Selections and analysis for Sunday's (20/10/24) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin.
Race 1: #8 Youth Power, #1 Not A Few, #13 Red Maverick, #5 Pakistan Friend
Race 2: #6 Forerunner, #1 Roman Crown, #9 California Moxie, #2 Fashion Legend
Race 3: #8 Jumbo Fortune, #2 Master Mastermind, #1 Ballistic Win, #12 Yee Cheong Raider
Race 4: #4 Giant Leap, #3 Super Legends, #10 Happy Park, #8 Exceed The Wish
Race 5: #6 Patch Of Theta, #7 Stunning Peach, #5 Flaming Rabbit, #10 Karma
Race 6: #5 Blazing Wind, #2 Courier Aladdin, #1 Harold Win, #7 Monarch County
Race 7: #7 Howdeepisyourlove, #2 Ka Ying Rising, #1 California Spangle, #11 Helios Express
Race 8: #2 Packing Hermod, #12 Super Infinity, #10 Magnificent Nine, #1 I Give
Race 9: #4 Illuminous, #6 Winning Gold, #5 Turin Starspangled, #7 Pray For Mir
Race 10: #4 King Miles, #11 Sky Trust, #2 Prestige Always, #1 Green N White
Race 1 - THE WITH YOU. THEN. NOW. ALWAYS. 1600M HANDICAP
#8 Youth Power is intriguing on the quick back-up, having been narrowly beaten by half a length into fourth behind Charmander last week. Barrier 1 will provide him with every chance in this wide-open contest. #1 Not A Few makes his Class 5 debut, as well as his first start for the David Eustace stable. The booking of Hugh Bowman is significant, and with some luck from barrier 10, he should go close. #13 Red Maverick led too quickly last start, which contributed to him tiring late. He has improved this season and could be poised to sneak into the money at a decent price. #5 Pakistan Friend reunites with Zac Purton, with the pair boasting a perfect 1-for-1 record together.
Race 2 - THE YOU MAKE GOOD POSSIBLE 1400M HANDICAP
#6 Forerunner has been dealt wide draws in his two runs this preparation; still, he performs well and is itching to break through for another win. Trainer Cody Mo calling upon Zac Purton, teaming up for just the second time this season, makes a strong case. #1 Roman Crown drops into Class 4 and can start to be followed. His last-start 10th is better than it reads, as he was unable to be fully tested late. #9 California Moxie will wear blinkers for the first time. He was eye-catching in his last-start effort and looks ready to take another step forward here. #2 Fashion Legend makes his stable debut for trainer David Eustace while also dropping to Class 4, which should see him improve.
Race 3 - THE COMMUNITY GROWTH 1400M HANDICAP
#8 Jumbo Fortune performed very well first-up for the Eustace stable, narrowly missing out on victory after encountering traffic problems in the straight. He appears ready to win. #2 Master Mastermind put it all together last start and secured his win. He should be able to build on that performance, but the wide barrier raises some concerns. However, Zac Purton is the man for the job. #1 Ballistic Win will receive a perfect run from his low draw, with Hugh Bowman taking over the reins. He can bounce back to form after a last-start no-show. #12 Yee Cheong Raider finished strongly into second first-up. Although he has an awkward draw to overcome, he will be making his presence felt late.
Race 4 - THE STRIDING ON TOGETHER 1200M HANDICAP
#4 Giant Leap was an impressive all-the-way winner in his final run of last season but resumed with excuses after rearing at the start, never posing a threat. He has since been sent back to the trials, where he caught the eye, and a clean jump from barrier 1 will see him hard to beat. He deserves another chance. #3 Super Legends posted an easy second-up win last start, leading from pillar to post, and will vie to repeat the dose. #10 Happy Park continues to improve with each outing and can take another positive step forward here. #8 Exceed The Wish makes his debut for trainer Mark Newnham. His trials have shown he has ability, but an outer alley isn't ideal for his first assignment.
Race 5 - THE HKJC 140TH ANNIVERSARY CUP (HANDICAP)
#6 Patch Of Theta just missed out on a return victory first-up over 1400m under a slow tempo, where the leader proved hard to gun down. He tests the mile for the first time here, which shouldn't pose a problem given his relaxed nature. #7 Stunning Peach created a lasting impression in three runs last campaign. He kicks off his 4YO Classic Series aspirations here, and while the mile may be the shortest distance he desires, he should finish strongly late. #5 Flaming Rabbit is set to find the front, and if left alone, he will give this group something to chase. #10 Karma rises to his best distance second-up after a solid third on resuming. He has since won a trial heat strongly between runs and looks in fine fettle.
Race 6 - THE INSPIRING COMMUNITY 1200M HANDICAP
#5 Blazing Wind flashed home late to finish a close second to Harold Win last start, missing out by a head. He should test their mettle, especially with the advantage of barrier 1, while key rivals will require luck from their wide draws. #2 Courier Aladdin is an untapped talent, having debuted with a lasting first-up win last term. He looks destined for better things but will need plenty of luck from the outermost alley. #1 Harold Win, wearing saddle cloth number 1 in this field, comes off his breakthrough success last time. Despite carrying extra weight, he should feature prominently again. #7 Monarch County has shown steady improvement in his trials leading up to his debut for the Caspar Fownes yard; it wouldn't be a surprise to see him run a strong race first-up.
Race 7 - GROUP 2 THE PREMIER BOWL (HANDICAP)
#7 Howdeepisyourlove slots in nicely on a favourable weight under handicap conditions. He's capable of causing a boilover, as he did when downing Galaxy Patch five starts ago, especially with the benefit of a low draw. #2 Ka Ying Rising will need some luck from his draw. He aims for his second big-race success while competing at G2 level for the first time. Facing stiffer competition with California Spangle in the mix, he benefits from a seven-pound allowance off the top weight. #1 California Spangle kicks off his campaign, rejuvenated as a sprinter last term. He'll be tough to wear down in the straight. #11 Helios Express resumes off his 4YO Classic Series campaign, where he won the first two legs. The best distance for him remains unclear, but 1200m should be a solid starting point this term.
Race 8 - THE SHARED PROSPERITY 1200M HANDICAP
#2 Packing Hermod has drawn horribly wide for his return. However, he is one of Hong Kong's most exciting up-and-comers after stringing two big-margin wins together last term and appears to hold a class edge on his rivals. Trainer Francis Lui has high ambitions for this four-year-old, setting his sights on the 4YO Classic Mile as one of his main targets this season. #12 Super Infinity has the advantage of barrier 1. He returns to the races on a 7-day turnaround after a luckless run in defeat, where he was slow to begin, which dashed his chances. He still performed well, closing strongly into fourth. #10 Magnificent Nine went close to winning in eight local starts last season. John Size appears to have him in good form for his return, and his placings behind some smart types have him well positioned here. #1 I Give will find the front as he likes to do and will give a sight, but fitness may be telling late.
Race 9 - THE CREATIVE SPIRIT 1600M HANDICAP
#4 Illuminous will be a fitter proposition second-up, having finished a promising runner-up first-up despite encountering traffic in the straight. This is one of the most competitive races on the card, but he gets the nod. #6 Winning Gold aims for a fourth consecutive win. He steps up to the mile, which should not pose a problem, but barrier 1 could be a concern if he finds himself hemmed in turning for home. #5 Turin Starspangled is a horse on the rise. The UK-bred three-year-old resumed at this course and distance with a one-length victory—his first try over a mile—and relished the distance. Further progression will put him on a Classic Series path. #7 Pray For Mir can be followed up on after his last-start win. Trainer Cody Mo has the Classic Series in mind for this improving four-year-old.
Race 10 - THE LOVE RACING 1400M HANDICAP
#4 King Miles drew wide in barrier 11 first-up and raced three-wide throughout. Jockey Vincent Ho noted that his run came to an end late due to a lack of fitness; however, he was only beaten two lengths into seventh. Ready to rebound. #11 Sky Trust is an impressive four-year-old making inroads with more racing. He steps up into Class 3 off an effortless Class 4 win and has plenty more to offer. #2 Prestige Always won his first local race last start in fighting fashion. The Irish-bred three-year-old will be on track to contest the 4YO Classic Series if he continues on an upward trend. #1 Green N White is a model of consistency. He is first-up since March due to injury and may need the run.
