Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Sunday’s meeting take place at Sha Tin in Hong Kong, including video analysis.
Race 1
No3 SEA MONARCH
Trainer: Chris So – Jockey: Karis Teeton
With no public form to go by this requires a certain amount of ‘sixth sense’ but SEA MONARCH is a Dandy Man gelding out of an Invincible Spirit mare that could be one of the more precocious. From the aspect of trials, SMILING FACE has shown promise and has Moreira in the saddle while Purton’s mount LIKE THAT caught the attention of some in a trial at Conghua.
Prediction: 3-4-6
Race 2
No12 JIMSON THE DRAGON
Trainer: Dennis Yip – Jockey: Zac Purton
In order to win this JIMSUN THE DRAGON will need to overcome gate 14. That means his jockey Purton will have to be alert at the start in order to get his mount quickly out and across. However, it may be worth taking the risk because the selection is on his last winning mark and it’s the first time he’s had the champ on top. DEMONS ROCK put in his best of the year to chase home Fox Cheunger in early February and the winner was placed here last week. If ready after the break he can figure. TREASURE CHEST and PRAWN YEAH YEAH are others that can menace at longer odds.
Prediction: 12-3-6
Race 3
No1 AMAZING AGILITY
Trainer: Peter Ho – Jockey: Zac Purton
AMAZING AGILITY shaped like a horse getting ready to win when second last start and as a third outing that should have put the cutting edge on him. He’s on the cusp of a step up to the next level and under joint top weight can make that jump under Purton. VICTORIOUS SEEKER has a habit of troubling the judge as his figures 2333 tell you. Under Moreira it will be a surprise if he doesn’t take home a cheque. New jockey Antoine Hamelin could get a slice of the pie from REEVE’S MUNTJAC who is drawn to get a nice run through.
Prediction: 1-3-11
Race 4
No2 GOOD VIEW CLARICO
Trainer: Dennis Yip – Jockey: Zac Purton
As was the case last week, Purton should do well from his mounts in the first half of the card. The champ could have chosen elsewhere but is sticking with GOOD VIEW CLARICO who has few miles on the clock and is open to progression. He impressed coming back off a 101 day break and from a very good gate a repeat is on the cards. Similarly, lightly-raced is NOBLE DESIRE who can win this if overcoming a tricky draw. HONEST WAY hasn’t caught the judge’s eye so far this year but could get into it.
Prediction: 2-4-1
Race 5
No12 LEADING FORTUNE
Trainer: John Size – Jockey: Joao Moreira
The form figures of LEADING FORTUNE are uninspiring at first glance, but a more in-depth study of his races gives out plenty of encouragement for an earning run under Moreira. It’s always hard to be completely sure a maiden in his second season can deliver but this fellow is carded to get into it now that he steps up in distance. IRON KING is a pea out of the same pod save for the fact that he’s made the frame a few times and looks banker material for that to happen again. PARTY GENIUS has failed in two starts to endorse the promise of his trials but did show ability and is dangerous to leave out.
Prediction: 12-14-5
Race 6
No5 COLONEL (Nap)
Trainer: Ricky Yiu – Jockey: Zac Purton
Everything looks to have fallen right for COLONEL to open his account. The consistent earner gets Purton for the first time following a near-miss over course and distance last month. He’s blessed with the perfect gate (3) and is going to be hard to beat. I can’t find one to do that although PRESIDENT’S CHOICE needs respecting after his recent win and on just a fourth career start may well find more. SPEEDY DRAGON is of interest at longer odds but needs to turn back the clock.
Prediction: 5-1-9
Race 7
No9 GALACTIC
Trainer: Doug Whyte – Jockey: Joao Moreira
Gate 14 is a handicap for GALACTIC to overcome but he wasn’t beaten far when experiencing a bad trip on debut, has Moreira doing the steering and is open to bundles of improvement. With just that one piece of form he stands apart from the majority of the field and of those holding the experience card ROMAN IMPERO could be the best. He has a top apprentice on board and is drawn to lead up. JADE PHOENIX is also short on experience and with three frame finishes under his belt is included.
Prediction: 9-4-7
Race 8
No10 ENZEMBLE
Trainer: Doug Whyte – Jockey: Joao Moreira
A final chance is given to ENZEMBLE who repeatedly threatens, only to disappoint. He’s attracted waves of support in his five races this year but keeps finding the woodwork, however from an alluring post it’s possible the ball will finally go in the net. BLASTOISE is competing at a higher level than before but is also drawn to enjoy a good passage and can’t be left out of the argument. SUPER ELEGANCE needs the rub of the green in the same way as the selection. If everything drops right he could win this.
Prediction: 10-6-8
Race 9
No1 VALIANT DREAM
Trainer: Francis Lui – Jockey: Blake Shinn
Club jockey Shinn has drawn the plaudits for a couple of enterprising rides of late, and the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey can further showcase his talents on VALIANT DREAM who was beaten just a short head two weeks ago. A two-time winner this season, he’s better placed in the gate than for that rather unlucky defeat and can bring to a halt the winning sequence of TRUST ME. The latter’s two recent successes came with Purton at the helm but the Australian is on KURPANY here and this twice-raced challenger is open to any amount of improvement.
Prediction: 1-12-8
Race 10
No11 JOYFUL HEART
Trainer: Frankie Lor – Jockey: Chad Schofield
How much being drawn widest is a disadvantage will be all too evident as JOYFUL HEART tries to recapture his smart winning form from earlier in the year. He hinted at a return to winning ways when second last time and has in-form Chad Schofield in the irons. Class riser FANTASTIC SHOW has it in him to prove competitive but might not represent any value. At longer odds GIFT OF LIFELINE catches the eye, none the worse for being scratched when getting edgy in the gate and now having his third run back. PRIVATE ROCKET should be spot on after getting better race by race and has to go into the final mix.
Prediction: 11-9-5
Race 11
No1 BEAUTY LEGACY
Trainer: John Size – Jockey: Joao Moreira
Trying to restrain BEAUTY LEGACY has proved a mission impossible of late, but the top weight relaxed so well when given his head in a recent trial that there’s a mind’s eye vision of him making all from the rail under Moreira. DECRYPT finished in the money in the Irish 2,000 Guineas before shipping here and will appreciate cutting back on the distance ladder. In a hot Class 2, STAR SHINE could run into the money while ALL In MIND is one to watch off his recent win.
Prediction: 1-2-13
JACKPOT Races 8-11
10, 6, 8, 4/ 1, 12, 8, 2/ 11, 9, 5/ 1, 2, 13
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