Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - C Course
Awt - 3,8
Race 1
#7 NOBLE DELUXE dropped into class 5 for the first time on opening day and ran a solid race in front after racing fiercely through the initial stages.He's since been super honest at Happy Valley and then again here last start where he found only one better on the day.Another good draw entitles him to a cushy run throughout so expect him to be the hardest nut to crack.
#1 SKY SONG won off a rating of 40 points last season when 2nd up and it's almost the exact same situation today.In fact, he's slightly better prepared this time around following two competitive runs at the bottom of class 4.He's drawn fabulously in gate 4, whilst also being the lucrative recipient of a 5lb claim, which suggests he's bound to be in the fight for the major prize.
#3 HE WAS YOU was put through a solid foundation of work by trainer Tony Cruz last season but he didn't stand up to the heavy load.He eventually pulled up lame, which was then followed by arthroscopic knee surgery in May, but his recovery has since been right on track.His a big striding unit with plenty of speed and all three trials say he'll run well.
#4 SHINE BRIGHT makes his way into the lowest grade of class 5 for the first time after a fairly lack lustre season last prep.On the flip side, he did record one minor placing in class 4 when ridden from off the speed which is hopefully the tactical option utilised today.It's difficult to predict what the tactics maybe when it comes to this yard, but it's worth noting he won a trial for Mathew Chadwick, however Purton takes the ride.
#5 ORIENTAL SURPRISE ran his best race at the end of last season when reverting back to the shorter distance of 1200m.He then raced well first up when finishing fourth before not handling the rise to 1400m all the well.Now he's back in trip whilst drawing wide with blinkers going on which I fancy may suit, so he's given another chance due to the fact he won't be amongst traffic.
Selections : 7,1,3,4,5
R2 - 3,2,6,12,11
R3 - 12,10,3,9,1
R4 - 1,2,3,10,11
R5 - 5,1,9,12,4
Race 6
#2 PRESTIGE RICKY finished two lengths behind SUPER KID in a barrier trial on September 2nd with the effort displaying plenty of optimism.He's since raced twice this season over 1400m in class 3 and on both occasions unable to find any rhythm.He's raced by the Ricky Yui trainer's syndicate, which in itself is worthy of note, and the drop in grade and up in trip has him poised to strike a blow.
#6 PEARL OF PANGS found a purple patch of form at the end of last term and has so far successfully carried that over to this current campaign.He maps sensationally from barrier 6 and should receive favours in the run as they negotiate the side of the track and race to the home turn.Jockey Derek Leung shall have plenty up his sleeve at that point and is expected to be in a formidable position to win.
#1 GLORIOUS SUCCESS finished with a solid final 600m split on the all weather first up after settling a long way back.Davis Eustace is the only trainer without a win at this early stage of the season so he's called in Zac Purton to assist.He was a model of consistency without winning a race at the end of last term so a quick dip into class 4, and then back out again, is definitely a realistic chance.
#10 FIGHT TIME won a class 5 first up with a well time sprint after working hard on multiple occasions during the run.He proved that wasn't a fluke by backing it up with another strong effort up in grade at his following start.Furthermore, Brittany Wong now understands him particularly well and the 7lb claim she's entitled to has the power of extracting wins when things get tight.
#4 GOOD GOOD likes to lead at his own tempo if he can but taking a sit might be a better option this time around.There's a couple of opponents that'll be up for the fight if he wants to push on but a sit in would supply him with the gun run.He's in good form and a runner with rating points in hand it would seem so entitled to solid claims.
Selections : 2,6,1,10,4
R7 - 3,7,11,2,4
Race 8
#6 MR ENERGIA has strengthened up mentally and physically over the past six months which is evident by his consistent race record, and increased body weight of twenty pounds.After winning another class 4 at the end of last term he bounced back into class 3 first up with a hard closing 2nd to runaway leader PACKING BOWL.With that hit-out tipped to tighten him up to perfection he's clearly the horse beat, particularly with the run of the race and solid tempo he's expected to receive.
#7 NEW FOREST possesses an exceptional amount of early toe and despite dropping back to the untried 1200m should be fast enough to lead.He'll then be pressured in a genuine rush, but it's hoped he can maintain the leading position along with mental control.That being the case he'll be a difficult runner to catch because residual conditioning shall see him hold strong.
#11 BLAZING WIND was trained up perfectly for a first up victory on dirt and dually saluted for those who stepped in.The track and trip remain the same second up, however the rise in class and change of rider are significant alterations.The time he recorded in victory, combined with the depth of opposition he now faces, suggest he'll run another strong race.
#1 MUST GO is lining up for his fourth run back this preparation with a 1200m race on dirt his desired conditions.He'll need to improve on output levels produced so far, but from the inside gate with ace jockey Hugh Bowman aboard, he's difficult to fully dismiss.Furthermore, master trainer John Size doesn't regularly pour multiple runs into horses this quickly, which is another positive indicator and reason to include.
#2 SYMBOL OF STRENGTH is the x-factor candidate to treat with caution particularly when you consider his 2nd place in the G2 Gimcrack Stakes as a 2yo at York, and win in a G3 at Kempton on the poly-track the following start.However, he did little in his one outing on the turf at Sha Tin last season but has trialled and galloped up well leading in.
Selections : 6,7,11,1,2
R9 - 3,5,2,9,7
R10 - 13,10,11,8,4
