Sha Tin Racecourse takes center stage for another late-night Insomnia Racing card, and this race-by-race breakdown combines Tom’s Tips and Rich’s Ranks for Races 7 through 11. With full fields, mixed running styles, and subtle pace dynamics, these races reward careful form study and trip projection.
🏇 SHA TIN PICKS – INSOMNIA RACING
RACE 7 – Long Valley Handicap – 2:30 am ET
Tom’s Tips
2 – Robot Star
A winner last time out, the trainer switched to Zac, and maybe that was the difference. He raced a bit wide and finished. Based on this field, he should repeat.
7 – Smart Fat Cat
He ran second and then third before his last race. Was wide coming into the stretch and finished off well. I think with a good trip, he will return to form today.
3 – The Golden Knight
He ran second last time. Didn’t get the best start; he was back in the field and didn’t have a lot of room at the top of the stretch. He finished well to run second.
Rich’s Ranks
2 – Robot Star – 3rd in a row for the first time – boom or bust
8 – Gloriastar – faster in race internals – signs of life as Tom calls it
2 – The Golden Knight – will make a mad dash at the end – need to be timed right
11 – Splendid Force – longshot that ran a lot faster last out – maintenance work
RACE 8 – The Hong Kong Classic Mile – 3:05 am ET
Tom’s Tips
6 – Infinite Resolve
Added distance last time and ran a strong race to run second. He has a lot to do, but was closed quickly at the end. He keeps getting better with each race and adding more distance, maybe what he needs.
1 – Sagacious Life
A winner last time out with Zac on board. He was within striking distance, and with a ask he finished well. All these races have been at this distance and should be the favorite. He ran a good barrier trial, winning.
2 – Little Paradise
A winner of two straight, and both races were at 1400m. The last race was a powerful race once switched out and made the lead to run on with a good win. Adding distance should not be an issue.
Rich’s Ranks
7 – Patch Of Cosmo – fastest ST mile time with Matthew Chadwick riding
1 – Sagacious Life – Zac Purton probably had a lot of choices in here – he picked this one
2 – Little Paradise – winner 5/8 starts – more distance helps
3 – Invincible Ibis – ITM 7/7 races and winner 2/2 miles all at ST
RACE 9 – Robin’s Nest Handicap – 3:40 am ET
Tom’s Tips
11 – Circuit Fiery
In a race with various running styles, I prefer a more forward horse, and he fits. With a good start, he will be placed behind the front runners and will go on for the win.
14 – Happy Alliance
He was pushed to the front last time and then backed up to be eased at the end. Switching jockeys and trying a different running style is what I think could yield better results. This isn’t the strongest field, so at a price, he could have an interesting run.
8 – Rising Phoenix
He won two starts back, running midpack. Last time, he tried 1600m, ran fifth, and had a troubled trip. Returning to this distance will improve his chances today.
Rich’s Ranks
4 – Happy Boss – most upside potential in just his 3rd start
6 – Thousand Spirit – switched back to a closer in last – cut final 7f time by about 1 second
10 – Flying Boom – not the best Post Position – but probably the most improvement last out
11 – Circuit Fiery – another that ran plenty faster and draws the rail
RACE 10 – Kat O Handicap – 4:15 am ET
Tom’s Tips
1 – The Boom Box
He’s been racing at Happy Valley for his last three races, with a win in his first start and not-so-great results in the next two starts. His last race was run from the back at the start, moved forward, but didn’t have the kick at the end. Returning to one turn mile will give him a better chance.
10 – California Waves
This is a horse that seems to find trouble and did so last time, running fifth after a bump at the start, forced wide, and getting going, but outfinished to run fifth. The race before, he ran second and just missed. He will return today with a good trip and a strong finish.
6 – Wrote A New Page
He ran ninth last time, and the best way to describe his run was “wide”. He ran much better at the start before running third. I’m betting on that form today.
Rich’s Ranks
8 – Lucky Sam Gor – Post doesn’t hurt as much feel like more distance helps this closer
4 – Seraph Gabriel – TBH – his times suck but his Barrier trial between races didn’t
9 – The Red Hare – probably the rightful favorite – post not so good – likely overbet
11 – Endued – rain would be the biggest beneficiary if the track softens
RACE 11 – Yan Chau Tong Handicap – 4:50 am ET
Tom’s Tips
12 – Without Compare
He had drawn fourteen last time and was wide going for the finish, even though he was in the rear, but came on with a strong effort to run third. Today, he draws three post and with a good trip, he should win.
6 – Super Express
He’s doing a good job running second and has now done so four times in a row. Last time, he had issues at the start, moved up, and beat the rest of the field. A slightly better draw will help, but he needs to get cover for his best effort.
3 – Everyone’s Star
He was a bit keen early last time, asked to go at the top of the stretch, but didn’t run on and finished fifth. He responded better in the race before, finishing second. In his past races, he’s been good enough but hasn’t won, and he should do well against this group of horses.
Rich’s Ranks
6 – Super Express – going to be big Fav, but resume says beware of wallpaper – likes to hang late – resume 5/1-4-0
12 – Without Compare – has a lot of untapped upside in 3rd start
11 – Power Of Vitam – same story as the 12 – but lower odds and tougher post
1 – Mid Winter Wind – ran about 2 seconds faster
