Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (18/12/24) 08-race fixture at Sha Tin.
Race 1: #4 Sonic Boom, #2 Silver Destiny, #3 Speedy Fortune, #6 Woodfire Champ
Race 2: #2 Soaring Bronco, #5 Colourful Baron, #1 Go Go Go, #8 Harry's Hero
Race 3: #7 Dragon Air Force, #1 Mark The Moment, #2 Nebraskan, #9 Racingrace
Race 4: #4 Mojave Desert, #6 Natural High, #1 Golden Long, #10 Vulcanus
Race 5: #8 Hakka Radiance, #13 Happydearhappydeer, #2 Excel Wongchoy, #6 Never Peter Out
Race 6: #4 Reliable Profit, #1 Tale Of Perth, #7 Jumbo Fortune, #3 Massive Action
Race 7: #1 Dancing Code, #11 Harold Win, #6 Packing Bole, #4 Super Win Dragon
Race 8: #3 Luck Is Back, #4 Talents Ambition, #7 Fighting Machine, #8 Namjong Kingdom
Race 1 - BANYAN HANDICAP
#4 Sonic Boom steps out for his second start back in Class 5 and will appreciate an inside draw (4) after being caught wide from a poor barrier last time yet still managing third. #2 Silver Destiny will be a favoured runner as he makes his Class 5 debut with Zac Purton aboard. He impressed in a barrier trial, finishing just behind a stablemate who subsequently won, indicating he's ready to fire. #3 Speedy Fortune returns to his preferred track and distance after three encouraging 1000m runs at Happy Valley since joining David Eustace's stable. James McDonald in the saddle boosts his chances despite barrier 10. #6 Woodfire Champ had no luck chasing consecutive wins last time, caught wide early and unable to be fully tested late. A better draw here gives him a chance to bounce back.
Race 2 - SHA LEK HANDICAP
#2 Soaring Bronco finally lobs into Class 5 after many tries at the bottom of Class 4 where he had plenty of chances to break through for a win. Barrier 2 and the booking of James McDonald provide him with every conceivable opportunity to secure his maiden win. #5 Colourful Baron was an easy winner at this course and distance two starts ago and followed it up with a fair fourth when unsuited by the drop in distance. He has shown good form since joining Douglas Whyte's stable, and stepping back up in trip looks ideal. #1 Go Go Go will be out of trouble in the run from barrier 1 with apprentice Ellis Wong engaged to ride. #8 Harry's Hero scored impressively at Sha Tin on Sunday and remains appealing on the quick turnaround.
Race 3 - SHA TIN WAI HANDICAP
#7 Dragon Air Force endured a tough run last time when racing keenly early and finding traffic in the straight, yet still managed a creditable fourth. With a cleaner run, he looks poised to break through. #1 Mark The Moment raced wide on the lead last time and faded late but wasn't beaten far. This is only his second attempt in Class 4, and with a more economical trip, he can prove competitive. #2 Nebraskan has barrier 11 to contend with but comes off a narrow defeat at this course and distance. Fresh off a four-timer on Sunday, John Size-trained runners have to be respected. #9 Racingrace is steadily improving and ran third to the in-form Beauty Destiny at Happy Valley last time. Another step forward puts him in contention.
Race 4 - SHA TIN WAI HANDICAP
#4 Mojave Desert has struggled to make an impact in seven Hong Kong starts but now enters the race under Mark Newnham, a trainer making a name for improving stable transfers. His trial for the new yard showed marked improvement, and barrier 3 with jockey Luke Ferraris aboard is an advantage. #6 Natural High may be ready to progress with blinkers applied, having won a trial impressively in the new gear since his last race. #1 Golden Long has returned in solid form this campaign with a pair of placings and should be well-prepared third-up, though he does face an uphill task from the widest draw. #10 Vulcanus steps up in grade after a decisive last-start win in Class 5, and this relatively open Class 4 contest ensures he remains a competitive chance.
Race 5 - THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL 40TH ANNIVERSARY CUP (HANDICAP)
#8 Hakka Radiance ran a strong race into fifth from a wide draw over 2200m last time and sees his chances improve significantly returning to the all-weather and stepping into barrier 4. The step back in distance will also be to his liking. #13 Happydearhappydeer delivered his best effort to date when adopting front-running tactics to hold third behind Reliable Profit. Barrier 1 provides him with the opportunity to replicate that promising run. #2 Excel Wongchoy has been a model of consistency and will benefit from a favourable position in barrier 2. #6 Never Peter Out should appreciate the drop back in distance given his prior solid form, though his last-start performance over 1800m was still commendable.
Race 6 - NGAN SHING HANDICAP
#4 Reliable Profit is in stellar form, chasing a hat-trick of wins, and will be tough to beat despite Hugh Bowman having to navigate another wide draw. #1 Tale Of Perth steps into unknown territory at this distance but could show significant improvement dropping in class after an eye-catching effort over 1200m at this track. If he can capitalise on barrier 1 early, his chances will be enhanced. #7 Jumbo Fortune is just a one-time winner from 45 Hong Kong starts, yet David Eustace has him in fine form this season. James McDonald returns to the saddle after partnering him two starts ago when placed third. #3 Massive Action will take some catching if allowed to dictate the pace up front with Zac Purton taking the reins.
Race 7 - SIU LEK YUEN HANDICAP
#1 Dancing Code returns to Class 3, where he has performed best, and makes his first attempt on the all-weather. His recent trial on the surface was encouraging, suggesting he will adapt well. #11 Harold Win is a lightly raced type who had excuses on his first Class 3 run when caught wide from a tough draw but wasn't far off Swift Ascend, a solid form reference. #6 Packing Bole looks set to enjoy a soft lead from pole position, and if Zac Purton is able to dictate terms, his chances of bouncing back for a win increase. #4 Super Win Dragon has been in excellent form this season with a win and a last-start third. Expect him to be closing strongly as usual.
Race 8 - YUEN CHAU KOK HANDICAP
#3 Luck Is Back produced an encouraging effort on debut over 1200m, finishing a closing fifth in what was short of his ideal trip. The step up in distance second-up should bring about notable improvement for this Francis Lui-trained Brazilian import. #4 Talents Ambition, trained by Mark Newnham, has been progressing well and is more than capable of securing back-to-back wins after overcoming a wide draw last time with an impressive victory. He faces a similar challenge here. #7 Fighting Machine maps to enjoy a favourable run from an inside draw and, given his consistency, looks ready to break through in this grade when conditions align. #8 Namjong Kingdom had excuses last time when finishing ninth, pulling hard early and encountering interference at the 200m. Forgive that run and anticipate a stronger showing here.
