International Racing: Sha Tin – 04 October 2020

ART OF RAW ran on nicely up the rail last time out despite getting crowded for room at the 350m and 150m mark. The seven-year old went close in his penultimate run under this rider and the pair can make amends in the opening contest. JOY MASTER ran on well up the middle of the track last time and he will benefit from a claiming apprentice taking some weight off the back. The only concern is if he will see out the trip. HAY RUN is much better than his last start suggests. He didn’t benefit from a slow pace that day and with a decent tempo in this race, he should make the expected improvement

MY SUGAR showed some promise on debut. She hit the front at the 400m mark that day and moved up like a winner. He should come on leaps with that effort under the belt and with the expected natural improvement, should be tough to peg back in the closing stages of the second race. DIAMOND PEGASUS made surprise progress last time out when he was only passed in the final furlong. He will find it tough to beat the top selection though and may have to settle for a place this time around. SMART HUNTER has only been in trials and he won’t need to be a stable superstar to win this Class 4 Handicap.  

ALL FOR ST PAUL’S dictated terms well in his latest. He was only caught in the shadow of the post that day when running into second. It is encouraging that Teetan has kept faith in the ride and the pair can make amends in the third race. WINWIN THIRTYTHREE won well last time when given a peach of a ride by Hamelin. He seems to be over the issues he experienced three runs ago and should be able to pose a threat to the top selection. SO AWESOME got crowded for room at the 400m last time out but still managed to run into the places. With better luck in running, he should be right there in the fight to the finish. 

LUCKY QUALITY’S last two runs are best ignored. The jockey dropped the crop in his penultimate start and last time had no luck in running when crowded for room all the way up the straight. With better luck in running he should be able to find a form return. VITAL SPRING will have plenty followers in the fourth race. He has finished strongly in his last two outings under this rider and he should be picking off the frontrunners in the dash to the winning post. YES WE CAN ran a fair race last time despite an awkward start and having to check at the 150m mark. If he can get some cover then he can run into the money. 

UNITED WE STAND is in good form for this apprentice. He seems at best over the minimum trip at this stage of his career and is enjoying racing at Sha Tin recently. AMAZING ROCKY bounced straight to the front and won both of his trial runs with ease. He looks like a progressive sort in the making and could be the highly unexposed horse in the race. GOKO found a form return last time under Shinn and a repeat of that effort should see him run into the places again. . 

ELITE PATCH didn’t get a clear cap last time out with a furlong to go but still ran on nicely to finish third. He is drawn wide but will get all the necessary assistance with Borges in the saddle. The only concern is if he will be able to handle the step up in distance. CLEAR CHOICE is much better than his last start suggests. He was found to be lame and a line should possibly be put through that effort. He had consistent prior form and should be able to bounce back in the sixth race. ENFOLDING has inconsistent form lines to his credit but if putting his best foot forward he should be able to earn a cheque in this field. 

SKYEY SUPREME won his last start under Moreira. The manner in which he drew off at the finish that day suggests there is plenty more to come from this individual. PARTY EVERYDAY had some excuses post-race last time (swollen left hind), which makes the effort that much more encouraging. He performs admirably for Teetan and the pair must be respected from pole position. UNITE SPIRIT finished positively under this apprentice in his last outing and a repeat of that effort will see him finish in the money. 

LEAP OF FAITH didn’t get cover in his last start and still managed to put the race to bed with a furlong to go. He and Moreira are in search of a hat-trick of wins and look difficult to oppose on paper. GREAT TREASURE got going very late last time when he was only beaten in the shadow of the post. He looks fairly-handicapped in the eighth race and should be able to throw out a challenge to the top selection. TRUE LEGEND and BEAUTY SPIRIT both showed signs of needing their last start after returning from the paddock. They would have come on nicely from that outing and should make the expected natural improvement.   

PRINCE OF GEMS is the value bet on today’s programme. He got off to an emphatic start for his new trainer when an impressive comeback winner under this rider. He hit the front at the 150m mark that day and dashed strongly all the way to line. He should come on nicely with that run under his belt and it is encouraging to see Hamelin keep faith in the ride. FABULOUS EIGHT didn’t mind sharing the lead last time when setting a decent tempo. He performs well for Moreira and the pair should be right there at the business end of affairs. CRUISING was no match for the winner last time when finished third but he is another one that will benefit from a good pace and has the ability to run into the money. 

EXCELLENT PROPOSAL is the best bet on the card. He is coming off back-to-back wins and the way he won his last start was very impressive. He hit the front at the 300m mark that day and the manner in which he drew clear in the closing stages suggests the hat-trick is on the cards. He was only narrowly beaten on debut and is unlucky to not be unbeaten coming into this race. BUTTERFIELD didn’t settle last time out after an awkward beginning and he was forced to race on heels at the 800m mark. If he can get some cover from his wide draw then he should be able to find a swift return to form. SAVVY NINE was no match for the winner last time out but he has finished in the money in his last three outings and must be considered for the places.