Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.

Race 1 – L'Oreal Paris Handicap, HK $875,000,

Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good

Time: 1:36.44 Standard Time: 1:35.45 Course/Class record: 1:34.35 Ninja Derby

MR GOOD VIBES (NZ 6yo g El Roca – Rubi de Lago) secured the second win of his career, 18 months after his maiden win for David Hall and Matthew Poon. The gelding got away on terms and showed good speed in the early stages, landing in the one-out-one-back position. The speed was good though the middle stages and Poon didn't allow himself to be caught up in traffic, moving three-wide at the 600m point as the leader attempted to slow the tempo. Mr Good Vibes was under heavy pressure around the turn, and he was hanging early in the straight, but he was staying on well to be in line with the leaders. He moved up to hit the front with 150m to run once he put his mind to the job and had enough strength late in the race to fend off his rivals, winning by a neck on the line. PANDA LEGEND was dragged back from a wide draw to settle near the tail of the field under Richard Kingscote. He travelled well off the back and moved into the race three-wide when the moves came, getting a nice tow into the race as Kingscote swung wide on the turn. He made his run as the widest horse in the straight, getting out beyond halfway and staying on strongly right to the line. He couldn't reel in the winner, but he got his nose down on the line to finish in second position, getting the nod in a photo finish over GANGNAM STAR. Karis Teetan had been right in front of Panda Legend throughout the run, peeling wide with Panda Legend coming off his back to nail him on the post.

Race 2 – Grace One Handicap, HK $1,170,000,

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1000m – Track Good

Time: 57.74 Standard Time: 56.65 Course/Class record: 54.94 United We Stand

SIGHT HERMOSO (AUS 4yo g Headwater – Rose Queen) improved quickly at his second start, proving too good down the Sha Tin straight under Brenton Avdulla. Despite drawing towards the inside, he showed early speed to work across and land in a midfield position under the Australian hoop, keeping him in clear air near the middle of the track. He was under the pump by the 400m point, and while he didn't look to sprint with his rivals at the time, he was building the revs down by the 200m point. His late strength was the highlight, taking the lead inside the final 100m and pulling away to win easily on the line. LITTLE MONSTER didn't have the early speed of his rivals and was a clear last in the early stages. Jerry Chau had it all to do by the 400m point as he looked to weave his way through the traffic. Little Monster fired out of the pack inside the final 100m to chase home Sight Hermoso gamely, but he could only get within a length on the line. Watch for him once he steps out over further. CAP LINER was another who flew home from back in the pack. He remained in the middle of the track after jumping from an inside barrier but hit the line very nicely under Lyle Hewitson and is another who you can follow out of this race.

Race 3 – Kate Tokyo Handicap, HK $875,000,

Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good

Time: 1:22.84 Standard Time: 1:22.30 Course/Class record: 1:21.40 Fight Time

KA YING POWER (GB 5yo g Brazen Beau – Ambrix) made it a race-to-race double for John Size as the five-year-old secured his maiden victory in Hong Kong at start 21. Keith Yeung slid across behind the speed after jumping from a wide draw, ending up in a midfield position in the running line. The speed was solid through the early and middle stages, with Ka Ying Power getting a lovely run in transit. Yeung was able to improve into the race from the 600m point with cover, swinging wide and getting a lovely two into the race. He ended up down the middle of the course as he came with his run and while it took him a little while to work through his gears, when he finally reached his top, he put the race to bed. He took the lead with 100m left to run and shot away late in the race to score by 1-1/4 lengths in a strong victory. TEAM HAPPY pushed forward from barrier eight to be on the outside of the leader on settling down. The pace was good early, so he used some fuel to get across to that position, but the speed steadied by the 800m point and he travelled comfortably around the turn. Hollie Doyle went up to pressure the lead on the home turn and took the lead on straightening, sprinting well and holding her rivals at bay. That was until Ka Ying Power loomed up down the outside however, with Team Happy unable to go with the winner late in the race. He stuck on gamely however, holding on for second position. MY FLYING ANGEL stormed home from well back in the run, with Alex Badel weaving through the traffic to finish in third position, 2-1/4 lengths off the winner.

Race 4 – La Estephe Handicap, HK $1,170,000,

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good

Time: 1:35.51 Standard Time: 1:34.90 Course/Class record: 1:33.28 Bright Inheritance

James Orman and Me Tsui combined with THE AUSPICIOUS (NZ 4yo g Almanzor – Holly Holy) once again, making it back-to-back wins for the four-year-old. From the wide draw, Orman eased the gelding back to settle near the tail of the field. The speed was just fair once they sorted their order out, with some moves happening as they passed the 800m point. With the field bunching at the 600m point, this allowed Orman to creep closer with cover, circling wider and picking up a few positions as the four-year-old travelled strongly into the straight. He was only 2-1/2 lengths off the leader on straightening, and he moved up to join the leaders under his own power early in the straight. The Australian hoop asked for an effort with around 300m to run as The Auspicious and Audacious Pursuit drew away from the field to fight out the finish over the final 200m. Despite copping a bump with around 100m to run, The Auspicious was too strong late in the race, getting his head in front and bringing up back-to-back victories. AUDACIOUS SPIRIT was caught racing three-wide through the early stages of the race but did have cover as they worked down the back straight. He rolled forward with that rival and raced just off the speed as they worked around the turn, being within striking distance and travelling strongly into the straight. He moved up to take the lead under his own steam, and he sprinted quickly when asked for an effort. He was joined by The Auspicious with 200m to run and the pair fought out the finish in a very exciting race. Hugh Bowman tried everything he could, but the gelding felt the pinch late, wobbling out and contacting The Auspicious close to home. He couldn't fend off the winner, but he finished a mile ahead of the others. GLORIASTAR was 3-1/2 lengths back in third, finishing nearly two lengths clear of his rivals.

Race 5 – Canmake Tokyo Handicap, HK $1,860,000,

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good

Time: 1:10.06 Standard Time: 1:09.00 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner

CIRCUIT GRAND SLAM (IRE 3yo g No Nay Never – Muirin) caused a big upset on debut, taking out race five for Britney Wong and Manfred Man as a $52 chance. The three-year-old was a little awkward into stride and was taken back from the wide barrier to settle near the tail of the field. Coming to the600m point, Wong was a clear last as she looked to swing wide on the home turn and get to the outside. The apprentice hoop was the widest on straightening, but she had plenty of ground to make upon the outsider of the field. The son of No Nay Never sprouted wings from the 200m point though, showing plenty of strength to mow down the leader with 50m remaining and score by three quarters of a length. SUNNY DA BEST ended up in the second half of the field and along the fence from barrier five with Vincent Ho riding him patiently early in the race. As the race began to unfold at the 600m point, the local hoop got off the fence, but he was held up on straightening. Ho finally got out with around 300m remaining and he charged home late in the race, but Circuit Grand Slam had all the momentum down the outside. INFINITE RESOLVE stuck on strongly from the front after setting the tempo from barrier 12. He was 2-1/4 lengths off the winner, but there was still plenty to like about his effort. 

Race 6 – Suisse Programme Handicap, HK $1,170,000,

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good

Time: 1:09.81 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.36 Jubilant Winner

SZERYING (NZ 4yo g Almanzor – Choctoc) was simply too good on his return, scoring under Zac Purton and bringing up a winning treble for trainer John Size. The gelding jumped well from barrier three and put himself in a handy position on the speed, kicking up through the middle stages to be on the outside of the leader. Coming to the home turn he wedged himself between horses, travelling strongly into the straight and taking the lead with 400m left to run. Purton hadn't flinched on the four-year-old just yet, but when the Australian pressed the button, the race was over in a matter of seconds. Szerying put a big gap on his rivals in a matter of strides and went on to win the race by 2-3/4 lengths. He looks like an exciting prospect on the rise. GREAT SPIRIT settled in the second half of the field from barrier 11 with Hollie Doyle switching down to the rail shortly after the start. The British hoop kicked up along the fence to pinch a few positions turning off the back, remaining to the inside on straightening before switching to the middle of the track with 300m remaining. The gelding responded well to the urgings when Doyle asked for an effort, but Szerying was already a mile in front. He closed off nicely to finish in second position, however and looks primed to win a race on the back of that performance. CALIFORNIA BLITZ stuck on well after setting the tempo throughout to finish third, 3 lengths off the winner.

Race 7 – The Sa Sa Ladie's Purse (Handicap), HK $4,200,000,

Group Three – Turf - Distance 1800m – Track Good

Time: 1:47.35 Standard Time: 1:47.10 Course/Class record: 1:45.25 Southern Legend

It was an exciting finish to the feature race of the day with ENCOUNTERED (IRE 6yo g Churchill – Enrol) ending his winning drought and giving Brett Crawford his first Group winner in Hong Kong. After jumping from barrier 10, Teetan looked to work across from out wide, slotting into the running line in the second half of the field. The speed was good early, and the gelding travelled well through the early stages, albeit 7-3/4 lengths off the leader as they turned off the back. The first four had broken away slightly, but when Cap Ferrate unfortunately bled and was eased out of the event, it caused some chaos to the runners behind him. Lucky for Encountered, he was able to dodge the slowing runner as he swung wider on the turn, getting between runners and into the clear with 300m to run. He was a long way off the leader with 200m to run, but he was inching into the margin with every stride. He finished right over the top with a wet sail, getting his nose down on the line and scoring by a short head in an exciting finish. HAPPY TOGETHER landed midfield, just ahead of Encountered in the run and he had a lovely trip throughout. He let down strongly at the top of the straight and looked the main danger to the leader with 200m to run and hit the front with 50m remaining. He couldn't fend off Encountered however who was carrying 14lbs less, but it was a run that holds plenty of merit. MOMENTS IN TIME was just off the speed throughout the run and stuck on well to the line. He looks primed for the 2400m races coming up.

Race 8 – Elizabeth Arden Handicap, HK $1,170,000,

Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good

Time: 1:23.07 Standard Time: 1:22.00 Course/Class record: 1:20.76 Top Dragon

SUPER LOVE (NZ 5yo g U S Navy Flag – Rebel Rocker) was back in the winner's stall in race eight with Hugh Bowman in the saddle for Dennis Yip. The gelding jumped well and landed on the speed for Bowman, allowing some rivals to cross him to settle in the one-out-one-back position. At the 600m point, Bowman peeled three-wide and began to work into the race strongly, levelling up to the leaders on straightening with the gelding doing it all under his own steam. When Bowman pushed the button, the gelding took control and broke away from the chasing pack, leading by a length with 50m to run. He went on to win comfortably on the line in front of a wall of horses for the minor placings. STRATHPEFFER snuck up the inside to finish in third position with his late strength a highlight. After leading the field early, Lyle Hewitson took a sit on the back of the leader as they sorted their order out, just cruising along in a handy position. He couldn't go with them when they sprinted on straightening, but the South African ducked back to the inside and it was his late strength in the last 150m which was impressive. He picked himself up and got through to finish in second position, with the five runners behind him all separated by just a neck. SUPERB GUY got the nod for third place in a photo finish.

Race 9 – Neogence Handicap, HK $1,860,000,

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good

Time: 1:22.93 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship

THRIVING BROTHERS (IRE 4yo g U S Navy Flag – Blossom Deary) made it a race-to-race double for Dennis Yip, bringing up his second career win with a tough performance. The gelding jumped well from his wide barrier and worked across under his own steam, settling in a stalking role just off the leader as they turned off the back. Matthew Chadwick was happy to remain on the back of the leader through the middle stages, sitting on the leader's tail before coming off heels at the top of the straight to make his challenge. Chadwick had to go for his mount earlier, but Thriving Brothers was moving up strongly on the outside of Lucy In The Sky, sticking his nose in front with 50m to run. The lightweight got the job done by a head on the line after a perfect run in transit. LUCY IN THE SKY drew outside Thriving Brothers and worked across to lead the field on settling down. He wasn't challenged out in front with Hugh Bowman dictating the tempo through the middle stages, slowing the speed down before quickening from the 600m once again. The 400-200m split was quick as he looked to skip away from his rivals, though Thriving Brothers was always there to strike. Bowman couldn't do much more, with Lucy In The Sky carrying 15lbs more than the winner and was only beaten by a head. LITTLE PARADISE carried more weight again for Zac Purton and settled just off the speed in the run. He worked into the race nicely around the home turn and has his chance to win if he was good enough, it just took him a little while to wind up with the race pattern through the middle stages. He finished off strongly to grab third as the $2.4 favourite.

Race 10 – Panasonic Washer Dryer Handicap, HK $1,860,000,

Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm

Time: 1:21.79 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class record: 1:19.92 Packing Hermod

Zac Purton secured a winning double on the day as he steered home the David Eustace-trained LIGHT YEARS CHARM (AUS 5yo g Rubick – Dancer's Rose). The gelding was a touch slow into stride, but Purton urged him along to find a midfield position on settling down with a solid tempo on offer. The leaders were carving at each other and Purton found himself 8-1/4 lengths off the leader with 800m remaining, though the champion hoop didn't panic. Purton edged off the fence with 600m remaining and the gaps were appearing right in front of the champion hoop, letting down with an unobstructed run in the straight. He had plenty of ground to make up in the straight, but you were always relatively confident he would get there. He took the lead with 100m to run and wouldn't be caught, finishing a half-length in front. AERIS NOVA put up a good challenge after landing on the outside of Zac Purton in the run. The pair made their runs together as they worked off the back straight, with Purton pushing Aeris Nova wider on the course, Aeris Nova couldn't match the sprint of the winner early in the straight, but Derek Leung's mount made a late charge with just 117lbs on his back. He got to within a half-length on the line in a strong performance. MID WINTER WIND was back to something like his best as he flew home from a long way back, enjoying the strong tempo to finish third as a $45 chance.