Bustling City set to score on Sha Tin All-Weather track

Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Wednesday for an exciting nine-race card, featuring competitive action on the All-Weather Track throughout the evening.

The rapidly improving four-year-old Bustling City looks primed to go one better in the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m.

Bustling City has been a revelation since switching to the alternative surface three starts ago, recording two wins and a placing. The David Hayes-trained gelding scored by a combined margin of 11.50 lengths in his previous two outings when leading throughout, before finishing a close second last time out.

Pressured for the lead on that occasion, he stuck on gamely to be beaten by only half a length, while the other horse involved in the early speed battle was beaten by more than 10 lengths, adding plenty of merit to the performance.

Finding a highly winnable race this week, Bustling City looks the standout and should prove extremely hard to run down, while Causeway King, Lucy In The Sky and Blazing Wind could fill the minor placings.

With a drop in class, six-year-old gelding View All Things should hold a strong chance of returning to the winner’s list in the Class 5 Handicap over 1200m.

View All Things broke through in Class 5 last season, and since then may have found the competition in Class 4 a touch too strong.

However, his last two efforts carried plenty of merit, as he found the line well late to finish seventh and sixth, beaten by less than four lengths on each occasion. In addition, the form from those races has since held up well, with both winners performing strongly in subsequent starts.

The drop back to Class 5 is a big plus for View All Things this week, and he is expected to show significant improvement against more manageable opposition.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Superb Guy slow to begin but still flashed home late into sixth last time out and, with a clean getaway, can make amends. Happydearhappydeer narrowly missed last start and deserves another chance with the apprentice claim from a favourable draw. Hailtothevictors attacked the line strongly last start and can make his presence felt if the pace suits. Team Happy comes off a Class 5 double and should run well again, though the rise to 1650m raises concerns. My Flying Angel should be competitive if he can settle closer to the speed from the inside gate.

Race 2: Oriental Surprise looks overdue for a win and could finally break through with Nichola Yuen’s 7lb claim. Winning Diamond showed marked improvement last start and appears well weighted to shed his maiden tag. He Was Me has shown consistent form in the cellar grade and should play a key role. Celestial Harmony below his last winning mark, he could cause an upset with a claiming rider aboard from a low draw. Flash Star posted the fastest final sectional last time out and could place at long odds.

Race 3: View All Things has performed honestly against stronger opposition in Class 4, and the drop back to Class 5 could spark improvement. Bullish Pride resumes with an improved trial and is expected to run well fresh. Robot Knight disappointed first-up but could cause an upset with added fitness given his solid record on this surface. Viva Chaleur stalked the speed and finished seventh in a race with franked form last time out and is worth considering. Swagger Bro highly suited by the drop back in distance and could surprise at odds.

Race 4: Yoda’s Choice resumes off a break and is expected to deliver a strong on-pace showing with the in-form Nichola Yuen aboard. Firefoot possesses good early speed and has drawn well to go one better after being demoted to second due to a protest last time out. Bull Attitude encountered heavy traffic last start but only went down by a narrow margin and commands respect. Precision Hope has been in consistent form and is edging closer to a breakthrough in Class 4. Turin Mascot let down strongly to finish fifth in Class 3 last start and should relish the drop to Class 4.

Race 5: Endurance Express with his positive racing style, he should produce an improved effort under the apprentice claim after dropping to Class 4. Leading Dragon the switch to the AWT should suit him even better given his tactical speed, and he will give them something to catch. Armour War Eagle stormed home to win in style last start but the weight rise and wide draw pose a challenge. Raging Warrior debuted with a fast-finishing third and has drawn well to build on that effort. Flowing Riches may lack consistency but is worth considering if his odds represent value.

Race 6: California Star resumes off a nice trial and can make his presence felt with a genuine tempo, provided he jumps cleanly. Night Purosangue could be hard to run down if allowed an uncontested lead, as evidenced by his impressive win two starts ago. Excellence Value will appreciate the step up in distance and could snake into the placings at long odds. Family Knight appears well weighted with the apprentice claim and should not be overlooked despite his moderate recent form. Chill Kaka the reapplication of visors, in which he scored twice, may spark improvement.

Race 7: Mega Captain comes off a fair first-up effort and, with added fitness, should be right in the mix. Giant Leap narrowly beaten last start and is expected to deliver another bold showing with Nichola Yuen aboard. Wolf Coming finished a luckless eighth after being badly held up last start and gets another look. Honest Witness with Britney Wong’s 7lb claim and the drop to Class 4, he could be hard to run down if able to dictate after finishing a solid fourth in Class 3 last start. Good Chap can unleash a strong finish if the race unfolds in his favour despite the wide draw.

Race 8: Bustling City has been a revelation since the switch to the AWT and is likely to start favourite given his excellent recent form. Lucy In The Sky an in-form frontrunner, he comes off a solid third over this track and distance and warrants respect. Self Improvement has dropped in the ratings and could show improvement on his return to the AWT. Blazing Wind should relish the drop back to Class 3, where he is a two-time winner. Causeway King made all in emphatic fashion in Class 4 last time out and remains a chance stepping back up to Class 3.

Race 9: Gorgeous Win may have needed his last start after returning from Korea and could run a big race with the apprentice claim from a low draw. Top Dragon was not beaten far first-up and shapes as a strong contender dropping back to Class 3. Dragon Air Force stormed home for third last start, though aided by a fast tempo, and should run well again under similar conditions. Pray For Justice improved into second on his AWT debut last time out and looks one to follow. Nezha comes off a narrow second over this track and distance and can make his presence felt again with a strong tempo.