Racing this Sunday sees an action-packed Champion’s Day at Sha Tin Racecourse which includes the running of three cracking Grade 1 events. The best bet, value bet and bi-pot must be followed closely.
Sha Tin Racecourse – 25 April 2021.
VALUE BET – GOLDEN LINK ridden by M. Chadwick
BEST BET – COURIER WONDER ridden by J. Moreira
Bi-pot – Start Race 5
1,6/9,10,13/1,2/6,7/7,11/1,7.
Race 1 – Time: 06:45 Class 4 Handicap – 1400m
Selections: 3/10/4
CITY LEGEND is in search of a hat-trick of wins. He drew clear in impressive fashion last time to win by 2.5 lengths and it is encouraging that Maia has been retained to ride. MISSION SMART finished 4.5 lengths behind the top choice last time. He is 3.5kgs better off at the weights and should finish closer as a result. FORTUNE MASTER is held on his last outing but has the ability to run into the money.
Race 2 – Time: 07:15 Class 4 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 5/9/4
PACKING AWARD finished runner-up on debut behind BELLA BABY. He was beaten by 1.75 lengths on that occasion and is now 3.5kgs better off at the weights. VICTORY SCHOLARS produced an eye-catching debut when pipped at the wire by Gluck Racer. He would have gained from the experience and can find himself in the winner’s box.
Race 3 – Time: 07:45 Class 3 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 1/7/9
FANTASTIC WAY is unbeaten from three starts and despite coming in at the top of the weights looks difficult to oppose on form. LIKE THAT finished 3.5 lengths behind the top choice last time. He is 5kgs better off at the weights and could turn the tables on his recent conqueror. WAR OF COURAGE found a form return last time when finished third behind Good View Clarico and can confirm his recent improvement.
Race 4 – Time: 08:15 Class 3 Handicap – 1600m
Selections: 1/3/10
PEFECT TO GREAT is coming along the right way. He shoulders top weight but should be cherry-ripe having his third run after a rest. ALL FOR ST PAUL’S goes for a hat-trick of wins. He has struck up a decent partnership with this apprentice and merits healthy respect. MALDIVES is a sort that moves up nicely and he went on with the effort last time. He jumps from an inside draw and should be right there at the business end.
Race 5 – Time: 08:50 Grade 1 Chairman’s Cup – 1200m
Selections: 1/6/5
DANON SMASH is a talented Japanese speedster. He was a narrow Grade 1 winner last time and also has a creditable victory on this course. WELLINGTON wasn’t disgraced in a Grade 2 sprint last time. He is well-drawn and if reproducing his best form can challenge the top selection. RATTAN finished 0.7 lengths behind the top selection in December. The pair meet on identical weight terms and there won’t be much separating them at the wire.
Race 6 – Time: 09:25 Class 3 Handicap – 1400m
Selections: 10/13/9
GOLDEN LINK’S best career efforts have come on this course. He found extra to beat Uncle Steve last time and from his neat draw, represents decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits. GALLANT EXPRESS won with a ton in hand on debut. He is unexposed, well weighted and should be up to the task at hand. HORSEAIN BOLT is much better than his below par last run. He gets new kid on the block Bentley in the saddle, who has already notched up a victory on Hong Kong soil.
Race 7 – Time: 09:55 Grade 1 Champions Mile – 1600m
Selections: 1/2/6
GOLDEN SIXTY has won 16/17 starts and on form is arguably Hong Kong’s best miler. He returns from the paddock today and should take an absolute power of beating. SOUTHERN LEGEND has found one better in his last four starts. He finished half a length behind MIGHTY GIANT last time and is now 2kgs better off at the weights. HEALTHY HAPPY won the Hong Kong Classic Cup over 1800m and if returning fit, can run into the money.
Race 8 – Time: 10:35 Grade 1 Qeii Cup – 2000m
Selections: 7/6/2
LOVES ONLY YOU finished third in the Grade 1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan last time. She has reportedly settled into new surroundings and with a clear passage in the race, should make her presence felt. DARING TACT is a talented Japanese filly. She was narrowly beaten in a Grade 2 last time and will be looking to get back to winning ways. EXULTANT is a consistent sort. He finished just 1.4 lengths behind Golden Sixty last time and Hong Kong racing pundits will be hoping he can fight off the challenge of the two fillies.
Race 9 – Time: 11:15 Class 2 Handicap – 1600m
Selections: 11/7/2
SAVAQUIN ran on from far back in his last start when beaten in the shadow of the post. He is ultra-consistent, shoulders a light weight and will be doing his best work late. CHARITY GO finished runner-up on this course last time. He shoulders just 1kg more and looks fairly handicapped once again. TOURBILLON DIAMOND drops back to a mile, was only beaten by a length in the Hong Kong Classic Cup and merits healthy respect.
Race 10 – Time: 11:50 Class 2 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 7/1/5
COURIER WONDER is the best bet on the card. The son of Sacred Falls is unbeaten and has backed up his favourite status well. He faces his toughest task to date but is a sort that may well end up racing in Grade 1 Company and should be up to the task at hand. LUCKY PATCH finished 0.8 lengths behind DUKE WAI last time. He is 4kgs better off at the weights and can turn the tables on his recent conqueror.
