International Racing: Sha Tin – Sunday 5 July 2020

Racing this Sunday sees a packed eleven-race programme at Sha Tin Racecourse with a host of top quality racing on offer, the top bet and value bet should be followed closely. 

Value Bet – ARMANDO
Best Bet – FABULOUS EIGHT

Race 1
The American-bred CHANCHENG PRINCE backed up his favourite status last time out when a comfortable winner and he jumps from an inside barrier in the opening contest. It is encouraging that Magic Moriera has kept faith in the ride and they will be difficult to peg back in the closing stages of this contest. ENCHANTING SPIRIT right behind the top selection and with that experience under the belt, we can expect him to come on and throw out a challenge. HONGKONG HARMONY is another one who caught the eye on debut and he is now 2.5kgs better off at the weights with the top selection and that may be enough to reverse the form. 

Race 2
HAPPY TANGO was only beaten just over half a length by Master Albert last time out and if he can get across from the wide draw without using too much energy then he will be tough to beat in this Class 4 Handicap. THE ABRAXAS is another one that is drawn wide but he shoulders a handy galloping mass and should be right there at the business end of affairs. SUPER MISSION was only three lengths behind the winner in his penultimate effort on this track and he can run into the places if putting his best foot forward.

Race 3 
GREEN GENERATION was only beaten two and a half lengths last time out by Curling Luxury at Happy Valley. If he can overcome his wide draw then he may be able to earn his first career triumph. It is encouraging that Ho has kept faith in the ride. ENJOYABLE SUCCESS is much better than his last start suggests and if repeating his penultimate effort when beaten under a length at the wire on this track, then he can throw out a challenge to the top selection. FORTUNE PATROL likes to settle off the pace and do his best work up the straight. He jumps from an inside barrier and can run into the places of this contest. 

Race 4
FABULOUS EIGHT has finished runner-up in his last two outings and with the apprentice allowance on his back he looks fairly-handicapped in this contest. The form of his penultimate run behind Winning Dreamer stands out as he went onto win again next time out. DUBLIN STAR holds COMFORT LIFE on his last two runs and he looks the obvious threat to the top selection. The latter can upset though, with Teetan jumping in the saddle.

Race 5
SUPER ALLIANCES won well last time over this Trip for Teetan and if he can overcome the wide draw without using too much energy then he can make it back-to-back triumphs this afternoon. STRIKING MR C gets 4.5kgs off the back and he jumps from an inside barrier position. He only got up to win by a nose last time but if repeating that type of effort then he will go close in this contest. LITTLE THUNDER has placed third in his last two starts and should be right there where it matters most.

Race 6
SKY SHOW was only beaten just under a length last timeout by Top Military when he raced up with the speed. He is likely to use similar tactics in this contest and with a lightweight to shoulder, he may be difficult to peg back in the latter stages. GOOD FOR YOU has been in consistent form for Mo and looks fairly-handicapped in this contest. UTOPIA LIFE is a decent frontrunner and if he can save some energy for the final furlong then he can run into the places.

Race 7
HANG’S DECISION won by one and a half lengths last time out defeating Casimiro. Teetan has opted to ride him over GOLDEN MISSION who was only beaten three and a half lengths last time out by Winning Brew on the all-weather track and the form of that effort looks strong enough to win a contest of this nature. POWER KING returns from a five-month layoff and he was only beaten just over a length in his last outing by Eight Trigrams. If returning fresh he can challenge the top selection.

Race 8
CALIFORNIA CONCORD is a consistent sort that was only beaten by two and a half lengths by Mega Heart. He jumps from an inside barrier position and goes well for Teetan. SUNNY BOY was not far behind the top selection last time and he has his third run after a rest. Also, he will jump from pole position and should be able to pose a threat to the top selection. GOLFMAN STAR is a talented Aussie-bred chestnut son of Animal Kingdom who has his first start in Hong Kong and he may be the one to watch out for in this contest.

Race 9 
TELECOM ROCKET only got pipped last time out on the all-weather track and he looks to be edging closer to earning his second career win. CHEVALIER PRINCE backed up his favourite status last time out when defeating Leading Fortune who has come out to win since. With that form being franked, he looks like a serious threat to the top selection. HAPPY WIN WIN was right behind the top selection in his last start and they meet on very similar weight terms this afternoon.

Race 10
RELENTLESS ME is ultra-consistent and his recent form is hard to oppose. He has performed admirably under this apprentice in his last two starts and looks nicely-handicapped in this contest. UNIQUE TREASURE is drawn wide but he has placed in his last two starts and shoulders a low weight for this Class 3 Handicap. The UK-bred AWE has taken some time to acclimatize but he wasn’t far off last time out and with Purton jumping in the saddle, he can run into the places.

Race 11
The South African-bred ARMANDO made an eye-catching local debut when he turned it on late to only finish just over a length behind MR CROISSANT. He is now 2.5kgs better off at the weights with his recent conqueror and that may be enough to reverse the form. ALL IN MIND finished second in that event and from his neat draw, he can upset in this Class 3 Handicap.