Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - B+2 Course
Awt - 1,3,8
Race 1
#7 VIVA CHALEUR remains a Hong Kong maiden from 30 starts but arrived in Asia's World City rated 82 points after being runner-up in a G1 as a 2yo in France.A right fore ligament injury and long drawn out acclimatisation process has seen him tumble all the way down to class 5.Importantly, he's been previously placed on the all weather and begins this season in the stable of Tony Cruz, and judged on two lead up barrier trial wins for race day rider Angus Chung, he's highly regarded.
#2 SPANGLE FORTUNE has recorded all his money making when competing on dirt and he'll be peaking in fitness 3rd up.He's also a recent recipient of relegation into class 5 which is where he's recorded both previous wins.Zac Purton has called up for the high weight and expected result but together they'll have to navigate the unfortunate and tricky wide draw.
#3 YODA'S CHOICE lead all the way to win by a space the last time he raced on dirt which coincided with a drop into class 5.That event was midway through last season over the 1800m for jockey Luke Ferraris, who incidentally saddles back up for the mount today.The inside draw should entitle him to secure the rail and probable lead, from there he'll take some running down.
#9 EURO ROCKS is yet to prove he can run out the distance on offer in this event and remains a maiden from 20 starts.However, if you isolate his most recent performance on this surface over 1200m you'd be inclined to include him amongst the hopes.Conditions won't be as wet here and he'll potentially be caught out wide, but should he bring a similar effort you'd be wanting him in calculations.
#12 COOL BLUE settled well back first up at Happy Valley before working his way into the picture down the home straight.Despite his low rating he was in career best form at the close of last season and appears to remain in a good space.A familiar jockey in Mathew Chadwick again returns for the ride and he's been quite competitive on this surface on numerous occasions in the past.
Selections : 7,2,3,9,12
R2 - 3,1,2,6,14
R3 - 9,5,4,14,3
R4 - 5,6,12,1,14
Race 5
#3 DECISION LINK enjoy a solid preparation at Conghua during the back end of last season and trialled well on a number of different occasions.He then debuted at Sha Tin on the 14th September but was restrained shortly after the jump, after beginning awkwardly.The progress he then made during the final 800m was faster on the clock than the well backed and comprehensive victor JUBILANT WINNER.The outside gate looks awful on paper but I'm not against a young horse with plenty of room to move.
#6 LAHORE closed in nicely to finish 3rd down the Sha Tin straight first up and is clearly ready to progress to the 1200m.He's drawn a sticky gate, so he'll need a good steer, and may even be pushed hard by Zac Purton in an attempt to cross the field and lead.Interestingly, the champion jockey has been his regular track work rider since as May, which is a good indication that wins are on the way.
#10 SAME TO YOU blasted home first up at 65/1 with an unrivalled turn of speed and put an end to most triple trio's.He'd won a race in class 5 first up the season prior, and a race at Happy Valley leading all the way in February, but neither suggested he was capable of what he dished up fresh.With a low draw to exit from today he'll be faced with a different scenario during the run, but he was far to impressive when winning to fully take on.
#11 CALIFORNIA BLITZ has drawn perfectly in barrier 5 and in an ideal world secures the run of the race.He was definitely in need of the hit out first up after participating in one tiring trial but he was still able to almost win.He lacks the potent turn of acceleration that the top two selections possess but what's in his favour is, he won't do any additional work through the run.
#14 RUBY SAILING trialled brilliantly on carnival night before the season began and was partnered that evening by 7lb claiming apprentice Brittany Wong.The pair again got together in two recent pieces of track work and everything tracked along smoothly.I'm unsure if they'll lead, or perhaps end up settling back, but from the inside draw and with very little weight they must be seriously respected.
Selections : 3,6,10,11,14
R6 - 4,13,9,1,10
Race 7
#7 METRO POWER display brutal speed and strength to lead throughout unchallenged first up over this course and trip and the handicapper certainly agreed.He was slugged with a handicap rise of 11 points following the aforementioned win but it probably still won't be enough.There is more oppositional gate speed to consider once they've jumped, which may cause some keenness concerns early on, but the 2lbs increase in weight he must shoulder is literally water of a ducks back.
#6 FAST RESPONDER was unable to go with the frantic first half sectionals that METRO POWER dished up in victory but got home quicker through the final 400m.With the outside draw and rail to follow, plus, senior rider back aboard, he should position a little closer and effectively be saving some ground.One win from thirteen starts doesn't paint the desired picture but he's a better galloper than his win record suggests.
#4 WE ARE HERO is an aging 8yo galloper these days but found his way back into form with a win at the end of last season.His best attribute is his finishing touch and he remains quite well handicapped overall.The outside draw, and 5lb claim, are specific's notably in his favour, whilst two barrier trials leading in were marked excellent, against high calibre opposition.
#12 THEALLOUT was undefeated as a Griffin last season before being honest in defeat at both attempts in class 3.He's a big stamp of a horse that weighs in at over 1250lbs so he'll be much better from the first up run on September 14th.He wasn't able to match METRO POWER during that outing in the run to the line, however with a pull in the weights and check pieces added it's likely he improves on his own personal time.
#9 WONDERSTAR is reunited with jockey Mathew Chadwick and together they defeated National Day Cup winner FAST NETWORK in a 1000m trial before the season began.The opportunity to race alongside METRO POWER is how the race should unfold with the pace during the first half to be strong.He's likely to become vulnerable during the concluding stages to a superior turn of foot, but he's a fit honest competitor that's dropping back in trip.
Selections : 7,6,4,12,9
R8 - 12,7,11,2,6
R9 - 3,2,6,1,13
R10 - 4,3,2,8,12
