Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham takes a look at Thursday's card at Sha Tin live on Sky Sports Racing.
Vitality man Fownes joins 1,200 Club as Dylan’s desert raid pays off
Here comes the Year of the Horse with all its traditional symbols of vitality, speed and perseverance.
Caspar Fownes could never be accused of lacking vitality and the four-time champion joined John Moore, John Size and Tony Cruz in the 1,200-winner club at Sha Tin on Saturday when Sky Vino swooped from way back under Ellis Wong.
Sky Trust sealed a special day for Fownes and Wong in a wild finish to the featured TVB Cup, while Andrea Atzeni and Harry Bentley showed ample speed and perseverance, the former landing a double sparked by File fancy Chill Buddy, the latter charging from last to first in the nightcap on Frankie Lor’s possible Derby contender Stormy Grove.
Hopes of HK success on Saudi Cup night evaporated when Self Improvement was hampered at the start of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, but Dylan Browne McMonagle’s desert raid paid off in spades when Joseph O’Brien’s Sons And Lovers captured a first prize of over £1m by holding a clutch of British raiders in the Red Sea Turf Handicap.
Caspar, Andrea, Harry and Dylan will be aiming high again on an intriguing holiday card at Sha Tin this Thursday and punters, and punters aiming to offset heavy Chinese New Year holiday expenses will need to address the following questions:
Gabriel to earn his Derby wings?
David Eustace hasn’t given up on SERAPH GABRIEL as a possible Derby contender and the British import – who ended his time with Ralph Beckett finishing a fine second at Royal Ascot from a BHA mark of 95 - has Dylan aboard for the first time in the Red Packet Handicap at 8.40.
This valuable Class 3 features a clutch of dangerous rivals and LIVEANDLETLIVE, another UK recruit, is also worth noting after a series of bold efforts from the front. FORTUNE BOY is also worth a saver after being caught in heavy traffic twice of late, but there are a couple of interesting new factors in play for Seraph Gabriel.
Cheekpieces are fitted for the first time on what will be just his third HK outing. More importantly, Seraph Gabriel steps up from a mile to 2000m now. Based on his British record, it ought to suit him very well indeed.
Dragon set to blow hot?
Chris So is another trainer with the Derby on his mind, provided TOP DRAGON can make the most of his light weight in Thursday’s featured Year of the Horse Cup at 7.00.
Three wins from 12 starts represents a solid start to this gelding’s HK career and he’s caught the eye more than once in defeat, most recently when staying on for fifth having been squeezed on the inside in the Classic Mile.
A 3lb rise for running well behind some of the best 4yo’s around looks very fair and STUNNING PEACH is another with something to recommend him in this £295,000 handicap.
A smart winner for Joseph when known as Islandsinthestream, this gelding wasn’t suited by a steady pace here recently. A stronger gallop saw him run a belter at this level on his previous start, just touched off as the first two drew clear, and Angus Chung’s 2lb claim won’t do any harm, either.
Hot in the city?
It certainly is where I am in Dubai this week and HOT DELIGHT will be a warm order in Sha Tin’s 9.15 after a striking debut which saw him race wide with little cover before bounding clear with an impressive 22.45s closing split.
A 9lb hike asks a new question but that debut win is solid form. Francis Lui’s gelding still looks ahead of the game from a mark of 61 – and he fully deserves to be a solid favourite - though HELENE SUPAFEELING is another to keep safe.
A useful winner when known as Port Light for Arch Watson, he made a fine start to life with Eustace when winning on HKIR day and the way he travelled when fifth in a warm handicap last time hints that this return to 1200m will see him progress again.
Phoenix to rise again
MASTER PHOENIX failed to justify File faith on his latest start and faces several fair rivals in the 6.00, headed by recent winner Elite Golf, progressive Good Luck Happy and promising newcomer Baby Sakura.
But Eustace has this Aussie import in good heart.
Master Phoenix ran a belter when beaten a neck here over Christmas and looked very unlucky on his latest start, unable to land a blow after being caught in heavy traffic. Fairly treated off 57, he’s no good thing but is worth a few dollars each way in the hope that he secures smooth sailing this time.
Ticket for the Express?
Plenty will ride with Super Express in the 9.50 as John Size’s gelding is progressive and fresh from a willing course and distance success.
But look down the card for this finale. At least six others are bang in form and Positive Smile, up in class after two Class 4 wins, is a live alternative given the way he settled matters from well back last month.
Lastly this Thursday, a few words on another Class 3 due off at 8.05.
Happy Index impressed when getting off the mark on just his second HK start, settling matters with a sharp 22.47s closer, but it looks like he’s going to start at around 2.5 with Purton aboard again and it’s hard to suggest that’s a bet compelling price with an unexposed rival like The Unique Value in opposition.
Thursday’s Sha Tin Selections
6.00: Master Phoenix (EW)
7.00: Top Dragon/Stunning Peach
8.40: Seraph Gabriel (Liveandletlive/Fortune Boy)
9.15: Hot Delight/Helene Supafeeling
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