Selections and analysis for Sunday's (17/11/24) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin
Race 1: #4 Flying Double, #1 Blazing Wind, #7 Lucky Impact, #10 Sky Vino
Race 2: #2 Ballistic Win, #1 Oriental Smoke, #10 Win Speed, #5 My Flying Angel
Race 3: #7 Island Breezes, #1 Super Legends, #3 Colourful Winner, #11 Bienvenue
Race 4: #5 Markwin, #6 View Of The World, #3 Owners' Praise, #7 Amazing Run
Race 5: #8 Midori Glory, #5 Stellar Express, #7 Fast Network, #6 Candlelight Dinner
Race 6: #7 Eighteen Carat, #6 Bravehearts, #10 Family Jewel, #9 Californiatotality
Race 7: #4 Ka Ying Rising, #1 California Spangle, #9 Helios Express, #2 Victor The Winner
Race 8: #2 Beauty Eternal, #5 Galaxy Patch, #1 Voyage Bubble, #7 Red Lion
Race 9: #1 Romantic Warrior, #8 Ensued, #6 Sword Point, #7 Ka Ying Generation
Race 10: #6 Master Mastermind, #4 King Miles, #14 Magnificent Nine, #10 Fantastic Fun
Race 11: #1 Packing Power, #7 Super Infinity, #5 Divano, #9 Patch Of Cosmo
Race 1 - BOCHK CROSS-BORDER SERVICES HANDICAP
#4 Flying Double debuted with a promising fourth-place finish. However, he bounded out of the gates and encountered traffic at the top of the stretch, peaking on his run inside the 100m. Natural improvement is expected, and he looks ready to win second-up. #1 Blazing Wind has been knocking on the door with two close seconds, and this marks James McDonald's first ride in his short-term stint—one that could well be a winning start. #7 Lucky Impact was favoured last time but had veterinary excuses with blood in the trachea. He resumes off two fair trials and could show more here. #10 Sky Vino has been trialling nicely leading up to his debut and could surprise.
Race 2 - BOCHK SME IN ONE HANDICAP
#2 Ballistic Win has been knocking on the door for another victory in three starts this season, and his recent third-place finish behind Master Mastermind reads as solid form for this race. James McDonald in the plate adds confidence to his chances. #1 Oriental Smoke drops back into Class 4, where he boasts a strong record. Last time, he faded into eighth after setting a sharp early pace against tougher company. He may roll forward again here but will need to navigate from barrier 10. #10 Win Speed secured his maiden victory last start and has trialled well since. He has more to come. #5 My Flying Angel will wear blinkers for the first time in Hong Kong, and he was successful wearing them prior to his import. He won a trial nicely in the gear leading up to this race, which suggests he could improve.
Race 3 - BOC LIFE HANDICAP
#7 Island Breezes looks set for a strong debut from the Pierre Ng stable, with Karis Teetan aboard after guiding him through all his trials; a winning debut appears well within reach. #1 Super Legends brings experience and decent form, having followed up a win two starts back with a solid second-place finish last time. #3 Colourful Winner put in a game effort from gate 11 last start, narrowly beaten into fourth by Patch of Time, who scored again last week. He'll need to overcome barrier 11 once more. #11 Bienvenue has been steadily improving with each start, finishing within three lengths on both outings and looking primed to take another step forward here.
Race 4 - BOCHK "BANKING TRENDYTOO" HANDICAP
#5 Markwin was unlucky when runner-up on debut and, last start, found himself too far back after a fair jump in an on-pace dominated race. However, his closing third had plenty of merit, and he's ready to win. #6 View Of The World has drawn barrier 11 in all four starts so far. While he won from there two starts ago, it wasn't his day last time, though he still ran a solid fourth. With barrier 3 here, connections will be hopeful of a change in luck. #3 Owners' Praise typically gets back in the run, but Zac Purton could potentially make use of barrier 4 to improve his chances. #7 Amazing Run has been unlucky with wide gates but continues to perform well. With barrier 8, his chances look stronger this time around.
Race 5 - BOCHK WEALTH MANAGEMENT HANDICAP
#8 Midori Glory makes an intriguing appearance as he moves to Pierre Ng's stable after four starts under Ricky Yiu. He trialled nicely in blinkers and has drawn well for the straight course. #5 Stellar Express was the favourite when finishing second to Magic Control two starts ago—a solid form line here. Last start, he raced wide over 1200m, so it's a run to overlook. #7 Fast Network has trialled well since his respectable third-place finish on his first Class 3 test in early October. #6 Candlelight Dinner was overextended on the lead over 1200m in his local debut. He should be fitter second-up, and the drop in trip is in his favour.
Race 6 - BOC CREDIT CARD HANDICAP
#7 Eighteen Carat looks primed to strike third-up after a solid second last time out and a good trial in between runs. #6 Bravehearts has found his form since joining Mark Newnham's stable, as evidenced by a big win last start. #10 Family Jewel steps up to Class 3 after two wins over a mile in Class 4. This is his first go at 2000m, but he looks well-suited to the distance. #9 Californiatotality is in a similar position, stepping up in class and tackling 2000m for the first time, but his current winning form suggests he can handle it.
Race 7 - THE BOCHK PRIVATE BANKING JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT
#4 Ka Ying Rising has swiftly established himself as one of the top sprinters on the global stage after two sensational wins this preparation. The set weights race conditions favour him as the highest-rated runner in the field, but he enjoys a 5lb pull over three of his rivals, as he is yet to secure a Group 1. #1 California Spangle resumed with a solid third behind Ka Ying Rising and should strip much fitter second-up. #9 Helios Express resumed with an eye-catching run into second behind Ka Ying Rising, and trainer John Size has noted that he'll stick to sprint distances for now. #2 Victor The Winner, a first-up specialist, should secure a sweet run from barrier 1. Though a win would come as a shock, he may sneak in for a place depending on how the pace eventuates.
Race 8 - THE BOCHK PRIVATE WEALTH JOCKEY CLUB MILE
#2 Beauty Eternal needed the run first-up, leading until the 150m before fading late into sixth; he should have improved significantly in fitness. #5 Galaxy Patch, one of Hong Kong's most exciting horses on the rise, targets his fourth consecutive win and benefits from the set weight conditions. He's done everything right this season to justify early Hong Kong Mile favouritism. #1 Voyage Bubble was a solid second to Galaxy Patch first-up after a wide run and will test him again, especially with James McDonald back in the saddle. #7 Red Lion is one who can spring an upset. His recent trial was promising, and with barrier 1, Hugh Bowman should secure a cozy run.
Race 9 - THE BOCHK JOCKEY CLUB CUP
#1 Romantic Warrior returns to action following his Yasuda Kinen success in Japan back in early June. He's looked sensational in his trials, and it's hard to pinpoint a credible threat in this field. #8 Ensued was impressive in his G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse win last start, indicating he's on an upward trajectory. #6 Sword Point set a quick pace on his last outing but only weakened late; he should be more competitive with a steadier ride. #7 Ka Ying Generation disappointed first-up on the all-weather but is more suited to turf and the 2000m distance, which should play to his strengths.
Race 10 - BOCHK BOC PAY HANDICAP
#6 Master Mastermind is a progressive type stepping up to Class 3 for the first time, but he looks capable of handling the challenge as he targets a hat-trick. #4 King Miles lost his chance last start with a poor break but closed off strongly and had excuses first-up when caught wide. He's more than capable of a strong rebound here. #14 Magnificent Nine is back quickly after being badly held up late when fourth to Savvy Brilliant last week, and he'll be looking to make amends. #10 Fantastic Fun kicks off his campaign here and has been trialling very well ahead of his return. He should progress well this preparation.
Race 11 - BOCHK ASSET MANAGEMENT HANDICAP
#1 Packing Power aims to extend his winning streak to four, bringing top-notch form from his last start. He remains the one to beat. #7 Super Infinity, on a quick 7-day turnaround, remains a strong contender after narrowly missing out in his last two starts, both excellent form references against Packing Hermod and Savvy Brilliant. #5 Divano returns to Sha Tin after a solid third at Happy Valley, and with James McDonald aboard from barrier 2, he's well-positioned to capitalise. #9 Patch Of Cosmo chases a hat-trick after two wins in age-restricted Class 4 races. Though this is a tougher test, it offers a chance to gauge his progress.
