Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Sunday's meeting at Sha Tin, Hong Kong.
5.45
There was plenty of confidence behind DECISIVE TWELVE in the race won by Trust Me at the start of last month. He kept on to be beaten only a length-and-a-quarter and should be turning the tables on the top weight on 7lb better terms. Dream Team showed good pace here last month before fading into fourth. Here Comes Ted eventually finished second in that contest but Chad Schofield’s mount may do best today. Eight Trigrams is better over an extra furlong while Regency Poet has shown his best form at Happy Valley.
6.15
Victoriam has started favourite in three of four starts this year but hasn’t won any of them. He’s been dropped a pound since last month’s third but still looks in the handicapper’s grip. Zac Purton’s mount Take What You Need has already finished second three times in Hong Kong but is struggling to get his head in front. Unique Treasure shares bottom weight and has the in-form Karis Teetan doing the steering. He has been steadily coming to hand back here but a first run for Doug Whyte will have blown away any cobwebs from the former William Haggas-trained HARMONY SPIRIT and last year’s Ripon and Ascot winner is better drawn today. Great Treasure could also figure under a 3lb claimer.
6.45
The first of two Group 2 races on today’s card has attracted a small-but-select field. Both Beauty Generation and WAIKUKU carry Group 1 penalties but tick all the boxes. The latter only beat the former a neck in the Stewards’ Cup here in January but there is no reason to suspect that the form will be reversed given John Moore’s gelding mainly beat sprinters, including Ka Ying Star, in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 7f subsequently. Furore finished ahead of Southern Legend in the Hong Kong Gold Cup last time but has since changed stables.
7.15
Chairman Lo has finished second five times in 13 runs in Hong Kong but has become expensive to follow, though this won’t take much winning. Ka Ying Excellent has the inside berth and was only beaten a nose last time so must have every chance with Zac Purton doing the steering. Loriz seems better over 6f but could hold on to a place if racing prominently and is preferred to Ally Star. But the vote goes to CASIMIRO (NAP), who had to go around the houses over a mile at Happy Valley last time. He’d earlier beaten Juneau Park over course and distance and the runner-up has won both subsequent starts.
8.05
A Group 1 winner in Brazil, BUTTERFIELD was sixth in the Hong Kong Derby two weeks ago having been successful over a furlong shorter here in February. He is back on an upward curve and stall one and the booking of Joao Moreira are further positives. There has been some rain in Hong Kong this week and any give in the ground will suit the classy Dark Dream, who placed in a Group 1 here last year. Aussie import Helene Leadingstar finally got his head back in front last month and that should have boosted confidence while the reliable Chefano is likely to prove the pick of his trainer’s quartet.
8.40
A maximum field for an ordinary handicap. Party Everyday has ability but doesn’t always put his best foot forward and he is hampered by a high draw. Course winner Crown Avenue and My Winner also have double-figure draws and Pilkclone may struggle from stall 10 but fellow maiden King Dragon has a chance from nearer the inside rail and Starship is back here for the first time since scoring on New Year’s Day. ENJOY LIFE is more of a Happy Valley specialist but has won around here in the past and can’t get much lower in the weights. He gets the nod in a race in which stakes should probably be kept to a minimum.
9.10
This revolves around whether the three-year-old AETHERO is ready to rumble after a break. He’s had a couple of racecourse gallops recently so fitness shouldn’t be an issue and he comfortably beat the majority of these in the Jockey Club Sprint in November, though Hot King Prawn reversed the form in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint in December when John Moore’s charge was a strong favourite. Stablemate Thanks Forever looks held but will appreciate any softening of conditions and has placed at the highest level. Big Party could also figure if the ground became testing.
9.40
Moreira keeps faith with Dublin Star even though he’s been a beaten favourite twice already this year. Ironically, he probably ran his best race so far last time when easier to back, though that was over 5f. There was definite promise in True Legend’s third last month but he did finish a place behind Colonel, who could figure if he gets a run from his reserve spot. El Jefe is looking to follow up a recent victory over 5f but the grey does appear to have his fair share of temperament. Neil Callan rode a winner here on Wednesday and SO WE JOY could be another as he appeared to be coming to hand when third here two weeks ago.
10.15
PING HAI BRAVO is very much one to follow, especially while still able to ply his trade at this level. John Size’s three-year-old will have to be upped in grade in the near future but should pick up another nice prize en route having won two of his last three. A wide draw hasn’t helped habitual front-runner Big Fortune but Alfred Chan does take off 7lb and Star Luck seems to be running into form. Twice a winner in France last year, La Yakfi finished last on his Hong Kong debut last month and was only gelded on Thursday so is best watched.
10.50
FARHH ABOVE was upped 2lb for finishing fourth over course and distance in February so it was a surprise that he was a very short-priced favourite on a return visit. Slowly away, he never figured but Joao Moreira takes over the reins today and it would be no surprise to see the top weight recoup losses. Veteran Ultimate Glory is in good form and Zac Purton rides and Emerald Star is well drawn and shouldn’t be far away if the blinkers have the desired effect. Glorious Lover was an eye-catcher last time but will need plenty of luck in-running from stall 14. Craig Star looks the pick of the remainder.