Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham takes a look at Saturday's card at Sha Tin live on Sky Sports Racing.
Out with levity, in with brevity for a seasonal Sha Tin Saturday
Whether you live in Wan Chai or Wandsworth, a familiar pattern develops this deep into the Christmas period.
Most of us are struggling to recall what day it is; certain family members are starting to get on your nerves; and form study tends to be frowned upon by partners bent on supervising frivolous festive shenanigans.
Caspar Fownes excelled at Happy Valley on Tuesday with a double to go two clear atop the trainers’ table, but the spotlight switches to Sha Tin on Saturday and it’s straight to the point for a ten-race card that poses a host of intriguing handicap riddles:
1: Wing to keep Winning?
Winning Wing and journeyman Dylan Mo have been a potent pair in winning a pair of strong Class 3s, but Francis Lui’s gelding is up 6lb to a career high mark of 82 for the Class 2 Long Ke Handicap at 6.00 and NOISY BOY can have a say at longer odds.
Dennis Yip’s gelding is 0-8 since winning over course and distance last January but he’s run better than his bare form figures suggest this term, especially when seventh behind Winning Wing five weeks ago.
Noisy Boy raced a little too keenly for his own good under an apprentice that day and couldn’t find extra after a messy run off the final bend. An 8lb pull with the winner is notable – as is the booking of Karis Teetan off the minimum weight of 115lbs – and he looks an attractive win and place chance here.
2: A time for Szeryng?
It certainly looks that way in the finale at 9.45 as John Size’s strapping chestnut makes plenty of appeal after following his commanding reappearance win with a desperately unlucky fifth on his Class 3 debut last month.
Szeryng was sent off at even money against a useful field that day and I suspect he would have landed the gamble had he not been hemmed in a pocket on the inside for much of the home straight.
Stall 13 poses Zac Purton a different problem here – and NEW FUTURE FOLKS is running well enough to appeal as saver and Quinella option – but Szeryng looks ahead of the game from a mark of 67 and better luck can see him prove it here.
3: C’est Magnifique?
Magnifique thrived over 1200m in his first season, winning three from four until sidelined after bleeding from both nostrils on his final start, and he’s looked smooth in winning a couple of recent trials at the minimum trip.
But trainer David Hall admits the acid test will come when Magnifique comes under race pressure again and Saturday’s Sham Chung Handicap (8.35) contains several notable dangers headed by the progressive Super Strong Kid, the consistent Fast Responder and stablemate Sparkling Fellow.
4: Golden Brown?
Aussie handler Hall has a relatively quiet day – just four runners all told – but BROWNNEEDSFURTHER could be flying under the radar for the 7.00.
Packing Phoenix and debut winner Embrace Aberdeen head the market but this doesn’t look a deep race.
Brownneedsfurther has finished placed twice from four runs. He also caught the eye on his latest start – making good headway for seventh behind Embrace Aberdeen after being held up in traffic – and better luck this time can see him give this a fair shake at what could be a double figure price.
5: Time to Cash in?
It’s a case of AW friends reunited when Another World, Reliable Profit, Allcash, New Forest, Endeared and Mask Rider meet again in the Tai Long Au Handicap on the AW at 9.10.
The septet finished in that order in a messy race over course and distance last month – and the run of the race will play a part again – but Allcash stayed on strongly after meeting trouble and he looks set to go close again if Purton can find smoother sailing.
Saturday’s Sha Tin Selections
- 6.00: Noisy Boy (EW)
- 7.00: Brownneedsfurther (EW)
- 9.45: Szeryng/New Future Folks
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