Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of Sept. 7
Racing at Sha Tin begins late Saturday night U.S. time at 12:50 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
Race 1: KOWLOON PEAK HANDICAP
#2 Joyful Prosperity makes his Class 5 debut and first run for Danny Shum. His Class 4 form suggests a strong showing if the wide barrier doesn't hinder his chances. #8 Go Go Go is a long-standing maiden but is itching to break through with Zac Purton in the saddle. #4 Mr Aladdin had plenty of chances in Class 4 last season but didn't deliver. He should find Class 5 easier and can make his mark. #13 Happy Hunk has no form to write home about, but he may receive an uncontested lead and could improve for a place.
Race 2: LIN FA SHAN HANDICAP
#3 Super Elite improved after a stable transfer from Ricky Yiu to David Hall, as seen when he won by two lengths last time. He could still have more to offer this season. #1 Tattenham placed third on his first try in Class 5 last time and looks poised for a win in this grade. #9 Same To You resumes on a low mark and trialed well ahead of his return. #5 Smart Leader is back in Class 5, where he is more effective and should be followed closely.
Race 3: THE HKSAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S CUP (HANDICAP)
#8 Beauty Waves slots in nicely at the weights in a race that historically favors those with a light impost. Conditions and a kind draw in barrier No. 2 are ideal. #1 Ka Ying Rising is a star in the making. While conditions don't favor him, his class will carry him a long way. #3 Lucky With You finds an easier contest than in recent starts. Runner-up finishes to Lucky Sweynesse and Victor The Winner place him in good stead. #2 Flying Ace will enjoy a true tempo and will be making his presence felt in the concluding stages.
Race 4: LANTAU PEAK HANDICAP
#1 Fast Network was a smart course and distance winner on debut. The four-year-old has upside and remaining in Class 4 places him as the one to beat. #12 Parents' Love is a reliable beginner and is better than his record suggests, and improvement is expected. #2 Metro Warrior is an honest straight-track performer and is rarely beaten far in this grade, while his draw suits the straight course. #11 Super Glory trialed well for his return and, being lightly raced, has potential to improve this campaign.
Smart debut! 🫡 Fast Network zooms to a commanding first-up win at Sha Tin for @zpurton and Dennis Yip... #HKracing pic.twitter.com/LT0b0NsUX1
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 8, 2024
Race 5: YI TUNG SHAN HANDICAP
#4 My Wish was narrowly beaten in his second race last term. He returns to the races after catching the eye at the trials. A maiden win looks imminent. #1 California Deeply makes his debut in Class 4, and his competitiveness in Class 3 augurs well for his chances, especially with Zac Purton on board. #5 Super Bonus is eyeing a hat-trick of wins upon resuming. He will press forward and make his own luck from an inside draw. #2 Yeah Buddy will find Class 4 easier and is poised for improvement this campaign.
Race 6: MA ON SHAN HANDICAP
#4 Highland Rahy is lightly raced in Hong Kong and resumes this season in Class 4. He can find the front from pole position, and the booking of Vincent Ho instills confidence. #3 Fighting Machine is better than his record of one win suggests. He is well-prepared for his return and could pick up an early-season win. #11 Forerunner regained form after a stable transfer to Cody Mo last season and is due for another win. #9 Charity For All has Hugh Bowman in the saddle and is primed to continue on an improving trajectory this campaign.
Race 7: TAI MO SHAN HANDICAP
#7 Frantanck may receive an uncontested lead, and a well-timed ride could see him pinch this, especially with Angus Chung back aboard. #1 Supreme Lucky trialed up well for his return. He is always close up in a finish, and trainer Danny Shum's runners are formidable early-season contenders. #4 Superb Boy is a model of consistency and will be favored from an on-pace position with Zac Purton remaining on board. #2 Chiu Chow Spirit was in superb form towards the end of last season, capped by a course and distance win. He remains in good order.
Race 8: MA ON SHAN HANDICAP
#7 Family Jewel showed promise in two runs last campaign and was a particular eye-catcher in a recent trial, finding a winnable contest here. #8 Solid Win lines up for just his third career start and has upside, making him one to follow. #12 Gangnam Star broke through at the top of Class 5 in his final run of the season. Returning to Class 4 doesn't diminish his chances here, especially as he hails from Pierre Ng's stable. #1 Ballistic Win won decisively the last time he raced and could have more to come.
Race 9: YI TUNG SHAN HANDICAP
#1 First Love won convincingly on his second run last season and is headed higher in the ratings this campaign under Pierre Ng. #8 Geneva has shown promise but is yet to deliver a win. He gets his chance with Hugh Bowman firmly committing. #6 Master Mastermind is overdue for a win, and the application of blinkers for the first time should switch him on. #5 Harold Win was close to breaking through last season, his first win now well within reach.
Race 10: SUNSET PEAK HANDICAP
#1 Gorgeous Win returns to Class 3 and reunites with Zac Purton. He is poised for a return to the winner's enclosure and gets conditions to suit. #6 Silo is having his second start in Hong Kong, looking well in his recent trial, and with better things to come this campaign. #3 Young Superstar won impressively on his local debut but disappointed second-up. He can give a sight should front-running tactics be adopted from the wide gate. #5 Glory Elite is chasing a hat-trick of wins on the class rise and should measure up.
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