Sha Tin: Best Bets and Tips – Sunday 23 May 2021

VALUE BET – COMPASSION SPIRIT ridden by D. Leung

BEST BET – COURIER WONDER ridden by J. Moreira

Race 1 – Time: 06:30      Griffin Race – 1200m

Selections: 1/8/7

TURBO POWER followed up his debut win with a decent effort. He tries an extra furlong today and should take a power of beating in this opening contest. SMART IDEA has placed in both career attempts to date and on paper looks the biggest threat to the top selection. COMPULSORY produced a fair debut effort over six furlongs on this course. He would have gained from the experience and some natural improvement should be expected.

Race 2 – Time: 07:00      Class 5 Handicap – 1400m

Selections: 1/2/8

JIANGXI STAMINA is drawn wide and shoulders top weight but on his penultimate run at this course, must have a say. He looks fairly handicapped and looks well placed in this field. DESTIN cast a shoe in the running last time and that effort is arguably best ignored. He reunites with Purton and is capable of finding a form return. VICTORIOUS LEADER is an inconsistent sort and it is encouraging that Moreira takes the ride. If putting his best foot forward, he can run into the money.

Race 3 – Time: 07:30      Class 4 Handicap – 1200m

Selections: 2/1/12

BELLA BABY followed up his most recent win with a decent effort at this course. He made up good ground on that occasion and if overcoming his wide draw, will be one of the leading contenders. VICTORY SCHOLARS was only outrun in the latter stages last time. He looked a winner at the 250m mark and ran out of puff. Purton takes the ride and he may be able to coax a little bit extra out of him where it matters most.

Race 4 – Time: 08:00      Grade 3  – 1200m

Selections: 9/1/7

COURIER WONDER has been a pleasure to follow and hasn’t let Hong Kong racing pundits down. He has his acid test today but has shown a ton of ability and should be able to keep his unbeaten record intact. COMPUTER PATCH is the class horse in the race according to ratings. He shoulders top-weight, was only outrun late in his last start and must be respected.

Race 5 – Time: 08:30      Class 4 – 2000m

Selections: 8/4/1

SHANGAI DRAGON is in a rich vein of form. He was given a peach of a ride last time to win under Teetan and the hat-trick is definitely on the cards. DONC JE SUIS rallied to win last time out despite receiving a bump at the 450m mark. He takes on stronger today but should be up to the task at hand. EVER LAUGH tries more ground and can enter the frame if suited to the extra distance on offer.

Race 6 – Time: 09:00      Class 4 Handicap – 1600m

Selections: 8/12/6

ROBOT WARRIOR ran a nice race last time despite receiving a bump at the 900m mark. He is drawn wide but Moreira should help him get across without using up too much energy. COPARTNER ERA was unlucky last time as he was cramped for galloping room between the 400-100m mark. If confirming that effort he should be able to throw out a challenge to the top selection.

Race 7 – Time: 09:35      Class 3 Handicap – 1400m

Selections: 2/1/4

CRAIG’S STAR was narrowly beaten at the wire in his last start. He has cracked pole position once again and will be looking to make amends. UNCLE STEVE has placed in his last three outings. He is likely to settle just off the pace and should be right there at the business end. THE HULK won with plenty in hand last time. It is encouraging that Teetan has kept faith in the ride and the pair will be looking to make it quick back-to-back wins.

Race 8 – Time: 10:05      Grade 1 – 2400m

Selections: 1/2/5

EXULTANT found one better the last time he raced over this distance. He is a type that likes an honest pace and he may opt to dictate matters himself if the pace doesn’t suit him. Purton knows him well and the pair merit healthy respect in this Grade 1 contest. GLORIOUS DRAGON is much better than his moderate last start. He tries an extra 400m and may be suited to the extra ground on offer. BUTTERFIELD got the upper hand late in his last start when winning over this distance. He takes on stronger rivals but can run into the money.

Race 9 – Time: 10:40      Class 3 Handicap – 1400m

Selections: 9/5/7

COMPASSION SPIRIT showed good signs of a form return last time when he settled just behind the leader and stayed on strongly for second. He is well-drawn and if repeating that type of effort, represents decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits. HALL OF CHAMP followed up his most recent win with a gutsy effort over this c&d. He fought hard all the way to the line and was narrowly beaten on that occasion. He looks fairly handicapped and should give another good account of himself.

Race 10 – Time: 11:15    Class 4 Handicap – 1400m

Selections: 7/2/3

BIG TWO produced a decent debut effort when finishing third. He raced three-wide on that occasion and will most likely find a more prominent position from pole. He would have gained from the experience and doesn’t have to be a superstar to win in this type of field. DRAGON FORTUNE was clear second-best last time. He is still on the upgrade and from his neat draw can pose a threat to the top selection. ZONE D has placed in his last three outings. He is drawn wide but Moreira should assist him in getting across without using up too much energy.

Race 11 – Time: 11:50    Class 3 Handicap – 1200m

Selections: 4/6/1

KILLER BEE is on the upgrade and won his last start in fine style. He was cramped for galloping room from the 400-300m mark and when the gap opened he finished his race off strongly. He is rising rapidly in the ranks but should be up to the task at hand. NAMJONG SINGS runs well with Badel in the irons. He is likely to settle just off the leaders and will be doing his best work late in the lucky last.