Hong Kong International Races are upon us! What a day in store for racing fans and punters with 4 Group 1 races on the card amongst a host of exceptionally competitive Class races. I cannot wait to settle in and enjoy one of the best meetings on the Hong Kong Racing calendar!
Blake Lalor has looked through the card and provided his Sha Tin betting tips below!
Sha Tin Racing Tips: Sunday December 11th
Race 3
(10) Silver Hammer has produced some hidden gems in the trial department leading up to his Hong Kong debut after being imported from England. His trial form reads 5th and 8th which sounds unimpressive but the horse has been in front past the post on both occasions giving me the indication he’s hiding something under the bonnet which is yet to be shown to the public eye. Given the tricky setups of some of the favourites in this race he’s worth having a bet at huge odds.
(4) Victor The Winner is the horse to beat quite clearly. He should be undefeated if not for missing the start and having the race not go to plan at all for him 2 starts ago. He bounced back last time beating a future star in Golden Express and just needs to get across from the wide gate to win here.
(14) Dragon’s Luck was tipped on debut at nice double figure odds. He’ll be strong again here and could follow the favourite across from the wide gate. If he somehow gets in the 2-wide running line he may be able to threaten.
(10) Silver Hammer e/w
$29/$6.00 (0.5 units)
Race 8
(2) Romantic Warrior will be exceptionally hard to beat here. He won returning from a 30-week spell over 2000m and stays at that trip. He should improve off that first run which should see him dominate this race comfortably. There also looks to be plenty of speed on up front with the Japanese raiders which should suit Romantic Warrior who’ll be a few pairs behind.
(1) Panthalassa employed daring tactics last time in the Tenno Sho Group 1. He was set alight very early in the race and held a commanding 10 length lead turning into the long Tokyo home straight. He was caught late by the talented Equinox but finished a credible 2nd. If he gets to the rail in the lead here he could threaten as he did last time.
(10) Savvy Nine was 3rd to California Spangle earlier this prep and cannot be ruled out here. I concede the horse is an unlikely winner of the race but would suggest his current price at almost triple figures is over the odds. There are far worse 100-1 shots than this horse.
(2) Romantic Warrior Win
$2.80 (2 units)
Race 9
(10) Golden Express was unlucky not to beat Victor The Winner on debut. He’s a future star and it’s only a matter of time before he progresses up the ratings and wins races. I suspect he’ll be winning this event with only 55.5kg and Zac Purton aboard.
(6) Voyage Bubble is the obvious danger here after finishing 3rd to Stunning Impact and Sweet Encounter which looks very strong form now. Overall record reads incredibly well and expect another solid performance from the horse.
(8) Golden Empire is very good at his best. He climbed up the ratings last season stringing a few wins and a few placings together in some strong races. Hasn’t showed the same quality yet this season but gave us a glimpse last time finishing 3rd to Sweet Encounter.
(10) Golden Express Win
$2.50 (2 units)
Race 10
(10) Beauty Live needs to get the start right from gate 3 today but was brutally unlucky not to finish closer or win behind Packing Treadmill 1st up. It would be nothing less than fitting to send off one of the greatest jockeys in Hong Kong and the world with a winner in his last race. Thank you magic man!
(8) Circuit Stellar was also unlucky last time and is drawn perfectly in gate 1. He’ll be the obvious danger in this and with clear running in the straight will be hard to hold out.
(4) The Irishman just got into a tricky spot last time and never really got clear. Won emphatically over this trip prior and boasts an exceptional record over this trip. Blake Shinn will be eager to get a win and can do so here.
(10) Beauty Live e/w
$7.50/$3.10 (1 unit)
