Selections and analysis for Sunday’s (14/04/24) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin.
Race 1: #7 La Forza, #3 California Star, #6 Thunder Blink, #4 Santorini
Race 2: #4 Beat Hollow, #8 Daily Trophy, #10 Perfect Peach, #11 Good View Glory
Race 3: #9 Winning Gold, #8 Packing Brilliant, #13 Young Horizon, #2 Kyeema
Race 4: #3 Baby Crystal, #2 Flying High, #5 Northern Beaches, #4 Stellar Express
Race 5: #5 King Miles, #6 Lucy In The Sky, #12 Hayday, #9 Glory Elite
Race 6: #5 Ka Ying Warrior, #9 Lucky Symphony, #11 Yoda's Choice, #14 Ruby Sailing
Race 7: #7 Lucky Touch, #9 Awesome Treasure, #12 New Power, #3 Super Highway
Race 8: #1 Bundle Of Charm, #2 Atullibigeal, #4 Raging Blizzard, #8 Gorgeous Win
Race 9: #3 Top Scorer, #2 The Absolute, #12 Aca Power, #9 Sky Trust
Race 10: #14 Foolish Heart, #4 Karma, #6 Helene Warrior, #5 Sinba
Race 11: #14 Talents Ambition, #8 Loyal Bo Bo, #5 Holy Lake, #9 Sunstrider
Race 1: Wangfujing Plate
#7 La Forza makes his debut, like all of these in the field. Tricky opener to the programme, although his trials have been sound. The services of Zac Purton are worth keeping a close eye on. #3 California Star appears to have some ability, however, has shown a bit of inexperience in his lead-up trials, which is expected. #6 Thunder Blink cruised under a strong hold in his latest trial. Expecting a forward showing from him first-up. #4 Santorini is next in line.
Race 2: Dengshikou Handicap
#4 Beat Hollow has raced well all season and he should find the front from barrier two. Strong booking of Hugh Bowman holds him in good stead, especially in Class 5. One they all must catch. #8 Daily Trophy turned his form around to finish second last start and he can improve again following that effort. The wide gate is the only knock on him. #10 Perfect Peach caught the eye late last start. He only needs to reproduce that effort to prove awfully competitive. #11 Good View Glory is yet to win but has an inside gate.
Race 3: Chaoyangmen Handicap (2nd Section)
#9 Winning Gold is so close to registering a breakthrough victory. He continues to improve and his last two outings have been superb, narrowly missing twice. He'll be closing hard and late. #8 Packing Brilliant improved last start and it is expected that he does that once more. He is shaping as a nice horse, however, added experience is what he really requires. #13 Young Horizon slots in light and has an ideal draw. He does rise in grade, however. #2 Kyeema steps down to Class 4. Keep safe.
Race 4: Dongsinan Handicap
#3 Baby Crystal loves the course and distance. He's a two-time winner from his last three starts and this contest shapes as suitable. He'll take catching here. #2 Flying High can mix his form but on his day he has what it takes. He is best suited down the straight, which is a bonus. #5 Northern Beaches has consistency on his side and if any of these don't rock up then he's the one who can easily pick up the pieces. #4 Stellar Express has done well across two starts and remains a threat this weekend.
Race 5: The Beijing Clubhouse Anniversary Cup Handicap (2nd Section)
#5 King Miles has finished fourth twice in as many appearances. He is open to improving again and this contest appears suitable, especially with Hugh Bowman retaining the ride. #6 Lucy In The Sky did plenty right on debut when finishing fifth. That was a solid first start and one that he can build on again with Karis Teetan up. #12 Hayday has found form of late and he's favoured under the featherweight from gate one. #9 Glory Elite is next in line. He's done well across three runs in Hong Kong.
Race 6: Dongzhimen Handicap
#5 Ka Ying Warrior is ever so close to breakthrough victory. Zac Purton sticks aboard and he gets a super chance here, especially from the wide gate which will afford him the right position close to the speed. #9 Lucky Symphony flashed home last start to finish second. He can take another forward step here and has big claims against this group. #11 Yoda's Choice is lightly raced but does continue to make all of the right improvements. #14 Ruby Sailing is next in line.
Race 7: The Hong Kong Lions Cup Handicap (1st Section)
#7 Lucky Touch ran enormous first-up to grab third. He can improve out of that effort and this doesn't appear to be an overly strong race. One to beat. #9 Awesome Treasure is looking to snap consecutive runner-up efforts. He's in the right vein of form to be competitive again. #12 New Power slots in light and has gate one on his side. Karis Teetan hops up and he should get a sweet run. #3 Super Highway gets a handy five pounds taken off his back. The inside gate is suitable.
Race 8: Jinbao Street Handicap
#1 Bundle Of Charm is in a serious purple patch of form. He is chasing consecutive wins and even at the age of five and after 30 starts, he does appear to have some more improvement still to come. #2 Atullibigeal is a classy operator and he gets his chance this weekend. He goes about his racing well. #4 Raging Blizzard is seeking a hat-trick of wins. Zac Purton sides with him again and his ascent appears far from over. #8 Gorgeous Win slots in light and is capable turning his form around. Next best.
Race 9: Chaoyangmen Handicap (1st Section)
#3 Top Scorer has been consistent across three starts with a trio of placings. He continues to not only race well but improve and the gate is ideal this weekend. #2 The Absolute has his fair share of class, however, the wide draw is a hindrance. Still, he's improving and appears to have several rating points in hand. #12 Aca Power has a powerful closing speed and if he receives a race run to suit then he can easily become a player. #9 Sky Trust is next in line. Don't discount.
Race 10: Jianguomen Handicap
#14 Foolish Heart has been knocking on the door of late. He slots in light here and has a good draw which will afford him every opportunity. He's worth taking a chance on. #4 Karma has the class and is expected to settle back from the wide gate. He'll be finishing fast. #6 Helene Warrior did well to grab fifth on debut. He's another with a poor draw, although his racing style should see him settle worse than midfield regardless. #5 Sinba is next best. He's been competitive of late.
Race 11: Dongcheng District Handicap
#14 Talents Ambition continues to progress and he's favoured under the featherweight. He's gone about his racing well so far across three starts in Hong Kong and further improvement is expected again, which could easily see him win. #8 Loyal Bo Bo is seeking a hat-trick of wins. He'll roll forward early in a bid to offset the challenging draw. #5 Holy Lake is a nice horse. He's a three-time winner this season who has remained competitive up in grade. #9 Sunstrider is next best. The inside gate suits.
