Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Wangfujing Plate, HK $950,000
Griffin – Turf – Distance 1000m - Track Good
Time: 56.42 Standard Time: 56.70 Course/Class record: 55.33 California Spangle
The opening Griffin race of the season went the way of Jerry Chau and Jimmy Ting, with THUNDER BLINK (IRE 3yo c RIbchester – Mad Existence) proving too good. The colt got away on terms but didn't have the speed of some of his rivals, settling behind the leading division about midfield. He was niggled at throughout the event by Chau who really got stuck into the gelding approaching the 400m point, switching him toward the centre of the course. He showed plenty of strength to mow down the leaders and take control with 100m to run, before drawing away to win by a length on the line. LA FORZA jumped the $1.40 favourite and shot out of the barriers to be one of the four front runners early in the race. Zac Purton was closest to the middle of the track throughout the run and took the lead with 300m remaining as Purton shook the reins, getting about a length in front with a furlong to run. He was unable to sustain the effort though, eventually being run over close to home and having to settle in second position. Looking at the sectionals, he just ran out of gas late in the race and with a kinder run in transit, he's sure to be a winning hope. SANTORINI kicked up from barrier two and led the field from barrier two. He was away from the grandstand rail, sitting three-wide under Karis Teetan, and he quickened well when the Mauritian asked for an effort. He stuck on well to hold on for third, but he was no match for the winner late in the race.
Race 2 – Dengshikou Handicap, HK $875,000
Class 5 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.72 Standard Time: 1:09.75 Course/Class record: 1:08.64 Iron King
It was a blow out in race two as the longest priced runner in the race URBAN TRIUMPH (NZ 4yo g Divine Prophet – Glaze) ran over the top to score. After getting away on terms, the gelding was taken back from the wide alley with Derek Leung getting down to the rail. The local hoop was able to improve his position through the early stages, being a little worse than midfield working around the turn. Leung was able to get off the rail approaching the final corner and had plenty of space to improve between runners. Leung shifted the four-year-old into the clear with a furlong left to run, coming down the middle of the track to hit the front with 50m to run. He was too good late in the race, running over the top to win
by a neck on the line. GANGNAM STAR didn't have as much pace as some of his rivals, settling in a midfield position along the inside rail. Matthew Chadwick had the gelding travelling comfortably in the run, but he needed some luck at the top of the straight as he was three pairs back and along the fence. Chadwick went for a gap between horses approaching the 200m point, but the gap shut, and he was forced back toward the inside. He was able to work his way through between runners close to home and hit the line full of running, finishing a neck away and getting the nod in a photo finish. MR GOOD VIBES jumped well and rolled forward to sit on the outside of the leader in the run. He stuck on gamely from the front to be right there at the finish, only beaten a neck and just missing out on second in a photo finish.
Race 3 – Chaoyangmen Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.54 Standard Time: 1:22.10 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
WINNING GOLD (AUS 3yo g Brazen Beau – Shimada) notched up his maiden victory in fine style. After being slightly slow into stride, the gelding settled in a midfield position for Keagan De Melo with the pace quite good through the early stages of the race. The field fanned wide turning for home which gave De Melo plenty of space to get away from the inside and into the clear with 400m left to run. It took him a little while to wind up once clear, but as he hit top gear, he began to rocket down the outside. He moved up to hit the front with 200m left to run and he pulled away from his rivals in very impressive fashion, never giving anything else a chance in the straight and winning by 2-3/4 lengths. TOP PEAK had been able to get across from a relatively sticky draw and setting just in behind the speed for Jerry Chau. After racing in a cosy position around the turn, Chau had plenty of space to get off the inside around the turn. He was making steady ground out wide, but he was no match for the eventual winner who burst clear with 200m to run. He stuck on strongly in the straight to hold on for second position though. YOUNG HORIZON jumped the $2.50 favourite and after sitting in a midfield position, Purton began to make his move with about 500m left to run. He was bumped wider on the turn as they went around the turn, but he kept on well down the outside to run third, holding on in a photo finish.
Race 4 – Dongsinan Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1000m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 55.53 Standard Time: 56.25 Course/Class record: 54.89 Voyage Warrior
BABY CRYSTAL (NZ 5yo g Per Incanto – Makkura) continued his impressive season, notching up back-to-back wins and his third victory of the term in good style. With the aid of the outside draw, Vincent Ho was able to position himself in a handy position just off the leader in a stalking role right down the outside rail. He was a clear second as they passed the 400m point, spotting the leader 2-1/4 lengths as he began to creep closer early in the straight. Ho moved the gelding out of the slipstream and began to make his mark up the inside, taking the lead with 100m left to run and holding off the late challenge to win by a neck on the line. STELLAR EXPRESS showed plenty of speed out of the barriers as he rolled forward to sit in second position early doors. Zac Purton was happy to let the front runner go, and eventually let the winner Baby Crystal get 1-3/4 lengths in front of him with 400m left to run. Purton tracked the eventual winner over the closing stages, before moving toward the middle of the track to make his challenge. He kept coming over the closing stages, running the winner to a neck, but he wasn't good enough on the day. CHEVAL VALIANT came out of the barriers awkwardly and was set alight, racing to the front, and setting a very fast tempo out in front. He was in front for a long way, but eventually the brutal early tempo took its toll as he ended up fading to finish 1-1/2 lengths off the winner in third.
Race 5 – The Beijing Clubhouse Anniversary Cup (Handicap), HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.01 Standard Time: 1:09.40 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
KING MILES (AUS 3yo g Exceed And Excel – Epitomise) scored his maiden victory in good style under Hugh Bowman as Francis Lui made it a race-to-race double. After getting away well from a wide alley, Bowman slid back from the draw to be worse than midfield in the run, racing three-wide with cover through the early and middle stages. The gelding was travelling well throughout the race, with the Australian getting off heels and being the widest runner on straightening as they turned for home. He was coming strongly down the middle of the track, moving up to join the leaders with 100m to run and gain the upper hand shortly after. He was too strong over the closing stages, winning by a length on the line to shed the maiden tag. LUCY IN THE SKY bombed the start and came out a clear last. After racing at the tail of the field throughout the race, Karis Teetan got onto the back of the eventual winner with 600m to run and followed King Miles wide into the straight. He had his chance to catch them if he was good enough, but he was still racing a touch green early in the straight. He hit the line nicely to finish in second position, and a maiden victory looks near. HAYDAY raced in a clear third position with the field well strung out in the early stages. He was no match for the winner who blew right by him close to home, but he stuck on well to get his nose down on the wire to take third position in a photo finish.
Race 6 – Dongzhimen Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1000m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 56.51 Standard Time: 56.45 Course/Class record: 54.98 United We Stand
It was a very tight at the finish of the sixth race, with veteran galloper METRO WARRIOR (AUS 7yo g Fastnet Rock – Scandinavia) clinging on to win by a nose. From the outside alley, the gelding showed plenty of speed to hold his position between runners, settling up on the pace. He looked to be travelling very comfortably through the middle stages of the race and came under pressure with around 350m left to run. He wasn't making a whole lot of ground on the leader and was still a neck away with 100m to run, but Leung was throwing everything he had at the galloper over the closing stages. He knuckled down to stick his nose in front close to home and while he and his main rivals were wide apart, he got the bob in right on the line, with the judge handing Metro Warrior the win by a nose. YODA'S CHOICE always raced out wide and toward the middle of the course after jumping on terms from an inside draw. He was about midfield in the running, facing the breeze throughout with Vincent Ho already having the gelding under heavy pressure before the 400m point. He kept on strongly down the centre of the track, sprouting wings inside the final 100m to storm home. He showed plenty of strength to make a race of it, but he was out-bobbed right on the wire. GLORIOUS EXPERT was right there at the finish too after settling just off the speed. He came down the centre of the track as well and was a winning hope inside the final 50m. The gelding would go down by just a short head in third, with only a half-length separating the first five across the line.
Race 7 – The Hong Kong Lions Cup (Handicap), HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.00 Standard Time: 1:09.40 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
Jimmy Ting scored a winning double on the day with LO PAN SPIRIT (NZ 3yo g Charm Spirit – Potions) winning on debut at a big starting price of $38. The three-year-old got away well from barrier 10 and was able to get across to sit on the outside of the leader. The pace was only moderate early on, with the leaders ramping it up from the 600m point. Turning for home, the two leaders broke clear from the rest of the pack with a blistering 10.55 second sectional from the 400m to the 200m, with Lo Pan Spirit running around under pressure in the straight. He did plenty wrong in his debut, but he showed plenty of strength close to the line as he dug in to get the win by a neck on the line. AWESOME TREASURE was the first horse out of the barriers, and he was able to get across and lead with ease. Keith Yeung did as he wanted up front, dictating the tempo with no pressure being applied
through the first half of the race. Passing the 600m point the local hoop began to ramp up the tempo, with he and Lo Pan Spirit kicking clear at the top of the straight. It was a ding-dong battle right down to the line with Awesome Treasure only caught inside the final 50m. The first two put a big gap back to the rest of the field, but Awesome Treasure just found one better on the day. SUPER HIGHWAY was midfield in the run and over racing under Angus Chung. He was stuck along the inside rail and was forced to ride for luck, which came at the top of the straight. Chung didn't have to go around a horse, making his charge along the inside to close off for third, but he was 3-1/2 lengths off the winner.
Race 8 – Jinbao Street Handicap, HK $2,840,000
Class 2 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.56 Standard Time: 1:08.80 Course/Class record: 1:07.89 Thanks Forever
After winning the Group One Sydney Cup the day prior, Andrea Atzeni returned to Hong Kong and guided home LUCKY ENCOUNTER (AUS 4yo g Epaulette – Miss De Vega) for an all-the-way victory. The four-year-old bounced straight to the lead under Atzeni with the small field only chugging along at a moderate tempo. He led comfortably and without much pressure through the early stages, with Atzeni ramping up the speed from the 600m point and putting all his rivals under heavy pressure as they turned for home. The Italian still had a strong hold of the gelding at the top of the straight and he kicked clear once he asked for an effort. He sprinted quickly and never gave his rivals a chance, keeping them at aby to win by 1-3/4 lengths on the line. GORGEOUS WIN was having his first start in C2 company after working his way through the grades nicely to begin his career. After having a lovely run in transit sitting in the one-out-one-back position, he looked an ominous threat atg the top of the straight, but he lacked the turn-of-foot displayed by the leader. He kept coming in the straight and eventually got over the top of the second placegetter to finish in second, with there not being much change to the order throughout. DROMBEG BANNER sat outside the leader and stuck on well to finish in third, but he was no match for the winner who was just too good.
Race 9 - Chaoyangmen Handicap, HK $1,170,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.54 Standard Time: 1:22.10 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Chris So secured a winning double as Lyle Hewitson steered home OWNERS' PRAISE (AUS 5yo g Toronado – Cincinnati Gal) for his first win of the season. After getting away on
terms, Hewitson slid back from the alley to settle toward the tail of the field. The South African ended up along the inside rail turning off the back and looked as though he'd need plenty of luck in the straight, but as the field fanned wide, Hewitson was able to sneak up the inside. He was only a couple lengths off the leader at the top of the straight and the gelding had plenty to offer trucking up behind runners. Hewitson was able to work his way through the traffic and into the clear down along the inside rail and he burrowed through to take control with just over 100m to run. He was far too strong at the finish, pulling away to win by 1-3/4 lengths in a very impressive win. TOP SOCRER jumped well and led the field early before being taken on approaching thew 800m point. Zac Purton was able to hold his position to keep that runner out, sliding through along the inside to regain the lead on the home turn. He kicked well at the top of the straight when Purton asked for an effort, breaking away from the majority of his rivals getting to the 200m point. He was unable to fend off the winner though, who was just too strong late in the race, but he kept on well for second. SKY TRUST had been handy in the run, sitting right up on the back of the leaders with Vincent Ho peeling into the clear at the top of the straight. He had plenty of time and space to get the job done if he was good enough, but he could only manage third, beaten 2-1/2 lengths.
Race 10 – Jianguomen Handicap, HK $1,860,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.54 Standard Time: 1:21.80 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
BEAUTY FIT (AUS 7yo g Ilovethiscity – Feesforus) scored his first win in over two years with Antoine Hamelin punching home the gelding to win by a neck on the line. The gelding was the first in to stride from barrier 3, but Hamelin wasn't keen on leading. Lucky for the Frenchman, he was able to settle on the back of the leader as they sorted their order out. The pace was good throughout the race and the gelding was trucking as they turned for home. He lacked the sprint of his rivals at the top of the straight, but he showed plenty of strength to dig in and catch the leader. He reeled him in with about 50m to run and was too good late, getting the job done by a neck on the line. GOLDEN ARTIE was given a perfect steer by Ben Thompson, landing in the one-out-one-back position from the outset. After enjoying a lovely run in the race, Thompson peeled into the clear on straightening and came with a good burst down the outside. He was steadily making ground near the centre of the course, hitting the front alongside Beauty Fit close to home. Golden Artie was unable to match the finishing burst though ending up in second position. ORIENTAL SMOKE stuck on bravely after sitting on the outside of the leader. He was a big price today and looked a spent force shortly after straightening, but to the gelding's credit he rallied back to finish just three-quarters of-a-length off the winner. The first four around the turn were the first four across the line.
Race 11 – Dongcheng District Handicap, HK $2,050,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:34.30 Standard Time: 1:34.75 Course/Class record: 1:33.19 Beauty Fit
"Team Golden Sixty" combined to end a successful day for both Vincent Ho and Francis Lui, with HOLY LAKE (IRE 4yo g Holy Roman Emperor – Lake Louise) continuing his good season to date. He was one of the first into stride from barrier seven and was able to work across and get into a handy position from the draw. The pace was good early as the field stung out down the back straight. The leader kept the field running off the back and around the turn, with Ho already hard at work aboard the four-year-old, asking him to pick up turning for home. The local hoop was put into a pocket when he tried to get to the outside, with Ho ducking back to the inside and sliding between runners approaching the 200m point. He was still a couple of lengths away with 100m to run, but he jumped out of the ground late in the race to take the lead inside the final 50m and inch away in the final few strides to win by three-quarters of-a-length. STAR CONTACT was positioned to the inside of the eventual winner in the run and was travelling strongly as they got to the home as Lyle Hewitson put the gelding in clear air. He had plenty of time to catch the leader if he was good enough, grinding away out wide to finally level up with 50m to run. He was passed by Holy Lake close to home, but he eventually got into second position in the final couple of strides. FRANTANCK was very strong from the front, setting a good tempo and proving very hard to run down under apprentice Angus Chung. He was in front for a very long way, but maybe felt the pinch late in the race.
