Racing this Sunday sees an exciting card at Sha Tin Racecourse which includes the running of nine competitive Handicaps and a Grade 3 event. The best bet, value bet and bi-pot must be followed closely.
VALUE BET – TRILLION WIN ridden by A. Badel
BEST BET – MIGHTY VALOR ridden by J. Moreira
Bi-pot: 3,8/4,7,12/6,8/1,4/1,3/8,9.
Race 1 – Time: 06:45 Class 5 Handicap – 1800m
Selections: 5/8/12
AMAZING AGILITY has placed in his last two outings. He should have finished closer last time as he raced on heels at a crucial stage in the race. The manner in which he finished off his race was positive and he doesn’t take on the strongest of Class 5 rivals. APOLAR WARRIOR has also placed in his last two outings. He raced awkwardly around the bend last time and still finished strongly on the All Weather track. With better luck in running, he can pose a threat to the top selection.
Race 2 – Time: 07:15 Class 4 Handicap – 1400m
Selections: 11/4/5
SAM’S LOVE last start is arguably best ignored. He had to be checked at the 400m and then got cramped for galloping room from the 300-200m mark. Purton has kept faith in the ride and a much better performance is expected. PURE LEGEND raced three-wide without cover last time when tiring from the 150m mark. He has shown some potential in this Class and it will be no surprise to see him bounce back to his best form.
Race 3 – Time: 07:45 Grade 3 – 1600m
Selections: 2/6/5
MORE THAN THIS got going too late last time when just beaten over this distance. He finds himself in Group 3 Company and should be up to the task at hand. SKY DARCI hit the front at the 300m mark last time and won in impressive fashion. Moreira knows him very well and the pair should be finishing strongly at the business end. HEALTHY HAPPY won a feature race in February over nine furlongs and on that effort, merits healthy respect.
Race 4 – Time: 08:15 Class 4 Handicap – 1400m
Selections: 3/10/4
SEASONS BLISS followed up his debut effort with a promising second-place finish. He raced on heels at the 350m mark and probably should have finished closer as a result. He is definitely on the upgrade and more natural improvement should be expected. GREEN ENVY didn’t have things his way last time when overraced at the back of the field. He has cracked a better draw and should bounce back to his best form.
Race 5 – Time: 09:05 Class 4 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 8/3/2
TRONIC MIGHTY produced a fair debut effort over this distance. The jockey dropped his crop at a crucial stage on that occasion and should have finished closer as a result. He is drawn wide but should come on leaps with his debut run under the belt. WHISKEY NEAT bounced back to his best form last time. He often moves up with intent to find one better at the wire. He is mostly competitive in this Class and is a must for bi-pot players. JADE PHOENIX was rewarded for consistency last time when he fought hard to get up on the line. It is encouraging that Teetan has kept faith in the ride and the pair must be considered.
Race 6 – Time: 09:40 Class 3 Handicap – 2000m
Selections: 4/7/12
CALIFORNIA TEN has finished runner-up in his last two outings over nine furlongs. He fared poorly in his only attempt over this distance and looks ready for it now at this stage of his career. Moreira takes the ride and the pair should be one of the leading contenders. PAKISTAN FRIEND didn’t have his own way in front last time and was found to be blowing post-race. He recorded back-to-back wins under Piccone earlier this year and the pair may be tough to peg back in the latter stages.
Race 7 – Time: 10:10 Class 3 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 8/6/10
DECISION TWELVE brings ultra-consistent form into this contest. He hit the front at the 300m mark last time and just held on to win under Badel. He hardly ever runs a bad race and if overcoming his wide draw, should make his presence felt. WAR OF COURAGE raced in a prominent position last time, took over the lead from the 400m and ran on well down the inside of the track. He rises in class and in an open race, must be considered.
Race 8 – Time: 10:40 Class 3 Handicap – 1400m
Selections: 4/1/10
LUCKY FUN won his last start well despite receiving a bump at the 300m mark. He reportedly bled on that occasion which is slightly concerning and if over those issues, can make it quick back-to-back wins. SUNSET WATCH shoulders top weight and is in good form for Badel. He settled mid-pack off the pace on that occasion and stayed on strongly where it matters most. He remains in Class 3 and should give another good account of himself.
Race 9 – Time: 11:15 Class 3 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 3/1/10
MIGHTY VALOR nearly went from gun to tape in his last start. He set a decent pace on that occasion and was only caught in the latter stages. He is likely to adopt similar tactics and with Moreira in the saddle, should take a power of beating. REGENCY BO BO shoulders top weight and is in search of a hat-trick of wins. He was given a peach of a ride to win his last start when getting up where it matters most. He is likely to settle just off the pace and will be doing his best work in the closing stages.
Race 10 – Time: 11:50 Class 2 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 8/9/1
TRILLION WIN sat just off the pace, shifted at the 400m mark and finished his race off strongly last time. He takes on stronger but looks fairly handicapped in this contest and definitely represents decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits. ALL IN MIND has finished runner-up in his last two outings. He fought hard last time and was narrowly beaten at the wire. If overcoming his wide draw, he should throw out a challenge to the top selection.
