Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Sha Tin races.

ALL WEATHER TRACK

Race 1

#5 SUN OF MAKFI is well and truly the horse to beat in the opening event despite the uncertainty and volatility that a meeting on the all weather track brings. He's a two time winner in class 4 at his best and missed out on victory by a lip first up courtesy of a horror draw. With Purton remaining in the saddle from the lower advantageous draw he's the closest thing you'll find to a best.
#3 NICE BIRDIE finds his way into class 5 for the first time following three woeful efforts on turf. I'm prepared to overlook that form and focus on the blinding run he put in at his second career start. It was on this surface against the superior opposition of class 4 with tonight's race rider Jerry Chau aboard. With race fitness now on his side a much improved run is expected.
#7 JUBILATION won his final race last season before shifting stables to Chris So in the off season break. He remains in the grade and was the winner of this race last year at the coinciding meeting. He did it in style on that occasion with the same jockey aboard, plus, his trial leading in has been satisfactory and very quiet.
#2 M M NEBULA defeated SUN OF MAKFI by a narrow margin when last on dirt which places him amongst the contenders from the low accomodating draw. Regular rider Mathew Chadwick shall be in search of the lead shortly after they jump but hoping for minimal pressure with a longer run to the first bend. The 1800m is a distance he's yet to try and the feeling is he'll vulnerable, in the home stretch, to a superior turn of foot.
#6 COLOURFUL BARON is handy on his day even though he remains a maiden after seventeen starts. He arrived from Ireland a lightly raced 3yo with a win over 1400m under the belt. A number of decent runs were then registered earlier in the year with excuses justified first up. A low draw and blinkers reapplied are reasons to include him in calculations.

Selections : 5,3,7,2,6

R2 - 11,3,7,1,6

R3 - 12,7,6,1,11

Race 4

#8 RED DESERT isn't the horse he was a few seasons back but with almost 10 million HKD in the bank he's got nothing to really prove. A large portion of the aforementioned stake money was accumulated on the dirt and he returned with a hearty effort in defeat first up on this track. With inform Aussie rider Brenton Avdulla again behind the wheel, from an even better draw, he's hard to oppose.
#4 STAND UP hasn't done much racing over the last ten months after he bled from both nostrils midway through his preparation earlier this year. His track work leading in has been rock solid over the past few weeks and he trialled in fabulous fashion under jockey Zac Purton in September. He's noted for his strong finishing burst and should receive a nice tempo to run at according to the maps.
#1 HAPPY FAT CAT produced a fighting win first up for new trainer Cody Mo and is right in the hunt for back to back wins. As a previous winner on the all weather the change of surface can only enhance his chance of another success. The 5lbs increase shall be tough to defend but he'll be in it for a long way.
#2 MAN STAR was second up when he got the money in class 3 off a rating of 71 last season and arrives second up today. He hasn't won since that event last term but has dropped noticeably in the handicaps ever since. With an on speed trial victory for Karis Teetan under the belt I expect him to run a nice race.
#9 SMART FOLKS won two races last season but is yet to win in class 4. That's his challenge arriving here tonight after seventeen previous attempts. He's got the tactical speed to position handy, handles the all weather surface well and is a winner previously for jockey Anton Hamelin, but can he gain the prize? A barrier trial leading in was strong which creates some optimism.

Selections : 8,4,1,2,9

R5 - 10,1,4,8,9

R6 - 12,3,11,8,14

R7 - 8,9,5,1,11

R8 - 5,4,12,9,7