It's the second Sunday of the new Hong Kong racing season after a ripper opening day last weekend. We're racing at Sha Tin on Sunday and keen to follow up with some more winners so let’s get into it!
Sha Tin Racing Tips: Sunday, September 17th 2023
Race 2: So Kon Po Hcp (C5) – 1400m (15:30 AEST)
(5) Sure Joyful is down in class here, trialled moderately but was good finishing last season in class 4 with a solid performance only 3L off the winner at Happy Valley. Like the booking of Hugh Bowman and barrier 4 should work ideally. Can win.
(6) Miracles beat Rise Brethren in a trial recently who is a far higher rated horse. Trial form can be tricky sometimes and doesn’t always stand up but it’s a good sign for this horse returning.
(2) Noble Steed is a horse who appeared to be edging closer to a win last season when finishing 2nd to close out his preparation. He is a 5 time winner but hasn’t won in almost 1 year.
(5) Sure Joyful e/w
$5.50/$2.25 (1 unit)
Race 4: So Kon Po Hcp (C5) – 1400m (16:30 AEST)
(2) Smart Leader was relegated to C5 to start this season and he’s already announced himself on the scene with a barnstorming finish behind I Give for 2nd. A repeat run with an extra 200m here will see him winning.
(3) Sunny Baby is the other obvious selection here who has proven himself in harder races than this. His trials and recent form haven’t been spectacular and he’s conceding fitness to Smart Leader.
(4) Millennium Falcon may be able to do something here over his preferred track and trip down in C5. Lead up trial was abysmal though so can’t trust him with too much confidence.
(2) Smart Leader e/w
$5.50/$2.35 (1 unit)
Race 6: Wan Chai Hcp (C4) – 1600m (17:35 AEST)
(3) Smiling Collector drops in class and scorched the turf in a recent trial checking off heels and launching past his rivals after the post to pull up over 10 lengths ahead of the competition. He maps well and indications are that he’s returned in good order.
(11) Pakistan Friend has also trialled well and went out last season with back-to-back wins. We know how hard it is to win 2 races let alone 3 in a row so I’m sceptical but the horse is obviously flying.
(7) Lucky Eternity seems undeservingly short in this market. Zac Purton is on after a solid 2nd placing to end last season but the trials were nothing to rave about and the horse is still a 5-start maiden which hasn’t started single figures in a single race yet.
(3) Smiling Collector e/w
$4.80/$2.10 (1 unit)
Race 7: Admirality Hcp (C3) – 1200m (18:05 AEST)
(4) Joyful Hunter joins the class 3 ranks today after an electric victory getting up in the final stride to remain undefeated in his 2 career starts. Looks extremely talented and capable of winning up in this class.
(1) Dragon’s Luck can settle on speed here and give some cheek. He’s got the big weight but should be ready to go after a solid trial.
(3) Lucky Encounter just beat Dragon’s Luck in a recent trial but wasn’t super impressive in his most recent attempt finishing 5th as favourite. He can bounce back here but runs into some tough competition.
(4) Joyful Hunter win
$2.60 (2 units)
