Hong Kong racing from Sha Tin is Saturday night at 11:30 p.m. EST, 8:30 PST. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.
Race 1: 4 Sonic Boom, 2 Yoda’s Choice, 11 Yeaboi, 8 Speed Sword
Race 2: 4 Flying Phantom, 8 Gluck Racer, 2 Ever Smart, 13 Regency Happy Star
Race 3: 4 Sunlight Power, 6 Voyage Samurai, 3 Karma, 1 The Golden Scenery
Race 4: 2 Enjoy Golf, 13 Country Dancer, 6 Magnifique, 1 Alluring Laos
Race 5: 6 Affordable, 1 Joyful Prosperity, 5 Serangoon, 8 Hailtothevictors
Race 6: 2 Yuen Long Elite, 3 South Star, 11 Monarch County, 1 Happy Park
Race 7: 10 Happydearhappydeer, 7 Sight Supreme, 2 Lucky Touch, 5 Never Peter Out
Race 8: 3 Gorgeous Win, 5 Full Credit, 6 Bundle Of Charm, 2 Superb Capitalist
Race 9: 2 Super Fortune, 6 Sparkling Fellow, 11 Grand Nova, 3 Carroll Street
Race 10: 6 The Boom Box, 9 Lifeline Express, 2 Aeris Nova, 13 Karate Express
Race 11: 9 Glorious Success, 1 Talents Ambition, 10 Must Go, 4 M Unicorn
Race 1 – Para Swimming Handicap
No. 4 Sonic Boom is unknown at this trip, but his recent performances over six furlongs have been encouraging. A low draw ensures he gets a cozy run and the chance to show his best. No. 2 Yoda’s Choice returns to class 5, where his record of three seconds from four attempts in this grade suggests he can break through soon. No. 11 Yeaboi is in strong form for trainer Dennis Yip, having won his second race at this course over 1 1/8 miles last start after a solid third over this trip the start prior. No. 8 Speed Sword doesn’t inspire confidence on form, but he moves into the rail post after a wide draw on his first class 5 attempt last time. With Hugh Bowman sticking aboard, there’s a case to be made for him here.
Race 2 – Para Table Tennis Handicap
No. 4 Flying Phantom has been eye-catching late in his last two runs over seven furlongs, where he was forced to drop out from wide draws. With a mid-draw this time, Hugh Bowman should be able to position the John Size trainee closer to the pace, improving his chances. No. 8 Gluck Racer found 1 1/8 miles unsuitable last start but will appreciate the drop back to seven furlongs, a distance where he ran third two starts ago. He is always a threat in this grade, particularly with the rail draw in his favor. No. 2 Ever Smart’s seven-furlong record isn’t ideal, but two recent third-place finishes since dropping to class 5 indicate he’s primed to win. A good trial between runs adds confidence, though he’ll need luck from the widest draw. No. 13 Regency Happy Star has improved markedly since joining David Eustace’s yard, breaking his maiden last start at his 23rd attempt. He may have further progress in him.
Race 3 – The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Hong Kong, China Team Celebration Cup Handicap
No. 4 Sunlight Power is a habitual back marker who requires luck in running, but the small field of eight runners will give him every chance to stay within striking range when the whips are cracking. Zac Purton is back aboard a second time and he looks tough to hold out. No. 6 Voyage Samurai should enjoy a more comfortable run on the pace this time after having to do too much early work from an outside gate last start, which saw him fade late into ninth. A softer run here should allow him to finish off more strongly. No. 3 Karma possesses a sharp turn of foot and will be better suited in this smaller field, ensuring he’s within reach at the two-furlong mark. No. 1 The Golden Scenery is versatile and will find this easier than recent starts.
Race 4 – Para Athletics Handicap
No. 2 Enjoy Golf was a narrow runner-up first-up over this course and distance and remains a lightly raced prospect with further improvement likely. Drawing post 11 for the straight course is advantageous, placing him on the ideal part of the track. No. 13 Country Dancer steps back into class 4 after hitting his stride in class 5 and appears ready to continue his strong form, despite the step up in class. No. 6 Magnifique has shown plenty of promise in his trials, winning all three in impressive fashion, the latest with Zac Purton aboard, who retains the ride here. No. 1 Alluring Laos followed up his debut win with a solid third in the same race as Enjoy Golf last time, and he deserves consideration again.
Race 5 – I’mpossible Handicap
No. 6 Affordable claimed his first local victory two starts ago over 1 3/8 miles at Happy Valley before switching to Sha Tin, where he drew wide and ran on well against the race shape to finish a close-up fourth. He has since trialed positively, and if positioned closer in the run, he has every chance of returning to winning ways. No. 1 Joyful Prosperity is in career-best form, having climbed the ratings with three consecutive victories, the last two over this course and distance. No. 5 Serangoon continues to be hindered by poor post draws, facing another challenging task from gate 11. However, his last-start closing third behind Joyful Prosperity showed plenty of promise, and he can make his presence felt again. No. 8 Hailtothevictors is showing steady improvement and should relish the rise in distance. His recent trial indicates further progress, making him one to watch from the David Eustace stable.
Race 6 – Para Badminton Handicap
No. 2 Yuen Long Elite was a luckless fourth as race favorite last start after beginning only fairly and encountering a check at the furlong mark before recovering to finish strongly. With Zac Purton committed again, he gets another chance to deliver. No. 3 South Star debuts for the Frankie Lor stable and has been catching the eye in trials. While the wide draw is a concern, seven furlongs looks an ideal starting point, and he could have plenty of upside. No. 11 Monarch County has shown glimpses of ability in his three runs to date, and the rise to seven furlongs, along with a favorable draw in gate 2, should improve his chances. No. 1 Happy Park ran a solid race despite a wide draw last time, covering ground from the three-and-a-half-furlong mark to finish a respectable seventh. His second to Markwin at this course and trip four starts ago is solid form, though another wide gate here is the query.
Race 7 – Boccia Handicap
No. 10 Happydearhappydeer has been consistent on the all-weather, placing in his last three runs, and looks close to a breakthrough victory. He’ll race on-pace and make his own luck while some of his more fancied rivals will be playing catch-up. No. 7 Sight Supreme returns to his winning distance and is well placed to bounce back after a solid third over 1 1/8 miles last time. However, Brenton Avdulla will need to produce a perfect ride from a difficult wide draw. No. 2 Lucky Touch tries the all-weather for the first time under race conditions, and his recent strong second over this trip at Happy Valley suggests he’ll adapt well. No. 5 Never Peter Out is proving adept on the all-weather. His last-start two-length win brings his course and distance record to two wins and a third from three attempts.
Race 8 – Para Equestrian Handicap
No. 3 Gorgeous Win has been runner-up to Raging Blizzard in his last two starts but finds a weaker race here, providing a prime opportunity to go one better. Zac Purton, who guided him to victory first-up this season, reunites with the horse. No. 5 Full Credit possesses tactical versatility and can either lead or take a sit depending on how the race unfolds. He went too hard in front last start when fading into sixth, beaten 3.25 lengths to Raging Blizzard, but can improve with a more measured ride. No. 6 Bundle Of Charm returned to form with a solid third to Sword Point over the extended mile on the all-weather. The drop back in trip and return to turf both work in his favor. No. 2 Superb Capitalist had a lackluster first-up effort but has since performed well in a trial. His early speed and ideal draw in post 2 position him well to find a forward spot without much difficulty.
Race 9 – Wheelchair Fencing Handicap
No. 2 Super Fortune has been in excellent form recently, and his impressive two-length victory last start suggests he is well-placed to notch up back-to-back wins in a moderate race. No. 6 Sparkling Fellow has caught the eye in trials leading up to his debut, and with Zac Purton aboard, he is likely to attract plenty of attention in the betting and make an impact first-up. No. 11 Grand Nova has been finishing strongly since stepping up to class 3 and finds a race with a strong pace, which should suit his running style. No. 3 Carroll Street hasn’t tasted victory in 707 days, but his last-start fifth was more promising than it appears on paper after being involved in a bumping duel late in the race.
Race 10 – Para Archery Handicap
No. 6 The Boom Box is an exciting horse on the rise, remaining unbeaten in two class 4 starts with an impressive turn of foot. He steps into class 3 here but finds a winnable race to secure the hat-trick, though Vincent Ho will need to produce a touch of magic from post 11. No. 9 Lifeline Express tends to settle back in his races, which has proven costly for his winning record, but he will again be charging home late and cannot be dismissed. No. 2 Aeris Nova is improving with each run and can take another step forward after his last-start third to Super Legends. No. 13 Karate Express should be more competitive second-up after showing little interest early in his first-up run but finishing off well. From the rail he can race handier, which will improve his chances.
Race 11 – Paralympic Value Handicap
No. 9 Glorious Success is primed for a win with the right run after placing in all three local starts. He drew wide last time and had to be ridden for luck, but he stormed home late to finish runner-up to Embraces, a form line that’s looking strong. His consistent record on the Synthetic track in Australia prior to his import suggests he will handle Sha Tin’s all-weather surface with ease. No. 1 Talents Ambition is a progressive four-year-old with more wins to come, but he simply cannot draw a gate, and post 14 will pose a challenge. No. 10 Must Go has been knocking on the door for another win, and the rise in distance shouldn’t be a query, given his luckless eighth in his sole attempt at the extended mile. He will also offer a much more attractive betting price than last start. No. 4 M Unicorn is ready to fire third-up and switches to a course and distance where he has a respectable record.
Luke Middlebrook is a Contributor at Idol Horse. After catching the Hong Kong racing bug, Luke spent several years blogging about the sport before relocating to Singapore in 2016. There, he spent eight years as the resident expert at iRace Media, overseeing all form-related and editorial content for horse racing in Hong Kong and Singapore.
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