Hong Kong Racing
Sha Tin Preview - 4th May 2025
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - B Course
Race 1
#4 QUICK MONEY was narrowly beaten by THE ALL OUT on debut, with those two horses racing a long way clear of their rivals. On weights and measures, QUICK MONEY should turn the tables on THE ALL OUT as he meets him seven pounds better off and was only beaten a short head. The addition of the tongue tie may also bring out further improvement, while the benefit of previous racing experience is a further bonus in an event where he's taking on three unraced gallopers.
#1 THE ALL OUT won as a $1.2 favourite last time, leading all of the way and just holding off the challenge from QUICK MONEY. The seven pound penalty that he has to carry does make things tougher for him, but he's a proven winner over this course and distance, he and QUICK MONEY were miles clear of the rest, so I can't see anything else from that key form race challenging them. The fact that Zac Purton retains the ride is significant, he's drawn to be in the right part of the track and I'm sure he will have taken improvement from that debut outing.
#8 WIN METHOD kicks off his career in this event. He's trained by Danny Shum, who's got a reasonable record in these griffin races and although he's only had one barrier trial leading into this, he did get to the line well in that trial. The start will be crucial for him as he missed the break in that trial at Conghua, so if he can jump with them, he's a winning chance but if not, then look for him to be getting to the line well for the minor money with further improvement to come.
#2 KIAMA has had a good foundation for his first trip to the races, with three barrier trials under his belt. He didn't necessarily impress me at the trials but he's worth consideration alone because of the John Size factor alone, and the master trainer wouldn't be sending him to the races if he wasn't ready to go.
#9 ZHOU GONGJIN has had the benefit of three barrier trials and has shown enough early speed in those to suggest that he can take up a forward spot in running and then stick around for a placing.
Selections : 4,1,8,2,9
R2 - 6,1,2,13,5
R3 - 1,4,14,6,7
R4 - 5,8,4,3,6
R5 - 2,1,6,5,9
R6 - 8,3,2,1,9
R7 - 3,6,1,14,10
Race 8
#4 BUNDLE AWARD is a promising, lightly raced, progressive horse in a race where his rivals or fairly exposed or have at least found their level. He won twice leading into this year's Hong Kong Derby, where he was then only beaten a couple of lengths by Cap Ferrat. He's had one run since then, where he found the line well to finish fourth behind Californiatotality, the main form reference to this event. The way that he's getting to the line suggests that he'll handle the step up to 2400m,he's well weighted with further rating points in hand and in a race where tactics will be important, he's got champion jockey Zac Purton on. He's the one to beat.
#1 FIVE G PATCH is one of the class angles to this race, having finished second in this race last year, second in the Champions and Chater Cup behind outstanding Godolphin galloper Rebel's Romance, while earlier this season, he was only a few lengths off Giavellotto, Dubai Honour and Stellenbosch in the Hong Kong Vase. He's got to lump the top weight, but those form references are very strong for a race like this, while having Hugh Bowman aboard in what is bound to be a tactical affair is also a big plus.
#6 BRAVEHEARTS heads into this event second up after a three month break. He got to the line well behind Californiatotality last time, he will have improved for that run, he gets in with a lightweight and is from the in-form Mark Newnham stable. He's proven that he can stay by winning over 2000m in Hong Kong while he's a group one winner in Argentina over 2400m. He's a very interesting contender in this event and is certainly capable of winning it.
#2 LA CITY BLANCHE doesn't get many opportunities to win as an out and out stayer with his rating, but this is the kind of race that he can win. He won it last year at over 20-1, and actually was in similar form then to what he is now. The big difference this year however is the weight, as he won it on the minimum last year, while this time he's got the joint top weight of 135lbs. Nevertheless, he'll relish racing over this trip against this level of opposition under handicap conditions, and should make his presence felt.
#3 WINNING DRAGON is an honest campaigner who's rarely far away and on the form lines that he has behind Voyage Bubble and Chancheng Glory, he's capable of filling a placing.
Selections : 4,1,6,2,3
R9 - 4,11,1,9,8
R10 - 2,6,9,11,7
Race 11
#1 BRILLIANT EXPRESS is a promising young horse who's destined for bigger and better things. He's won three of his last five starts, he's trained by the legendary John Size who excels with these types of horses, and although a wide barrier and top weight mightn't look ideal, he sat three wide throughout the race last time out and was still too good for them. 1400m is his pet trip, while it's also worth noting that off his rating of 80, Size could haver run him at the bottom of class two but has elected to run him at the top of class three here. He's the type of horse that can win this and then win again in stronger company before this season is over.
#2 THE BOOM BOX had plenty of hype surrounding him after he won his first three starts in a row, but has then been beaten at his two latest outings. His latest defeat came at the hands of Brilliant Express, who covered more ground than him and was still too good. Zac Purton sticks with him and he does meet him four pounds better off at the weights, but I still believe that he'll need to find a little more to exact revenge on BRILLIANT EXPRESS, all things being equal.
#7 SUPER INFINITY should be at peak fitness for this race, which will be his third run back from a break. I liked the way that he got to the line last time, he looks like he's building towards his next win, while he's also reasonably well weighted. He's a consistent horse, Harry Bentley has a good record on him, and he should be thereabouts once again.
#9 YUEN LONG ELITE was incredibly brave in defeat last time, as he had to work to the lead and was then only run down late by a pretty handy horse in Another World, with those two putting a margin on the rest of the field. He's tactically versatile, he's in form, Keith Yeung knows how to get the best out of him and he should be very competitive here.
#12 SAVVY WARRIOR is a likely improver from the David Eustace stable. I liked the way that he got home over the last 100m of his Hong Kong debut, he'll have improved for the run and he'll also appreciate the step up to 1400m. He's one to consider at value or for the multiples.
Selections - 1,2,7,9,12
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