3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Sunday's (01/12/24) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin

Race 1: #1 Yoda's Choice, #9 Joyful Champion, #5 Precision Goal, #4 Verbier

Race 2: #3 Cheerful World, #2 Super Legends, #9 Island Buddy, #11 Lucky Man

Race 3: #5 Vulcanus, #4 Strive For Glory, #8 High Rise Power, #3 Sonic Boom

Race 4: #3 Shanghai Style, #1 One For All, #8 Ka Ying Warrior, #4 Sunny Darling

Race 5: #4 Ka Ying Victory, #1 Baby Crystal, #5 Stellar Express, #2 Alpha One

Race 6: #14 Soaring Bronco, #8 Reliable Profit, #10 Never Peter Out, #6 Forever Folks

Race 7: #5 Raging Blizzard, #7 Capital Delight, #4 Bundle Of Charm, #12 Sing Dragon

Race 8: #5 Talents Ambition, #6 Fighting Machine, #4 Perfect Team, #8 Must Go

Race 9: #8 He Was You, #6 Dragon Joy, #5 Master Of All, #4 Fashion Legend

Race 10: #3 My Wish, #4 Steps Ahead, #8 Geneva, #2 Huge Wave

Race 1 - ASHLEY HANDICAP
#1 Yoda's Choice drops into Class 5 and provides a strong winning opportunity for Frenchman Alexis Pouchin in his first short-term contract ride. The 24-year-old combines with leading trainer Pierre Ng from an ideal barrier 2. #9 Joyful Champion is edging closer to another win, following two consecutive third-place finishes. #5 Precision Goal returned to form last start with a solid on-pace effort, finishing second, and he appears to map perfectly under Zac Purton. #4 Verbier, the pick of Caspar Fownes' two runners, boasts the stronger form and benefits from a favourable draw in barrier 3 with Hugh Bowman booked to ride.

Race 2 - CAMERON HANDICAP
#3 Cheerful World is nearing a breakthrough victory, following a strong third in a competitive race last start and a solid trial since. Barrier 1 guarantees a favourable run. #2 Super Legends endured a tough trip from a wide draw last time but finished strongly, only fading late. Despite another tricky draw in gate 10, he remains a key chance in this weaker field. #9 Island Buddy resumes for his second career start and has shown progress in his recent trials. With barrier 2 and trainer Cody Mo in good form, he looks capable of making an impact. #11 Lucky Man benefits from a favourable draw in gate 3, and his last-start sixth was better than it appears, hitting the line well after being taken back in the early stages.

Race 3 - CARNARVON HANDICAP
#5 Vulcanus had excuses last start from barrier 10 and up in trip but wasn't far off, finishing fifth. Dropping back in distance suits, and from barrier 2, he looks ready to go close to a win, as shown in his prior solid runs. #4 Strive For Glory has three of his four local wins in this class, making him one to follow again on the class drop. However, while barrier 1 looks advantageous, it could work against him if he gets boxed in midfield or worse. #8 High Rise Power ruined his chances with a slow start last time, but his earlier form suggested he was nearing a breakthrough. #3 Sonic Boom will need some luck from barrier 10, though his strong form at this level makes him a solid winning chance.

Race 4 - HANKOW HANDICAP
#3 Shanghai Style has drawn poorly in barrier 12 but remains primed to win. He returns on a seven-day turnaround after narrowly finishing second for the second consecutive time. With plenty of speed expected, Hugh Bowman should find the race unfolding perfectly for a late pounce. #1 One For All is a strong winning chance, dropping back into Class 4, where he is a four-time winner. From barrier 2, he will roll forward as he likes to do, but the anticipated speed map suggests he may encounter early and mid-race pressure. #8 Ka Ying Warrior garnered strong betting support last season, consistently running well despite not finding the winner's circle. One to follow. #4 Sunny Darling returns to the all-weather, where he scored a win two starts back. He followed that with a solid on-pace effort at Happy Valley.

Race 5 - HUMPHREYS HANDICAP
#4 Ka Ying Victory returns to racing after disappointing as a beaten favourite in July, when he had valid excuses due to blood in the trachea. His trials since have been encouraging, and he finds himself in a winnable race first-up. He is the one to beat. #1 Baby Crystal gets favourable conditions dropping back in grade, where he was twice runner-up to Ka Ying Victory. #5 Stellar Express has underperformed recently but is capable of bouncing back in a race of this calibre to finish in the money. #2 Alpha One has been lacklustre in two runs since a win three starts back but could hold on for a place if not subjected to excessive early pressure.

Race 6 - MIDDLE HANDICAP
#14 Soaring Bronco is an appealing betting prospect after being well supported in recent runs and delivering respectable performances without breaking through. The all-weather surface could bring out his best, making him a solid each-way chance in an open contest. #8 Reliable Profit has hit career-best form and aims for a hat-trick, though barrier 13 presents an uphill task. #10 Never Peter Out maps ideally from barrier 1, and his recent form, featuring a win and a strong third, bolsters his credentials. #6 Forever Folks should enjoy a favourable run from his low draw, and his strong record on the all-weather enhances his chances.

Race 7 - THE PENINSULA GOLDEN JUBILEE CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)
#5 Raging Blizzard debuts on the all-weather under race conditions but has consistently trialled well on the surface, suggesting he will thrive on it. There's also a good amount of speed engaged to suit his pattern. #7 Capital Delight found himself unsuited to on-pace tactics in a fast 1650m turf race last time. A return to the all-weather and a drop in trip will bolster his chances. #4 Bundle Of Charm has every chance of bouncing back as he revisits a course and distance where he holds a perfect two-from-two record. #12 Sing Dragon steps back to his proven track and distance for the first time since May. While his Class 2 record appears modest, he has finished close in several runs.

Race 8 - MODY HANDICAP
#5 Talents Ambition was overbet last start, finishing two lengths back in fifth, but he can rebound here at more appealing odds. #6 Fighting Machine has been performing well despite wide draws and can position closer from barrier 4, improving his chances for a maiden win in this class on his third attempt. #4 Perfect Team showed unexpected tactics when he mapped on-speed last start, fading late into fourth. He is nearing another victory and benefits from a jockey upgrade with James McDonald aboard. #8 Must Go is untried at this trip but is appealing on the quick back up after a strong second-place finish, marking consecutive runner-up efforts.

Race 9 - NATHAN HANDICAP
#8 He Was You is an intriguing prospect on his second start. Well-supported on debut, he had everything go wrong when finishing three lengths back in 10th. This is a highly competitive field, but he appears to have ability and should appreciate the extra furlong second-up. #6 Dragon Joy is poised for a breakthrough, with the addition of a tongue tie and barrier 4 providing a solid platform for Hugh Bowman to deliver. #5 Master Of All is a model of consistency, winning a third time gamely last start, and he has every chance from barrier 2. #4 Fashion Legend has flourished since joining David Eustace's stable. After a close third last start, he has turned in a strong trial win, and barrier 1 boosts his chances.

Race 10 - SALISBURY HANDICAP
#3 My Wish is an improving four-year-old, and the form from his last-start win holds up well with Sky Trust winning smartly last week after finishing runner-up to him. Despite a wide draw, his early speed can overcome this in a race lacking pace, such as he did last time. #4 Steps Ahead, another progressive four-year-old, is making strides in the handicap, and he, along with My Wish, appears to have a clear edge over their opposition. #8 Geneva steps into Class 3 after consecutive wins in Class 4 and attempts 1400m for the second time. He's a horse on the up. #2 Huge Wave, now third-up, can improve with a smoother trip after being caught wide and running on strongly late against an on-pace dominated race shape.