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: No1 – TRUST ME
Trainer: C H Yip – Jockey: Zac Purton
Purton has some serious chances at the front end of an entertaining card and can land the opener on TRUST ME. The blinkered top weight has converted on two of his three outings this year and seems to be handling the respective rating hikes. Now in a Class 4 he can show there’s still a bit more improvement in the tank. Here Comes Ted rates a likely frame finisher for the David Ferraris stable after his near miss last time, and at bigger odds Regency Poet is worth a market check as his trainer is in the winning groove.
Prediction: 1-13-11
Race 2: No2 – TAKE WHAT YOU NEED
Trainer: John Moore – Jockey: Zac Purton
Unlucky not to have won in Hong Kong, TAKE WHAT YOU NEED can end a frustrating habit that’s seen him place second in three of his last six starts. Under Purton for the first time the blinkered 5yo has a good chance to redress the balance. In a similar place is Victoriam who has the ability to take this out but doesn’t always show it. At bigger odds California Turbo goes into the mix.
Prediction: 2-3-6
Race 3: No1 – BEAUTY GENERATION (Nap)
Trainer: John Moore – Jockey: Zac Purton
The Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy promises an engaging set-to between title race protagonists Joao Moreira on Waikuku and Zac Purton aboard multiple Group 1 winner and former Horse Of The Year BEAUTY GENERATION. The last time these doughty rivals met in the Stewards Cup (Grade 1) it was Waikuku who had the edge at level weights. However, Beauty Generation then rekindled his old fire when plundering the Group 1 Silver Jubilee Cup, which makes this rematch even more interesting, even though plenty crabbed it by suggesting he beat sprinters stretching out to 1400m. Many Hong Kong race fans had written off Beauty Generation but the horse who acted out a winning sequence of ten races straddling three seasons is clearly back in his comfort zone and can come home to hero’s reception. Ka Ying Star went down by just half a length to Beauty Generation in the Silver Jubilee but has flopped subsequently. He may fight out the battle for third spot with Southern Legend.
Prediction: 1-2-3
Race 4: No5 – YA KING EXCELLENT
Trainer: Tony Cruz – Jockey: Zac Purton
Purton can bring the Midas touch to YA KING EXCELLENT on what is a fourth big chance ride in as many races for the Australian. He’s troubled the judge in all but one of his starts this year and the form of his nose defeat by Juneau Park was endorsed when that horse won here last week. Furthermore it’s the first time he’s ridden the gelding, who has most of the bases covered. Casemiro has a good gate from which he could easily recapture earlier winning form and this consistent operator goes into the mix, with Chairman Lo another to include.
Prediction: 5-8-2
Race 5: No6 CHEFANO
Trainer: John Moore – Jockey: Grant Van Niekerk
This is a tightly-knit handicap but it doesn’t take a big stretch of the imagination to see CHEFANO acquitting himself well. He’s got solid form at the distance and has a lovely weight (117lb) from which to operate. His form took a dip last time but although down the field he wasn’t beaten far, giving hope that he can bounce back under a new jockey. Helene Leadingstar has the beating of him strictly on the book, but at revised weights it’s going to be closer, while the selection will be a bigger price. Brazilian import Butterfield, a multiple Group 1 winner in his homeland, comes right into this following his creditable run in the Hong Kong Derby and is also worth considering.
Prediction: 6-8-10
Race 6: No5 – DEFINING MOMENT
Trainer: Caspar Fownes – Jockey: Joao Moreira
Just as Purton looks to have the pick of the book in the first half of the card, Joao Moreira definitely gets the jump on his arch rival in the second. Magic Man can put one on the board with DEFINING MOMENT, trained by the so-called ‘King Of Happy Valley’ Fownes. The 6yo has only one way of running which is to linger at the back with his pilot hoping the gaps open up the in the straight. Should that unfold, he will make his presence felt. From the inside gate King Dragon is one I have time for as he’s regularly hit the board without winning, while nine race maiden Party Everyday has ability and can’t be safely left out, even from gate 13.
Prediction: 5-6-9
Race 7: No1 – HOT KING PRAWN
Trainer: John Size – Jockey: Joao Moreira
The big question being asked of Australian powerhouse Aethero is whether he’s popping his corks sufficiently to take out this Group 2 Sprint Cup after a 120-day absence. He was all the rage before the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint last December but after finishing third in a blanket finale to Beat The Clock has had to contend with leg problems. Looking at his profile, he has the chance aged four to realise all the high hopes held for him, while he outpointed today’s main rival HOT KING PRAWN at this level on his previous start. Against that, Hot King Prawn impressed when lifting a strongly contested Class 1 on his latest start and is drawn to enjoy a trouble free passage. It’s a hard call, but he may just have the edge today even though Aethero has a 4lb pull in the weights. The minor placings are up for grabs and if old stagers Mr Stunning and D B Pin don’t show up Thanks Forever could be the one to take advantage.
Prediction: 1-8-2
Race 8: No4 – DUBLIN STAR
Trainer: K L Man – Jockey: Joao Moreira
While he is threatening to skin the hoards that backed him as if defeat was out of the question the last twice, DUBLIN STAR is worth another chance to show what he is really all about. The blinkered gelding enjoys an inside gate connections would have picked if they could have, has Moreira in the irons and can put the record straight. So We Joy is inexperienced in Hong Kong but is a son of So You Think and open to improvement. El Jefe left all previous form behind when scoring under Purton two months ago and it does look as if that man gets the best out of him, so put him in your exotics.
Prediction: 4-5-3
Race 9: No4 – PING HAI BRAVO
Trainer: John Size – Jockey: Joao Moreira
PING HAI BRAVO is right in the zone at present and must be looked upon as one of the best bets on the card. He’s done nothing wrong with two wins and as many seconds in just five career starts for his excellent handler, looking one of the rising talents here in the old colony. What makes him virtually bomb proof if that he’s racing in the same class as for his latest outstanding win over Happy Time, and this doesn’t look quite as warm a heat. Star Luck is one that can make a race of it if continuing his recent renaissance under Karis Teeton. Confirmed pace setter Big Fortune threatens to get a nice handle on affairs early doors and could last into the money under his claiming pilot Alfred Chan.
Prediction: 4-8-6
Race 10: No1 – FARHH ABOVE
Trainer: Doug Whyte – Jockey: Joao Moreira
The talented FARHH ABOVE had outstanding form last year when chasing the shadow of Aethero on debut and easily going one better on his only other start. But there appears two sides to him, because after scoring on his 2020 reappearance his form has been a little shaky and after a quiet but pleasing trial he now needs to bring the Dr Jekyll side of his character back to the table. Touch Of Luck returned from a break to enjoy the better of a head bob over course and distance one month ago and is an in form horse that rates a danger under Matthew Chadwick. Emerald Spur is respected, and can also get into it.
Prediction: 1-11-13
JACKPOT Races 7-10
1, 8/ 4, 5, 3/ 4, 8, 6/ 1, 11, 13
