Hong Kong Racing
Sha Tin Preview - 18th May 2025
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - C+3
Awt - 2,3,7
Race 1
#2 CASHISCASH is a lightly raced galloper who's getting into class five for the first time, where he finds himself up against several exposed types. He's a front runner on a day where the on pacers will be at an advantage given the rail position, and from gate four with a senior rider in Lyle Hewitson on, he'll find himself in the right spot and won't have to do any work to get there. This is the perfect opportunity for him to break his maiden in.
#6 FAIRY HORSE is probably the best horse in the race and his form in class five recently has been very good. He's due for a win and with a low barrier draw and Hugh Bowman aboard, there's plenty to like about him. My concern is where he'll get to in the run as he tends to get back in his races and he also missed the start last time out, but if he can begin on terms with his rivals and settle in a reasonable spot, he's got the turn of foot to win a race like this.
#8 HAPPY TANGO is a proven winner in a race where several of his rivals here don't know how to get the job done. He's a versatile galloper that's won on all three tracks in Hong Kong and has only recently dropped back into this grade. From barrier five, he maps to get the run of the race, he's well weighted and looks close to his next win. 1400m is a slight query but as an older horse, that might be what he's looking for.
#1 KA YING POWER gets his opportunity to produce his best here thanks to the class drop, the booking of Andrea Atzeni and the allocation of barrier one. He's dropped a long way in the ratings, he hasn't been far away in class four recently, and the downgrade into this company for the first time will allow him to run up to his very best.
#11 TIMESTORM has Zac Purton in the saddle for the first time, which is significant in a race where there isn't a standout contender and given the quality of rides that Purton commands. However, his recent form is only fair and from barrier fourteen, he'll need a lot of luck.
Selections : 2,6,8,1,11
R2 - 2,9,1,7,3
R3 - 1,6,10,2,9
R4 - 2,5,1,4,3
R5 - 4,1,9,11,13
R6 - 10,1,8,7,3
R7 - 7,4,1,2,9
R8 - 1,3,2,5,12
Race 9
#4 PAKISTAN LEGACY is a promising young horse who's now at peak fitness and finished fifth behind MODULECONSTRUCTION last time out, which is the main form reference for this event. On that occasion, he was forced to sit three wide and still did well to only be beaten two lengths. This time around, he meets MODULECONSTRUCTION six pounds better off at the weights and significantly better off at the barrier draw. Zac Purton retains the ride; he maps the get a charmed run in transit and is well placed to secure his first win in Hong Kong.
#10 BLAZING WIND ran fourth behind MODULECONSTRUCTION last time out where he was right there until the last 50m, where he peaked on his run. Significantly, he's got the blinkers going on for the first time, he goes well over this course and distance, and he's only got a light weight to carry. From barrier two, I expect him to go forward and be in this for a long way.
#3 MODULECONSTRUCTION is in terrific form and beat most of these last time out, where he got across to be up on the pace and kept on finding to score. A number of those behind him did have excuses however, and the fact that he's drawn wide again and has seven pounds more to carry means he'll have to go to another level this time around. It looks like it will be tough for him to make it back-to-back wins, but if he can get across from his wide draw without having to do too much work, I can still see him making his presence felt due to the vein of form that he's currently in and the upside that I feel he still has to offer.
#8 MAJESTIC EXPRESS is one of those horses that was unlucky in defeat last time out as he was held up at a key point in the home straight. The barrier draw that day meant that he was forced to go back and hope for luck, but this time out he's drawn significantly better, which will allow him to settle closer in the run and take luck out of the equation to a certain extent. He's not a prolific winner but he's an honest horse that's racing well and is a solid each way chance.
#5 SUPER INFINITY was narrowly beaten by MODULECONSTRUCTION two stats ago and does meet him slightly better off at the weights here. He's had one run since then and boxed on fairly to finish fifth, but back to 1200m and off that run a couple of starts back, he's capable of going close here.
Selections : 4,10,3,8,5
Race 10
#7 STAR MAC isn't a prolific winner but he's an incredibly consistent horse who's got a touch of class, having run third in the Classic Mile and fourth in the Classic Cup last year. I'm putting him on top based off his last start effort in the race won by the promising Family Jewel, which is the main form line for this event. In that race, he was held up at a vital stage but still managed to get to the line well once he got clear late. With an even amount of luck, he would gone a lot closer last time out, he's drawn well here, is from an in form stable and looks poised to pick up his second win for the season, in what is a good contest to finish the card with.
#11 MAGNIFICENT NINE ran third behind Family Jewel last time out, but I do feel he had every chance that day. Once again though, he's drawn well, he'll settle handy in the run on a day where you want to be close to the speed, he's from the leading stable, is in super consistent form and will go close if he reproduces his latest effort. There is a slight query about him in this grade, given that he's never won in class three before, but he's got all the factors in his favour for that to change here.
#2 HUGE WAVE is a previous winner over the course and distance and is the best performer of those coming through the Family Jewel race, as he came home strongly to run second. He did have to sit three wide throughout that event and that's my worry here as he's drawn a wide gate once again, but if star jockey Hugh Bowman can offset that, then he's a legitimate winning hope.
#14 MORGAN SUCCESS hasn't had much luck lately, as he has drawn wide barriers and was badly held up twice last time out behind Family Jewel. He's better off at the draw here in gate six and if he can get clear galloping room to build his momentum with, look for him to be finishing off strongly.
#9 DEFINITIVE gets the services of top jockey Zac Purton, which is always noteworthy, he's racing well and is from an in-form yard. He was probably too close to a strong pace last time out, but if he the tempo is more suitable for him this time, he's capable of settling in a handy spot and making his presence felt in an open race.
Selections : 7,11,2,14,9
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