Hong Kong Jockey Club day is upon us! We’re blessed with an absolutely mouth-watering 10-race card headlined by the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint, Mile, and Cup. I’ve analysed the meeting and have found some exceptional chances that I’m keen to back. Best of luck and enjoy what is sure to be an exciting day!
Sha Tin Racing Tips: Sunday November 20th
Race 5
Golden Express (8) is one of the most exciting new horses in Hong Kong and has been trialling up extremely impressively prior to his debut today in what looks a winnable race. He’s got the perfect setup drawing gate 1 with Zac Purton booked to ride. John Size is a notoriously talented trainer with debutants and young horses in Hong Kong and he looks to have a solid chance with this one.
Roman Turbo (1) is my second pick here and looks a great long shot to save or have a 2nd play in this race. He goes well first up and has been strong through the line in lead up trials. Hugh Bowman should slot him in midfield from gate 8 and be looking to launch late.
Lord Thunder (3) is undefeated in his short career here and has trialled nicely enough to suggest he’ll return well again for his 2nd preparation. The draw will be tricky to overcome though.
Victor The Winner (9) missed the start slightly last time which probably cost him the race. Won nicely prior and can run well here from gate 2 with James McDonald aboard.
Golden Express (8) Win
$2.60 (1 Unit)
Race 6
Wellington (1) is the best sprinter in Hong Kong by some margin at the moment. He scored against most of this field at multiple points during his 4 races undefeated and looks very well in here meeting most horses better on the weight scale. Hard to make a case against him.
Super Wealthy (5) is the 2nd best sprinter currently for mine. Was unlucky a few starts ago behind Wellington and won since down the straight 1000m. Drawn well enough to threaten Wellington and could be the winner were something to go wrong with the favourite.
Lucky Sweynesse (11) is the typical ‘new kid on the block’ in open class sprinting and much like his predecessors in that role hasn’t fully measured up to this level. It’s a big step to take and I suspect it’ll take more time for this horse to get to the level he needs to win races of this nature. Still a strong chance for minors.
Sky Field (2) has been neck-and-neck with Wellington for multiple seasons but seems to have lost some of the edge that had him winning quality races. He’s run well in his last 2 but probably only a chance for minors again.
Wellington (1) Win
$2.20 (2 Units)
Race 8
Last year’s Hong Kong Derby and QEII winner Romantic Warrior (1) returns to the scene of the crime here over 2000m at Sha Tin. This can’t possibly be any harder than those races and have to trust that this horse will be prepared by the Shum team to tackle 2000m first up. Trials back up this theory as the horse has dominated them under no pressure from the jockey. Expect him to win and continue his dominance in Hong Kong over this trip.
Russian Emperor (2) had to work very hard around the outside of the field in the QEII behind Romantic Warrior last season. With a kinder run and added fitness now second up he can fill the minors but may struggle to turn the tables on the favourite.
Beauty Joy (3) is a talented horse on the up. My main query is whether he’ll get the 2000m here. He’s got solid form over the mile but seemed to peak on his run late over 1800m last time. On that run, 2000m does look a stretch.
Tourbillon Diamond (4) is very hard to catch but ran well last time at big odds. Shorter here and probably not a solid winning hope but one for minors and exotics.
Romantic Warrior (1) Win
$2.50 (2 Units)
Race 10
Winner Method (2) meets Erimo 7kg better for going down by 1.7L last time. He is weighted to win this race plain and simple. The barrier isn’t completely ideal but as long as the horse isn’t posted 3-wide without cover I see him winning or going very close at nice odds.
Erimo (1) hit a peak figure last time and can continue to progress going for 3 in a row now. He will have to carry top weight this time though which is going to make this race much harder than his last few.
Happy Day (14) closed off well behind Happy Daily last time and A Pal has won since running 2nd in that race. Drawn poorly in gate 9 and will get back but should be closing off strongly and may be benefited by any run-on bias.
Master Hero (7) gets 4.5kg off this time with Angus Chung taking the ride. The horse has put in some average performances and seems a bit hard to catch these days but if he brings his best he can be right in the finish with only 52.5kg.
Winner Method (2) Each-Way
$11/$3.50 (0.5 Units)
