Preview of Saturday's Sha Tin card on Sky Sports Racing featuring Merlion Handicap
Hong Kong racing switches to Saturday this weekend with a ten-race Sha Tin card live on Sky Sports Racing.
Exciting Irish import Waikuku puts his Derby credentials on the line in the feature event and British champion Silvestre de Sousa bids to continue a hot streak with a string of fancied contenders.
Exciting Waikuku faces crucial Derby trial
One way or another, the Hong Kong Derby picture is in for a shake-up at Sha Tin this Saturday.
Former John Oxx galloper Waikuku has looked very good over 1400m and could shoot to head of the Classic pecking order if he can move up to 1800m and win the Lion City Handicap with authority.
Waikuku excites again as a serious BMW Hong Kong Derby candidate for Joao Moreira and John Size: impressive the way he battled against a talented older opponent after racing 3-wide the trip. #HKracing pic.twitter.com/nCDC933nzl
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 17, 2019
His latest defeat of a bang-in-form older rival after being forced to race wider than ideal was impressive but there are several points to note for those planning to wade in again at short odds.
Stall 12 in a 12-runner field isn't ideal; he has another 400m to travel; he's up another 7lb to a mark of 100; and that rise means he has to give 9lb and 16lb to stablemate Enrichment and Charity Go.
Enrichment lacks Waikuku's zip but is a strong stayer who idles. He shouldn't be underestimated, while Charity Go did very well to finish third behind Enrichment over 2000m here considering he chased a very strong pace and makes much more appeal than most of the longer priced runners.
De Sousa doubles up again as HK stint enters final month
Silvestre de Sousa's Hong Kong success story continues to run and run.
The UK's champion jockey fired off another double at Happy Valley on Wednesday, completed by 26-1 shot Breeders' Star, and has now ridden 37 winners with total win and place prize money of £6m during the last four months in HK.
He's a handful, that Breeders' Star! @SilvDSousa keeps him honest though and seals a race-to-race brace. #HKracing #HappyWednesday pic.twitter.com/PtXedijb8r
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 27, 2019
De Sousa has a little over three weeks until he returns to Newmarket for the birth of his third child and, presumably, a crack at a fourth British title once the turf season gets under way.
Logic suggests he will be tough to beat again if he sets his mind to the task. And the aforementioned numbers suggest he could be back in HK for an even longer stint next season.
High draw a headache for progressive Right Choice
De Sousa makes no secret of the regard he has for Right Choice, who takes on a couple of old rivals as he bids for a hat-trick in the concluding Merlion Handicap (1400m) at 9.45.
Frankie Lor’s gelding had Invincible Fresh and Uncle Steve back in third and fourth when scoring from stall 2 over course and distance last month but he’s way out west in 14 from a 7lb higher mark now.
The final ride of @DJWhyteJockey's career & it's a fine one from Gate 14 on Uncle Steve... But the win goes to Right Choice, sealing trebles for @SilvDSousa & Frankie Lor. #HKracing #endofanera
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 10, 2019
👇 pic.twitter.com/79MN5EpAki
Uncle Steve – formerly Court of Justice in his David Simcock days – is certainly entitled to improve on that debut effort and is drawn 1 as opposed to 14 this time.
Add in the fact that Joao Moreira is back aboard the strong-finishing Roundabout for the first time since the pair combined to score here in 2017 and this has the look of a more difficult task for Right Choice and Silvestre than the market might suggest.
Thrilled and Spirit have speed to succeed
Silvestre links up with a promising Irish import when First Responder lines up for the Singapore Turf Club Trophy (1200m) at 8.05.
This gelding chased home the subsequent Middle Park winner Ten Sovereigns at the Curragh when known as Carbon Fibre for Michael O’Callaghan and has settled in well for John Moore judged on a recent fourth over course and distance.
However, early speed could be a very handy weapon in a race where most of the field have something to prove and Thrilled and Team Spirit score well in that department.
Caller @HKBDavis couldn't split them and neither could the judge! Key Witness (Dylan Mo) and Prance Dragon (@SilvDSousa) share the Fat Choi Handicap. #HKracing
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 7, 2019
👇 pic.twitter.com/eu5oO4xQjA
Aussie import Thrilled made a highly promising Hong Kong debut at Sha Tin last month, tanking along in front for a long way, and has Zac Purton aboard again in what looks a winnable race.
Team Spirit’s latest run at the Valley was below his best but he endured a very bumpy passage on the inner. His previous second here shows that he’s in good condition and he has to rate high on the short list, too.
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