Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham takes a look at Monday's card at Sha Tin live on Sky Sports Racing.
Record breaker returns for an Easter extravaganza
Rising on Easter Monday.
That’s the theme at Sha Tin as the world’s best sprinter returns in the Sprint Cup at 8.35 and the facts speak for themselves.
KA YING RISING broke Silent Witness’s winning streak of 17 when cruising home to beat the 1400m track record in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup seven weeks ago and the five opponents in Monday’s feature who have opposed him before are a combined 0-40 against him.
True, David Hayes’s gelding has a 5lb penalty for his G1 heroics, but that didn’t stop him bounding clear of Helios Express and Lucky With You in this race last year and Tote hawks will be hovering to make five per cent in a little under 70 seconds.
It’s stating the bleeding obvious to suggest something needs to go badly wrong to stop them collecting. Ka Ying Rising and Zac Purton do precious little to give their rivals a sniff nowadays and the stage is set for another solo with the admirable Helios Express – second to the champ seven times - likely to fill the Forecast spot yet again.
Network seeking a mile connection
Superstars often send potential rivals running for cover and connections of Fast Network – probably aided by persuasion from Purton – have decided on a step up to a mile for the Chairman’s Trophy (9.45) as their Easter option.
Dennis Yip’s gelding has thrived over 1200m, quickening smartly to land a Class 1 handicap on his latest start, and he takes on a G2 that features some high-class horses with questions to answer.
Champion miler Voyage Bubble ran a rare poor race in Romantic Warrior’s QEII Cup; Champions Mile winner Red Lion has been well below par of late; former crack sprinter Lucky Sweynesse isn’t quite the force of old; and Galaxy Patch is very good on his day but still makes life hard for himself by getting well back.
Stunning Peach is on the up after two Class 2 wins and can go well despite having loads to find on ratings, but FAST NETWORK is in prime form receiving 5lb from the Bubble. It might be worth taking a chance on his stamina here, but the key to winning on an eleven-race card probably lies in solving the outcome of a series of intriguing rematches.
8.00: Glowing Praises v Looking Bright and Fast Responder
Glowing Praises finished just ahead of Looking Bright and Fast Responder in a wild finish over course and distance last month and that looks the key clue.
Purton partners Glowing Praises for the first time, while new girl Nichola Yuen got off the mark with only her second HK ride in midweek with the aid of a very handy 10lb claim.
But LOOKING BRIGHT gets a narrow vote in a tightly-knit sprint. Frankie Lor’s gelding has caught the eye travelling sweetly on his last two starts, doing very well given that he helped force a searching gallop, and I doubt we’ve seen the best of him yet.
9.10: Fit For Beauty v Mighty Masts and Packing Glory
This trio dominated the finish to a similar event recently and MIGHTY MASTS looked unlucky, coming home strongly under Purton after getting well back and being forced to switch outside to secure a run.
The champ looks to have chosen The Red Hare here and this consistent sort will go well again, but Mighty Masts still looks nicely treated after a 2lb rise for what he did three weeks ago. He tops the short list for a tight Class 3 and LUCY IN THE SKY – who’s had no luck on his last two starts – looks a saver option at long odds granted smoother sailing.
10.20: Winning Ovation v Six Pack
Winning Ovation has thrived since winning at Salisbury as Nascimento for Michael Bell, winning three in a row in HK and getting the better of a stirring duel with Six Pack two weeks ago as the pair drew clear of a pack including noted front runner Drombeg Banner.
The latter was well below par that day, but he’s gone close twice from similar marks this term and has Yuen’s hefty 10lb claim to assist here.
But Winning Ovation and Six Pack boast the most solid recent form. The latter has a 6lb pull for a neck defeat – and that would normally sway me in his favour – but Winning Ovation found plenty to assert close home and this looks a tough duel to call.
10.55: Smart Avenue v Money Catcher and Liveandletlive
SMART AVENUE has been knocking hard in Class 3 company over a mile and 1800m, coming home powerfully and running his best race to get within a short head of Shamus Storm as the pair drew clear of Money Catcher and Liveandletlive on his latest start.
The step up to 2000m poses a new question, but he shapes as if he ought to stay and a 2lb rise is very fair. His chances of going close again are clear to see, though FORTUNE BOY is another in fine form and the return to 2000m will suit him very well under Harry Bentley.
Monday's Sha Tin Selections
8.00: Looking Bright
8.35: Ka Ying Rising/Helios Express
9.10: Mighty Masts/Lucy In The Sky
10.55: Smart Avenue/Fortune Boy
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