Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham takes a look at Sunday's Sha Tin card live on Sky Sports Racing.
Ascot hero Mickley in the spotlight as Classic hopes step out
The show rolls on in HK and, with last week’s HKIR stars back in their boxes, all eyes are on a clutch of 2025 Classic Series hopefuls at Sha Tin this Sunday.
Britannia winner MICKLEY went into plenty of notebooks on his debut for John Size last month, staying on nicely from well back, and a good run in the finale at 9.50 this weekend will put him firmly on track for next month’s Classic Mile.
But this £200,000 Class 3 contest features any number of equally interesting horses. Sky Trust defied stall 14 to beat several reopposing rivals in a bunched finish last month and has the inside alley this time, while Cap Ferrat and Packing Turbine are useful Aussie imports with loads of potential.
I’ll be rooting for Mickley – and Hugh Bowman seems confident – but this looks a complex puzzle and more appealing bets come up earlier in the day, notably in the Lukfook Jewellery Beloved Collection Handicap at 8.40.
Eagle to fly high back at 1400
I’m not one of those who finds it easy to forgive a poor recent effort but it’s different when a legitimate excuse is readily available.
Step forward ARMOUR WAR EAGLE, who looks one of the most attractive bets on the card under Lyle Hewitson.
Mark Newnham’s gelding gave himself no chance of staying a mile on his latest start, pulling much too hard in a steadily-run race, but his previous close second to Steps Ahead over 1400m looks solid form given what the winner and third have done since.
The complexion of Sunday’s test changed appreciably on Friday when probable favourite Packing Power was withdrawn and, in his absence, this looks appreciably shallower than most Class 3s.
Newnham continues to impress – his 20 winners elevating him to third in the trainers’ table with the best winning strike rate in town – and Armour War Eagle looks well worth another chance to prove that he’s very fairly treated off a mark of 63.
Network aiming for another Fast connection
Plenty of punters will glance at the featured Lukfook Jewellery Cup (8.10) and press the banker button for FAST NETWORK.
Dennis Yip’s gelding is 3-4 over 1000m at Sha Tin and was explosive in blinkers on his latest start, blitzing clear of fair rivals and clocking a hugely impressive final split (22.03s) even though Purton spent the last 50m easing down.
You always wonder if blinkers will have the same impact a second time - and a 13lb hike is considerable – but Fast Network looks a tough one to oppose in his current form.
The odds will be tight, probably 1.5 at best, but the Quinella looks the way to go and STELLAR EXPRESS is a likely lad with a 4lb pull for the nose he was beaten by Healthy Healthy two weeks ago.
Ascend and J-Mac ready to hit the heights again
One early bird and one later option complete the File fancies for Sunday.
Early market signals suggest the Class 4 dash at 6.00 is wide open but COLOURFUL WINNER has caught the eye on his last two starts, showing fine speed again until worn down by promising newcomer Meowth last time, and he can go close if Keith Yeung can get him across to lead again from a wide gate.
A 39-1 shot on his debut four weeks ago, Meowth will attract much more support for his Class 3 debut at 9.15 and an 8lb hike shouldn’t stop him running well again under Matthew Chadwick.
The 17lb he receives from SWIFT ASCEND is notable but the topweight has earned every pound of his 77 rating.
Formerly with Douglas Whyte, this gelding gave David Eustace the first win of his HK training career at Happy Valley in October and has progressed again since, relishing a strong pace when bounding clear on his latest start.
A 9lb hike makes life tougher but the third and fourth have both polished the form of that November success and Swift Ascend can give it a bit more shine with J-Mac in the irons again.
Harry hits a ton as Andrea bags a brace
The HK weighing room’s two imports from Britain made the headlines at Happy Valley on Wednesday, Harry Bentley securing his 100th local success and Andrea Atzeni topping and tailing the card on Fury And Gold and I Can.
Bentley arrived at the city track frustrated to have ridden just five winners this term but he has a good rapport with former Prix Robert Papin winner Atomic Force and signalled his intention to kick on after the chestnut forged through a narrow gap to bring up his HK century.
He said: “I’d hoped the 100 would have come up a lot faster than it has done, but nonetheless we got there and I’m looking forward to the next 100.
Atzeni shares Bentley’s desire to remain in HK and a glance at the jockeys’ table makes it easy to see why, as the silky Sardinian’s fourteen wins and 33 places this term have already earned him a percentage on well over £2m in prize money.
Sunday’s Sha Tin Selections
- 6.00: Colourful Winner
- 8.10: Fast Network/Stellar Express
- 8.40: Armour War Eagle
- 9.15: Swift Ascend
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