Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.
It was a history making day at Sha Tin with the third-to-last meeting seeing plenty of good performances. Zac Purton finished with four winners on the card, blowing right past the previous record of most wins in a season (170) to end on 173 with two meetings till to go. Francis Lui also trained a four-timer and David Hall a treble with Frankie Lor training the Quinella in the feature event.
Race 1 – The Purves Quaich (Plate), HK $880,000
Griffin – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.80 Standard Time: 1:09.40 Course/Class record: 1:08.47 California Spangle
It only took one race for Zac Purton to equal the record for most wins in a season, leading all of the way for an impressive victory about KA YING VICTORY (Charm Spirit – Rockadubai). The David Hall-trained galloper was away on terms but rushed through to take the lead from barrier 4. He strode to the front and led the field comfortably off the back, with none of his rivals going up to challenge the $1.40 favourite through the middle stages. Purton upped the tempo from the 600m point and dropped his rivals quickly at the top of the straight, going clear by 2 lengths with the champion hoop barely moving a muscle. The two-year-old went to the line relatively untouched, bolting in by 2-1/4 lengths in an impressive win. RUBY SAILING finished behind Ka Ying Victory on debut and ran into second place again as he made a strong run from midfield. SUPER BONUS settled outside the leader in the run and claimed third, but all the talk is about the winner.
Race 2 – The Swaine Cup (Handicap), HK $3,465,000
Class 1 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.80 Standard Time: 1:08.55 Course/Class record: 1:07.61 Lucky Patch
One of the feature races on the day saw Frankie Lor train the quinella as ADIOS (Snitzel – Later Gator) getting the job done in the Class 1 contest. He broke well and landed on the back of the leader on settling down, with the pace only moderate through the first half of the race. He was tugging for more rein down around the turn with Alex Badel seemingly in a pocket at the top of the straight. The Frenchman had to wait for horses to go by him before he could make his run, shifting from the inside rail to be the widest in running and letting down powerfully. He ran over the top to take the lead inside the final 50m and won comfortably by a half-length. REWARDING TOGETHER snuck his way into second position, sticking on boldly after sitting on the outside of the leader. He edged out the race favourite COURIER WONDER who took the lead midway down the straight and looked the winner with 150m to run. He weakened close to the line though and was overrun by two rivals in the shadows of the post, finishing third.
Race 3 – The Wong Cup (Handicap), HK $810,000
Class 5 – Turf – Distance 1600m - Track Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:35.29 Standard Time: 1:35.30 Course/Class record: 1:34.38 Le Panache
David Hall bought up an early double with LUCKY MISSILE (Rock 'N' Pop – Nicole Amy) leading throughout to score. Luke Ferraris got the gelding out of the barriers swiftly and rolled to the front from barrier 2, holding out his rivals as they turned off the back. His rivals weren't really challenging for the lead despite the tempo being very moderate through the middle stages, sitting three-wide in the run. Turning for home, Ferraris kicked clear and opened a gap back to the rest of the field, showing a clean set of heels after stacking them up in the run. He was still well in front with 100m to run and scored by three-quarters of a length, with SPLENDID STAR absolutely flying home over the concluding stages. He was a very eye-catching run from near last position and off a slow tempo which may not have suited his racing style. SUPERB DADDY was another to run on from beyond midfield and round out the placings.
Race 4 – The Li Cup (Handicap), HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.47 Standard Time: 1:09.30 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
It was an absolute boil over in race 4 as the Caspar Fownes-trained LUCKY QUALITY (Medaglia d'Oro – Watchful Eyes) scored at a massive $144. Alfred Chan roused the gelding along shortly after the start in an attempt to roll forward and slot into the running line, but the local hoop was cast three-wide and without cover on settling down. Despite his tough run in transit, the gelding moved up to join the leaders as they swung into the straight, sprinting well to take the lead with 300m to run. He broke clear from the rest of the pack and although he was putting some short strides in late, he was never in doubt over the final 100m as he scored by three-quarters of-a-length. Zac Purton and race favourite ENDEARED ran into second position after settling midfield, with the other outside of the field FORTUNE WARRIOR finishing third at $65.
Race 5 – The Arculli Trophy (Handicap), HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.53 Standard Time: 1:09.30 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
History was made in Race 5 with Zac Purton breaking the record for the most wins in a Hong Kong season, surpassing Joao Moreira's previous mark of 170 aboard MAGIC SUPREME (Zoustar – Any Wonder). The gelding bounced quickly and rolled straight to the front under Purton, who took up the running from barrier 6. He wasn't hanging about, racing keenly out in front and stringing the field out through the middle stages. Purton was finally able to wrestle him back passing the 600m point, settling him down turning for home but he'd already blown-up half of the field who weren't making any impression in the run to the line. Purton was still over a length in front with 100m to run but was falling in a hole close to the finish as rivals did start to catch him late. He was able to hold on for victory by a neck, bringing up his 171st runner for the year and re-writing the history books. PINS PRINCE had been right there the whole way and the race was there for him tow in if he was good enough. He was strong through the line as the leader began to tire, but the margin was too great for Hugh Bowman to peg back. SEE U AGAIN was solid back in third spot, with a gap back to the rest of the field.
Race 6 – The Chan Trophy (Handicap), HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.44 Standard Time: 1:09.30 Course/Class record: 1:08.40 Master Eight
Favourite backers rejoiced in The Chan Trophy as SWEET BRIAR (Shamexpress – Allawara) held on to win by a head on the line. The gelding was only away fairly from his awkward alley for Lyle Hewitson but mustered well to get across and land in third position on settling down. The pace was solid through the early and middle stages with the South African getting a lovely spot in running and asking the four-year-old to pick up as they turned for home. He raced to the front with 200m to run but was challenged shortly after taking the lead. He was able to hold off his rivals in the run to the line, scoring by a head at the post. RAGING BLIZZARD was the one who couldn't get past the winner. Zac Purton threw everything he had at the gelding who was on debut for John Size. He ran on well from midfield but lacked the killer blow to put his rivals away in the straight. The gelding will benefit from the experience if anything. HAPPY SOUL rounded out the placings 2-1/4 lengths back from the first pair.
Race 7 – The Stevenson Cup (Handicap), HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:22.07 Standard Time: 1:22.05 Course/Class record: 1:20.80 Perfect Pair
Some famous silks crossed the line first in The Stevenson Cup, those worn by Golden Sixty continue to win with GOLDEN SAMURAI (Pride Of Dubai – Nazca) proving too good for his rivals. He was one of the first into stride for Vincent Ho, but the local hoop didn't want the lead as he settled just off the pace. An even tempo was being set out in front, but Ho was stuck in traffic passing the 600m point. He needed a touch of luck turning into the straight, easing out and getting into the clear at the 300m point. He made a strong run down the centre of the track, taking the lead inside the final 50m and finishing the best in the closing stages, scoring by a half-length on the line very comfortably. NATURAL GOLD has been run down from out in front his past few and continues to knock on the door of a win. The first two across the line put a nice gap on the rest of the field with IMPERIAL MAGEE crossing in third place, 1-3/4 lengths off the winner.
Race 8 – The Ip Jug (Handicap), HK $1,725,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.41 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner
Francis Lui bought up three wins in-a-row with CALL ME DANDY (I Am Invincible – Solar Moon) saluting in race 8 with Matthew Chadwick doing the steering. After getting away smartly from the inside draw, Chadwick settled on the back of the leader in the run, enjoying a beautiful run in transit. After sitting cosy through the middle stages, Chadwick came off the rail with a small gap presenting early in the straight as the four-year-old shot through to take the lead at the 150m point. It was all over as soon as he got to the front as he pulled away to win by 1-3/4 lengths in a very impressive win. SELF IMPROVEMENT had settled about midfield, three-wide with cover in the run and loomed as a winning chance at the furlong pole before being put away by the winner. He stuck on gamely to hold down second while XPONENTIAL continued his consistent season, sticking on strongly for another placing.
Race 9 – The Chow Silver Plate (Handicap), HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1600m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:34.85 Standard Time: 1:35.10 Course/Class record: 1:33.78 Morethanlucky
Zac Purton extended the record to 172 aboard FLYING MOJITO (Dundeel – This Is Your Life) and in doing so bought up a treble for David Hall. He was away well the four-year-old, landing just off the pace as they sorted their order out down the back stretch. The pace was solid early and Purton found himself in a perfect position, staying away form the rail and getting a lovely trail throughout. The pace slowed approaching the 600m point, but the son of Dundeel continued to race tractably for the Australian hoop, before peeling out and into the clear heading into the straight. He ranged up to the leaders with ease as Purton hadn't moved a muscle, before shooting to the front once finally asked for an effort. He was just too strong for his rivals, going on to win by a length on the line eased down. LUCKY ETERNITY grabbed second position in a photo finish. Brenton Avdulla had tracked the eventual winner around the home turn and into the straight but was unable to match motors with him when it mattered most. WAR WEAPON made a very eye-catching run close to home, coming from near last to run third.
Race 10 – The Philip Chen Trophy (Handicap), HK $1,725,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.76 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner
Impressive gelding HELIOS EXPRESS (Toronado – Paris Texas) continued his fine form since arriving in Hong Kong, notching up another victory for Zac Purton and John Size. The gelding was only fairly into stride and settled midfield for Purton with a solid tempo being set up front. He raced between runners around the turn before edging his way into the clear at the top of the straight. He showed his class as Purton pressed the button, sprinting quickly to join the leaders with a furlong to go before taking control inside the final 150m. It was a very soft victory on the line despite the final margin being three-quarters of-a-length, Purton had stopped riding well before the line. ACE ONE took it right up to the short favourite, making him work to take the lead but in the end, he was no match for the up-and-coming star. BEAUTY GLORY had raced on the speed throughout and stayed on well to finish back in third, 2-1/4 lengths behind the winner.
Race 11 – The Chairmen's Day Handicap, HK $1,725,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1400m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.83 Standard Time: 1:21.75 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
The final race on the card saw Francis Lui bring up a four-timer as Harry Bentley steered SILVER SONIC (Exosphere – Iridescente) across the line first. He was a touch slow into stride from his inside draw but showed good speed to slide along the inside and move into an on-pace position, settling on the back of the leader. Bentley was niggling at the gelding turning off the back to keep within striking distance of the leaders as the pace quickened around the bend. The Englishman was hard at work aboard the four-year-old as they turned into the straight, but he continued to find under the urgings. Bentley was forced to change course midway down the stretch, getting into the clear with 200m to run and doing his best work over the closing stages. He ran over the top of his rivals to take the win by a half-length, holding off a hard-charging ROMANTIC CHARM. The Danny Shum-trained gelding was absolutely rattling home at the finish in a very eye-catching performance. He took second in a close photo with KILINDINI who kept on well after sitting up on the speed throughout.
