Winning Form brings us their best bets and tips from Sha Tin on Sunday.
VALUE BET – CHARITY GO ridden by M. Poon
BEST BET – GALAXY WITNESS ridden by J. Moreira
7.00 Race 1 Class 1 Handicap 1650m
Selections: 2/5/1
CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT stayed on well against stronger in a Grade 1 last time. The form of his penultimate run catches the eye when beaten by subsequent winner Cheerful Days. TELECOM FIGHTERS was also narrowly beaten by Cheerful Days last time. He shoulders a handy galloping weight and must be considered in this opening contest.
7.30 Race 2 Class 2 Handicap 1800m
Selections: 4/3/2
ENJOYING was beaten half a length by LOOKING GREAT last time. He is 6kgs better off at the weights and can turn the tables on his recent conqueror. CHARITY GO is also nicely handicapped with apprentice Poon in the saddle and he definitely represents decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits.
8.00 Race 3 Class 4 Handicap 1650m
Selections: 8/12/1
BLOTTING PAPER is coming along the right way. He has placed in his last two outings and was only beaten just over a length by the progressive Skyey Supreme last time. EL VALIENTE meets the top selection on similar weight terms and could be one to cause an upset in this type of field.
8.30 Race 4 Class 5 Handicap 1200m
Selections: 7/4/2
ALLOY KING returns from a three-month break. He won his penultimate run in this class and should make his presence felt if not in need of the run. TOWARDS SUCCESS placed last time over this C&D. He doesn’t take on the strongest field and can run into the money once more.
9.00 Race 5 Class 4 Handicap 1200m
Selections: 1/2/9
MARADO was only beaten 1.5 lengths in his comeback run after an eight-month break. He is nicely weighted with MY ECSTATIC and is the narrow first selection. HAPPY TANGO has mixed form but if reproducing his best, can run into the money.
9.35 Race 6 Class 4 Handicap 1000m
Selections: 11/4/5
CHEVAL VALIANT should be cherry-ripe having his third run after a rest. He finished two lengths behind KOWLOON EAST STAR last time and is now 2.5kgs better off at the weights. FLYING SEASON was pipped on debut over this C&D. He should come on nicely with that run under the belt and can challenge for top honors.
10.05 Race 7 Class 4 Handicap 1600m
Selections: 5/12/10
STAR CONTACT has entered the frame in both starts to date. He finished just over a length behind the progressive En Pointe last time and still has plenty scope for improvement. The grey EL JEFE is a one-time winner but the booking of Moreira to ride is intriguing. He tends to get going late in his races and should be running on strongly at the business end.
10.35 Race 8 Class 3 Handicap 1600m
Selections: 6/1/9
BEAUTY LIVE is in search of a hat-trick of wins. He defeated Perfect Pair last time and is a sort that is clearly on the upgrade. He may be looking to make the Hong Kong Derby field and will have to win a race of this nature. ODE TO JOY produced a fair comeback run after a two-year layoff. He should strip much fitter and is the ride of South African jockey Lyle Hewitson.
11.10 Race 9 Class 3 Handicap 1200m
Selections: 3/2/7
FLYING ACE ran on strongly from the rear of the field last time to record his third victory on the trot. The manner in which he drew off at the finish suggests there is plenty more to come from this individual and can keep his unbeaten record intact. ROCK YA HEART and PINS PRINCE meet each other on similar weight terms and the pair can challenge the top selection.
11.45 Race 10 Class 3 Handicap 1400m
Selections: 7/1/8
GALAXY WITNESS has backed up favorite status in both of his career starts to date. He looks like a nice sort in the making, has trialed since and should take a power of beating. CIRCUIT STELLAR has placed in his last four outings. He shoulders top weight which is a slight concern but must be respected in the lucky last!
