International Racing: Sha Tin Best Bets Saturday 21 September

After the abandonment of the Happy Valley race meeting on Wednesday 18th September, we turn to Sha Tin on Saturday 21 September and fingers crossed a repeat of Wednesday’s unrest is not on the cards. 

A competitive 10 race meeting awaits us and punters will need to do their homework for any hope of success. With that said, we think we have covered most of the talking horses here and this should be a nice guide to finding a few winners.

Best Bet: WINNER SUPREME (Race 9)
Value Bet: KING OPIE (Race 7)

Race-By-Race Selections

Race 1 – 07:00
Selections: 3 – 5 – 6 – 1 – 8
A modest Class 5 event over the mile, gets us underway for this 10-race meeting on Saturday and we have sided the Purton / O’Sullivan partnership, to get us off the mark with NEVER BETTER. The race should set up in a reasonably predictable manner, with the two pacesetters drawn 11 and 12 respectably and they will have little option but to commit early. This should present a perfect tempo for Purton, who is drawn well and he will be looking to settle off the early speed. He was drawn wide in his last start and will be looking for a much clearer passage through this time, having been held up from the 300m – 200m mark in that run. Thereafter, when approaching the 100m he was taken in and bumped another after improving into a tight pocket. He would’ve finished a lot closer had it not been for that interference and with Purton retaining the ride, he looks tough to beat on his consistent current form. For 2nd we have landed on the son of Foxwedge, EXPONENTS. He has shown up well in his last two starts and showed a lot of resolve to box on for 2nd last time out, when caught out wide. He went close over the course and distance in his penultimate run and that did enough to confirm his slight preference for this surface. From a wide draw though, he will need a lot of luck and may have to settle for a 3-wide transit. He is yet to miss the first 3 in three attempts over the course and distance and on that stat alone, deserves to be respected. YEE CHEONG LUCKY has only had the 10 starts to his name and he has been dropping in the ratings for a while now. As a result, he has been going closer and closer and looks very competitive in these handicap conditions. No surprises that he gets a visor for his first start on the All-Weather and Moreira takes the mount. From a good draw, he looks a runner. The top-weighted CORRE RAPIDO showed good improvement when dropping into this class last time out. That was when finishing behind the second selection and as mentioned above, he has a much trickier draw to be concerned about this time. With this good early speed, he should be able to get near the front, but how much he has in the tank in the final 200m, is the key question.

Race 2 – 07:30
Selections: 2 – 3 – 8 – 4 – 11
MERIDIAN GENIUS had an eventful last start and he will be hoping for a much quieter passage through, this time around. He did have a wide draw to overcome back then and with this being back down the straight, he will have a lot less to think about. He is just getting going with this being his 7th career start and one would expect a fair amount of improvement is still to come. Moreira takes the mount this time and he looks like the right one here. GUNNAR has notched up three second-place finishes in a row and he returns to the Sha Tin Turf 1000m after a solid effort on the All-Weather, from a wide draw last time. He finished 2nd in his only start over the course and distance and with the blinkers on today, looks a big threat. VICTORY POWER drops in trip after showing some decent form over the 7 furlongs of late. With that said, he has run two seconds in two attempts over this trip and his handy running style looks suited to the conditions here. With Purton in the irons, he looks a threat and should continue his good run of form with another prominent finish here. SUNSHINE UNIVERSE has had little luck in running in his last two starts, however, he hasn’t been disgraced in the finish. He may have gone a lot closer over the course and distance last time when having to switch in to continue his run before taking an awkward stride thereafter. He has a useful turn of foot and the blinkers seem to be working. They stay on today, as does apprentice Chan and he must be considered.

Race 3 – 08:00
Selections: 7 – 14 – 13 – 3 – 2
RELENTLESS ME tops the picks in what appears to be a very tricky Class 4 event, over the 1400m. He appears to be on the right path, having shown signs of improvement in his last few runs and that will mirror his recent drop in ratings. He found traffic issues in that last start when having to be steadied off the heels of another, before finding difficulty obtaining a clear run at the top of the straight.  He gets the services of Moreira this time and will be fitted with the blinkers and a cross-noseband, for his stable debut. With his course and distance record, he looks a tough contender here and we make him the one to beat. For second we have sided with MR MAGELLAN, who also appears to be racing off a competitive rating. He has been thereabouts in his last few starts and finally lands a useful draw, which brings him right into contention. Having found traffic in his last few starts he will be looking for some improved luck and looks a big challenger here. FUN TIMES has also been dropping in the ratings of late and that was acknowledged with firm betting support in his last start, over this course and distance. He will be looking for a clear run this time, having found plenty of traffic on that occasion. He found himself in restricted room just after the 600m and then had difficulty obtaining a clear run, before shifting off the heels of another. Having only had the 10 runs under his belt, he will have plenty of room for improvement and with Teetan up today, must be considered. SEVENTY SEVENTY was in desperate need of that last start, his first in 2019 and unfortunately, he returned lame after the run. That was back in March and he will surely be over those issues by now. Purton takes the mount this time and on his prior form, he could show big improvement to feature and must be included.

Race 4 – 08:30
Selections: 2 – 4 – 1 – 8 – 12
Back on the All-Weather track for the 4th race on the card and the well-bred / lightly raced son of I Am Invincible, PRINCE OF GEMS, is tipped for first. He has found himself at the top of the betting boards in all four of his starts so far and he looks likely of repeating that feat here. He ran a solid 2nd in his penultimate start, his first on the All-Weather track and he returns to the same course and distance with another good chance. Moreira takes the mount this time with plenty more scope, looks the likeliest winner in this field. TOUCH OF LUCK is the mount of Zac Purton, who has ridden him in his last five starts and he will be in search of a little ‘touch of luck’ here, having found none of it in recent times. He has had three starts on the All-Weather and is yet to miss the first three places on this surface. His latest effort was when he dropped down to this course and distance and despite being hampered at the 700m, managed to go down by just half a length. He does have a wide draw to overcome this time, but on his consistent recent form, it is not hard to see why Purton has opted to stick with him and he looks a big runner here. CASA DE FORCA drops into Class 4 company for the first time and he will be looking to take advantage of this slightly weaker company. He was drawn wide in both his attempts over the course and distance but will find it a lot easier to obtain his usual position just off the early pace, from gate 2 this time. If placing his best foot forward, he should be involved in the finish. VERY SWEET ORANGE has certainly improved since being fitted with the visor in his last three efforts. He won his latest over the course and distance when taking up the early running as he has done previously and from gate three today, his followers can expect much of the same. Penalised 5 points for the win last time, the claimer retains the ride and he could still be ahead of the handicapper. If continuing his recent form, it would be hard to imagine him not fighting this out.

Race 5 – 09:00
Selections: 6 – 10 – 2 – 4 – 1 
PEARL CHAMPION has been finishing off his runs well, especially in his last three races. He finished just behind the 3 in that last start and the form line features prominently in this race, with all of the 3,6,7 and 11 having met last time. With the 10-pound claimer up today, he looks likely to continue improving and should go close to just about winning this. SMILING SUCCESS showed good improvement in only his second start when stepping up to this course and distance. He had a wide draw to overcome and as such, was forced to be chased up into a prominent early position. The son of Hinchinbrook will still have plenty of scope for improvement and he will be buoyed by the much-improved draw this time. Schofield takes the mount and from just off the pace, he looks set to mount a big challenge late and must be included. FALCON TURBO has found it a lot easier since dropping into this class, having shown a good turn of foot to flash up late in both of his last two starts. Back up to the 1400m this time, after his stable debut over the 6 furlongs last time, he will be fitted with the blinkers and that should make a big difference. He has the benefit of another handy draw and Ho retains the ride. If continuing on his current trajectory, he should be fighting out the finish. CENTRAL EXPRESS is a well-bred son of More Than Ready, making his debut appearance today. He finished 3rd in an impressive barrier earlier this month, under Moreira who rides him on debut. All signs point to him having a bit of ability and if not too in need of the run, he should go close.

Race 6 – 09:35
Selections: 3 – 13 – 1 – 5 – 9
WINNING METHOD has started his career on a promising note, having notched two wins from four attempts so far. When winning, he has done it with a fair amount of authority. He disappointed last time out when stepping into this class, finding himself outpaced throughout. That was however when returning from a three-month lay-off and he will be sharper now. He has trialled well recently, showing plenty of speed and finishing in a good time. With plenty of scope to progress, he looks the likely winner with Moreira retaining. VALIANT DREAM, like the top selection, has only had the four starts under his belt. He was fancied last time out, when stepping up to this class and wasn’t disgraced when finishing 2,75 lengths off the winner. He may have finished a lot closer had he not taken a hold, but that was over the 1200m and drop back to the 1000m will be welcomed. He looks a big runner. MR LUMIERES hasn’t seen the course since May this year, having bled in his last start. He looked to be showing signs of a big run back then and if over those issues, he should continue to show promising Class 3 form. Purton retains the ride and he must be included. E MASTER drops slightly in trip today and that could possibly be a winning move. He is a consistent performer and went well over the Happy Valley 1200m, when fitted with the visor last time. He has won his only start over this reduced trip and if utilising his fast finish this time, he could surprise at a decent price.

Race 7 – 10:05
Selections: 5 – 8 – 1 – 7 – 9
KING OPIE disappointed in that last start, when his rider reported that it was a surprisingly poor run and he may be better off over the mile. That may appear true, considering his strong finish and the fact that he finished 3rd in his only start over the 1600m. Prior to that, he has been involved in the finish regularly since having the visor fitted and looks set for a big run today. He is a 4-time winner from 15 starts and from another useful draw, he looks good value with Teetan up and we declare him the Value Bet of the day. For 2nd, MONGOLIAN KING goes into the frame having shown a solid hand in this class last time. He appears to be enjoying the reduced trip of late and although the 1400m may have been a touch on the sharp side last time, he’ll enjoy the extra furlong here and looks a big runner. HARMONY VICTORY has shown some solid form from the start of his career and he drops back into Class 2 company today, after an impressive win over the course and distance last time. That was against stronger and he will have to carry top weight here, as a result. With a career tally of 6 wins from 15 starts, that is warranted and from a useful draw he must be considered on class alone. BEAUTY SPIRIT looks the best of the rest and he has been knocking on the door in this class for some time now. He looks very competitive off his current rating and with the claimer retaining the ride, he can be expected to fight this out and must be considered.

Race 8 – 10:35
Selections: 13 – 10 – 3 – 5 – 2
The 8th race on the card is the first of three back-to-back Class 3 events, to close off the meeting. We have sided with a bit of value here and BEAUTY DAY is tipped to win this. He has a tricky draw to negate, but he likes to race handy and will no doubt be chased up to slot in alongside MAGNIFICENT, his expected partner for the early pace. He has been ultra-consistent in this class for some time now and lines-up 3-pounds better off with WORLD FAMOUS  on that last run, over 1400m. Having finished in the first three places four times in his 6 attempts, he is going to relish the extra furlong here and could be very tough to peg back with the 3-pound claimer up today. The latter has been dropping in the ratings and enjoyed an improved draw under Zac Purton last time. From pole today, he gets the services of Moreira and looks well set up for another big run here. MORE THAN THIS is still only getting going in his career and it’s been an impressive start so far, with the 4 wins from 7 starts to his name. He was a smart winner with the 10-pound claimer up last time out and that was when having the blinkers removed. He still appears to have plenty more to come and from another useful draw with Teetan up, he’ll be in with a shout here. ASSIMILATE looks next best, having finished just behind the latter in that penultimate run and he’s 22 pounds better off at the weights on that effort. Drawn 4 today, he steps up to the mile for the first time and if staying the trip, he looks a threat.

Race 9 – 11:10
Selections: 4 – 9 – 3 – 2 – 8
If punters ever find WINNER SUPREME in a 1200m on the All-Weather, they would have to look no further for the probable pace-setter. He has exceptional early speed and he will be buoyed by the useful draw that he has landed. His early sectionals were done in very quick times last time out and that may have cost him in the latter stages, having been caught 150m out. With that said, he still managed to box on well for 3rd. Karis Teetan takes the mount this time and he will no doubt let him lead, but it may be done in a slightly more reserved manner. He is a course specialist and has been consistently good in this class. With the 3 wins from 8 career starts, he looks the class horse and should be tough to beat this time. UTOPIA LIFE has been dropping in the ratings recently and he actually finished in front of the top selection last time out, his first effort on the All-Weather surface. He meets the top selection on similar weight terms here and from another useful draw, Schofield retains the ride. He still has scope for more, but may find it tough to catch the former this time. SIMPLY BIG has been knocking on the door for another win in this class, for some time now. He will have a much smoother passage this time, from a slightly improved draw and if repeating that penultimate start over the course and distance, he looks a strong contender. He is no stranger to the course and distance, with a record of 5 starts – 2 wins and 2 seconds. With that in mind, he’ll be right there at the finish. INFINITY ENDEAVOUR has also been dropping in the ratings and he has been finishing just off them in Class 2 company, prior to his last start. He has a wide draw to overcome here, but he does have smart turn of foot and has notched up the one win from two attempts on this surface. With that said, he’ll be in with a shout with Moreira up.

Race 10 – 11:45
Selections: 1 – 3 – 2 – 13 – 5
REGENCY BO BO didn’t quite get the extra 250m on the All-Weather surface in his penultimate start and was happy to be back over this course and distance last time out. With that said, that last effort was incident-filled having started off awkwardly. Thereafter, he “shifted out and made heavy contact with a runner, which resulted in him becoming badly unbalanced and losing ground. After that, he was ridden along for some distance in an endeavour to obtain a more forward position, however, he failed to muster up speed and consequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the race.” He has a much-improved draw this time and with Purton up today, will be sure to jump on terms. He has solid course and distance form and with a bit more luck in running, looks the one to beat. MY DARLING has also dropped in the ratings and shown good improvement since entering this class of opposition in his last two. The 1200m may have been a touch sharp last time, so he will relish the extra furlong this time. Chadwick retains the ride and he will look to chase him up to his preferred handy position, from a wide draw. If repeating his penultimate start, he looks a major threat here. CORDYCEPS has been in good recent form and he was an expected winner last time, over the course and distance. The drop to the 1400m clearly suited his handy running style and he will be forced to repeat that this time, from gate 9. With three wins under his belt from 15 starts, he should have plenty more to come and should be right there again. FLYING VICTORY took just two starts to land his first career win and he followed that up with another solid effort last time out, when stepping up to this course and distance. He took a bump at a crucial stage in that run and may have laid down a bigger challenge, had it not been for that untimely contact. The hood and tongue tie seem to have assisted in his marked improvement in his second start and they obviously stay on here. If overcoming that tricky draw, he looks a threat with Moreira taking the mount today.