Sha Tin Horse Race Picks
Some overnight, Vampire racing at Sha Tin for Tom and Rich. Hong Kong horse racing is always fun with deep fields. Let’s see if the guys can build on last week’s winners.
Sha Tin Racecourse (Free Sha Tin Past Performances)
Race 5: HOLLY HANDICAP
Race 6: IVY HANDICAP
Race 7: THE YAN CHAI TROPHY
Race 8: PINE HANDICAP
Race 9: SPRUCE HANDICAP
Race 10: POINSETTIA HANDICAP
Guaranteed Tip Sheet Free Track of the Day: https://www.guaranteedtipsheet.com/index.aspx?afid=hrt
Free Sha Tin Tips
22 to 1 Tom’s Tips
Race 5
12 – MM Nebula – Draw 4
Has plenty of speed and a good draw to get the lead. Has won at this distance on the AW. Last out, he was crowded early and ran an okay race. The better the trip, the better the results.
2 – Nordic Star – Draw 1
After showing very little at the class 3 level, he was dropped to class 4 race last out and came from way back to be third with some trouble in the race. This time, a rail trip may benefit without traffic issues.
5 – Blissful Star – Draw 12
After races at Happy Valley and Sha Tin of doing nothing in the race, he was switched to the AW and ran a strong second, losing by a neck at big odds. He’s run twice on the AW, with the last effort, the best. The draw doesn’t do him any favors, but certainly, the last race was the best in a long while.
Race 6
10 – Fighting Machine – Draw 3
With only a two-race career, he showed something in each of his races, but he has had trouble in both races. Eased back in his first back to come wide and run seventh. In the last race, again, he was checked, blocked, and had a cut on his leg. He ran seventh again. Trainer/Jockey stat: 27 races and won nine of them. So, the jockey switches to Zac Purton and tells me he’s ready to win.
2 – Solid Shalaa – Draw 2
His last three races have been at Happy Valley, and the last effort was the best in a while. He started well and ran on to get fifth. The trainer added a tongue tie last time and, this time will take the blinkers off. His lifetime record is 15 starts, three wins and two seconds, but his Hong Kong record is 11 starts one second. Better races to come.
9 – Volcanic Spark – Draw 1
Never far back in his first start, he showed one pace all the way around to run seventh by three and half lengths. The note says he had a tough trip. The inside draw will be a challenge, but this is a race with many inexperienced horses. Why not in his second start?
Race 7
4 – La City Blanche – Draw 5
After races coming from the back of the field, he showed speed before giving way to better horses. Ok, this was a group 1 race against a good field. After some tough races and fields, he drops back to a level he should be more competitive at.
2 – Five G Patch – Draw 6
Ran in the same race as my top choice and really didn’t have the best of it running sixth. Class relief and a better trip make me think he could be the favorite in this race.
6 – Columbus County – Draw 3
After too many races with trouble at this level, he’s adding distance to maybe have a better trip to get some money. He’s placed before at this distance and he showed something in the last to suggest to me, he can get a in the money run. Decent price too.
Race 8
6 – Joyful Hunter – Draw 11
After some good races, he didn’t get a good start and with that the race was over. He hasn’t won this season, but has two third place runs before the last race. I think the drop back in distance and better start will result in a win.
2 – Cotton Fingers – Draw 2
In Hong Kong racing, he has run second twice and an average effort. Before coming to Hong Kong, He won twice, ran second twice, and ran one third. It this time he gets a win? Certainly one of the top choices here.
3 – I Give – Draw 3
He will be the leader in this race as he was last time in his latest win. He has been going up in class because he has won five in a round. He returns at the same level, same distance and should be the favorite. Prices have always been reasonable at 3-1 or better in the last five races.
Race 9
5 – Fiery Diamond – Draw 8
He ran two good races, then an average race with trouble in the last race, running sixth. His best efforts have all been on the AW, with 15 starts, three wins, four seconds, and one third. He’s never won at this distance in three tries but he did get a second coming from the 10 post. Good chance here.
3 – Ching – Draw 2
A first-time starter on the AW after running 13 times on the turf. He has won four times, ran second once and third two times. He had been running from the “clouds” in the past races and won being fourteenth at the top of the stretch. Breeding suggests he should do well on the AW and get a price.
10 – So We Joy – Draw 14
His last race was the best in a while. After races of no rally or not finishing, he put in a good effort for the first-time jockey, Atzeni. He renamed to ride again; the main problem for me putting him on top is the draw 14. Placing, yes, but a win will demand maximum effort from outside.
Race 10
6 – The Heir – Draw 11
He ran second in his two races in Hong Kong; before that, he raced seven times with three wins, one second, and three thirds. In those two races, he had lots of trouble. Eased while being wide in his first race and crowded at the 800m mark in the other race. If he gets a cleaner trip and gets his first Hong Kong win.
4 – Solid Impact – Draw 14
He had the eleven draw last out and was able to come on late to get fifth with some trouble. He ran fourth in the race before. Both these races were at 1200m. His past record is at 1400m; he has eight starts with three seconds and two thirds. Good enough for me verse these horses even from the outside post.
2 – Beauty Crescent – Draw 3
With the wide draw last out, he ran third, losing by 1/2L. Now, with a better draw, he should get a better trip. This season, he has one win from four starts at this distance. He is one to consider for the top spot, but he can get a in the money finish.
Rich’s Ranks
Race 5: HOLLY HANDICAP – 2 am Eastern
1 – AMAZING TEENS – has been out of form, but has some success at the AW track, we’ll take a shot
2 – NORDIC STAR – you pretty much always have to have jy Zac Purton in your picks
7 – LUCKY BANNER – won his last on AW – and has a shot to be forward on an easy pace
4 – ALL ARE MINE – won his last and improved his Hong Kong speed rating in the last 3
Race 6: IVY HANDICAP – 2:35 am Eastern
2 – SOLID SHALAA – he’ll be closing and a little extra distance today could be helpful
3 – PERFETTO – lone win came at the track – another that should show his best late
8 – SMILING COLLECTOR – last race better than it looks as he took off more than a second
1 – SUPER TEN – we’ll take a flyer as all four wins at the distance (all or nothing) and held up longer in his last – maybe some more improvement tonight
Race 7: THE YAN CHAI TROPHY – 3:05 am Eastern
2 – FIVE G PATCH – is dropping from a G1 and G2 – should be able to handle this level
4 – LA CITY BLANCHE – held speed longer in his last – the cutback in distance should help
1 – TOURBILLION DIAMOND – looks like an every other race horse, this is the other
10 – ENSUED – tough call over the 8, but has 2 wins in 3 at the track and had a tough start in his last
Race 8: PINE HANDICAP – 3:35 am Eastern
1 – TRUE GENIUS – has the most back class, by far, if he’s ready for his first since June – works are there
7 – ARMOUR WAR EAGLE – first up, was in great from before heading to the barn – won his debut and ran evenly in the other first up – a couple of decent works
2 – COTTON FINGERS – improved plenty in his last, looks like one of the horses that gets better the more he races, expecting another step forward here
3 – I GIVE – will be the speed and try to go all the way in the lead won 5 in a row like that
Race 9: SPRUCE HANDICAP – 4:10 am Eastern
7 – ADEFILL – really consistent performer and has the best AW of the bunch 9/3-2-2
3 – CHING – is going to try AW for the first time, turf record says he has more than a good chance
1 – EVERYONE’S DELIGHT – has the back class and showed signs of regaining form in his last
4 – YELLOWFIN – 1 for 1 at the track and distance, catch me if you can
Race 10: POINSETTIA HANDICAP – 4:45 am Eastern
2 – BEAUTY CRESCENT – should have a lot of late run in here – a little better start is all that’s needed
4 – SOLID IMPACT – solid at the distance, been running 6f – closes and extra runway helps today
3 – MASSIVE ACTION – will be the pacesetter – aside from the 7 (more a presser) not much to keep him honest on the front
1 – MIGHTY STRIDE – first up is the only question, 2nd in debut, decent barrier trials prepping
