Selections and analysis for Saturday's (09/11/24) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin.
Race 1: #3 Not A Few, #1 Fairy Horse, #4 Spangle Fortune, #5 Colourful Baron
Race 2: #2 Circuit Jolly, #1 Juneau Pride, #6 Ka Ying Attack, #5 Etalon Or
Race 3: #2 Roman Crown, #1 Master Trillion, #9 Monarch County, #7 He Was You
Race 4: #1 Charity Gain, #8 Joyful Prosperity, #9 Jubilation, #7 Happy Hero
Race 5: #5 Jumbo Legend, #3 Forever Folks, #8 Excel Wongchoy, #12 Foremost Teddy
Race 6: #6 Magic Control, #3 Wunderbar, #1 Whizz Kid, #5 Tomodachi Kokoroe
Race 7: #5 Young Champion, #11 Packing Hermod, #12 Rubylot, #6 Bottomuptogether
Race 8: #5 Jubilant Winner, #7 Legend St Paul's, #2 Sunny Da Best, #14 Fight Time
Race 9: #12 Super Infinity, #4 Savvy Brilliant, #7 Storm Rider, #6 Captain Win
Race 10: #3 Voyage Samurai, #5 Turin Starspangled, #8 Silo, #9 Star Mac
Race 1 - PANASHOP HANDICAP
#3 Not A Few turned in an eye-catching fifth first-up in his debut run for the David Eustace stable, also his first attempt in Class 5, despite a slow start. With a sharper start, he looks the one to beat. #1 Fairy Horse backs up from Wednesday night, where he narrowly missed the placings in fourth. While draw 11 isn't ideal, he's primed for a breakthrough in this grade. #4 Spangle Fortune has trialled well since his first-up run and should secure an early on-pace position from his low barrier under Britney Wong's 10lb claim. #5 Colourful Baron impressed with an easy 1800m win last start despite covering extra ground. If he holds that form, he should be competitive again from an inside gate, though consistency can be elusive in Class 5.
Race 2 - PANASONIC SMALLER MULTI-SPLIT AIR CONDITIONER HANDICAP
#2 Circuit Jolly performed solidly on debut, finishing third after vying for the lead throughout, possibly losing the race when he jumped a track mark near the 170-metre mark. He has trialled ideally in between runs and is the one to beat, especially with a favourable draw in barrier 3. #1 Juneau Pride finished second on debut, just ahead of Circuit Jolly, powering home late from gate 12. He's drawn sweetly in barrier 2 this time and, like many of John Size's young runners, will have improved for the run. #6 Ka Ying Attack outperformed market expectations on debut with a close-up fourth, just a neck behind. #5 Etalon Or has been performing well despite wide draws, missing by a narrow margin in recent starts and can go close again.
Race 3 - PANASONIC MINI LED TV HANDICAP
#2 Roman Crown has trialled well in between runs since his first attempt in Class 4. Zac Purton takes the ride this time, and this key jockey booking suggests he'll be ready to deliver an improved performance. #1 Master Trillion won nicely on debut for Frankie Lor and appears better than Class 4 standard. He's trialled quietly but nicely in between runs and can win again, though the widest barrier draw isn't ideal over 1200m. #9 Monarch County ran a good race on debut; he should benefit from that experience and take a step forward here. #7 He Was You is well-prepared for his debut from the Tony Cruz yard—watch for any market support.
Race 4 - PANASONIC SMART LOCK HANDICAP
#1 Charity Gain remains on an upward trajectory for the David Eustace stable after securing his first career win over 1800m last start. #8 Joyful Prosperity broke his maiden last start, albeit in Class 5, but he seems to have turned a corner since moving to Danny Shum's stable. #9 Jubilation has shown the consistency needed for this type of race and should map well from barrier 2, which suits his racing style. #7 Happy Hero is two from two at this course and distance. Though his record is stronger in Class 5, his Class 4 win two starts back indicates he can be competitive when conditions suit.
Race 5 - PANASONIC IH WARM JAR HANDICAP
#5 Jumbo Legend tries the all-weather track for the first time in his career and backs up just six days after a solid second-place finish last week. He creates plenty of interest here. #3 Forever Folks is easy to like in this race given his overall consistency lately. #8 Excel Wongchoy is edging ever closer to a breakthrough victory, and jockey Vincent Ho is likely to secure a favourable run from barrier 4. #12 Foremost Teddy remains a maiden after 10 starts but has placed in all three runs this preparation. Zac Purton will have to navigate from barrier 11, however.
Race 6 - PANASONIC JAPAN MADE SYSTEM KITCHEN HANDICAP
#6 Magic Control enters this off a commendable runner-up effort to Beauty Waves in the G3 National Day Cup. Freshened since, he looked sharp in his trial, which should set him up nicely to atone. #3 Wunderbar will attract plenty of attention here, and rightly so. From his outside draw in this small field, he should jump smartly, set the pace, and prove tough to pass. #1 Whizz Kid is reliable over track and distance, making him tough to ignore, even if a win may be a stretch. #5 Tomodachi Kokoroe resumed with a strong fourth first-up despite a wide run. He'll be better placed with a more economical trip this time.
Race 7 - THE PANASONIC CUP (HANDICAP)
#5 Young Champion had vet excuses first-up, pulling up with blood in the trachea. He has been given 47 days to recover and should make amends second-up despite a hot field and wide draw. #11 Packing Hermod is an exciting prospect on the rise, facing an acid test as he steps up to Class 2 and 1400m for the first time. With Zac Purton unable to make weight, Lyle Hewitson gets the ride. #12 Rubylot impressed with a sharp first-up win over 1200m and should relish the step up to 1400m on his Class 2 debut. #6 Bottomuptogether ran a solid second to Wunderbar last start despite a wide draw. This marks his first race over 1400m.
Race 8 - PANASONIC ZIAINO AIR TREATMENT HANDICAP
#5 Jubilant Winner is overdue for a win, and his last start second to Stellar Swift reads well for a race like this. His trial in between runs suggests he's ready. #7 Legend St Paul's showed ability on debut with a game runner-up to Win Speed and should improve further second-up, benefitting from an inside draw in barrier 2. #2 Sunny Da Best is better than his last two runs suggest; he's now second-up and should show improved match fitness. #14 Fight Time resumed with a promising second place to Master Mastermind, which is solid form here.
Race 9 - PANASONIC 2-IN-1 WASHER DRYER HANDICAP
#12 Super Infinity couldn't match Packing Hermod last start but his second-place finish to the rising star is strong form for a race of this nature. Barrier 2 provides jockey Harry Bentley every chance to go one place better. #4 Savvy Brilliant broke through impressively at his second local start over 1200m, beating Super Infinity on that occasion, although the latter had no luck. He has more to come. #7 Storm Rider finally lands a favourable draw in gate 3. His first-up and second-up runs have been encouraging, and he could easily be in the mix here with a bit of luck. #6 Captain Win benefits from barrier 1, and his previous consistent form is certainly good enough for him to be in contention here.
Race 10 - PANASONIC THERMO VENTILATOR HANDICAP
#3 Voyage Samurai picked up where he left off last season with a game run into second behind Pray For Mir, who is making strides. He should come in a fitter horse second-up and looks tough to oppose from barrier 4. #5 Turin Starspangled faded late on pace in a fast-run race last start, making it a more solid effort than it may appear on paper. #8 Silo tries the mile for the first time here; he's been improving with each run in Hong Kong and, though yet to place, has finished close. #9 Star Mac showed he's ready to win with a strong run into second last start, and from barrier 1, he should map closer to the pace, enhancing his chances.
