Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Ruby Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.94 Standard Time: 1:09.40 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
The day got underway with the Manfred Man stable saluting in the first with YUEN LONG ELITE (AUS 3yo g Grunt - Tuscadero) scoring narrowly on the line. Keith Yeung was able to hold his position with the aid of an inside barrier, settling on the back of the leader as they sorted their order out. The local hoop always had a good hold of the gelding in the run with the pace solid up front. At the top of the straight, the leader wobbled away from the inside rail which opened up a clear passage for Yeung to burst through, scraping the paint and setting out after the leader. He was still well off them with 100m to run, but the gelding showed plenty of strength to make a late lunge at the leader, scoring a close victory with the judge having to split them in a photo finish. MY WISH showed good pace from the jump, getting across from barrier six to sit on the outside of the leader on settling down. He appeared to be cruising along out in front despite the solid tempo being set, with the little gelding moving up ominously at the top of the straight. He quickened impressively when Ferraris pushed the button and he was a clear leader with 100m left to run, but he began to tire close to the line. Yuen Long Elite was coming at him strongly to the inside, and Ferraris was unable to hold off the late dive, going under by the barest of margins. BEAUTY MISSILE jumped the race favourite at $2.40 and was left racing wide and without cover throughout the event. The gelding did settle close to the speed though and he chased strongly in the straight, looking as though he'd put up a fight for victory. He was unable to reel in the first two across the line though, holding his position in third right to the line and finishing 1-1/2 lengths away.
Race 2 – Spessartine Garnet Handicap, HK $2,050,000
Class 3 – All Weather - Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.11 Standard Time: 1:38.25 Course/Class record: 1:36.79 True Legend
After a narrow defeat in the first, trainer Mark Newnham was able to go one better in the second race of the day with TALENTS AMBITION (AUS 3yo g Into Mischief – Spirit Of Ecstasy) getting the job done impressively. The flashy grey was snagged to the tail of the field under Harry Bentley, settling a clear last as they turned out of the straight on the first occasion. The speed wasn't overly strong as the leaders attempted to dictate from the front, though with three horses all vying for the lead the tempo did pick up toward the end of the back straight. Bentley didn't wait around as they turned off the back, being proactive and getting on his bike as the grey fellow moved right around the field under a strong hold, before letting rip down the centre of the track with an impressive sprint. The gelding was far too good on the day, inching away over the closing stages to win by 1-3/4 lengths on the post, notching up his first win in Hong Kong. PERFECT TEAM wasn't the quickest out of the barriers, but he was able to hold a fabulous spot on the back of the speed from barrier two. The gelding appeared to be racing a touch keenly turning into the back straight, but settled much better under Ellis Wong when the tempo was raised down the back. Coming to the turn, the apprentice hoop just needed an ounce of luck as he had a lapful of horse ready to explode, but by the time the gap appeared, Talents Ambition has already swept to the front. Perfect Team closed off strongly to finish in a clear second place, but he was no match for the winner. BERLIN TANGO followed Perfect Team in the run and that continued into the straight. This move may have cost Brenton Avdulla a chance to finish closer as he was held up for clear running at the top of the straight, with the gelding only getting a move on midway down the stretch. He was doing his best work late through the line, getting the nose down to take third position in a photo finish.
Race 3 – Topaz Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – All Weather - Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:38.73 Standard Time: 1:38.80 Course/Class record: 1:37.74 Mission Bravo
YOUNG BRILLIANT (GB 5yo g Helmet – Avon Lady) had plenty of changes heading into today's race, and that saw him successful for the first time in just over a year. The five-year-old, who was dropping back into Class 4 today, jumped sharply and rolled forward under local jockey Jerry Chau, with the pair unable to slot into the running line. The $34 chance was left racing wide and without cover, but Chau didn't panic as he sat midfield in the run, before beginning to creep closer passing the 800m point. Chau had moved up to settle on the outside of the leader as they turned off the back and there still looked to be plenty of gas in the tank as the swung into the straight with the son of Helmet trucking strongly into the race. He took the lead under his own steam, but he never kicked away once Chau pressed the button, and he was made to fight tooth and nail right to the wire. It looked as though he was headed in the shadows of the post, but he and his rival's heads were out of sync, which saw Chau and Young Brilliant get their nose down where it mattered most for an unlikely victory, with the official margin being a short head. G LINER was able to get into the running line and settle into a handy position from barrier five with Hugh Bowman in the saddle. When the mid-race move came from Young Brilliant, Bowman moved three-wide and tried to keep the eventual winner planted wide, but it didn't work out that way as G Liner was left wide and facing the breeze as they turned off the back stretch. Bowman was right there to strike at the top of the straight and he threw everything he had at his mount to try and stick his nose in front. They were locked together as they came to the post, but the gelding's head was up at the worst possible time, missing out on victory by the barest of margins. LUCKY BANNER wouldn't go away in the straight either. He led the field up under Alexis Badel and was still right there at the finish, beaten just a half-length in a strong effort.
Race 4 – Emerald Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1800m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:48.02 Standard Time: 1:48.15 Course/Class record: 1:46.54 Crown Avenue
Vincent Ho was the next jockey to strike as racing returned to the Turf course, as the local hoop steered home race favourite JOY OF SPRING (AUS 4yo g Deep Field – Certitude) for the Caspar Fownes stable. It was a good bit of riding from Ho to get the gelding into the running line from barrier 13, settling just off the speed which was solid through the opening and middle stages. The good tempo helped his chances as they swung into the straight, with four-year-old travelling comfortably under Ho before letting down nicely once asked of an effort. It took him a bit to get through his gears, but once he started to make ground approaching the 200m point, favourite backers would've been confident that he would get the job done. Joy Of Spring hit the front inside the final 100m and while the official margin only reads a neck on the line, the win was much more comfortable than that. GOOD GOOD rolled forward early in the race to be in a handy position under Alexis Badel. The Frenchman was keen to hold the lead on settling down, burrowing through to hold the advantage midway down the back straight, before being taken on and eventually passed with 1000m remaining. He remained in second spot with the field strung out turning off the back, as Badel stalked the leader out in front. Good Good popped off heels at the top of the straight and came after the leader, looming up and taking the lead at the furlong pole. He didn't hold the advantage long as Joy Of Spring ran right by him with 100m remaining, but he hung in there to finish a close second. VOLCANIC SPARK made a strong run from a midfield position to get into third placing, beaten 1-1/4 lengths on the line.
Race 5 – Diamond Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.74 Standard Time: 1:22.10 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Pierre Ng tied the Trainer's Premiership midway through the card as GREENWICH (NZ 4yo g War Decree – Miss Foxy Gal) scored his first win in 363 days. Andrea Atzeni took the gelding to the front after jumping quickly from an outside barrier, rolling across to sit in second position as they sorted their order out. The tempo was strong early but did begin to slacken as the field sorted their order out turning off the back. Greenwich was travelling comfortably on the outside of the leader, though he did come under pressure just prior to straightening and was left in the wake of the leader who kicked strongly at the top of the stretch. He was still a length off the leader with 150m to run, but hit top ger with 100m to run and gunned down the leader, pulling away to win by a length on the line in a strong return to form. STORMING DRAGON was also quickly away from barrier eight, with Zac Purton taking up the running. Once Purton got to the front, he slowed the tempo and was able to give his mount a breather through the middle stages of the event. This worked in his favour as they swung for home, with Storming dragon kicking away strongly and opening up a gap of over a length to his nearest rival. Despite kicking strongly turning for home, the gelding was unable to sustain his effort and was getting tired with around 150m to run. He was caught by the winner close to home and nearly ended up back in third position, but he had enough left in the tank to hold on for second. STEPS AHEAD was making plenty of late ground in the run, finishing 1-1/4 lengths off the winner after being 4-1/4 lengths away at the top of the straight.
Race 6 – Diamond Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.59 Standard Time: 1:22.10 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
TOP PEAK (NZ 4yo g Swiss Ace – Tessica) made it back-to-back wins and brought up a double on the day for Jerry Chau in a comfortable victory. The gelding got off to a good start from barrier seven and rolled forward early doors to try and find a position. Approaching the 1000m point, Chau was able to reverse parallel into the running line, sitting just forward of midfield with the tempo genuine through the middle stages. Chau peeled into the clear as they turned for home, giving his mount every possible chance at the top of the straight if he was good enough. Good enough he was, immediately taking ground off the leaders when Chau pushed the button and eventually taking the lead with 100m left to run. He was just too good on the day, finishing three-quarters of-a-length clear in front. JUMBO FORTUNE led home the chasing pack after settling a long way back from a wide alley. Matthew Poon took the gelding back toward the tail of the field, settling away off the fence in the run. The genuine pace helped his chances as Poon began to get a wriggle on 500m from home, swinging wide into the straight and coming down the middle of the track. The five-year-old just continued to take ground off his rivals down the outside, running into second place inside the final 50m. He never looked a winning threat, but it was an eye-catching run nonetheless. BEAUTY ALLIANCE tracked the eventual winner into the race and was there to win if he was good enough, but he never really picked up as anticipated. He ground away to the line, finishing a game third and he was doing his best work late in the race.
Race 7 – Lapis Lazuli Handicap, HK $2,050,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 2000m – Track Wet Good to Firm
Time: 2:01.33 Standard Time: 2:01.95 Course/Class record: 2:00.37 Champion Supreme
AWESOME FLUKE (AUS 4yo g Awesome Rock – Jayquin Star) brought up back-to-back wins with an impressive performance, sustaining a strong run from up on the pace. From a wide draw, Andrea Atzeni was fairly neutral on the gelding from the jump, ending up in a midfield position around the first turn as he raced wide and with cover. The three-wide line rolled forward, which allowed Atzeni to sit close to the speed down the back straight. His rivals tried to keep him wide, but the Sicilian was able to slide across eventually and be on the outside of the leader as they turned off the back straight. Approaching the home turn, Awesome Fluke took the lead under a hold and got a length clear with 300m remaining. He was there to be caught if his rivals were good enough, but he was still clear with 100m to run and the chasers couldn't catch him. It was a strong win from the front, scoring by 1-1/4 lengths to make it two wins in-a-row. Race favourite SIMPLE HEDGE finished in second position, running on well from beyond midfield. Zac Purton settled in the second half of the field and turning for home he had his mount in plenty of open space at the top of the straight. He was making plenty of ground down the outside, but he was unable to reel in the leader who was just too strong from the front. TURIN MASCOT was right there to pounce if he was good enough right down to the wire. He was only 1-1/4 lengths off the winner, edged out for second in a photo finish, but the winner Awesome Fluke was just too good.
Race 8 – The Premier Cup (Handicap), HK $4,200,000
Group Three – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.77 Standard Time: 1:21.10 Course/Class record: 1:20.05 Beauty Generation
MUGEN (AUS 5yo g Deep Field – Little Favours) scored his first win at Group level and handed trainer Pierre Ng a winning double on the night in The Premier Cup. Despite jumping from a good barrier, Mugen didn't show a whole lot of early speed under Karis Teetan and settled at the tail of the field on settling down. With a small field engaged, he didn't find himself too far off the lead as they turned off the back, with Teetan going between runners at the 600m point. Instead, of course wide on the turn, Teetan continued to squeeze between runners as they entered the straight, with the horses around him quickening well enough to open gaps for the five-year-old. He shot through between runners with around 250m left to run and only had the leader to chase down. He eventually stuck his nose in front with 50m to run and went on to claim his first win at Group level by a neck. CALIFORNIA SPANGLE carried the top weight, giving his nearest rival 15lbs and the winner a whopping 20lbs. He went to the front under Brenton Avdulla and found the lead with relative ease. The Australian hoop was able to slow the tempo slightly around the turn, before quickening strongly at the top of the straight to get away from his immediate dangers. He was still about a length in front with 200m to run, but Mugen was closing with every stride on his outside. California Spangle didn't go down without a fight, but in the end the weight difference proved too great, and the multiple Group One winner had to settle for second. FLYING ACE was back there with Mugen in the run and was forced to switch to the outside early in the straight which cost him some momentum. He picked up well after that though to storm down the outside and claim third in a photo finish, beaten 1-1/4 lengths.
Race 9 – The Premier Plate (Handicap), HK $4,200,000
Group Three – Turf - Distance 1800m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:48.64 Standard Time: 1:46.80 Course/Class record: 1:45.25 Southern Legend
It didn't take long for Pierre Ng to bring up the winning hat-trick on the night, sweeping the Group 3 events as race favourite GALAXY PATCH (AUS 4yo g Wandjina – Voltara) continued his rise through the ranks. The gelding was immediately taken back from the wide draw, settling near the tail of the field with the pace just moderate through the opening and middle stages. The gelding wanted to go quicker down the back straight, but Vincent Ho had a good grip on the galloper and began to make a move approaching the 600m point to avoid being locked away on the inside. The four-year-old was moving into the race strongly as he was shoved out wide on the turn, spotting the leader five lengths at the top of the straight. He quickened impressively though, storming down the outside to join the leaders with 50m to run and score by a neck on the wire. He's a horse for the future in Hong Kong and he continues to tick plenty of boxes on the way through. BEAUTY JOY continued his successful season this term. Brenton Avdulla also settled near the tail of the field and was hemmed up along the inside rail for most of the journey. The Australian was unable to swing wide on the turn, so he was forced to pick his way through the traffic, eventually getting clear with 250m remaining. He was coming strongly down the outside, as he joined the leaders at the same time as Galaxy Patch. He was unable to fend off the winner, but he got his nose down on the line to claim second position in a tight photo finish. HAPPY TOGETHER travelled into the race strongly but didn't quicken as anticipated when Alexis Badel pushed the button. He hit the front momentarily with 100m to run, but he was unable to fight off the first two across the line who had all the momentum up down the outside.
Race 10 – Sapphire Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.15 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner
JAMES TAK (AUS 3yo g Headwater – Partois) completed a huge day in the saddle for Jerry Chau, with the local jockey bringing up a winning treble on the day aboard the $12 chance. The three-year-old was away swiftly from an outside barrier and showed good speed to get across and sit on the outside of the leader as they turned off the back. He was racing comfortably around the turn and the son of Headwater moved up to take the lead shortly after entering the home straight. He was still under a hold by Chau when he ran to the front, and he put his rivals to the sword when the local jockey finally asked for an effort. James Tak put over a length on his rivals in the blink of an eye, and despite his competitor's best efforts, the gelding wasn't to be caught in the run to the line. It was an impressive victory, with the gelding scoring by 1-1/4 lengths as he aims towards bigger and better races next season. LUCY IN THE SKY made the step up to Class Three today and wasn't disgraced. He settled in behind the speed under Karis Teetan and tracked the leader throughout the event. Teetan was able to get off heels and into the clear on straightening, chasing after James Tak who got away when the sprint went on. Lucy In The Sky was making some ground late, but not enough as he was forced to settle for second. MODULE CONSTRUCTION returned from a spell in good form, sticking on gamely for third after racing wide and without cover throughout the event. He was 3-1/4 lengths off the winner, but he should improve plenty off that effort.
Race 11 – Amethyst Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.86 Standard Time: 1:21.80 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
Zac Purton had been close on a couple of occasions throughout the card, but it wasn't until the last race of the day that he finally got the job done aboard RUBYLOT (AUS 3yo g Rubick – Emirates Comfort). From an outside alley, Purton snagged the gelding to the tail of the field, ending up in last position as the field sorted their order out. The champion jockey was somewhat riding for luck around the home turn as he found himself in a tricky position near the tail of the field and Purton remained to the inside rail as they swung into the straight. The gaps opened right up for Purton with his rivals fanning wide on the track, with the Australian going underneath most of his rivals in the run. He never really looked like a winning hope until the furlong pole where he finally got into the clear and set after the leader. He was coming with a wet sail, though did have over a length to make up close to the line. He stuck his nose in front inside the final 50m and won by a head on the line. BEAUTY CRESCENT was in a handy position in the run under Brenton Avdulla and he looked the winner when the Australian produced him at the top of the straight. He came with a strong run down the outside, launching out of the pack to chase down the tearaway leader, hitting the front with 100m to run. He was still leading with 50m to run, but Rubylot was breathing down his neck. Beauty Crescent couldn't fight back late in the race, only going under by a head on the line. HUGE WAVE closed off strongly from the back to run into third position, beaten 1-1/2 lengths on the line.
