed. He was able to do that with success back in May over 1600m and his barrier trial in would predict that'll be the case. He's won 5 races in total so must be given respect, he's also capable of sprint sharply at the end of any event.
#2 SUPERB KID elevated to another level during the second half of last term following throat surgery in January to release an epiglottic entrapment. He's not overly big and often slowly into stride but he does possess a strong finishing burst. The lack of early tempo shall go against him here but he's moving to well during the mornings to leave out.
#1 SNOWFIELD creates the X-factor due to his superb record in Brazil as a 2yo where he was defeated only once and twice a G1 winner. The quality of opposition he put away remains a point of debatable discussion but he was competitive in class 2 last season, on more than one occasion. He's had two lead up trials coming into this easier grade, with the second of them marked down as a closing fitter result.
#10 PRESTIGE RICKY is a runner to consider for the wider exotics despite an average first season in Hong Kong. He finished 2 lenghts behind SUPER KID in a barrier trial on September 2nd with the hit displaying optimism. He's raced by the Ricky Yui trainer's syndicate, which in itself is worthy of note, so be mindful of watching the market fluctuations as we draw close to the jump.
Selections : 9,3,2,1,10
