Best Bet | Lightning Bolt (Sha Tin Race 10 No.9)
I am with this European import having his second start in Hong Kong. Usually, the task of coming to Hong Kong and being thrown straight into a Class 3 is a tough one and his debut was no exception. Backed into favouritism, the son of Acclamation had a nice run until the straight where he was met with a wall and as he tried to get out, he was met with another hurdle. Once out, it was too late but his acceleration over the final stages was enough to secure fourth. This is a slightly tougher Class 3, but I believe with clear air, he is going to give this race a shake. Karis Teetan takes the reins and providing he stays within range on the bend, he is going to be storming home late. 2u @ $3.30
Next Best | Beluga (Sha Tin Race 11 No.1)
There isn’t a lot of depth to this Class 2 and no doubt the money will come for rival Senor Toba, but he must be some query with the drop back to 1800m. Our bloke is a model of consistency finishing on the podium in 81% of his races and winning 5 of those 16 starts. Two back he beat home Savvy Nine and Zebrowski who have both either won or finished in the top 3 in their Group 3 starts since. Last start he easily beat home Ima Single Man and The Irishman who ran well in the Hong Kong Mile. Chadwick will have a decision to make from the draw but with even luck, he has got to be a massive chance to take out the final race. 1u @ $5.50
Other Bets
Lucky Express (Sha Tin Race 4 No.2)
This race is the highlight of the card, the Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup and I strongly believe this bloke is into it up to his ears. I am putting a line through his International Hong Kong Mile run two back and concentrating on his effort last start in the Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup. The pace wasn’t ideal, and he had no right to get as close as he did from where he was. He gets to drop back in grade slightly, gets Zac Purton back on and has since trialled twice in preparation for this. He should be hard to beat. 1u @ $3.00
Sauvestre (Sha Tin Race 7 No.3) & Horsesain Bolt (Sha Tin Race 7 No.5)
Going with the dual bet here as both are very capable but have a ‘what if’ above their heads. Sauvestre is coming off a last placing where he was found to have an irregular heartbeat afterwards, so a line goes through that run. Prior he had been racing well without winning. Trialled well in preparation for this and with Zac Purton back on from a nice draw, I expect a solid run. Horsesain Bolt is coming off a nice placing behind Navas Two, so the form stands up nicely and our bloke arguably could have finished closer if not for the interference in this race. With this being Blake Shinn’s second ride on him, expect him to put him into the finish once again 1u @ $4.40 & 1u @ $3.20
Oriental Smoke (Sha Tin Race 8 No.4)
Two good progressive horses go head-to-head here with Joao on one and Zac on the other. With the step-up to 1200m, I fancy our bloke to go one better than he did last start. In that start over the 1000m, he hit the line with gusto behind Whizz Kid, running the 12th quickest last 200m of the entire meeting. Zac Purton jumps aboard which is a nice indication of his thoughts around this bloke, and if he can navigate a nice path and stay within range from the draw, I think he can get over the likely favourite and rival Galaxy Witness. 1u @ $3.50
Running Glory (Sha Tin Race 9 No.12)
It’s not easy stepping up in grade, but the way this son of Kermadec finished off the race last start in Class 4, I see no reason why the step up in grade can’t be fruitful. He saluted in nice fashion over the 1400m, coming from the rear of the field to put the field away by over three lengths. His sectionals on the day were very nice, finishing in the top 10 for the final 800m, 600m and 400m sectionals and top 5 for the final 200m sectional for the entire meeting. He will have the task of coming from the back again due to the draw but there should be enough speed to bring him into the race. We will need luck, but I think he is up to the grade. 1u @ $3.00
Card Picks
Race 1 No.7 Sunny and Gold
Race 2 No.1 Happy Dailly
Race 3 No.1 Cordyceps Six
Race 4 No.2 Lucky Express
Race 5 No.4 Science Patch
Race 6 No.4 Champion Pal
Race 7 No.3 Sauvestre
Race 8 No.4 Oriental Smoke
Race 9 No.12 Running Glory
Race 10 No.9 Lightning Bolt (BB)
Race 11 No.1 Beluga (NB)