Sha Tin Best Bets – Sunday 10 January

Ten races are scheduled at Sha Tin on Sunday. The first half of the card is very open, but the later races on the day is where the better bets on the card take their place. 

The best bet is Sight Success in Race 7. He was super-impressive when winning on debut. He does not take on the strongest field and should win again. Joyful Heart takes his place in Race 4 and is the value bet. He ran a good race in this Class last time and can get back to winning ways. 

BEST BET – SIGHT SUCCESS (Race 7)

VALUE BET – JOYFUL HEART (Race 4)

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RACE 1

This is a competitive start to the day’s proceedings and caution is advised. The tentative first selection is ON EXCEL STAR from the Dennis Yip stable. The son of Niagara produced a promising debut effort over this course and distance, in this class. He didn’t have the best luck in transit as he had to check at the 900m mark and was bumped at the 650m mark. He would have gained from the experience and should make the natural improvement. BRANDING POWER showed good progression to finish second in his last start over this distance at Happy Valley. He was hampered on the back straight but rallied in the final 250m. He makes his course debut this afternoon and if suited to the track, he should pose a threat to the top choice. LUCKY FUN ran a decent race last time after dislodging his pilot on debut. He should have finished closer that day as he was crowded at the start and blocked for a run between the 300m mark and the 200m mark. Zac Purton retains the ride and with a bit of luck in running, he should be involved in the fight to the finish. COMFORT LIFE and UNIVERSAL CROWN are two horses worth including in this contest. 

RACE 2

This is a weak Class 5 Handicap and punters are advised to tread carefully in this contest. The narrow first selection is WONDER EXPRESS from the Jimmy Ting yard. He has been taking on stronger company in recent outings and has fair form to his credit. He has won once and finished third twice from seven starts over this track and trip. The son of Pierro takes a drop in class today and with Joao Moreira in the saddle, he can get back to winning ways. CALIFORNIA LEGEND showed good signs of a form return in his last start over 1650m at Happy Valley. He set the pace that day, but was caught in the final 70m. He is likely to adopt the same tactics this afternoon and may be hard to peg back in the run down to the line. VICTORIOUS LEADER was disappointing in his last start when dropping back to this Class. He has won twice and finished second once in this Class previously. It is encouraging that Zac Purton takes the ride and with a bit of luck from his wide draw, he should run a big race. CITY LEGEND and MONEYMORE on best form shown, can contest the finish. 

RACE 3

STRATHCLYDE finished 2.75 lengths behind TREASURE CHEST in his last start over this course and distance. He is 7 pounds better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. Two of his four career wins have come over this course and distance. He jumps from a handy barrier position and should be the one to beat. TREASURE CHEST won a good race in his first start on this course. He took the lead at the 400m mark that day and drew clear in the run down to the line. Neil Callan retains the ride and the combination should be right there. MOON PEAKS was given a peach of a ride when winning his last start over this distance on the turf. He makes his course debut this afternoon and if suited to the surface, he should go close. JADE THEATRE’S last two starts have been fair. He takes a drop in class this afternoon and gets the services of claiming apprentice, Jerry Chau. From pole position, he cannot be ignored. 

RACE 4

JOYFUL HEART from the Frankie Lor stable is the value bet on the card. He showed good signs of a form return in his last start over this course and distance. He took the lead at the 300m mark that day, but was caught in the latter stages. He has won three times in this Class previously and with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle, he can get back to winning ways. WINNING STEED ran a good race when finishing second over this course and distance last time. He had a good run in transit that day and kept on well at the business end. Should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces. SPEED FAY FAY finished 1.25 lengths behind the second choice last time. The pair meet on the same weight terms this afternoon and he may have to settle for the same result. GREEN ENVY won a good race over this course and distance last time. He takes a step up in class today, but he may be ahead of his rating and should be up to the task at hand. 

RACE 5

This is another competitive Class 4 Handicap and caution is advised. The narrow first choice is SIGHT HERO from the David Hayes stable. He showed good improvement in his last start over the minimum trip under today’s pilot, Blake Shinn. He raced from a midfield position that day and kept on well at the business end. The son of Love Conquers All looks to be a progressive type and may have more to come. UNITED WE STAND was his own worst enemy last time as he overraced in the early stages. His form prior to that on this course was good. He has won once, finished second three times and third once from as many starts over this track and trip. From his good draw of two, he should pose a threat to the top choice. AMAZING ROCKY ran a good race over the minimum trip last time. He was hampered at the 700m mark, but kept on well at the business end. Apprentice Jerry Chau will take some weight off the back and the combination merit obvious inclusion. DECISIVE TWELVE and GOKO have decent form to their credit and should run into the money. 

RACE 6

STUNNING IMPACT has shown improvement in his last two starts over seven furlongs on this course. He should have finished closer last time as he was crowded for running room at the 200m mark. The manner in which he races suggests he will enjoy the step up to the mile. Karis Teetan retains the ride and with a bit of luck in running, he can shed his maiden tag. ALL FOR ST PAUL’S ran a good race when finishing second over this track and trip last time. He has won once and finished second twice from as many starts over this distance. He jumps from pole position today and should pose a threat to the top choice. CHEERFUL DAYS finished 0.75 lengths behind the top choice last time. He is 0.5kgs better off at the weights today and should finish closer as a result. LEADING FORTUNE was not ridden out in the closing stages when finishing behind the second and third choice. His two starts prior to that outing were good. Alexis Badel does duty this afternoon and if putting his best foot forward, he should go close. 

RACE 7

SIGHT SUCCESS is the best bet on the card. The son of Magnus was ultra-impressive when winning on debut over this course and distance. He didn’t have the best run in transit that day, but took the lead at the 220m mark and cruised clear for the victory. He could be anything and should keep his unbeaten record intact. TORNADO TWIST showed good signs of a form return over this course and distance last time. He was crowded at the start and rallied well in the straight. He has won three times from six starts over this course and distance. From his good draw of four, he should be one of the leading contenders. SKY SHOW’S last two starts have been good. He has won once, finished second once and third twice from seven attempts over this distance. The son of Showcasing should have a say in the outcome of this contest. PRIVATE ROCKET’S last start can be ignored as he was reported to have blood in his trachea and was coughing. His form prior to that outing was good and with regular pilot, Jerry Chau in the saddle, he should run a good race. 

RACE 8

This is a competitive Class 3 Handicap and caution is advised. The narrow first selection is SILVER FIG from the Anthony Millard stable. His last start can be ignored as he had to check at the 950m mark and was cut into. His penultimate start over this course and distance catches the eye. Karis Teetan takes the ride and he may be able to coax that little bit extra out of him where it matters most. GUNNAR has good recent form lines to his credit. He has won once, finished second three times and third once from six starts over this track and trip. Blake Shinn retains the ride and he should be right there in the run down to the line. KEEP YOU WARM dead-heated with SUPER ALLIANCES for third over this course and distance last time. He is 3.5kgs better off at the weights today and should finish ahead. SUPER ALLIANCES has won three times, finished second once and third once from seven starts over this course and distance. He jumps from pole position and Joao Moreira could make the difference. 

RACE 9

SUPER FOOTBALL is one of the better bets on today’s programme. He showed good improvement in his last start over seven furlongs on this course. He didn’t get the best of beginnings and was crowded for galloping room at the 400m mark. The son of More Than Ready will enjoy the rise to the mile and with Zac Purton retaining the ride, he should go one better here. CHEVALIER PRINCE has good consistent form lines to his credit. He took the lead at the 200m mark last time, but was caught in the final 80m. He meets a similar type of field today and must be included in all bets. CASIMIRO won his last start well over this course and distance. He takes a rise in class today, but may still be ahead of his current rating and should run into the money. EXCEPTIONAL DANCE has shown good improvement in his last two starts. The manner in which he races suggests he will enjoy the step up to the mile. Matthew Chadwick takes the ride and the combination can feature. 

RACE 10

EXCELLENT PROPOSAL is a winner of his last three starts. The manner in which he quickened from a midfield position last time caught the eye. The son of Exceed And Excel looks to be above average and should notch up his fourth win on the trot. BAND OF BROTHERS has good consistent form lines to his credit. He had every chance of winning last time, but was caught in the shadow of the post. He has won four times and finished second twice from eight starts over this course and distance. Zac Purton retains the ride and the combination should be one of the leading contenders for the placings. ENRICH DELIGHT won a good race on debut over this course and distance. He didn’t have much go his way that day, but he showed good determination to win going away. He does take on stronger today, but could be anything and may be up to the task at hand. LUCKY PATCH won a good race in his last start over this course and distance. He takes a big step up in class, but carries a handy galloping mass which should help his chances.