Free betting tips for Sha Tin | The Hong Kong File

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How are this year’s HKIR races shaping up?

Very nicely after Wednesday’s selected runners revealed 26 G1 winners among 56 high-class horses from Hong Kong, Japan, Great Britain, Australia, France, Ireland, Germany and the USA. A few loose ends remain untied – King George hero Goliath needs to emerge from Sunday’s Japan Cup in good shape to take his Vase place – but the omens look good for a December showpiece that ends with Romantic Warrior’s bid to become the first horse to land three HK Cups.

What happened at Happy Valley in midweek?

Tony Cruz stole the show with a four timer. James McDonald marked the second day of his latest HK stint with a second consecutive double. Zac Purton went winless from nine rides, passing the post first on Super Unicorn only to lose the race in the Stewards’ room. And Karis Teetan had a good night despite drawing a blank, securing the final place in the Longines IJC after key rival Matthew Poon failed to ride a winner.

What’s happened to Capulet?

The former Derby hope won the Dee Stakes for Aidan at Chester in May but he’s now known as Romantic Thor and makes his HK debut for Danny Shum wearing the Romantic Warrior silks of Peter Lau in Sunday’s featured Chevalier Cup at 8.10. Andrea Atzeni is booked and seems optimistic but defying a mark in the 80s first time out in HK tends to be a very tall order and this Justify colt hasn’t been trialling like he’s ready to make an immediate splash.

What wins the Cup, then?

Telecom Fighters, Voyage Samurai and Healthy Happy will ensure a true pace but finishers could have the final say and YOUNG CHAMPION looks worth another chance. A useful winner for Johnny Murtagh when known as Sharlouk, this gelding finished a never nearer fifth behind Green N White in the Panasonic Cup over 1400m here recently, getting going too late from a wide draw in a race that wasn’t run at a demanding tempo. Lack of pace won’t be an issue this time and, with an 8lb pull compared to Green N White, John Size’s runner looks a fair win and place call.

What happened to Mickley?

The Britannia winner left Ed Bethell soon after his well backed Royal Ascot success but new handler Size concedes that his recent trials “have not been inspiring.” The laconic Aussie hopes the excitement and atmosphere of raceday will help relight the fire for Mickley’s HK debut in the 8.40 - and it certainly needs to if this big money buy is to play anything more than a supporting role.

If not Mickley, then who?

Lucy In The Sky heads the weights with sound claims after a gritty win last month but WINNING GOLD shouldn’t be underestimated. Chris So’s gelding didn’t produce his best over a mile last time but he can deliver a powerful kick over 1400m – as he showed when swooping out wide last month - and the fitting of cheekpieces and a true gallop back in trip might just help him bounce back.

Zac to Pack a punch on Bole?

The speedy PACKING BOLE hasn’t been easy to predict – there are three turf blobs on his record – and he’s faded close home in two AW runs this autumn. But Danny Shum’s gelding impressed with the way he travelled for a long way on both those runs and Purton is aboard for the first time since he bolted up on his debut last year. Stall 11 poses the champ a problem as there are some quick horses drawn inside him in the AW dash at 7.10 But I’m sure Packing Bole is still a useful dirt sprinter and, for all the draw isn’t ideal, this is one of the most intriguing jockey changes of the day.

How’s Ben Thompson’s season going?

It depends which metric you use. The popular Aussie has only had two winners this term but his contract has been extended to the end of the season and NEW FUTURE FOLKS can keep the positive trend going. This gelding has shown ample promise in three runs from wide gates and has drawn low in 5 for the 6.45. Packing Angel looms as the danger but New Future Folks trialled powerfully from the front earlier this month. He could be a very interesting runner if BT opts to send him forward on Sunday.

Start the key for Savvy Brilliant?

Yes, it is. Frankie Lor’s gelding has blossomed in winning his last two under Purton, rattling home from way back to beat several in-form rivals two weeks ago, and some punters will look no further for his hat-trick bid in the 9.15. But a headlong gallop meant Savvy Brilliant’s tendency to blow the start didn’t hinder him that day. This Class 3 is full of possible dangers and the freewheeling FULL CREDIT is drawn ideally for a bold bid from the inside alley.

Can we touch the Sky from gate 14?

SKY TRUST has a lot going for him in the finale at 9.50. Relatively lightly raced and clearly progressive, Caspar Fownes’s gelding has run three fine races over 1400m at Sha Tin this season, most recently when a clear second to the useful and cannily ridden My Wish. The step to a mile shouldn’t be a problem – and under normal circumstances he would be clear bet material - but that wide gate is worrying in a race featuring no shortage of handy rivals.

Sunday’s Sha Tin Selections

• 6.45: New Future Folks
• 7.10: Packing Bole (EW)
• 8.10: Young Champion (EW)
• 8.40: Winning Gold

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