Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of March 14

The racing action at Sha Tin kicks off at 1 a.m. ET late Friday night, and Luke Middlebrook furnishes selections and analysis for the 10-race card.

Sha Tin Selections

Race 1: #10 Speedy Smartie, #3 The Concentration, #2 Fairy Horse, #5 World Hero
Race 2: #6 Manythanks Forever, #5 Soaring Bronco, #4 Smashing Express, #3 Strongest Boy
Race 3: #9 Super Strong Kid, #1 Cheval Valiant, #7 Honest Witness, #2 Thunder Prince
Race 4: #6 Dazzling Fit, #2 Crossborderpegasus, #3 Super Love, #5 Dash
Race 5: #4 Gold Master, #2 Volcanic Spark, #8 Good Good, #3 Serangoon
Race 6: #9 Monarch County, #3 Good Luck Babe, #7 Win Speed, #1 Fun Together
Race 7: #2 Sunlight Power, #6 Voyage Samurai, #1 Nimble Nimbus, #5 Karma
Race 8: #6 Geneva, #4 Lifeline Express, #9 Lo Pan Spirit, #7 Flying Ting Lok
Race 9: #5 Juneau Pride, #10 Victory Sky, #2 Kaholo Angel, #12 Master Of All
Race 10: #6 Hong Lok Golf, #7 Sky Jewellery, #1 Sky Trust, #3 Beauty Crescent

Race Analysis

Race 1: SNAPDRAGON HANDICAP

#10 Speedy Smartie is on the verge of a win in this grade, needing only a smooth run to capitalize. Both runs at this course and distance since the class drop have seen him forced to race wide from outside gates, yet he has not been beaten far. He has what it takes to win this. #3 The Concentration won well last time, but questions remain over whether he can repeat the dose. However, the speed map looks to be in his favor, especially from barrier 3. #2 Fairy Horse has been improving since sliding down into Class 5, and his first-up, fast-finishing third at Happy Valley suggests he is building towards his first win. He receives a significant jockey upgrade with Hugh Bowman aboard, as well as the advantage of pole position. #5 World Hero can improve on his second attempt in Class 5. His first run in the grade was a pass mark, finishing sixth and not beaten far.

Race 2: DAHLIA HANDICAP

#6 Manythanks Forever has turned his form around since joining Chris So’s stable this season, and his last-start 11th-place finish is one to forget. He was held up from the top of the straight until passing the 50-meter mark when the race was all but over. A move into a low gate should turn his luck around. #5 Soaring Bronco can give this race a shake as he returns to Class 5 for the second time. His first attempt at this level saw him unsuited over 1800 meters on the all-weather, and his last start is best forgiven as he raced wide without cover over the same trip. #4 Smashing Express may have found the 2200 meters a stretch too far last time, but his prior form at this distance suggests he will be more competitive here. #3 Strongest Boy will need luck from a wide draw but makes his Class 5 debut and trialed encouragingly between runs, suggesting he is a player here.

Race 3: CHINESE HIBISCUS HANDICAP

#9 Super Strong Kid had plenty go wrong on debut when finishing second to Justifying. He was slow to begin, crowded, and lost ground before being held up for some time. Once in the clear, he closed off strongly and can go one place better second-up. #1 Cheval Valiant drops back into Class 4, where his chances are much stronger, as seen five starts ago when he showed them a clean pair of heels and made all. He comes off the back of an encouraging trial and can bounce back. #7 Honest Witness is a three-year-old newcomer for David Hayes who has shown promise at the trials. He may prove a pace influence based on his trial tactics, and while he could be looking for further than the minimum trip, he is one to follow with more racing. #2 Thunder Prince steps into Class 4 for the first time and can be expected to improve. Some of his efforts in Class 3 have been encouraging enough to suggest he will make his mark at this level soon.

Race 4: AZALEA HANDICAP

#6 Dazzling Fit unfortunately steps away from barrier 10 on debut for the David Eustace yard, but he has been catching the eye in each of his trials, both in Hong Kong and in New Zealand prior to import. He looks well educated and well prepared to make a first-up statement. #2 Crossborderpegasus is the one they all have to beat from barrier 2 after his impressive debut win for leading trainer John Size. He was green on that occasion, hanging in the straight, but natural talent got him across the line, so there is plenty to work with as he matures with racing. #3 Super Love made big improvement from his debut run to score well second-up. He remains a strong contender. #5 Dash is a newcomer for the Douglas Whyte stable and has also shown ability in his trials. It won’t be a surprise to see him in the finish.

Race 5: THE ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG RACING JOURNALISTS CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)

#4 Gold Master is beginning to find his niche as he steps up over more suitable ground. After securing his first win two starts ago over the mile, he backed it up with a closing third behind Mister Dapper and now looks ready for 1800 meters. Barrier 1 ensures a sweet run in transit. #2 Volcanic Spark is building toward another win since returning to Class 4 and put the writing on the wall at this course and distance last start with a near last-to-second finish. #8 Good Good appears poised to enjoy a cozy time on the lead if they choose to roll forward from barrier 13. The improving four-year-old has more to offer with racing for the Size stable. #3 Serangoon capitalized on a better draw last start, mapping much closer to the speed before winning comfortably by a length over 2200 meters. He moves out to barrier 9, which isn’t the worst, and remains well placed in Class 4.

Race 6: HYDRANGEA HANDICAP

#9 Monarch County has been showing promise over 1200 meters but relished the step up to 1400 meters for the first time last start, closing strongly into third. He has since turned in two solid trials, and while barrier 11 isn’t ideal, the presence of good early speed should set things up for his late run. #3 Good Luck Babe is trending in the right direction and is now well in at Class 4 level. He recorded his best finish yet when runner-up to Lucky Fionn, beaten a neck, and is going to get his chance to go one better here, especially with a smooth run anticipated from gate 1. #7 Win Speed jumped from a wide draw last time and was used up early, leaving him entitled to fade late. A better trip from barrier 3 should allow him to turn things around. #1 Fun Together can’t be dismissed in this grade and will be employing his usual catch-me-if-you-can tactics, though he may need to be used up a touch early from barrier 10.

Race 7: THE KOWLOON TONG CLUB TROPHY (HANDICAP)

#2 Sunlight Power was narrowly denied back-to-back victories last time, edged out late into third behind Johannes Brahms. That form has since held up, with Johannes Brahms closing in strongly for third in the Classic Cup. Sunlight Power now returns to a winnable race, similar to his success two back, and the aid of barrier 1 further boosts his chances. #6 Voyage Samurai loves to roll forward and dictate the pace, and with the rail out widest in the C+3 position, conditions could play into his favor, making him difficult to peg back if race pressure is manageable. #1 Nimble Nimbus is going to find this company much easier than recent starts, where he has been competing at the top level. Expect improvement. #5 Karma has what it takes to win this on his best form. He was ridden too close to a hot tempo last time and faded, but more patient tactics—proven effective in the past—may work in his favor here.

Race 8: ANGELONIA HANDICAP

#6 Geneva is first-up having failed when rising to 1400 meters first time last start. He drew wide on that occasion, settled back in the pack and was only fair late. The drop back to 1200 meters fresh is ideal, and his two trials leading in have looked good. #4 Lifeline Express continues to run on well in his races and is knocking on the door for a win, but his get-back, run-on pattern is beginning to get costly. Still if the race shape plays into his favor, he will be hard to hold out. #9 Lo Pan Spirit has been plagued by wide barriers this campaign but has turned in some solid performances. He can show early speed to be in an advantageous position to help his chances. #7 Flying Ting Lok makes his Hong Kong debut and has shown promise at the trials, showing gate speed which hints at him being able to utilize that here which gives him a chance.

Race 9: COSMOS HANDICAP

#5 Juneau Pride won by a neck over Armour War Eagle last time, and that form has since held up well after the latter came out and won convincingly last week. The Size-trained three-year-old doesn’t look done in the ratings yet and can continue his winning ways. Barrier 3 ensures he gets every hope in the run. #10 Victory Sky finished third in the same race behind Juneau Pride and Armour War Eagle, beaten just under a length. He is on the verge of a breakthrough win in Hong Kong and can go close. #2 Kaholo Angel had no luck last time from barrier 13, caught wide without cover throughout and fading late. His prior runner-up finish to Packing Angel is the form to go on, and from barrier 3, he should get the right run to bounce back. #12 Master Of All steps up to Class 3 for the first time after securing his fourth career win last start. He will jump, roll forward, and give a sight as he likes to do.

Race 10: COSMOS HANDICAP

#6 Hong Lok Golf saw his winning run come to an end last start but lost no admirers as the runner-up, encountering traffic at the top of the straight before attacking the line strongly late. He has been crying out for 1400 meters, which he now gets, and from barrier 3, he looks poised to bounce back. #7 Sky Jewellery is a horse on the rise. The Size-trained three-year-old put paid to a luckless run two starts ago over 1200 meters at Happy Valley before stepping up to 1400 meters last time and winning impressively. He rises in class but can measure up. #1 Sky Trust failed to see out the 1800 meters of the Classic Cup but drops back to his pet distance, which will stand him in good stead to be far more competitive. #3 Beauty Crescent will get a sweet run from his inside alley but remains a longstanding maiden in Hong Kong. However, he is honest on a place line, as he once again showed last start when third to Brilliant Express.