International Racing: Sha Tin Best Bets – Sunday 27th October 2019

Nine races on the All-Weather greets punters this Sunday 27th October 2019 and after a slow start, three Class 3 races close the meeting and some useful racing awaits punters. 

WAYFOONG CHARMER should be the best bet on the card. He has shown plenty of promise since stepping onto this surface and he has a good chance to find the winners box with this being his second start this term. ELITE PATCH appears to be a bit of value at the backend of the card. He showed an eye-catching effort when stepping onto this surface last time out and off his current mark, he could pop up in the ninth.

Best Bet: WAYFOONG CHARMER (Race 6)
Value Bet: ELITE PATCH (Race 9)

Race 1 – 06:15

Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 10 – 11

EXPONENTS will enjoy returning to the All-Weather, where he seems to feature more prominently. He finished just over 4-lengths back in his penultimate start, over this course and distance and he was never a threat from a tricky draw. That form line features prominently here and he will have a great chance to go a lot closer from an improved barrier. The son of Foxwedge has solid prior form before that run and he gets the services of Moreira this time. From a handy position, he will be challenging strongly. CORRE RAPIDO has been right there in his last two starts, since dropping into Class 2 company. He finished in front of the top selection last time out, when overcoming a wide draw. Post-race reports indicated that he had pulled up lame after that run, which adds more credit to that effort. With the more experienced Schofield replacing the apprentice this time, he will line up 9-pounds worse off at the weights, with the top selection. With that said, he has found an improved draw and that brings him into contention. NEVER BETTER has been in solid form and he went close last time, when stepping onto this surface for only the 2nd time in his 51 career starts. That was over the course and distance, when beating the top two. He is well weighted to repeat that effort again and he certainly looks a threat, but the slightly wider draw will make things tougher this time. ROCHFORD has been in good form in recent times. He finished behind the 2nd selection last time out, over this course and distance, where he seems to be at home. He is drawn wide this time, but in these conditions, he must be considered.

Race 2 – 06:45
Selections: 6 – 1 – 3 – 2 – 9 

THIS ONE’S FOR YOU returned to the All-Weather last time out, for the second time in his career and that also happened to be his second run after a short lay-off. That was after showing signs of improvement on the Turf, with his continued drop in ratings and he duly obliged with a barn-storming finish over the final two furlongs. Drawn wide in that run, he had a tough trip and his chances will be buoyed from an improved draw here. Yeung retains, and he looks the one to beat. ENFOLDING finished alongside the top selection last time out, on the back of some very consistent form. Despite the fact that he is yet to win in 10 starts on the poly, he has placed 60% of the time and he will be looking to convert that record into a win here. The visor clearly helped last time and that stays on for a return to the same course and distance. Purton retains the ride and he looks the biggest threat. GOOD RUNNERS WAY has taken the return to Class 4 company in his stride, with a good win over this course and distance last time. That was just his second start on this surface and he is yet to finish outside of the top 3 in both efforts. He finds a perfect draw this time, after mounting his challenge from gate 9 last time and that should stand him in good stead. Shinn takes the ride and he must go in. GOOD FIT has slipped 5-points in the ratings in his last 5 starts and he is starting to approach a very competitive mark. He found traffic at a crucial stage last time out, when flashing home for just a 1.75 length beating and he may have gone closer with an incident free approach. He lands an improved draw this time and with his course and distance form in mind, must be included.

Race 3 – 07:15
Selections: 10 – 11 – 3 – 5 – 8 

CHATER THUNDER has dropped in the ratings and he clearly enjoyed switching back to the All-Weather surface last time out, where has picked up both of his career wins so far. That was his second start for his new camp, since leaving the Ferraris outfit and he will be a major player this time out for his third run after a rest. He lines up 7-pounds better off at the weights with the winner of his last outing and that should be enough to land him in the winner’s box. MASTER BERNINI finished just in front of the top selection last time out, when overcoming a wide draw and he did well to box on late under Moreira. That was his first run back this season as well as the first run for his new stable and the change of scenery seems to have done the trick. He should be cherry ripe here and with Moreira retaining the ride, he looks the biggest danger despite landing another wide draw. REGENCY GEM has his first outing on this surface, after showing up well on the poly recently. He has clearly improved since dropping into this class and his winning turn is just around the corner. Purton retains the ride and if taking to the All-Weather, he has the form to go into contention. HIDDEN SPIRIT won his last start and his second in a row, when returning for his first run this season and extending his unbeaten record over the course and distance to two from two. He was clearly not short of the run and will strip even fitter for this outing. Chadwick removes Teetan from the saddle and from a good draw, looks a worthy inclusion.

Race 4 – 07:45
Selections: 1 – 4 – 7 – 6 – 5 

ELUSIVE STATE has a very useful record over this course and distance and he is certainly not out of his depth in this league. He gave a solid account of himself last time out, when returning for his first run this season, over a trip that would’ve been a touch on the sharp side. He steps back up to his preferred trip and will strip a lot fitter here. Moreira retains the ride from a very handy draw and he looks the one the will all have to beat. GLORIOUS ARTIST returns to the All-Weather here, after two fair performances on Turf. His latest came again Gr1 opposition and that happened to be his first run this season. He will strip a lot fitter here and with his record on this surface in mind, he looks a major player with Purton up and rates the main danger to the top one. BUDDIES has won three from four, over this course and distance and he deserves his chance in this tougher class. He has plenty more to come and the son of So You Think should be up to the challenge. The in-form van Niekerk takes the mount this time and he must be included. CIRCUIT GLORY has finished second and third in both his outings on this surface, which also came over this trip. He has dropped slightly in the ratings and should relish the return to the All-Weather, after a modest campaign on Turf. From a useful draw, apprentice Ho takes the mount and he will claim 3-pounds off his back, which should bring him right into contention.

Race 5 – 08:15
Selections: 12 – 1 – 5 – 3 – 8 


STAR SUPERIOR has been in a solid run of form in his last few starts, since switching to the All-Weather, where he clearly has a preference over the Turf. All of his last three starts have come over this trip and he has finished in the first three places on all three occasions, proving his competitiveness off his current rating. Grant van Niekerk retains the ride and looks the one to beat. GOLDIE FLANKER has been in useful form before his last start, which he clearly needed when coming back from a 6.5-month absence. That was from a wide draw, against Class 3 opposition and he’ll strip a lot fitter this time, for a return to the same course and distance. This time he lands an improved draw and with his course and distance record in mind, he rates a big danger. VIVA COUNCIL finished just in front of the top selection last time out, when overcoming a wide draw on his return to this course and distance. He gets the cheek pieces for his third run after a rest and he will be cherry ripe for another assault on the winners’ box. He lands an improved draw and with the 3kg claimer retaining the ride after that solid last start, he should be right there again. GRACIOUS RYDER returns to the All-Weather, where he has shown little in both of his attempts to date. Both of those outings have come over this course and distance, where he starts this seasons campaign here. An interesting jockey booking with Zac Purton taking the mount and with that in mind, he must be included.

Race 6 – 09:05
Selections: 11 – 8 – 2 – 4 – 1 


WAYFOONG CHARMER finished just behind DOLLAR REWARD last time, after winning his first attempt on the All-Weather, in his penultimate start. That latest effort went a long way to confirm his affinity for this surface and the lightly raced son of Dream Ahead still has plenty of scope for further progression. Schofield takes the mount this time with the blinkers fitted and they line up 6-pounds better off with the former here. That should be enough to overcome that 1.5 length defeat last time out and he should be tough to shake off at the business end. FORTUNE HAPPINESS comes off the back of an impressive win last time out, albeit against Class 5 opposition. That was his first career win, in just his 8th start and he will certainly have more in the tank. Back in Class 4 company this time, he retains the services of Moreira and must be included. DOLLAR REWARD has won his last two starts on this surface, kicking off his campaign on a high note. He has been penalized 11 points in the ratings as a result, but having won his last start with a bit in hand, he could still be ahead of the handicapper. He finds a very useful draw for his third outing this season and with Purton retaining the ride, he must go in. ALL TIMES GRATEFUL was not disgraced on debut, over the 1000m on Turf. He showed a good turn of foot to rally late and went down a respectable 2.75 lengths in 6th place. From gate 5, he tries the All-Weather and with plenty of scope for improvement, he must be included.

Race 7 – 09:40
Selections: 11 – 2 – 7 – 1 – 3


AQUILA has just had the 4 starts so far and he’s shown a fair amount of promise. This will be his first on the Poly and that may cast a bit of doubt to some, but he certainly has plenty of speed and he should enjoy the extra furlong now. He won his penultimate effort when drawn wide and he followed that up with a solid effort in this class. Moreira retains the ride from pole and with the expected improvement to come, he rates the one to beat. SILVER FIG is a three-time winner from 8 starts and he too has taken well to the rise into this class having won his penultimate, when stepping back onto the All-Weather. Despite the fact that he has a tricky draw to overcome, he seems to be happier settling off the immediate speed and he’ll be looking to find that useful turn of foot at the backend. He is yet to miss the first three in his 7 outings over this trip and he will be sure to fight this one out. TEAM FORTUNE is a track specialist and he’ll return from a six-month absence, to make his 36th appearance. Prior to his rest he performed well over this course and distance and he lands a handy draw to make a bid for an encouraging first up effort. If not too in need of this, he’ll go close. SOLOMON’S BAY spoilt his chances last time out, when taking a keen hold early on before becoming one paced in the latter stages. That was his second start back this season, after winning first up and Purton has ridden him on both occasions. He has his third go on this surface and from a good draw, he must be considered.

Race 8 – 10:15
Selections: 8 – 1 – 3 – 2 – 13 

BEAR SLAM has shown good improvement since stepping back onto the All-Weather, combined with a healthy drop in his rating. He found two consecutive wide draws prior to his last start and he wasn’t disgraced in either, having finished 6th and 2nd respectively. All of his recent efforts have come over this course and distance and in this class of opposition. With Moreira up from gate 2, he has a great chance at notching up his first win here. WARM THE VOICE was eye-catching at a big price last time out, when finishing in-front of the top selection. He overcame a very wide draw to flash home late from a wide position and that run was full of merit. With this being just his 2nd start on this surface, one gets the feeling that he has a lot more to offer despite the fact that he is 3-pounds worse off with the former, on their last meeting. Back over the same course and distance as last time, he finds a mildly improved draw so those tactics will need to be repeated. Chadwick retains and he looks a big threat. GOOD BEAUTY has been in good form and he makes his first appearance on the All-Weather here. He is starting to show signs of a big run off his current mark of 73 and he lands another useful draw, for a realistic bid for the winners’ box. Purton takes the mount, with the pacifiers on and the must be included. RICKFIELD beat the top two selections last time out, when having his 3rd start on this surface. Drawn wide, he showed a remarkable turn of foot to get the upper hand late and from a similar draw he will have to repeat that effort. He is on the wrong side of a weight turn-around with the top two, but Poon retains and he’s worth including.

Race 9 – 10:50
Selections: 10 – 3 – 7 – 1 – 6 


ELITE PATCH finished just behind the top weighted ENCORE BOY last time out, when stepping onto this surface at just the second time of asking. An impressive effort, he made late headway in the closing stages to finish 2nd. That was his first outing this season and his first for his new stable, after a 4-month absence. He finds another solid draw, gets the blinkers fitted and lines up 8-pounds better off with the former and that should be enough for him to land his first win here in Hong Kong. COBY OPPA has an impeccable record to his name so far, especially on this surface – with a 75%-win strike rate from 4 attempts. All four efforts have come over this trip and the lightly raced son of The Factor certainly has more to come. Moreira takes the mount from a wide draw and with a bit of luck in running, he will be involved in the finish. MEGA HEART returns to the All-Weather after two decent efforts on Turf. His form on this surface prior to that was useful and he’ll be looking to improve on that record, from a reasonable draw this time. Bayliss retains and he is worth including. ENCORE BOY beat the top selection last time out, when being fitted with the blinkers. He hasn’t had much luck with draws of late and that run continues here, where he will be forced to find some luck in running from gate 10. A regular performer over this course and distance, he gets the services of the in-form van Niekerk and if he manages to avoid the ‘cheap seats’ early on, he will be rallying home with good intent.