Selections and analysis for Sunday's (15/12/24) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin.
Race 1: #6 Gluck Racer, #7 Hoss, #9 So Awesome, #2 Charmander
Race 2: #2 The Khan, #3 Yoda's Choice, #5 Aromatica, #14 Regency Happy Star
Race 3: #8 Tactical Command, #1 Triumphant More, #5 Newborn Miracle, #3 Colourful Winner
Race 4: #6 Circuit Jolly, #4 Grand Nova, #10 Snowthorn, #3 Fun Elite
Race 5: #11 Beauty Alliance, #4 Flying Luck, #9 Gold Master, #5 Silver Up
Race 6: #4 New Future Folks, #2 The Heir, #1 Ballistic Win, #8 Lakeshore Hero
Race 7: #4 Fast Network, #7 Healthy Healthy, #5 I Give, #8 Stellar Express
Race 8: #10 Armour War Eagle, #1 Packing Power, #2 Mighty Stride, #6 Huge Wave
Race 9: #1 Swift Ascend, #12 Meowth, #6 Super Infinity, #4 Awesome Treasure
Race 10: #3 Mickley, #11 Packing Turbine, #4 Sky Trust, #1 Cap Ferrat
Race 1 - LUKFOOK JEWELLERY HEXICON HANDICAP
#6 Gluck Racer returns to Class 5, where he is unbeaten, and benefits from a perfect draw in gate 3. He has trialled nicely between runs, and the booking of Karis Teetan, who was aboard for his previous win in this grade, is likeable. #7 Hoss caught the eye last time with a strong finish from a wide draw in his first attempt in the cellar grade. Moving into a mid-draw here, he should settle closer and is poised for big improvement. #9 So Awesome enjoys an ideal run from barrier 2, and his last-start third suggests another Class 5 victory could be on the horizon. #2 Charmander reunites with Zac Purton and returns to Sha Tin after an unremarkable outing at Happy Valley. Although drawn wide, the long straight to the bend offers Purton time to secure a favourable position.
Race 2 - LUKFOOK JEWELLERY WEDDING COLLECTION HANDICAP
#2 The Khan shapes as a strong winning contender to end a winless streak for Caspar Fownes after enduring an unlucky run from an outside draw last start. A better barrier this time offers the chance to turn his fortunes around. #3 Yoda's Choice produced a solid effort dropping back into Class 5 last time, only being caught in the final stride to narrowly miss the win. Zac Purton takes over in the saddle, and from a decent draw on the C+3 course, he should map into a favourable position, making him tough to run down. #5 Aromatica resumes after a break since early October, having gone close to a win before his spell, and warrants consideration. #14 Regency Happy Star has been utterly disappointing, but a switch to David Eustace's stable could spark improvement. With pole position, he is set to enjoy a perfect run in transit.
Race 3 - LUKFOOK JEWELLERY DIAPURE HANDICAP
#8 Tactical Command returns to Sha Tin after four consistent performances at Happy Valley, having endured tough luck from a wide draw last time when caught wide throughout. Mark Newnham has this five-year-old in excellent form, and in an open race, he looks ready to charge home late, especially after trialling impressively between starts. #1 Triumphant More was an impressive debut winner two starts ago and followed up with a credible fourth, racing too fiercely on that occasion. He should appreciate the Sha Tin track and has scope to improve. #5 Newborn Miracle was overlooked in the betting on debut but ran on strongly for fourth. With natural improvement and the benefit of barrier 1, he will take another step forward. #3 Colourful Winner is overdue a victory, performing consistently despite drawing wide barriers, and is capable of another honest showing.
Race 4 - LUKFOOK JEWELLERY LOVE IS BEAUTY COLLECTION HANDICAP
#6 Circuit Jolly will wear blinkers for the first time as he seeks a maiden victory on his third career start. Both runs so far have been promising, and he looks set to get every conceivable chance here. #4 Grand Nova shapes as a strong contender for another win as James McDonald takes over from a favourable draw on the straight course. Forgive his wide-run effort on IJC night. #10 Snowthorn has shown plenty of promise in multiple trials and should run a bold race on debut for Ricky Yiu. #3 Fun Elite likely needed the run first-up and should take improvement second-up with that run under the belt.
Race 5 - LUKFOOK JEWELLERY GOLDSTYLE HANDICAP
#11 Beauty Alliance checks all the right boxes. Drawn wide first-up over 1400m, he was given a quiet ride at the back before closing strongly late into sixth. He now moves into barrier 1 and steps up to the mile, both of which enhance his chances. John Size's runners are beginning to hit form, and this one looks ready to win. #4 Flying Luck remains untapped, having won his maiden two starts ago over 1400m and followed it up with a strong second over the mile. #9 Gold Master is improving with racing and appears poised to progress further third-up, especially after a strong trial win since his last outing. #5 Silver Up, despite a wide draw, showed promise first-up for Mark Newnham and is likely to improve further as he continues his preparation.
Race 6 - LUKFOOK JEWELLERY HEIRLOOM FORTUNE COLLECTION HANDICAP
#4 New Future Folks gets another promising opportunity to secure his maiden win. Stepping up to 1400m for the first time should suit, and barrier 3 provides jockey Ben Thompson with an excellent platform to deliver a strong performance. #2 The Heir makes his Class 4 debut and is edging closer to a breakthrough victory. He'll need to capitalise on his inside draw. #1 Ballistic Win was too far back in the field last time but stormed home into third. On his prior solid form, he has the capability to map closer , which will enhance his chances. #8 Lakeshore Hero is having his third career start, and the step up to 1400m appears ideal for this lightly raced contender.
Race 7 - THE LUKFOOK JEWELLERY CUP (HANDICAP)
#4 Fast Network is on an upward trajectory and looks difficult to oppose after demolishing his rivals by over four lengths last time in fast time. He appears to have more to offer and his ceiling is yet to be reached. #7 Healthy Healthy has found his niche over this trip, recording back-to-back wins, and remains a solid contender. #5 I Give is a natural front-runner who will set the pace and is likely to give a strong account of himself. While a win would surprise, his place chances are solid, especially with James McDonald in the saddle. #8 Stellar Express continues to perform consistently without breaking through for a win, and once again looks poised to be in the mix at the finish.
Race 8 - LUKFOOK JEWELLERY BELOVED COLLECTION HANDICAP
#10 Armour War Eagle deserves another chance after being forced to cover extra ground from a wide draw over the mile last time. Dropping back to 1400m suits, and Mark Newnham has him primed to break through for a win. #1 Packing Power's unbeaten record was broken last time and he is likely to start as the favourite and faces his first test over 1400m. A strong performance here is crucial if he is to progress toward the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. #2 Mighty Stride has drawn wide again and, unless tactics change, may produce another similar effort to last time when flashing home late into fifth. #6 Huge Wave has been finishing his races well but needs to settle closer to the pace to pose a serious threat.
Race 9 - LUKFOOK JOAILLERIE HANDICAP
#1 Swift Ascend is in excellent form under David Eustace, with two wins and a second from three starts. He looks well-placed to secure back-to-back victories from barrier 2 after a dominant two-length triumph last time out. #12 Meowth surprised with a debut win at long odds, doing so impressively, and a low draw ensures he maps well. He can measure up despite the rise in class. #6 Super Infinity has barrier 11 to contend with but is highly consistent, making it tough to discount his chances. #4 Awesome Treasure is expected to lead and could prove hard to catch if apprentice Britney Wong is unpressured, especially with the rail out wide favouring front runners.
Race 10 - LUKFOOK JEWELLERY DEAR Q HANDICAP
#3 Mickley impressed on debut over 1400m, making up significant ground late to finish fourth behind Charming Legend. The step up to the mile second-up looks ideal, and this John Size-trained prospect could emerge as a serious Classic Series contender with a commanding performance. #11 Packing Turbine is of a similar profile, having caught the eye on his local debut but pulling up with blood in the trachea. Freshend, he has looked well in work and at the trials since. #4 Sky Trust put in a strong effort to win his third race last time despite starting from barrier 14. He now benefits from barrier 1, giving him every chance to secure back-to-back victories. #1 Cap Ferrat has been trialling well ahead of his local debut. On the Derby trail, he may make an impact with a strong first-up showing.
