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International Racing: Sha Tin Best Bets Tuesday 1 October

Jockeys Race Horses on Turf

A very intriguing race card carries two Group 3 events and both are peppered with quality. Much anticipation has featured around the return of BEAUTY GENERATION as he has showed so much dominance over the past season and a half. He lines up in the 7th race, The Celebration Cup Gr3 and although short of a run, should have the class to prevail.


As such, we make him the Best Bet on the card. Our Value Bet arises in the 9th race on the card, in the form of the South African Gr 1 winner, LOBO’S LEGEND. He is improving with the decrease in ratings and looks a massive runner this time.

Best Bet: BEAUTY GENERATION (Race 7)
Value Bet: LOBO’S LEGEND (Race 9) 

Race
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
1
5
8
2
12
9
2
6
10
12
11
2
3
2
5
3
1
6
4
8
5
9
2
12
5
5
3
4
10
2
6
4
1
11
10
13
7
1
5
7
6
3
8
6
12
2
11
1
9
1
4
3
7
10
10
7
4
14
1
8

Race 1 – 07:00
Selections: 5 – 8 – 2 – 12 – 9 
The first of 10 races carded presents a tricky race to analyse, with 5 unraced runners making a prediction of the early speed difficult. FOREVER SHARP and GOOD VIEW CLARICO showed plenty of speed in their respective trials and they may opt to make a dash to the front. With the former having a wide draw to overcome, that may be his only option. From a much-improved draw today, Zac Purton may also opt to take EIGHT TRIGRAMS up handy and he looks the likely pace-setter. However, we have opted for SUPER EIGHTEEN to kick the meeting off on a sweet note. He found all sorts of traffic issues in the closing stages of his last effort, when finishing just behind EIGHT TRIGRAMS and he may consider himself an unlucky loser on that occasion. He now meets the latter on 4-pound better weight terms this time and from an improved draw, looks the one to beat. For second we are going with the latter, having beat the top selection last time. He also finds an improved draw and as mentioned, will be partnered with Purton. Having just had the 6 career starts to his name, he still has plenty of scope for improvement and must be respected. FOREVER SHARP, as mentioned above, showed plenty of speed in that trial and from gate 11, will be forced to make a dash for the front. He risks being caught out wide, which would put a dampener on his chances, but with no outright speed in the race it will be the right option. Moreira takes the mount and the well-bred son of Darci Brahma could show a bold effort on debut – use the betting as a guide. MASTER ALBERT is another one with a tricky draw to negate, the 3rd one in a row for the So inmate. He rallied wide in his most recent effort, showing good improvement to box on for third under tricky circumstances. Teetan retains the ride here and with some luck in running, he will be charging home once again off this reduced rating.

Race 2 – 07:30
Selections: 6 – 10 – 12 – 11 – 2 
Another tough race to analyse, with a number of untested runners here. SUPER WINNER showed good early speed in that debut run and he would’ve learnt a lot from that effort. He was hampered at the 150m mark and may have finished closer, with an incident-free run to the line. Purton takes the mount this time and from a prominent early position, he will be tough to peg back at the business end. LITTLE THUNDER showed good improvement in that follow up effort last time, after having to overcome a wide draw on debut. From gate 2 today, he will be looking to settle just off the early speed and with the expected further improvement to come, should be right there at the finish and must be included. FOODIE PRINCESS showed a sustained finish last time out, at the just the 3rd time of asking, when fitted with the tongue tie. He had a wide draw to overcome in his penultimate start and having been used up early to race with the speed, faded out from the 300m. From gate 3 this time, he will replicate those tactics utilised in his latest run, when settling in mid-division. If finding that turn of foot, he will be closing them down and could go very close, with the expected improvement to come. U W BROTHER has only had the four starts so far and he was a little disappointing in the finish last time, having moved up with intent before being completely baulked for galloping run. It is hard to imagine where he may have finished with a traffic-free passage, but he surely would’ve finished a lot closer. Back up to the 6 furlongs this time, he still has scope for more and must be respected.

Race 3 – National Day Cup (Group 3) – 08:00
Selections: 2 – 5 – 3 – 1 – 6
A field of 7 line up in the 3rd race on the card, a Group 3 event over the minimum trip. A unique race to judge, with very little early speed evident. With just the 113 pounds to shoulder, Moreira may opt to take FULL OF BEAUTY up to the front and create a moving target for his opposition. That may set the race up perfectly for the likes of RATTAN who is the selection for first prize. The son of Savabeel very rarely disappoints and it will just be a question of his readiness for this race, that may cast an element of doubt in his followers’ minds. He returns from a 5-month absence from the course, for his first attempt at this minimum trip, but he is no slouch over the sprints. He was just touched off in a Group 1 over 1200m last time and that certainly cemented his class. He may just have the edge over the rest of this field and looks the one to beat. FULL OF BEAUTY, as mentioned above, looks the possible early speed in the race, with a useful galloping weight to shoulder. He has been strongly fancied in his recent outings, against slightly weaker, although he was strongly fancied to win his latest – a 1200m in Gr 3 company. With the 5 wins to his name, from just 8 starts, he is clearly loaded with ability and although he may just be shy of a run, he has the class to feature prominently at this level. WISHFUL THINKER just needed his last start, when returning from a 4-month absence from the course, but he will strip a lot fitter this time. He has gone close in this strength of opposition and his chances will be boosted by a prominent record over this course and distance. The son of I Am Invincible has loads of ability and looks a realistic threat. For the minor placings, the top weight LITTLE GIANT gets the nod for 4th. He won his last start, in Group 3 company, taking his lifetime record to 6 wins from 12 starts. Returning from a 4-month lay-off, Purton retains the ride and if not a touch on the sharp side, this seasoned Group 1 contender deserves plenty of respect.

Race 4 – 08:35
Selections: 8 – 5 – 9 – 2 – 12 
CALIFORNIA LEGEND showed good improvement last time out, when having the blinkers removed. He took advantage of that improved draw in that run, when finding a relatively soft lead and never looked like giving it up. That was his first effort over the mile and from another good draw today, this son of Camelot still has plenty of scope for further improvement. Teetan retains the ride and from another good draw, he’ll be hard to peg back. ROYAL RACER had a tough trip last time, when racing keenly and becoming awkwardly placed for a number of strides. Nevertheless, he rallied well in the closing stages and wasn’t disgraced finishing 2 lengths back. Purton takes the mount and he has a tricky draw to overcome, but his useful gate speed should stand him in good stead and he’ll be prominent early on. He still has scope for more and should be right there at the business end. DASHING DART has a fair record over this course and distance and he lands a much-improved draw after finding two wide barriers in his last two. He did himself no favours last time out, when fly-jumping at the start, before taking a hold in the early stages. From gate 3, he looks better placed to make big improvement here and must be respected. FULL POWER is an exceptionally well-bred son of Frankel, making his official career start today. He doesn’t have an easy draw to deal with and will more than likely be looking to sit off the early speed. Follow the betting and he may be worth including.

Race 5 – 09:05
Selections: 5 – 3 – 4 – 10 – 2
EZRA is a South African bred son of Oratorio, having his 7th career start today. He has been a consistent sort and seems to have taken a liking to this trip, with a course and distance record of 3 runs and 2 seconds. He went very close last time out, over the track and trip and from another good draw, has every chance to land in the winners’ box. With Domeyer, the South African pair look the ones to beat. SPEEDY LUCK is also just getting going in his career, with this being his 8th career start. He drops into Class 4 company, after going close against tougher last time. Significantly, that was when stepping back up to this trip and he’ll be looking to find another handy position this time, after almost going start to finish in that latest run. With Moreira up, he will have the visor replaced with the cheek-pieces and deserves the utmost respect. THE ONE has also dropped in class of late, having dropped significantly in the ratings in his past few efforts. As such, he has been making gradual improvement and will be partnered with the ever consistent, Zac Purton, for his 8th career start. From gate 14, he may be forced into a change of tactics to race upfront and that may induce the necessary improvement to go close here. ALL BEST FRIENDS has been finishing just off them of late and that’s in-line with his 9-point drop in the ratings, since March this year. From gate 2, he steps back up to the 1400m where he has finished unplaced in three of his previous efforts. With that said, he has improved since then and looks well handicapped to go close off this mark.

Race 6 – 09:40
Selections:  4 – 1 – 11 – 10 – 13
SPLENDOUR AND GOLD has shown a fair amount of ability in his 7 career outings so far, notching up three wins along the way, including one over this course and distance and in this class. He was caught out wide last time, when travelling through the 800m mark. From gate 6 today, he should be able to find a much more suitable position with Moreira up. With plenty of scope for further improvement, he looks well handicapped here and we make him the on to beat. CHEFANO was tipped to win last time out and he showed some great resolve to rally wide late, finishing a respectable 2nd. That was when fitted with the cheek-pieces for the first time, for his 2nd run for his new stable. He lands another wide draw today but is bred for this step up in trip. From off the pace, he will be closing in fast over the final furlong and deserves inclusion. I DO is a well-bred son of So You Think, making his 10th-course appearance today. He lands another wide draw and will opt to push for a position upfront, from the off. He would’ve found the 1400m a touch too short last time, but on his prior form over further, he looks a big threat here. Purton takes the mount this time and if finding a smooth passage late, should be right there at the finish. SUPER ELEGANCE is starting to look rather competitive in this class, off his current rating. He showed good improvement with the cheekpieces last time, over the course and distance before his break. Back after a 3-month holiday, he would’ve freshened up well and if not short of the run, looks well handicapped to fight this one out. Schofield sticks with the ride, from a good draw.

Race 7 – The Celebration Cup (Group 3) – 10:10
Selections: 1 – 5 – 7 – 6 – 3
The talking horse of Hong Kong racing makes a return here and all eyes will be on gate 3, in the 19th renewal of this 1400m Gr3, where BEAUTY GENERATION makes his first appearance this season, for his hat-trick attempt at top honours in this race. The highly talented son of Road To Rock will attempt to land his 18th career win, at the 31st time of asking and with a course and distance record of 4 out of 5, why not? He will however be giving 20 pounds to eight of his nine rivals here, so it won’t be easy and likes of KA YING STAR won’t leave him with a soft lead this time. With that said, he should have too much class for this field and he looks to be the best bet on the card. As we alluded to above, the latter will be hell-bent on taking up the early running from gate 9. He likes to set the fractions and with the reduced trip in mind, looks likely to do exactly that. He is in solid recent form and having been beaten by half a length in his penultimate start, in this company, he must be respected. WAIKUKU is another up and coming sort, who appears to be loaded with ability. He drops back to a trip, where he is unbeaten in three starts and he lands a very handy draw this time. Moreira retains the ride and if putting that disappointing latest in Gr1 company behind him, he’ll be right there at the business end. For the backend of quartets, NOTHINGILIKEMORE must be considered. He finally lands a useful draw and drops back to a trip where he has found the winners’ box on four occasions, from 7 attempts. He was level weights with the top selection in his penultimate start, for that 4,5-length defeat, but now lines up 13 pounds to the good. If not in need of the run, he will go a lot closer this time.

Race 8 – 10:45
Selections: 6 – 12 – 2 – 11 – 1
NEW ASIA SUNRISE has been in good consistent form of late, having dropped 9 pounds in the ratings in his last 5 starts. He had a very tough trip last time out, when travelling wide in the early parts of the race. Moving through the 800m marker, he was forced wider still and did very well to box on for third, just 1,5 lengths off the winner. He was also hampered in his penultimate start, when finishing just behind MR CROISSANT and will line up 3-pounds to the good, on that last meeting between the two. The latter is drawn out wide today. From gate 5, the son of Written Tycoon looks a major threat and the likely winner. JUMBO PRIZE has his course debut after turning out at Happy Valley, in all of his outings so far. He featured prominently in his last two starts, since rising to this class. Having won and placed twice in his career, all five of those runs have been over this trip and he still has plenty more room for improvement. He has a very handy galloping weight to shoulder, with the 3-pound claimer up today and the likely pacesetter could be very tough to catch late on. From gate 2, he rates a big threat. MR CROISSANT never runs a poor race, having notched up two wins already and never missing the first three in his 6 career starts so far. All of those efforts have come over this course and distance, four of them in this class. He was a bit unlucky last time and Purton retains the ride, but he will have gate 10 to negate and runs the risk of being caught deep early on. If overcoming the draw, he deserves plenty of respect and it is hard to imagine him not being involved in the finish, despite the weight turnaround with the top selection. GALLANT RETURN has been just off them in recent times and perhaps his record may have had more of a shine to it, with a bit more luck in running. He may have gone a lot closer last time; had he not been baulked a number of times in the closing stages. The 2-pound claiming Poon retains the ride and from another good draw, should be right there in the finish.

Race 9 – 11:20
Selections: 1 – 4 – 3 – 7 – 10
LOBO’S LEGEND appears to be capturing the form he had before leaving South African shores, just over a year ago. A Gr1 victory over 1800m was the last time he raced in RSA, but he was also very well performed over 6 furlongs and less. The son of Trippi has dropped in the ratings since the start of his Hong Kong career and he looks very competitive off his current mark. He ran a much-improved effort over this course and distance last time out and things were made difficult by a poor start. If jumping on terms this time around, he looks well-positioned to win this. SUPER STAR has showed up well since rising to this class in his last two runs, despite having wide draws to overcome. Both of those efforts came over this course and distance, resulting in a win and a third-place finish. He has another tricky draw to overcome this time, but Moreira will be looking to drop him out early and let him bolt home late. With his course and distance record in mind, he looks a big factor here and must be included on his course and distance record. INVINCIBLE MISSILE has begun his career on a good note and the son of Invincible Missile has only finished outside of the top three places on two occasion from 8 starts. He won his last start over the 6 furlongs, but has also finished prominently over this trip. With Purton retaining the ride, he looks a threat and must be respected. CLASSIC POSH looks the best of the rest on form displayed thus far. He showed good improvement when stepping up to the 6 furlongs last time out, at just the 4th time of asking. Having been caught out wide in that run, he did fairly well to make late headway and should go a lot closer today, from gate 2.

Race 10 – 11:55
Selections: 7 – 4 – 14 – 1 – 8
We close the meeting with this competitive Class 2 event over the 1200m and some useful individuals will line-up at the start, with plenty of speed on offer. In fact, it could be a mad scramble to get to the front for many and the likes of AETHERO may use the opportunity to find some cover for a change. He has a much-improved draw for his rise into this class and it may be worth avoiding the early hustle. FAT TURTLE is another who may decide to trail the early leaders and find the box seat on the rail. The son of Smart Missile has been in very good form since arriving on the island and he is yet to miss the first two places over this trip. He went down narrowly in defeat last time out, over the course and distance and from pole position he looks set for a big run this time. Moreira takes the mount and he will be very tough to shake off in the closing stages. For second, we have sided with the former, AETHERO. He is unbeaten in three starts so far and it is no surprise to see him rising through the divisions, as he steps into Class 2 company this time. He has been fancied strongly in all three starts to date and the same looks evident here. He lands a much-improved draw and Purton retains the ride, but he won’t have it all his own way as he has done before. With that said, he looks very progressive and must be included. TEAM SPIRIT finished 3,5 lengths behind the top selection last time out, when overcoming a wide draw and fading late. That was when fitted with the tongue tie, which he wears again today. He jumps from gate 3 this time and that will allow him to employ his good early gate speed to take up the running. With the 3-pound claimer retaining the ride, the son of Strategic looks well positioned to give a very good account of himself. For fourth place, we have sided with the top-weight, CALIFORNIA WHIP. He also finished just behind the top selection last time out, but lines up 5-pounds worse off at the weights and must overcome gate 13. He has been in solid recent form and if overcoming the draw, he’ll more than likely be mounting a challenge from off the speed and could go close.

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