Tim Carroll

This Monday sees an exciting 11-race card from Sha Tin getting underway at 5.30am - live on Sky Sports Racing. The two features are both Group 2 contests that act as leadups to Champions Day later in the month. Race 7, the Sprint Cup, over 6 furlongs and race 9, the Chairman’s Trophy, over 1 mile, both races offering prize-money off more than £530,000. 

Now onto this week’s selections:

Race 1: Class 4 Lugard Handicap (5.30am) (5 furlongs)

1 ALMIGHTY LIGHTNING was well supported when making a winning debut over course and trip in February and although he’s been handed an 8lb penalty and we have plenty of newcomers lining up, he should take all the beating. 

The selection jumped from a similar stall that day and although he was pushed along at one point, suggesting he’ll be better when he gets over a bit further, he ran through the line with purpose to win by a margin running away with a next start winner well held in second, and he’s entitled to improve further

Dangers

8 Precision Mind is a debutant by a sire that has had five Hong Kong winners and although none of those won over this trip, four were successful over 6-furlonsg and the Me Tsui 3yo has won two of his three trials.   

4 Graceful Heart is a debutant with a sprinters pedigree that has looked sharp in a few trials, one of which he won, he sports blinkers on his introduction and a market watch is advised.   

14 Enjoy Golf was third over 6-furlongs at Happy Valley last time, albeit well held, and he is yet to get on the board this season, but his mark continues to fall, and he was runner-up twice over course and trip from up to 20lb higher last season.

Race 2: Class 5 Severn Handicap (6.00am) (6 furlongs)

1 ALWAYS FLUKE should strip fitter having just had the three runs since March of last year and he takes a drop in grade having placed at a level above this at his penultimate start last month over 7-furlongs. 

The selection was seen in the grade on his return after being off for 11-months when runner-up over course and trip in February from just a 1lb lower mark. The form from the race has plenty of shape with the winner subsequently successful at a level above this and he did finish well clear of Majestic Delight that day, who is likely to be toward the top of the market here and who he meets on 4lb better terms

Dangers

2 Iconical has just the solitary win from 17 starts, but that was from a 5lb higher mark, he drops into the bottom grade for the first time and is perfectly drawn for a pace runner. 

5 Majestic Delight broke his duck at start 16 last time having gone close a few times prior, and although he goes up 6lb for that, he once again is well drawn and should be able to sit handy.  

8 King Alloy is a 13-start maiden that has hit the frame his last two from high draws at Happy Valley and connections have replaced a senior rider with 10lb claimer Nichola Yuen, who rode a winner at his first meeting on Wednesday.

Race 3:  Class 4 Pollock Handicap (6.30am) (1 mile)

3 VICTOR SUPREME is yet to place in four career starts but has shaped with plenty of promise his last two, which have been his only two goes over this trip, when given plenty to do both times but attacking the line with purpose late. 

 The selection came from well off the pace to finish fifth at his most recent outing and whilst he doesn’t trouble the winner, he more than likely hits the frame if not a tad tight for room in the straight. The Ricky Yiu 3yo drops 1lb here, this is a softer Class 4 than the last two he’s contested and with regular rider, Dylan Browne McMonagle now back home, its no surprise to see Purton snap up the ride.

Dangers

1 Mr Cool has one win from 12 starts but he’s ultra consistent, only beaten a nose in second over 7-furlongs last time, he’s been left alone for that, and he was runner-up from a 2lb higher mark his only try over this trip last season.  

8 Smart Fat Cat is a 10-start maiden that has been a tad frustrating to follow given he’s gone around at single figures in all but one of his last eight starts, but he hasn’t enjoyed the rub of the green a few times, he drops a further 2lb and cheek-pieces go on after he ran a tad keen in the middle stages last time. 

5 Multisuperstar showed nothing in three starts but took a step forward when fourth at his first try over the mile last time, doing his best work late despite a tough trip covering plenty of extra ground at the back and laying in down the straight.

Race 4: Class 4 Plunkett’s Handicap (7.00am) (7 furlongs)

2 LUCKY RANGER, who is a highly promising 3yo from the leading yard of Mark Newnham, will take all the beating here. The selection went of favourite when runner-up on debut over 6-furlongs after a tardy start when in behind a fellow low mileage well above average type.

However, he made no mistakes the next time in shedding the maiden status over this trip here last month when he tanked in the run looking the winner a long way out. He does go up 7lb for that, but it’s impossible to argue given the second, who was well clear of the third, has since won twice, most recently in a higher grade

Dangers

3 Robot Star had genuine excuses when an unplaced favourite last time having had a messy race, but he was runner-up over the mile at his penultimate outing, having won the start prior over this trip, he’s low mileage and has scope for further improvement. 

1 Gallant Epoch has been a model of consistency this season with a win and four placings from 6 starts and although he goes from the top of the handicap, connections have gone with a 10lb claim which effectively sees him running from a slightly lower mark than when winning over course and tip in January.

8 California Bay is a 14-start maiden, but he has shown a bit of improvement recently and although there were no excuses when fifth in a similar contest last time, he was only beaten a nose in second the start prior under Purton, who is reunited here.

Race 5: Class 4 Peel Handicap (7.30am) (6 furlongs)

1 MR INCREDIBLE was well supported when making a winning debut over course and trip on debut last month, and the 7lb penalty sees him at the top of the handicap. I’ve always believed that promising progressive types should be able to win conceding weight at this level, and this fellow is certainly that. 

The selection had a far from ideal race that day, tardy from the gates, crowded early in the contest and tight for room in the straight when forced to switch between runners. But despite all of that, he powered to the line when he saw some daylight, winning with a bit in hand and more comfortably than the bare margin would suggest

Dangers

7 Superb Spirt is a debutant that has looked sharp at the trials, winning two and under a hold when placed in another, the sire has had four winners in Hong. Kong, all four successful over this trip and the booking of Purton suggests connections expect a forward showing.  

12 Come Fast Fay Fay won over course and trip in February before finishing runner-up to the selection last time, who he meets on 6lb better terms, and he was snagged back from a high stall that day but is better drawn here.  

14 Riding High rarely wins but he has run well enough in defeat his last three from tough draws, he has finally had a bit of luck on that front, and he did take out a Class 5 here in January from a similar draw when he made all.

Race 6: Class 3 Bluff Handicap (8.00am) (5 furlongs)

4 FAST RESPONDER, who is currently on a mark of 71, is a difficult one in that he has just the one local success from 21 starts. But he’s so consistent that he’s still 4lb above his winning mark which was 16 starts ago in January of last year, and it’s easy enough to make a case that he’s opposable from a handicapping perspective. 

However, connections have opted for 10lb claimer, Nichola Yuen, which effectively see the selection running from a 3lb lower mark than when he won. The last time he was ridden by a claimer was November last year when runner-up behind the very smart, Crimson Flash (now rated 92), who has since won at a level above this. He’s well drawn and arrives after a slightly luckless run in fourth last time when a lip behind Glowing Praises, who he meets on 12lb better terms

Dangers

1 Glowing Praises, who won two of 7 starts in Australia, was successful over course and trip on his local debut before an unplaced effort over 6-furlongs but bounced back over this trip last time when grabbing the bronze, but as forementioned, he’s on worse terms with the selection here.  

8 Looking Bright, who won a maiden at his second and final start in Australia, is yet to break his local duck in six spins, but he’s only been beaten a nose his last two over course and trip and could have more to offer.  

5 Alpha Strike won over course and trip on his local debut last October before bombing twice over 6-furlongs but put in a much better effort in fourth behind Glowing Praises, who he meets on 8lb better terms, last time when dropped back to the minimum trip.

Race 7: Group 2 Sprint Cup (8.35am) (6 furlongs)

1 KA YING RISING, who is rated the world’s best horse, will be looking to record his nineteenth consecutive win and purely from a form perspective, there is no case to be made as to why he won’t continue on his winning ways.  

The selection carries a penalty, but he hacked up in the race last year’s carrying the same penalty on his way to winning the Champion Sprint, a double he’s likely to achieve again this year, before taking a break and being set to defend his Everest crown later in the year.

Dangers

2 Helios Express, who has an international rating that would put in the mix in many Group 1 sprints around the globe, has had the misfortune of being around at the same time as Ka Ying Rising having finished runner-up to the champ six-times, and the tally is likely to be seven after this.  

3 Raging Blizzard, who was runner-up to Ka Ying Rising in the Hong Kong Sprint in December, is a hold up type that likes to have something to aim at, which he should get here, and the small field will help.  

4 Tomodachi Kokoroe, who is a stable companion of the selection, strung together a three-timer at the start of the season including the Premier Bowl with a few of these in behind, but he’s on worse terms under these conditions.

Race 8: Class 3 Harlech Handicap (9.10am) (7 furlongs)

2 MIGHTY MASTS, who won three of 8 starts and was Group 3 placed in Australia, looks a winner in waiting have run well in defeat all four local outings including last time when a lip behind Fit For Beauty, who he now meets on 4lb better terms, in a race that looks the best form pointer for this. 

The selection was snagged back from a high draw that day, coming from last on the bend but rattled late to be narrowly denied with the rider not once using the whip due to the selection lugging in. He hadn’t shown any signs of that prior, so hopefully it was a one off, and given they will probably look to ride him quietly from the high draw, it won’t hurt his chances we have just the ten runners.

Dangers

6 The Red Hare, who won two of three in Australia, had no excuses when a beaten favourite last time, but he certainly didn’t run poorly in third that day, he drops back to this trip for the first time since winning here in December and it’s worth noting Purton takes the ride having been on the selection his last two.  

4 Fit For Beauty won over course and trip last time with four of these including the selection in behind, and although he won by a narrow margin that day and does go up 6lb, he’s a low mileage 4yo with scope for more.  

10 Packing Glory, who won over 5-furlongs on debut in November last year, has placed his last three including when less than a length behind Fit For Beauty last time, he meets that rival on 6lb better terms and has plenty of upside.

Race 9: Group 2 Chairmans Trophy (9.45am) (1 mile)

6 GALAXY PATCH is a late closing type that has had plenty of bad luck over the last two seasons, but he did win a Group 2 over course and trip in November when he enjoyed a clear round, and given that was run under the same conditions as this, and he had five of these in behind, he looks worth an each way play in what is an open contest.  

The selection arrives after a strong effort in defeat over 7-furlongs behind Ka Ying Rising, and whilst he was never expected to threaten that day, he was the only runner to make up any late leeway eventually grabbing fourth in a pace dominated contest. He’ll enjoy stepping back up to a mile, and this should be run at a solid gallop, which is exactly what he wants.

Dangers

5 Fast Network has had an unusual lead-up to this winning down the straight course over 5-furlongs last time, but he has run with merit in defeat his two times over this trip, including when fourth in the Hong Classic Mile, and Purton, who would have had the choice of several, takes the ride.  

1 Voyage Bubble wins this if at his best but he’s been below par his last two and is on a retrieval mission, however, it’s not like he’s completely dropped off a cliff and he did have a tough trip when third to Romantic Warrior at his penultimate start, which is the last time he ran over the mile.   

3 Lucky Sweynesse, who prior Ka Ying Rising, was regarded as the world’s best sprinter but it looks like he’s being reinvented as a miler, and he did put a world class rating (118) on the board when runner-up over this trip to Romantic Warrior two back with six of these in behind, and under the same conditions.

Race 10: Class 2 Barker Handicap (10.20am) (7 furlongs)

8 SIX PACK, who won two of ten in Australia and has recorded just one local success from ten goes, but was runner-up to Winning Ovation, who he meets son 6lb better terms, last time when beaten a nose with the two bumping several times and connections considering before electing not to lodge a protest.   

The Douglas Whyte 5yo had to be hustled up early after a sightly slow start from the stalls to grab a spot in behind the leaders and although it was nothing major, he was beaten in a photo. They have converse draws this time, with the selection drawn in 1, which should see him with all the favours, and this isn’t as deep a contest as last time.

Dangers

4 Winning Ovation, who was a Salisbury winner (known as Nascimento) for Michael Bell, lands here on a course and trip four-timer and although he goes up 8lb for his latest success with the selection in second, he’s low mileage with potential for more to come.  

10 Akashvani hasn’t seen out the trip his last two when contesting the Hong Kong Classic Mile and the Classic Cup over 9-furlongs, but he’ll enjoy dropping back to 7-furlongs having won when last seen over this trip in January.  

5 Drombeg Banner bombed when seven-lengths behind the top two selections last time when he went quick enough on the front, but with connections opting for a 10lb claimer, he meets the winner on 20lb better terms.

Race 11: Class 3 Homestead Handicap (10.55am) (1 mile 2 furlongs)

6 FORTUNE BOY takes a drop in garde having finished fourth in a strong Class 2 over 9-furlongs at his most recent start. Although he is yet to win beyond that trip, he looks suited to ten-furlongs having run with merit in defeat both tries over this distance, including when beaten a lip in second here at his penultimate start last month.  

The negative is the lack of pace in the contest as they do tend to ride him cold, but he’s been sharp enough to win over a mile twice and this is his first low draw in four starts, and that combined with the step up in trip will hopefully see him closer to the leaders than his last few.

Dangers

7 Smart Avenue has been runner-up in three of his last four, finishing in front of several he meets here his last two, and the step up to this trip for the first time should suit.  

3 Liveandletlive has recorded just one local success in 18 starts, but he continues to run well in defeat including when fourth here last time and he’s a front runner who should be able to dictate at no more than an honest gallop here. 

8 Money Catcher is a hard knocking veteran that has found some form this season, winning here in January then placed three of four subsequent starts, and he’s tactically versatile, which could come in handy given there isn’t much of a gallop on offer. 

MONDAY’S PLACEPOT

Today’s Placepot will be races 6 through to 11. All up we will be playing 81 combinations (3x1x1x3x3x3), which will cost £8.10 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.  

LEG 1- 1 GLOWING PRAISES 4 FAST RESPONDER 8 LOOKING BRIGHT 

LEG 2- 1 KA YING RISING 

LEG 3- 2 MIGHTY MASTS   

LEG 4- 1 VOYAGE BUBBLE 5 FAST NETWORK 6 GALAXY PATCH  

LEG 5- 4 WINNING OVATION 8 SIX PACK 10 AKASHVANI   

LEG 6- 3 LIVEANDLETLIVE 6 FORTUNE BOY 7 SMART AVENUE