Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Deauville and Sha Tin.
Deauville Best Bets Sunday
Race 3 No6 THE GOOD MAN
Trainer: Stephane Wattel – Jockey: Theo Bachelot
The move up to 2000m is what THE GOOD MAN is looking for. The son of Manduro found himself stuck behind horses on his latest start at Longchamp and flew at the finish when too late to make an impact. The current good to soft ground is almost ideal for the Manduro colt, though further rain would increase confidence of victory. Lord Wellington has found one to beat him in three consecutive races and will surely pose a threat to all, while Farout could prove dangerous if coping with his big weight in a better race than he won.
Prediction: 6-2-1
Race 4 No4 OCEAN ATLANTIQUE
Trainer: Andre Fabre – Jockey: Pierre-Charles Boudot
Like so many of his trainer’s runners, OCEAN ATLANTIQUE almost certainly needed the race when third on comeback in a Group 3 at Longchamp. The American Pharaoh colt is going to be a lot sharper as he moves up to 2000m and is a worthy favourite. Nobody’s should also enjoy going further and figures to menace after placing in an identical race last time. Alfareeq was asked to run before he could walk when taking on Port Guillaume at Saint-Cloud, and is better than he showed.
Prediction: 4-5-2
Race 7 No6 BATWAN
Trainer: Philip Sogorb – Jockey: Maxime Guyon
BATWAN can confirm his superiority in this Group 2 over horses that finished behind him in the Prix de Saint-Georges (Group 3) at Longchamp. The grey deservedly broke a run of near-misses to score by half a length from Gold Vibe. He’s clearly happy operating at the minimum trip and with Gold Vibe again booked for minor honours Sestillo Jet is another to look at and consider. He filled third place that day, only inches behind the runner-up, and should again figure in the shake-up.
Prediction: 6-5-2
Race 8 No5 CALCULATING
Trainer: Pascal Bary – Jockey: Stephane Pasquier
By Camelot out of a Dansili mare, CALCULATING can deliver for the Niarchos family having shown abundant promise on the Chantilly gallops. He’s up against some similarly well related opponents of whom Rushdy takes the eye, while Remorse has a wow factor on pedigree but could need the run.
Prediction: 5-1-3
Sha Tin Best Bets
Race 1 No2 HURRICANE HUNTER
Trainer: Dennis Yip – Jockey: Zac Purton
After a string of earning runs, a step up in trip can make
the difference to HURRICANE HUNTER. It’s almost a year since his last win, but
more recently he’s been making an art out of consistency. Purton, who rode him
in six consecutive races last year, returns after a 14 month break from the
seven-year-old and that old adage ‘a change is as good as a rest’ can ring true
for the combination. From the inside SPEEDY MISSILE is invited to serve it up
from the front, while first time blinkers could bring about improvement from
ONE STEP AHEAD.
the difference to HURRICANE HUNTER. It’s almost a year since his last win, but
more recently he’s been making an art out of consistency. Purton, who rode him
in six consecutive races last year, returns after a 14 month break from the
seven-year-old and that old adage ‘a change is as good as a rest’ can ring true
for the combination. From the inside SPEEDY MISSILE is invited to serve it up
from the front, while first time blinkers could bring about improvement from
ONE STEP AHEAD.
Prediction: 2-7-5
Race 2 No1 SEIZE THE SPIRIT
Trainer: Me Tsui – Jockey: Antoine Hamelin
With a lot of his foes out of form, this is a good
opportunity for SEIZE THE SPIRIT to take control. He has a course and distance
success to his name this season and has been largely consistent, making the
task of giving away weight all round not so problematic. His main danger
figures to be GALAXY RACER, but two things compromising his chance are a poor
draw and the fact that he is at age five a maiden. One that could surprise is
KWAICHUNG BROTHERS, a dual scorer here who has no weight on his back and is
well drawn.
opportunity for SEIZE THE SPIRIT to take control. He has a course and distance
success to his name this season and has been largely consistent, making the
task of giving away weight all round not so problematic. His main danger
figures to be GALAXY RACER, but two things compromising his chance are a poor
draw and the fact that he is at age five a maiden. One that could surprise is
KWAICHUNG BROTHERS, a dual scorer here who has no weight on his back and is
well drawn.
Prediction: 1-2-13
Race 3 No1 FABULOUS EIGHT
Trainer: Ricky Yiu – Jockey: Joao Moreira
From the gate 1 and with plenty in his favour it will take a
good one to stop FABULOUS EIGHT. He’s gotten better race by race in a
conservative campaign, and on just a fourth outing of 2020 can follow-up his
early May triumph over Kinda Cool. The latter didn’t do much to endorse the form
when beaten last week, but there were mitigating factors behind it, and I feel
Moreira’s mount is going to prove very hard to beat. An unexposed danger is
NEXTMODEL, who on his return looked like an improver. He’s going to be
straighter for that frame finish, and can be ridden with confidence from his
favourable gate. GOLD ‘N’ BOLD figures to get into this after an eye taking
debut effort, but is drawn on the other side of the track to his main rivals.
good one to stop FABULOUS EIGHT. He’s gotten better race by race in a
conservative campaign, and on just a fourth outing of 2020 can follow-up his
early May triumph over Kinda Cool. The latter didn’t do much to endorse the form
when beaten last week, but there were mitigating factors behind it, and I feel
Moreira’s mount is going to prove very hard to beat. An unexposed danger is
NEXTMODEL, who on his return looked like an improver. He’s going to be
straighter for that frame finish, and can be ridden with confidence from his
favourable gate. GOLD ‘N’ BOLD figures to get into this after an eye taking
debut effort, but is drawn on the other side of the track to his main rivals.
Prediction: 1-9-6
Race 4 No3 RACING FIGHTER
Trainer: Dennis Yip – Jockey: Zac Purton
Purton remains loyal to RACING FIGHTER who is better than
his form figures indicate and just needs a clear run with a smart break from
the outer. He hit a purple patch at this time last year with back-to-back
successes under Purton. No wonder the Australian is on top. At the bottom of
the weights UNIQUE TREASURE is also worth consideration under Moreira but needs
to have his spirit rekindled. QUADRUPLE DOUBLE has Jerry Chau taking 10lb off,
which also puts the recent scorer right into the picture.
his form figures indicate and just needs a clear run with a smart break from
the outer. He hit a purple patch at this time last year with back-to-back
successes under Purton. No wonder the Australian is on top. At the bottom of
the weights UNIQUE TREASURE is also worth consideration under Moreira but needs
to have his spirit rekindled. QUADRUPLE DOUBLE has Jerry Chau taking 10lb off,
which also puts the recent scorer right into the picture.
Prediction: 3-12-2
Race 5 No5 RHAPSODY
Trainer: John Size – Jockey: Joao Moreira
The dogs had barked the name of RHAPSODY before his debut
five weeks ago when the rangy son of Hinchinbrook didn’t know what to do. He
drew a tricky gate and it’s a concern that history has repeated itself in that
respect. However, Magic Man stays with him and the gelding should know more
about what’s required. I do think he’s got way more potential than anything
else in the field. HAPPY VICTORY is edging closer to a win for Tony Millard for
whom he put in an encouraging first effort with blinkers added, while the
consistent GENERAL TRUMP looked a tad unlucky to be beaten last time and is
more likely than most to run up to that useful level.
five weeks ago when the rangy son of Hinchinbrook didn’t know what to do. He
drew a tricky gate and it’s a concern that history has repeated itself in that
respect. However, Magic Man stays with him and the gelding should know more
about what’s required. I do think he’s got way more potential than anything
else in the field. HAPPY VICTORY is edging closer to a win for Tony Millard for
whom he put in an encouraging first effort with blinkers added, while the
consistent GENERAL TRUMP looked a tad unlucky to be beaten last time and is
more likely than most to run up to that useful level.
Prediction: 5-3-10
Race 6 No2 PARTY GENIUS
Trainer: Doug Whyte – Jockey: Zac Purton
Purton can look to PARTY GENIUS as one of his best chances
and it’s easy to see why. True, the selection hasn’t lived up to his billing in
four starts so far, but there’s no doubting his ability. He’s had a month to
get his head together since his last race and can now put it all together. SO
WE JOY carried my vote last week and while disappointing that day is now back
at a more suitable distance. He’s also unexposed, and more than capable of
taking this out. A potential improver off just one run is SON OF MAKFI, whose
mid division finish is there to be built upon under Blake Shinn.
and it’s easy to see why. True, the selection hasn’t lived up to his billing in
four starts so far, but there’s no doubting his ability. He’s had a month to
get his head together since his last race and can now put it all together. SO
WE JOY carried my vote last week and while disappointing that day is now back
at a more suitable distance. He’s also unexposed, and more than capable of
taking this out. A potential improver off just one run is SON OF MAKFI, whose
mid division finish is there to be built upon under Blake Shinn.
Prediction: 2-6-5
Race 7 No8 EXULTATION
Trainer: Tony Cruz – Jockey: Antoine Hamelin
This is one of the trickiest contests to weigh up. It’s
really hard to run my pen through any of the names but maybe EXULTATION is the
answer ? Hamelin is a new addition to the four-year-old whose last two starts
have seen him do better. He still needs a leap forward, but at a decent price
is worth chancing. NATURAL STORM finished with a flourish for a first pay day
last time and will appreciate going up in trip, while the consistent GOOD DAYS
has to be respected under Purton.
really hard to run my pen through any of the names but maybe EXULTATION is the
answer ? Hamelin is a new addition to the four-year-old whose last two starts
have seen him do better. He still needs a leap forward, but at a decent price
is worth chancing. NATURAL STORM finished with a flourish for a first pay day
last time and will appreciate going up in trip, while the consistent GOOD DAYS
has to be respected under Purton.
Prediction: 8-7-9
Race 8 No1 BEAUTY AMIGO
Trainer: John Moore – Jockey: Alfred Chan
Top weight BEAUTY AMIGO is the safest option and has a fine
chance of wiring the contest under apprentice Alfie Chan. His win over Golden
Dash was endorsed last week and a return to Sha Tin could also spark confidence
for the five-year-old. If getting a saloon run on the inside ELIGERE is one to
consider and from bottom weight could easily raise his game, while with Moreira
in the saddle HANDSOME BO BO can conserve energy from his plum gate, and put in
a strong finish.
chance of wiring the contest under apprentice Alfie Chan. His win over Golden
Dash was endorsed last week and a return to Sha Tin could also spark confidence
for the five-year-old. If getting a saloon run on the inside ELIGERE is one to
consider and from bottom weight could easily raise his game, while with Moreira
in the saddle HANDSOME BO BO can conserve energy from his plum gate, and put in
a strong finish.
Prediction: 1-13-2
Race 9 No1 SOUTHERN LEGEND
Trainer: Caspar Fownes – Jockey: Vincent Ho
The best race on the card, the Lion Rock Trophy, can go to
the heavily penalised SOUTHERN LEGEND. Since taking out the Kranji Mile two
years ago the eight-year-old has rubbed shoulders with the best of them in the
old colony. With 133lb to shoulder he needs for class to out, but looking at
the way he edged Beauty Generation into submission in the Champions’ Mile, that
is a scenario that can happen. KA YING STAR will play the hare in this and try
to set fractions that give him a chance to utilise saved energy for the finish.
He also gave Beauty Generation a race early last month before finishing sixth
in the Champions’ Mile, but he’s better than that. HARMONY VICTORY Is one that
looms to upset the applecart. He’s had little racing this season and could take
a necessary step up, but he’ll do well to trouble the market leaders.
the heavily penalised SOUTHERN LEGEND. Since taking out the Kranji Mile two
years ago the eight-year-old has rubbed shoulders with the best of them in the
old colony. With 133lb to shoulder he needs for class to out, but looking at
the way he edged Beauty Generation into submission in the Champions’ Mile, that
is a scenario that can happen. KA YING STAR will play the hare in this and try
to set fractions that give him a chance to utilise saved energy for the finish.
He also gave Beauty Generation a race early last month before finishing sixth
in the Champions’ Mile, but he’s better than that. HARMONY VICTORY Is one that
looms to upset the applecart. He’s had little racing this season and could take
a necessary step up, but he’ll do well to trouble the market leaders.
Prediction: 1-2-4
Race 10 No4 WAR ROOM
Trainer: David Hall – Jockey: Zac Purton
Aside from a tricky draw on the outer there’s plenty to like
about WAR ROOM who can halt the impressive winning sequence of FANTASTIC SHOW.
Purton was aboard the main pick when he finished with gusto into second behind
Relentless Me while the gelding didn’t enjoy the rub when apprentice-ridden
last time. He’s the type that can raise his game on only a third start for his
handler. Fantastic Show is looking to complete a nap hand of triumphs under
Moreira who rides him beautifully, and with precision timing. If getting it
right, the combination can look to swoop to conquer. PICKEN chased the latter’s
shadow in successive outings last month before a win two weeks ago and can bank
a minor cheque.
about WAR ROOM who can halt the impressive winning sequence of FANTASTIC SHOW.
Purton was aboard the main pick when he finished with gusto into second behind
Relentless Me while the gelding didn’t enjoy the rub when apprentice-ridden
last time. He’s the type that can raise his game on only a third start for his
handler. Fantastic Show is looking to complete a nap hand of triumphs under
Moreira who rides him beautifully, and with precision timing. If getting it
right, the combination can look to swoop to conquer. PICKEN chased the latter’s
shadow in successive outings last month before a win two weeks ago and can bank
a minor cheque.
Prediction: 4-5-3
Race 11 No9 SEVEN HEAVENS
Trainer: Caspar Fownes – Jockey: M L Yeung
The impeccably-bred SEVEN HEAVENS is one I’ve had on my
radar and could be a big-priced joker in the pack in a competitive finale. The
son of Frankel and Group winner Heaven Sent is never going to be in even a
distant league to his parents, but recent evidence is that he’s close to
winning again. He flashed home for fourth in a warm race at the Valley last
time, and has the ability to win this if putting it all together. LUCKY EXPRESS
is a fascinating addition to the John Size stable from Australia. The Toronado
gelding has won his last two Down Under and if fully tuned could easily take
this out from a favourable draw inside. Another blessed with the prospect of
enjoying racing real estate is ALL IN MIND, who can play a part for Tony Cruz
and is all in the right part of the gate.
radar and could be a big-priced joker in the pack in a competitive finale. The
son of Frankel and Group winner Heaven Sent is never going to be in even a
distant league to his parents, but recent evidence is that he’s close to
winning again. He flashed home for fourth in a warm race at the Valley last
time, and has the ability to win this if putting it all together. LUCKY EXPRESS
is a fascinating addition to the John Size stable from Australia. The Toronado
gelding has won his last two Down Under and if fully tuned could easily take
this out from a favourable draw inside. Another blessed with the prospect of
enjoying racing real estate is ALL IN MIND, who can play a part for Tony Cruz
and is all in the right part of the gate.
Prediction: 9-7-12
