Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing at Sha Tin, including the BMW Hong Kong Derby 2020.
BMW Hong Kong Derby 2020 (2000m)
GOLDEN SIXTY can become only the second horse in Hong Kong history to sweep the Classic Series and follow in the hoof prints of Rapper Dragon, while emulating champions like Vengeance Of Rain, Viva Pataca, Ambitious Dragon, Designs On Rome and Werther. The star 4yo heads 14 runners for the HK$20m race, having dominated the first two legs under Jockey Vincent Ho. The Francis Lui-trained favourite was always in control when landing the Hong Kong Classic Mile and then overcame an interrupted preparation and traffic problems before getting out of trouble to cosily follow up in the Hong Kong Classic Cup. His career record is now nine from ten but he needs to prove he has the stamina levels for this first test at a mile and a quarter.
Trying to block his path is none other than stablemate MORE THAN THIS who arrived unbeaten in Britain before racking up three straight wins at Sha Tin. He then finished strongly in second in the Classic Mile and stayed on with similar gusto to place third in the Classic Cup.
Second in that race was CHAMPION’S WAY. John Size’s charge was the top-rated 3yo in the old colony last season, winning in Group 3 company over a mile, and has really found his form on his last two starts following a slow start to the campaign. Size is no stranger to Derby success having plundered the feature with Fay Fay, Luger and Ping Hai Star in recent years.
That said, John Moore boasts the biggest Derby haul on record with six strikes and in what could be his final season the Maestro sends out two time Australian Group 2 scorer ENJOYING. He finished with a flourish to trouble the judge in the Classic Cup and is expected to relish the extra yardage. He’s without question the stable’s number one over SAVVY NINE.
Danny Shum has the possible joker in the pack in the shape of BUTTERFIELD who landed two Grade 1 contests 8n Brazil before being thrown out from the Grade 1 Jockey Club de São Paulo (2000m). Butterfield was having a fifth outing in Hong Kong when landing a competitive Class 2 Handicap last time and goes to war having skipped the first two legs of the Series. On that occasion, he had COLUMBUS COUNTY, SUPER OASIS, ENJOYING and AMAZING BEATS in his wake.
There’s not a pound to split the Caspar Fownes-trained Columbus County and Amazing Beats, representing trainer Paul O’Sullivan. Also on the premises, that day was Super Oasis who represents last year’s winning trainer Frankie Lor.
Prediction
1st GOLDEN SIXTY
2nd More Than This
3rd Champion’s Way
4th Butterfield
5th Columbus County
6th Super Oasis
Sha Tin Undercard Best Bets
Race 3: GOOD LUCK FRIEND (4)
Trainer: P F Yiu
Jockey: Zac Purton
GOOD LUCK FRIEND has everything going for him in the Super Satin Handicap. He put in an eye-catching debut to trouble the judge when looking as if the race would do him good; he is certain to improve for that; he has a good gate slot from which to obtain a handy position and with Zac Purton in the irons he’s unquestionably the leading player.
Race 7: ETERNAL HARVEST (11)
Trainer: P F Yiu
Jockey: Chad Schofield
With only 115lb on his back, ETERNAL HARVEST might have got into this Luger Handicap lightly and must be taken seriously. Yes, he’s up in grade but he’s been winning with bundles in hand, taking his earning past the $500,000 mark, while Schofield can soon have him on the pace as a hare the others might find hard to catch.
Race 9: GUY DRAGON (4)
Trainer: W Y So
Jockey: Karis Teetan
Victory in the Collection Handicap would certainly be fully deserved for 5yo grey GUY DRAGON. The seeming perennial bridesmaid, who has placed in half his 15 career starts, has narrowly failed to find the line on his last two outings and although not well drawn need only replicate that level of form to make it third time lucky.
