International Racing: Sha Tin – Sunday 17th November 2019

It’s the Jockey Club race day this Sunday 17th November 2019, with three tantalising Gr 2 races over the 1200m, 1600m and 2000m respectively awaits pundits. 

BEAUTY GENERATION returns and he looks superbly weighted to make amends for his defeat last time out and he should be the best bet on the card. PAKISTAN STAR returns to the same 1200m trip as his last start, where he went close to winning. He has his second run back after a rest and looks set to mount another big challenge in the 8th race.

Best Bet: BEAUTY GENERATION (Race 6)
Value Bet: PAKISTAN STAR (Race 8)

Race 1 – 06:15
Selections: 6 – 4 – 3 – 9 – 1 
WOOD ON FIRE gave a good account of himself on debut when overcoming gate 12 to rally late for a 2-length beating, in second place. That was over this course and distance and it is encouraging to see Grant van Niekerk retain the ride, from a plum draw this time. The son of Per Incanto will have plenty of scope for improvement and looks tough to beat. BRIGHT KID has been knocking on the door since his move to the Dougie Whyte yard four starts back. He has dropped further in the ratings since then and off his current mark of 53, he looks a big threat at this level. Silvestre de Sousa takes the ride and the 3-time British Champion Jockey should give a lot of cheek in the closing stages. GUNNAR has featured prominently in recent times and he gets the blinkers removed this time, after not performing as well as he did, before they were fitted two starts back. He has a useful record over this trip and if overcoming a very tough draw, he should be involved in the finish with Moreira up. SIMPLY SPECTACULAR is a nicely bred son of I Am Invincible having his career debut here and Zac Purton makes an interesting jockey booking. He finds a reasonable draw for his career opener and could go close if ready. Attention should be given to the betting moves, to determine what the stable thinks about his chances.

Race 2 – 06:45
Selections: 8 – 10 – 3 – 7 – 12 
Grant van Niekerk gets the nod in successive races, having picked up the ride on the in-form son of Nadeem – C P POWER. He returns to the course where has picked up three out of his four career wins and his chances will be boosted by the much-improved draw, after rallying well from gate 10 last time. He looks competitive off his current mark of 51 and rates the one to beat. AMAZING AGILITY has been a regular performer over this course and distance of late. He has been dropping in the ratings for a while now and his form is starting to show signs of improvement. He has a difficult draw to overcome this time, but he does like to be switched off in the early parts and if repeating his last run, he’ll go close. HO HO FEEL has also slipped in the ratings and he showed the expected improvement last time when dropping back into this class, where he has picked up 5 wins from 18 outings. Zac Purton jumps aboard the son of Henrythenavigator and he should be right there. FAMILY LEADER finished in front of the second selection in his penultimate effort, before things went awry in his last start when overcoming gate 10. He lands a similar draw this time, but he will be looking to make amends here and with Teetan up he will be looking to find that prior form over this course and distance, which will bring him right into the equation.

Race 3 – 07:15
Selections: 13 – 11 – 3 – 5 – 1 
DIAMOND BRILLIANT has performed well since dropping into this class two starts back, adding to his already useful record over this track and trip. From a handy draw, Teetan takes the mount for the first time and from a prominent position he will be boxing on doggedly in the closing stages. He should be tough to beat this time. GRADE ONE took a bump at a crucial stage in the closing two furlongs last time out, when returning from just over a six-month absence. He is a winner in this class and he likes this course and distance. With a bit of luck in running from gate 8, he should strip fitter this time and be a major contender in the closing stages. HELLO BEAUTY did well to overcome the draw last time out, when returning to this class. He lands a useful draw for the inform Moore yard and having dropped another 2-points in the ratings, he’ll go close here. HERCULES showed fair improvement from an improved draw at just the second time of asking. Both efforts have come over this course and distance and he lands an even better draw this time. Global superstar rider, Silvestre de Sousa, takes the mount here and he’ll be a big threat with the expected improvement to come.

Race 4 – 07:45
Selections: 3 – 1 – 9 – 12 – 4 
ULTIMATE GLORY has continued to drop in the ratings and he will be looking to build on that good last run when reverting to this class of opposition after a poor effort on the All-Weather in his penultimate start. He has won twice from only 6 attempts in Class 4 company and with Zac Purton up from gate 1 this time, he will be looking to take advantage from just off the early speed. He is a consistent performer over this course and distance and looks the likely winner here. SONIC FIGHTER showed up well in his last two starts when stepping into Class 3 company, finishing just over a length behind the winner last time out. He is a regular performer over this course and distance, with a useful record and he lands a plum draw for this return to racing after a 4-month absence. With a solid record in this class, he will be involved in the finish once again if not too in need of the run. FUN TIMES is another regular contender who is used to featuring prominently over this track and trip.  He followed up that good win in his penultimate start, with a big run last time from the same draw. Teetan rode him in both of those outings and it is no surprise to see him stick with the ride, from an improved draw. With this being his peak run back this term, he rates a big threat and must go in. FLYING GOSPEL has dropped in the ratings and he too has his third run after a rest, after overcoming a wide draw last time out, when taking on the minimum trip. He launches from gate 5 this time around and off his current mark of 42, Hewitson takes the ride and he is sure to be involved in the finish.


Race 5 – 08:15
Selections:  12 – 1 – 9 – 5 – 3 
PERFECT PAIR has his third ran back this term, after showing good improvement in both comeback runs. He rallied well in the closing stages last time, despite being forced wide from barrier 9 and he will be cherry ripe for this outing. He steps back up to a trip where he is unbeaten from two attempts, both of which have come at this course. Schofield retains the ride on this son of Darci Brahma and he will have plenty of scope for more improvement, with this being just his 9th career outing. He is drawn well and looks the likely winner. WAR ROOM also has his peak run here, after two good efforts so far this term, when going down by just a neck. He certainly benefitted from an improved draw in his latest effort, when stepping up to this trip and with the 3-pound claimer up and from the same draw this time, he looks the biggest threat to the top selection. WORLD FAMOUS has been in good consistent form since returning this season and he’ll be heartened by his latest effort when finding severe traffic in the penultimate furlong of his latest outing. He finished just behind the former in that run and has the luxury of lining up 1-pound better off with him at the weights this time. Grant van Niekerk rides and he’ll be right there. PRIVATE ROCKET showed up well on the All-Weather last time, despite overcoming a wide draw. He jumps from pole this time and gets the blinkers removed. Sanna retains the ride and having picked up a win from just three attempts over this course and distance, he should be a major contender in the finish and is worth including.

Race 6 – 08:45 – THE JOCKEY CLUB MILE (GR 2) – 1600M
Selections: 1 – 2 – 5 – 7 – 6 
BEAUTY GENERATION has his third run back this term and he looks weighted to turn the tables on that disappointing 3rd last time out, when stepping back up to his favourite trip. WAIKUKU was the only contender here to finish in front of him on that occasion and the top selection lines up 13-pounds better off this time out. He’ll be cherry ripe for this and with his regular navigator up from another plum draw, he’s very hard to oppose. The latter was game in defeat last time out, when going down by a neck in second place. It was an effort full of merit, considering that it was his first attempt over a mile and with this being also being his third run back, he looks the biggest danger. KA YING STAR will no doubt employ his usual tactics and take up the early running with serious intent. He’ll find it tough at the weights with the top selection on that run in the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy last time, but he is a mile specialist. With Teetan up from a good draw, he’ll be the target they’ll all have to catch and he’s always game for a challenge. NOT USUAL TALENT is a consistent sort who steps up to the big league here and he gets the services of Hugh Bowman for his attempt and Gr2 glory. This will be very tough, but it is his favourite trip and he’s worth including in quartets.

Race 7 – 09:15 – THE JOCKEY CLUB CUP (GR 2) – 2000M
Selections: 6 – 1 – 3 – 4 – 2 
TIME WARP returns for his 2nd run back, after a very good comeback run last time finishing 2nd to SOUTHERN LEGEND. That was over the 1800m from a wide draw and he now steps up to a trip where he has been very effective, having landed 2 wins and 2 places from 8 attempts – all of which have come at this course. Drawn well for a change, he’ll be looking for the early lead and despite the fact that he is 5-pounds worse off with the latter, he is a duel Gr1 winner with a nice galloping weight to shoulder and that hasn’t happened to him for some time.  EXULTANT is 6-pounds better off with the top selection, on that same run mentioned above, also being his latest. That too was his second run back after a rest and he’ll be the obvious one to beat as far as the betting is concerned. His record is impressive and he should enjoy the extra. Purton retains the ride from gate 3 and he’ll be a big contender to the top selection. RISE HIGH was a game-winner last time out, fending off some top-class opposition over the mile. He looks well suited to this step up in trip and with this also being his second run after a rest, he will be cherry ripe. From off the speed, he will be running on and deserves plenty of respect. SOUTHERN LEGEND beat the top two selections last time out, but he has the luxury of two comeback runs prior to that and his opposition will be much fitter this time. With that said, he lands an improved draw and if repeating that last run, he will certainly be involved in the finish.

Race 8 – 09:50 – JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT (GR 2) – 1200M
Selections: 6 – 11 – 8 – 10 – 5 
PAKISTAN STAR was impressive last time out, when returning over a trip that some may have considered short of his best. That was after a 5-month absence and he did well to rally late, making good headway in the closing stages. He lines up in barrier 1 this time out and he gets the visor fitted for the first time. If building on that latest effort, he looks a massive contender here. REGENCY LEGEND is unbeaten in four starts in Hong Kong, all which have come over this course and distance. He steps up to group level now and rightly so. He has only been beaten once in his career of just 7 outings and he is clearly talented. From a reasonable draw, Purton sticks with him and he should be up to the challenge. WISHFUL THINKER finished just a fraction in front of the top selection last time out and he now lines up 4-pounds worse off with the latter. But he has been knocking on the door in his last two efforts and he has a very useful record over this course and distance. From another good draw, he will be right there at the finish. FULL OF BEAUTY has been in solid form since returning from a rest in his last two starts, going down narrowly in defeat last time. He beat the first and third selection in that run and besides the unfavourable weight turn around with both, he has a very tough draw to handle. That said, he is a useful 6-time winner from 10 career starts and if finding a bit of luck in running, he is not without a chance.

Race 9 – 10:25 – Class 2 – 1200m
Selections: 11 – 1 – 6 – 7 – 3 
MR CROISANT is yet to miss the first three in his 8 career starts so far, picking up three wins in the process and all of which have come over this course and distance. He steps up to Class 2 level for the first time and lands a plum draw, where he will look to continue that solid reign of form. Beaten by AEROHAPINESS last time, he lines up 5-pounds better off with the latter and Vincent Ho grabs the ride and should take the power of beating. BIG TIME BABY has his peak run back this season and he lands another useful draw for the occasion. A regular performer in this class, he brings some solid form with him and Matthew Chadwick knows him well. He should enjoy stepping back up to this trip and despite the fact that he is an All-Weather specialist, a repeat of that latest effort on this surface should bring him right into the equation. AEROHAPPINESS, as mentioned above, looks held by the top selection on that latest duel between the two of them. He too steps up to this class for the first time, but in addition to the weight turn around, he has a tough draw to handle. Moreira will be looking to negate that with some early cover and with a bit of luck, his followers should see him flashing home late for a big challenge. BIG PARTY has solid form before his latest, when rising into this class. Beaten 4-lengths in that run, he did have a tricky draw to contend with and Zac Purton will be looking to avoid any unnecessary bumps at the start, from gate 1 this time. He looks progressive and likes this course and distance. If staying out of trouble this time, he’ll be right there at the business end.

Race 10 – 11:00 – Class 2 – 1800m
Selections: 13 – 3 – 8 – 10 – 11
Zac Purton may have gone a bit too soon on CHEFANO last time out, when the leaders slowed things down as they travelled through the 800m mark. However, he did well to box on gamely in the closing stages, finding one better on the day. He steps back up to Class 2 company and the wide draw may be a blessing, in that it may force him to switch off towards the rear of the field. Vincent Ho takes the ride for the first time and if left alone to run on late, he’ll just about win this. TIANCHI MONSTER has his third start at Class 2 level, having placed in both attempts in his last two starts. Purton jumps back aboard the son of Shocking, for his peak run since returning from a rest and he lands a plum draw, over a track and trip where he has had success before. He deserves plenty of respect. CIRCUIT NUMBER TWO has shown up relatively well in both of his last two starts, since stepping up to this level. He tries this trip for the first time and he should relish the extra furlong, with Karis Teetan retaining the ride. The blinkers go on and with 4 wins to his name from 8 starts, he looks progressive enough to go right into contention once again. THE HULK has only had the two starts here, but he has a useful career record of 3 wins from 8 starts. He will love the extra this time and Moreira makes an interesting jockey booking from a very tough draw. If finding a bit of luck in running, he will be cherry ripe for a big challenge late and certainly deserves inclusion.