Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Nov. 14

Racing at Sha Tin kicks off at midnight (ET) late Friday night. Luke Middlebrook furnishes his selections and analysis for the 10-race card, highlighted by a Class 2 handicap for sprinters on the turf.

Sha Tin Selections

Race 1: #2 Georgian Sigma, #14 Super Dragon, #10 Salon S, #1 Light Years Glory
Race 2: #6 Ninja Derby, #10 Gold Tack, #2 Rosewood Fleetfoot, #14 Harry’s Hero
Race 3: #11 Serangoon, #14 Double Win, #1 Supreme Mastermind, #13 Firefoot
Race 4: #3 Fast Responder, #12 Sparkling Fellow, #4 Casa Of Honor, #5 Love Together
Race 5: #4 Bucephalas, #3 Oldtown, #14 Bling Bling Genius, #6 Top Peak
Race 6: #1 Mr Cool, #13 Night Purosangue, #2 Shanghai Style, #5 Supreme Agility
Race 7: #11 Aeris Nova, #9 Patch Of Stars, #3 Dancing Code, #1 Lady’s Choice
Race 8: #10 Autumn Vibes, #7 Packing King, #2 Emblazon, #8 Prestige Hall
Race 9: #6 Kempes, #2 Ariel, #7 Reliable Profit, #4 Dragon Air Force
Race 10: #5 Beauty Bolt, #8 Fortune Boy, #4 Yuen Long Elite, #9 Max Que

Race Analysis

Race 1: LUKFOOK JEWELLERY HEXICON HANDICAP

#2 Georgian Sigma can go one better after an eye-catching debut second to the impressive Ever Luck, a run made even stronger given the carnage that occurred at the 550-meter marker. His recent trial win has him in good order, and he looks the one they must beat. #14 Super Dragon has trialed well ahead of his first run since July. He raced greenly on debut and should produce a more polished effort this time. #10 Salon S debuts for the Frankie Lor yard and has shown enough in his trials to suggest he can put himself in a handy spot from barrier 4 and give a forward showing. #1 Light Years Glory draws widest in barrier 14 but drops in grade after contesting two Class 3 races this season, which gives him a definite chance despite the map concern.

Race 2: LUKFOOK JEWELLERY WEDDING COLLECTION HANDICAP

#6 Ninja Derby has thrived since joining Brett Crawford, winning boldly first-up when leading throughout before producing a brave third second-up after covering ground. Both runs came from awkward draws, so moving into barrier 2 gives him a map upgrade and sets him up nicely. #10 Gold Tack reunites with Zac Purton, a pairing that won over this course and distance from the same draw late last season. His two get-back, run-on fifths this term have been sound, but we may see a more positive ride here. #2 Rosewood Fleetfoot had no luck last start yet wasn’t beaten far, and now dropping into Class 5 with a stronger rider engaged, he gets his chance to show improvement. #14 Harry’s Hero was held up at the vital moment when a close fourth last start. Barrier 1 is a clear advantage, although he still needs to lift at 1800 meters.

Race 3: LUKFOOK JEWELLERY LOVE IS BEAUTY COLLECTION HANDICAP

#11 Serangoon resumed over a mile, a trip short of his best, yet his run into seventh was sound. From barrier 4, he can settle much closer, as he did when he last won, and he looks well placed off his current rating. #14 Double Win is testing patience, but had a genuine excuse last start when standing flat-footed and losing ground. His first-up third was the run to follow, and a clean jump puts him back in the picture. #1 Supreme Mastermind is still coming to hand, but his fifth on Class 4 debut was full of merit. With James McDonald taking over, further improvement is very much on the cards. #13 Firefoot draws perfectly in barrier 1 to secure a soft map. His record at 2000 meters is the query, but he is hard fit with plenty of racing, in consistent form with a pair of recent seconds keeping him in the conversation.

Race 4: LUKFOOK JEWELLERY DIABLING SHIMMERING GOLD COLLECTION HANDICAP

#3 Fast Responder is now fourth-up and has been close up in all three runs this season. Barrier 14 is ideal, and reuniting with Britney Wong, who has ridden him well before, gives him every chance. #12 Sparkling Fellow draws ideally in barrier 11, the same gate he had when resuming and charging home for second. He looks ready to land his first local win with fitness improvement. #4 Casa Of Honor draws poorly in barrier 1 for the straight, but he gets Purton third-up after two decent efforts at this track and trip and is heading in the right direction. #5 Love Together is a newcomer for the Caspar Fownes stable, who has trialed with promise, while barrier 13 enhances his chances of picking up a check straight up.

Race 5: LUKFOOK JEWELLERY MISS HONG KONG LOVE YOURSELF COLLECTION HANDICAP

#4 Bucephalas has offered little in five local starts but resumes off a long break with trials that show improvement. In a race lacking obvious pace, he looks likely to find the lead and could give a cheeky sight at a price. #3 Oldtown resumed with a win over 1200 meters at just his fourth start. He still has room to progress, and although Purton must navigate barrier 13, the long run to the turn gives him time to find a position. #14 Bling Bling Genius has attracted strong market support in both runs this season, and while yet to break through, his efforts show he is close to delivering. #6 Top Peak is much better than his first-up last placing suggests. The 1200 meters was never going to suit, and the stewards’ report read he would take benefit from the outing. Now second-up and rising to 1400 meters, his preferred trip, he can improve.

Race 6: LUKFOOK JEWELLERY HEIRLOOM FORTUNE COLLECTION HANDICAP

#1 Mr Cool has always trialed like an all-weather specialist, so his first try on the surface under race conditions catches the eye. He finally draws a soft inside gate after a long run of wide barriers and, third-up after two encouraging efforts, he looks ready to produce something strong. #13 Night Purosangue returns to Class 4 with a modest record in the grade, but that doesn’t tell the full story. He has taken time, and the switch to this track and trip has clearly brought him on. #2 Shanghai Style bounced back third-up when returning to the all-weather, racing wide yet fighting on well for second. With McDonald aboard, he gets another genuine chance. #5 Supreme Agility keeps knocking on the door since dropping to this grade, placing in four of six, and should be around the mark again despite the wide draw.

Race 7: THE LUKFOOK JEWELLERY CUP (HANDICAP)

#11 Aeris Nova appeals on the quick backup and dropping to 1200 meters. His first-up fourth to Tomodachi Kokoroe from barrier 12 was an excellent run, and he backed it up with a narrow defeat to Light Years Charm over 1400 meters last week. Drawing barrier 1 gives him every chance to park in the perfect spot. #9 Patch Of Stars gets a genuine test rising to Class 2, but he is a promising four-year-old going the right way after posting his fourth win from 11 starts. The official margin was only half a length, yet he won with plenty in hand despite carrying a big weight. #3 Dancing Code had excuses last start after missing the kick and settling further back than usual. From barrier 2, he should return to a handier role and bounce back to his best. #1 Lady’s Choice is reliable and should be competitive again. He needs early luck from gate 10, but there isn't much speed on paper, which may help him slot across.

Race 8: LUKFOOK JEWELLERY CCOOL COLLECTION HANDICAP

#10 Autumn Vibes had a far tougher run than it appears on paper last start, working in the early and middle stages from a wide gate before tiring late and still holding fourth. Barrier 1 is a major map upgrade after two wide draws, and he gets his chance to take a step forward. #7 Packing King debuts off five solid trials and will be popular with Purton committed. He has shown good early speed in his heats, so expect him to use that from the draw. #2 Emblazon landed a decent plunge first-up and backed it up with a second to Pejibaye, a form reference that held up when that horse placed second mid-week. He stays in the conversation. #8 Prestige Hall maps ideally from barrier 4 to sit just off the pace, and the rise to 1200 meters second-up, paired with an encouraging trial and McDonald aboard, all point to a forward showing.

Race 9: LUKFOOK JOAILLERIE HANDICAP

#6 Kempes caused a boilover two starts ago but proved it was no one-off when closing hard into second last start after a messy beginning. Both efforts came over 1200 meters, and the rise in trip now looks a positive rather than a query. #2 Ariel is as honest as they come, consistently putting himself in the right spot. His last-start third was better than it looks with Ellis Wong losing the use of a stirrup in the straight, and he maps for another handy run. #7 Reliable Profit rises to Class 3 for the first time at start 22, which is a small query, but he is in excellent form returning from injury, producing a strong first-up third followed by a dominant three-length win. He will get back and look to finish late. #4 Dragon Air Force draws well in barrier 2, and a return to his preferred all-weather surface gives him the platform to improve.

Race 10: LUKFOOK JEWELLERY NIGHT BANQUET IN TANG PALACE COLLECTION HANDICAP

#5 Beauty Bolt draws much kinder in barrier 5 after jumping from gate 10 last start, which should allow him to return to more positive tactics. He had a messy run despite beginning well, being dragged back through the field before running on strongly for fourth. A smart trial win between runs has him poised. #8 Fortune Boy was superb second-up, exploding late after being held up for most of the straight to record his third win from 10 starts. He’s a talented four-year-old on an upward curve and remains a key player. #4 Yuen Long Elite gets the draw he has been crying out for after two tough runs from barrier 12. Barrier 4 gives his map an upgrade, and with McDonald aboard, plenty of boxes are ticked. #9 Max Que is impossible to ignore from barrier 1 with two wins and a third from three runs this season.