Best Bets | Sha Tin, 16 April 2022

Smiling Collector | (Sha Tin Race 4 No.3) / Good Beauty | (Sha Tin Race 4 No.11)

Smiling Collector ran a nice figure on debut whilst beating home two runners who have won well since in Happy Tango and My Ecstatic. He ended up saluting by a quarter of a length whilst doing plenty of things wrong in the run. I expect him to learn a bit from that run and really be a factor in this race from the ideal draw. Good Beauty made plenty of headway last start from the rear of the field. He ran the quickest final 600m, 400m, and 200m of the race, finishing around a length off Science Patch. The key here is the draw as they should be able to settle closer in the run but despite getting a claim, it is a jockey downgrade from Zac Purton. All going well, I expect a big run.

Suggested bet: 1.3 units @ $3.30 / 0.5 unit @ $8.50

Mission Smart | (Sha Tin Race 1 No.10)

I saw a much more improved effort last start over the mile when the blinkers came off and the cheekpieces went on. From the draw, they were able to settle in the front two and he kept kicking all the way to the line, finishing just over a length back in third. Drawn ideally again and back to 1400m suits, so I expect a similar run.

Suggested bet: No Bet @ $4.80

Utopia Life | (Sha Tin Race 2 No.2) / Wisdom Patch | (Sha Tin Race 2 No.11)

First of the all-weather races here and I don’t mind a couple with contrasting form. Utopia Life is first-up after 108 days who is coming into this off what I thought was a really good trial. He was able to settle in the first two and was well held all the way through. He has drawn wide here but the pace looks average, so I am expecting them to head forward. They will need some cheap sectionals because he will be lacking in fitness a touch, but he might just run a cheeky race. Wisdom Patch is up in grade following his luckless second behind Masterwork last time out. He is drawn awkwardly but with Joao aboard, I expect him to find a nice spot closer to the pace.

Suggested bet: 0.3 unit @ $15.00 / 0.7 unit @ $6.00

Stunning Impact | (Sha Tin Race 3 No.13) / Royal Pride | (Sha Tin Race 3 No.2)

Stunning Impact is first-up after a 188-day break following an injury to his left fore cannon bone in November last year. His one run on resumption last preparation he finished a close second to The Anomaly whilst running the race wide without cover. He has had one nice trial in preparation for this and he looks as though he will be ready to go first-up. The draw does worry me a touch but if Joao can use his magic throughout, he will be fighting out the finish. Royal Pride was good two back over 1200m, finishing within a length of Scotch Tycoon at the Valley before running a credible race over 1000m behind Flying Season. I love they are stepping back up in distance and the drop back in grade is certainly going to help his chances. He is drawn well and I am expecting a good run.

Suggested bet: 1.1 units @ $3.70 / 0.8 unit @ $5.00

Right As Rain | (Sha Tin Race 5 No.7) / Looking Cool | (Sha Tin Race 5 No.2)

Right As Rain got a fair way back last start before running some massive sectionals to finish 1.3 lengths back in third behind the winner Shanghai Dragon, who controlled the race well. They are sticking to the same distance, track, and rail position for this one and they have drawn better than last time and made a jockey change with Joao Moreira jumping aboard. He should sit closer in the run before unleashing and with even luck, goes close. Looking Cool is one I wanted to throw in because Zac Purton is on and the fact that the latest trial indicates he may take a more forward position and it won’t surprise me if they lead by default with the lack of pace. Back in grade will help and he could run a surprise race.

Suggested bet: 1.9 units @ $2.20 / 0.7 unit @ $6.00

Apache Pass | (Sha Tin Race 6 No.4)

I loved his run last start when he was overrun late by Party Everyday who he meets again here, slightly better at the weights. The key for him in this one is that he has drawn better than last start and is back to his much more preferred distance in 1650m. I expect him to be hard to catch.

Suggested bet: No Bet @ $3.20

Blotting Paper | (Sha Tin Race 8 No.9)

Not overly keen on this race but I thought Blotting Paper could run a nice race. He has run in the top three over the last three runs, all on the all-weather over this distance. His most recent second to Mission Bravo was his best and the form has stood up nicely with Mission Bravo winning again since. He actually meets in 3.5kg better off now and is drawn a touch better. I expect another solid run.

Suggested bet: No Bet @ $3.80

Campione | (Sha Tin Race 9 No.1) / Lightning Bolt | (Sha Tin Race 9 No.7)

This is a cracking race and a cracking clash, shame it’s on the all-weather. Campione was massive last start running a tremendous race over the 1200m Sha Tin turf, winning by a small margin in good figures. I think the all-weather will suit this horse and his style and there isn’t a lot of pace in terms of leaders, so he should get across nicely from the wide draw. He is going to be hard to catch if he gets his own way. Lightning Bolt goes in as a saver just in case Campione doesn’t get his way or fails to handle the all-weather. He won well two back and was close to winning last start, both on the all-weather, and from a nicer draw, and with Moreira on, I expect him to go close once again.

Suggested bet: 0.3 unit @ $14.00 / 2.2 units @ $1.90

Sauvestre | (Sha Tin Race 10 No.3) / Super Dynamite | (Sha Tin Race 10 No.4)

Sauvestre has been very good over his last two, winning two back before narrowly missing last start after shifting in a touch under pressure. He has drawn well this time in and should do little work behind a likely fast pace. I love that Purton is sticking and that gives me a lot of confidence in a solid run once again. Super Dynamite ran a close second behind the flying Galaxy Witness two back before winning well last start over similar opposition. He has drawn well once again and will likely sit with Sauvestre throughout and be given every chance.

Suggested bet: 1.2 units @ $3.40 / 0.8 unit @ $5.50

Total Units Used: 15 units

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