Sha Tin 19 April 2020

Preview and form for Sha Tin
17 April 2020 by Declan Schuster - hkjc.com
Preview and form for the meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday. Selections by Declan Schuster.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, April 19, 2020)

Race 1: #2 Joy Master, #4 Liverbird Star, #1 Hurricane Hunter, #8 Supreme Plus
Race 2: #10 California Legend, #7 Full Power, #2 Defining Moment, #14 Plikclone
Race 3: #14 Super Red Dragon, #6 This One’s For You, #1 Jade Fortune, #7 Strathclyde
Race 4: #5 Cantstopthefeeling, #14 Foodie Princess, #8 Clear Choice, #2 Superich
Race 5: #1 Super Power Man, #6 Excel Delight, #9 General Trump, #12 Adonis
Race 6: #6 Telecom Rocket, #5 Heza Beauty, #4 Team Power, #13 Eptiwins
Race 7: #2 Handsome Bo Bo, #4 Fantasy, #9 Glenealy Generals, #8 Grade One
Race 8: #9 Star Luck, #2 Utopia Life, #1 Elite Patch, #4 Just Not Listening
Race 9: #12 Will Power, #4 Encore Boy, #2 Kings Shield, #1 Gunnison
Race 10: #2 Mighty Giant, #8 Juneau Park, #12 Triple Triple, #11 Sonic Fighter

Race 1: Waterloo Handicap

#2 Joy Master receives a welcome step back to Class 5. His last run in this grade returned a win and with Zac Purton now taking over, he rates as the one to beat. #4 Liverbird Star won well three starts ago. He’s held his condition nicely and, in this grade, he is competitive, if he can offset the wide gate. #1 Hurricane Hunter mixes his form but appears to be another one who has returned to his mark. Joao Moreira retains the ride it’s just a question of how far back he will settle in the run because he can be his own worst enemy at times. #8 Supreme Plus has taken his time to acclimatise, but just might be ready to piece it all together now.

Race 2: Suffolk Handicap

#10 California Legend struggled on the dirt last time out but a return to the turf here should spark sharp improvement. He’s a two-time winner already this season and from the good draw, with Karis Teetan aboard, he can dictate terms to suit and he might prove hard to reel in. #7 Full Power won well last start. Zac Purton jumps aboard and he appears to have a number of rating points still in hand. #2 Defining Moment is consistent. He has to contend with the wide gate though in his favour, is that he is likely to settle near the tail of the field, the concern is whether he gets a race run to suit as a fast tempo will favour him. #14 Plikclone is next best. He’s an ever-improving gelding from the David Hall yard who has ability and has shown that it’s only a matter of time before he does breakthrough.

Race 3: Somerset Handicap

#14 Super Red Dragon is racing well having placed in his last three outings and gets in light here with only 116lb on his back. He’s shown he’s competitive in Class 4 and the soft gate should provide him with every chance. #6 This One’s For You loves the dirt as a course and distance winner already this term. Slight concern is how far back in the run he plans to get but with a race run to suit he can figure. #1 Jade Fortune returned to form last start at his first attempt in Class 4. He’s the class runner of the field and his best can’t be underestimated. #7 Strathclyde is next best, he just needs a fair bit to go his way as he is a tricky horse.

Race 4: Essex Handicap

#5 Cantstopthefeeling has taken his time to acclimatise to life in Hong Kong but he has shown glimpses of ability. He scored nicely in a recent trial on the dirt and he just might be worth taking a chance on here, especially if he is a price. #14 Foodie Princess has gone from strength to strength this term, winning two out of his last three races. He has gate 13 to contend with here but does get in light with only 114lb on his back and championship leading jockey Joao Moreira up. #8 Clear Choice is another who relishes the surface. He rarely runs bad race and is favoured by the inside gate here which should allow him to do next to no work in transit. #4 Superich is going to do a lot of work from the wide ally but his beginning to hit a purple patch of form. He’s worth respecting, especially with Zac Purton up.

Race 5: Kent Handicap

#1 Super Power Man surprised when making all last time out at 23/1. Though surprising, he was ultra-impressive and he appears capable of doing similar again. He’s drawn to get the right run for the in-form Chad Schofield who can ensure he finds the front early from gate two. #6 Excel Delight is looking to snap a streak of two runner-up efforts. He’s racing well and as a winner already this term he commands respect, especially with Joao Moreira up again. #9 General Trump is regularly underestimated. He’s won two of his last four including two other minor placings and this race looks well within his grasp. #12 Adonis is next best as a two-time winner this term. Only concern is that it will be his first run on the dirt this campaign.

Race 6: Norfolk Handicap

#6 Telecom Rocket is racing in easily career-best form. He got off the mark four starts ago and since then has been racing well. He came from well back in the field last start to miss narrowly over this course and distance. #5 Heza Beauty has shown steady improvement across his three starts in Hong Kong. He can figure again with the right run from gate three under Joao Moreira. #4 Team Power is a talent on the rise with two placings from his first three starts in Hong Kong. He’s well-weighted here and has proven that he is up to this level. He warrants respect. #13 Eptiwins is a costly conveyance but at his second start for David Hall, he bears close watching.

Race 7: Cumberland Handicap

#2 Handsome Bo Bo has placed in his last two outings, the latest with three-time champion jockey Zac Purton who hops up again. He’s found his mark and with further improvement here, he can go on with it. #4 Fantasy has hit the ground running since commencing his career in Hong Kong as a two-time winner from six attempts, including his latest. He remains in Class 3 which suits and the favourable draw should see him contest the finish. #9 Glenealy Generals has gone close on a number of occasion this season without winning. His consistent best warrants respect. #8 Grade One is looking for back-to-back wins. The awkward gate makes life difficult but on his day he should be thereabouts.

Race 8: Devon Handicap

#9 Star Luck returns to the dirt where he is a two-time winner. He’s been a conundrum this season, mixing his form and the like but if he does manage to put his best foot forward on his preferred surface, then he is capable of taking this out. #2 Utopia Life scored an overdue win last time out and if he’s held his condition out of that run then he’s going to be thereabouts once again. He has some ability and the inside gate will allow him to showcase it. #1 Elite Patch loves the dirt. He steps back to Class 3 where he is a two-time winner and his best warrants respect, especially in this grade. #4 Just Not Listening was a three-time winner over this course and distance last season but has failed to get over the line this term. Still, he has those runs under his belt and the inside gate is to his favour.

Race 9: Cornwall Handicap

#12 Will Power is a three-time winner on the dirt from four career starts and since his debut has enjoyed an astonishing 29-point rise in the ratings. He faces Class 2 here for the first time which makes things difficult, but he does get a key weight relief with only 118lb on his back and his latest trial suggests that he’s right on track for this assignment. #4 Encore Boy loves the course and distance as a two-time winner. This is a suitable contest and although he might be at the ceiling of his ability, he does get a nice draw and maps to get the dream run throughout. #2 Kings Shield appears somewhat of a dirt specialist. He ran a bold race last time out and if he can further improve off that he’s going to be in the thick of things, especially a strong record on the dirt (2: 1-1-0). #1 Gunnison hasn’t won since 2018. Still, he’s been racing out of his grade and a return to this course and distance should spark improvement.

Race 10: Dorset Handicap

#2 Mighty Giant has enjoyed a rapid rise to success having won three out of his last four starts finishing second in the other. He won well at his Class 3 debut last start and three-time champion jockey Zac Purton also has an unblemished record aboard him. He can win again. #8 Juneau Park is looking for his third consecutive win. He’s another on the rise as a lightly raced galloper and he’s going to test Mighty Giant here. #12 Triple Triple mixes his form but has pieced together a number of nice runs. He gets in light and is capable of grabbing some prize money. #11 Sonic Fighter is next best.

In Race 10 I really fancy #8 Juneau Park.

Anthony Delpech Best Bets

Anthony Delpech is a three-time South African jockey champion, and four-time winner of the Vodacom Durban July. He rode in Hong Kong for five years, winning many races including five Group 1 races.

Sha Tin (Hong Kong)
Sunday 19th April 2020

Race 3 – 07:45

14 – SUPER RED DRAGON (6)
Trainer: W Y So
Jockey: Karis Teetan

AD Comments: “Holding form well. Got a light weight. In-form Karis Teetan above.”

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Race 5 – 09:05

1 - SUPER POWER MAN (2)
Trainer: K L Man
Jockey: Chad Schofield

AD Comments: “Lightly raced. Won well last start. Should repeat!”

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Race 6 – 09:40

4 – TEAM POWER (2)
Trainer: P F Yiu
Jockey: Chad Schofield

AD Comments: “Ran on well last start. Should win this time.”

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Race 7 – 10:10

4 - FANTASY (1)
Trainer: C S Shum
Jockey: J Moreira

AD Comments: “Won well last time out. Hasn’t finished outside the top 4 in last 6 runs.”

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Race 9 – 11:15

12 - WILL POWER (5)
Trainer: Douglas Whyte
Jockey: Karis Teetan

AD Comments: “Won 3 out of his last 4 starts on the track.”

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Race 10 – 11:50

2 – Mighty Giant (4)
Trainer: P F Yiu
Jockey: Zac Purton

AD Comments: “Won his last 2 starts. In good form.”

Tim Carroll of www.attheraces.com give his views on the card.
Zac Purton was in fine form at Wednesdays Happy Valley meeting riding a treble and with Joao Moreira drawing a blank,
Purton now only trails Moreira by one single winner with both now cracking the tonne.
I was running through some numbers during the week and with a combined total of 201 winners, Purton and Moreira have ridden nearly 35% of the total winners we have seen in Hong Kong this season.
Amazingly there hasn’t been a meeting conducted at Sha Tin this season (commenced 1 Sept), where one or the other haven't been successful.
With that in mind, lets move onto this weeks Sha Tins selections.
My Each-Way (EW) play on the card is LIVERBIRD STAR, who runs in Race 1, The Class 5 Waterloo Handicap (5.45am), over 7 furlongs.
Its difficult to predict how they’ll bet here, but this looks a tricky Class 5 contest to get things underway, thus I’m hoping for some sort of price about the selection, but I wouldn’t put you off just having a win bet if he comes up a bit short.
On form the class dropper Joy Master (2) along with both Hurricane Hunter (1), and Seize The Spirit (3) have to be given serious consideration, but all three like to be ridden cold and I don’t see any speed in the contest.
Thus Liverbird Star, despite the high draw, should be able to get across without to much trouble and is more than likely to be on the sharp end of proceedings.
The Paul O’Sullivan five-year-old was second over course and distance last time out when two lengths clear of Hurricane Hunter and is only 1lb worse off today. He won over the Sha Tin mile three starts back, and if it pans out that this is run at a sedate tempo as the speed map suggests, it argues well for the selection that he will sit forward in a 7 furlong race having won over further.
My Next Best on the card is SUPER RED DRAGON, who runs in Race 3, The Class 4 Somerset Handicap (6.45am), over 1 mile (1650m) on the dirt.
The five-year-old from the Chris So yard was second in behind Righteous Mate (5) last time out over course and distance in a run that should be marked up. They went far too quick up front that day in a race that saw four of the first five across the line come from the very tail of the field, with our selection being the only one to defy the mad tempo.
It helps that he meets the winner on 5lb better terms today and whilst this race should be run at a solid enough clip with the likes of 12, 9 & 10 likely to go forward, it shouldn’t be the mad scramble we saw last time.
Super Red Dragon is drawn in 6 today and he should be able to grab a comfortable trailing position once again. From the very foot of the weights the selection should go very close to atoning for an unlucky run last time when he nearly defied a pace melt down.
My Nap on the card is FOODIE PRINCESS, who runs in race 4, The Class 3 Essex Handicap (7.15am) over 1 mile (1650m) on the dirt.
Don’t let the name fool you, the selection is a four-year-old gelding from the Chris So yard who weighs in at around 1260lb.
I love the angle we see here in that we have a horse going up in grade, into a Class 3 that doesn’t look strong on paper, but will be carrying a massive 18lbs less than he did last time out.
On that occasion he was runner up when he looked all over the winner but simply didn’t see out the 9 furlongs. Today he drops back to the mile, and given both his wins have been over course and distance, that is a major positive. He’s had four runs over today's trip for two wins and rattled home to not be beaten far in the other two from high draws.
He has drawn high again today, but with a bit of speed drawn just underneath him, Id like to think that Joao Moreira will be able to get him into a nice trailing position, ideally around mid division with some cover.
Speaking of the Magic Man, it's worth noting that Moreira, who is locked in a hell of a battle with Purton for this year's title, has jumped off one of the few in this with recent winning form, Ping Hai Treasure, who he has ridden in all twelve starts to date.
From the bottom of the weights, this big lump of a horse should take all the beating today, especially given he now drops back to his best trip.
REMAINDER OF THE CARD
Race 2: Class 4 Tai Suffolk Handicap (6.15am), over 9 furlongs
Giant Turtle is the class dropper and should be respected with a 5lb claim on his back and dropping down to this level for the first time. His last win came off a mark 18lb higher than this, but that was some time ago.
I thought FULL POWER was the one to be with here. The Richard Gibson four-year-old has only had the eight starts and was seen winning for the first time last time out over the mile here at Sha Tin. On that occasion he needed every yard of the mile to pick up the eventual runner-up, thus the step up to 9 furlongs looks ideal.
He does go up 5lb today, but he’s a horse very much on the way up and the race maps to set up exactly as it did for him last time with the selection parking in behind the leaders with the perfect trail. From there the son of Frankel should go close to making it two on the bounce.
Race 5: Class 4 Kent Handicap (7.30am), over 6 furlongs on the dirt
It’s difficult to go past SUPER POWER MAN in this. The three-year-old from the Manfred Man yard was last seen in February when winning at just the second time of asking over course and distance.
On that occasion he blasted out from stall 12 to make all and win comfortably enough in a race that has produced three subsequent winners including the runner up.
He goes up 7lb today but he still just qualifies for a Class 4 contest, and today he’s drawn down in 2 which theoretically means he shouldn’t have to do nearly as much early work as he did last time.
The selection could have easily gone in under the Next-Best category today, but you can’t fit them all in and as it’s the first leg of the Placepot (see below), I think we will simply use him as one of bankers in our perm.
Race 6: Class 4 Norfolk Handicap (8.40am), over 7 furlongs
HEZA BEAUTY was responsible for a monster effort last time out when he blew the start by a significant margin then had to be steadied mid race when awkwardly placed before running third, only beaten a length, needles to say he should have won.
The winner of that race has since come out and been a very unlucky second, thus the form has a decent look to it.
The selection draws in 3 here and although the speed maps would suggest he’ll be well back in the second half of the field,
I actually don’t agree. At his penultimate start the orders where to ride the horse forward, but he lunged at the gates and plan ‘A’ went out the window, but he was still able to sit better than mid division.
Provided he jumps cleanly (and that’s no certainty, hence why he’s not in calculations for today's Next Best or Nap) I suspect he will very much be in the first half of the field, and from there he should take a plenty of holding out.
Race 7: Class 3 Cumberland Handicap (9.10am), over 6 furlongs
On paper this looks between FANTASY and Handsome Bo Bo. They met last time with the former coming out on top, however the latter is now 8lb better off for a two-length defeat.
But I think the selection can confirm the form once again.
Whilst Handsome Bo Bo is a good old stick, he’s fully exposed, there is no upside to him, plus he hasn’t won for two years. Conversely Fantasy has only had six starts and has plenty of scope, and he should be capable of taking another step forward.
One telling statistic for the six furlongs on the turf track at Sha Tin is that gate 1 is striking at 21% with only two other gates holding double figure strike rates headed by gate 3 (13%).
The selection has drawn the plum 1 gate and the race maps perfectly as he’s likely to go forward and from there, the progressive four-year-old from the Danny Shum yard should go close to making it win number three.
Race 8: Class 3 Devon Handicap (9.40am), over 6 furlongs on the dirt
JUST NOT LISTENING will be the selection in race that looks open on paper. The five-year-old from the John Moore yard has been placed over course and distance at his last two including when runner-up last time out to Utopia Life (2).
On that occasion, he was three lengths behind the winner, but it was on a rain- affected track and in a race that barley changed complexion from top to tail the entire way with the winner making all.
Today the selection meets the winner 9lb better off, and with no rain forecast (hopefully the bureau are on the money), I’d suggest Just Not Listening will go very close to turning the form around from a mark that looks workable.
Race 9: Class 2 Cornwall Handicap (1015am), over 6 furlongs
WILL POWER is an exciting four-year-old with low mileage on the clock winning three of his four career starts. He’s quickly ascending the grades having started off in Class 4 company and now finds himself going into a Class 2 for the first time.
All three wins have been over course and distance and although he goes up in grade, he’s found a Class 2 that looks winnable and it certainly helps that the race map looks ideal.
Winner Supreme is likely to belt along from the front to ensure this is run at a solid tempo. That will suit those off the pace and with the selection most likely to be in the second half of the field, look for Douglas Whyte’s runner to be rattling home under a light-weight.
Race 10: Class 3 Dorset Handicap (1050am), over 7 furlongs
MIGHTY GIANT is an exciting four-year-old from the Ricky Yiu yard and will be the selection in a race that sees several with solid claims.
The selection has won three of his last four starts and was impressive in winning from the front at this level over course and distance last time out. He goes up 8lb today, and in race like this I can’t say that’s not a concern, but he won so impressively last time, plus he’s a decent lump of a horse, thus I think he’ll cope with the hike in the handicap.
He could have some opposition for the lead here with Smoothies likely to want a piece of the action early. But that doesn’t worry me in the slightest as he’s already proven he can win when grabbing a tail and if that’s how it pans out, it will only help him lug the extra pounds to hopefully make it win number four at just his seventh outing.
TIM'S BEST BETS:
5.45am SHA TIN (Race 1)
LIVERBIRD STAR (EACH-WAY)
6.45am SHA TIN (Race 3)
SUPER RED DRAGON (NEXT BEST)
7.15am SHA TIN (Race 4)
FOODIE PRINCESS (NAP)