Forza Toro to get it right at Sha Tin
After an unlucky last start, four-year-old gelding Forza Toro shapes as a leading contender in the Class 4 Handicap over 1400m at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Forza Toro produced a meritorious sixth after racing wide throughout in his penultimate outing before going close to making amends last time out over this track and distance. After missing the start badly, the Caspar Fownes-trained gelding was forced to be ridden along early to stay in touch with the field.
Despite that setback, he still unleashed a sustained finishing burst in the straight to close strongly on the winner, going down by only a head. With a clean getaway, victory looked well within reach.
Forza Toro appears well placed to break through for his first local win in a below-par Class 4 field this week. Based on the strength of his latest effort, he should prove hard to hold out with João Moreira aboard if he jumps cleanly.
Three-year-old gelding Navas G can build on his eye-catching debut in the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.
Despite being overlooked in the market, Navas G produced a strong debut performance over this track and distance 21 days ago. Ridden by in-form apprentice Nichola Yuen, the South African gelding settled on the speed and quickened well late to finish just 0.75 lengths from the winner in third, suggesting he is a promising type with plenty of upside.
Navas G should take plenty of benefit from that debut run and, with Yuen’s valuable 4.5kg claim, looks one to follow and could prove hard to run down second-up. – iRACE Magazine
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Rosewood Fleetfoot ran on well in a recent trial and looks capable of producing an improved effort off a lower mark. All Are Mine has been knocking on the door, and the return to turf should further boost his winning chances. Perfect Pairing has finished strongly in his past few starts and will make his presence felt under the right race shape. Family Fortune his recent runs have been encouraging but the wide draw could prove tricky. Matsu Victor will relish the drop to Class 5 and the inside draw looks another positive.
Race 2: Kingdom showed tactical speed and made all in both trials, suggesting a strong debut performance, especially with Joao Moreira aboard. Run Run Sunrise has been in consistent form and looks poised to make an impact with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim. Mabubu resumes off a strong trial and could outrun expectations over the shorter trip. Bustling City on an eight-day turnaround off an encouraging effort and should be right in the mix. Cloud Nine possesses tactical speed and the drop in distance should work in his favour.
Race 3: Always Fluke raced wide last start and deserves another chance from a good draw, given his strong previous form in this grade. Enjoy Golf has trialled well ahead of his Class 5 debut and should play a key role against weaker opposition. Ruby Sailing with the apprentice claim, he is expected to show improvement dropping back to Class 5. Call To Command placed at long odds last start but is only worth considering if the price remains attractive, given his breathing issue. No Other Choice from a low draw, he looks capable of securing a spot in the Top 3 at his second attempt in Class 5.
Race 4: Navas G settled on the speed and stuck on well for third in a fast run race on debut. With natural improvement, he looks poised to break through. Papaya Brose has trialled well since his eye-catching third last start, and the booking of Moreira adds appeal. Better And Better must be considered a strong contender in this field following two encouraging efforts in this class. Mighty Fighter his last run was better than it reads, and with a better draw, he could sneak into the placings. Little Monster looks capable of breaking through in Class 4, but drawing wide again remains a concern.
Race 5: Superb Spirit finished strongly in a slowly run race on debut, and has since made all in a trial, suggesting he looks one to follow second-up. Lucrative Eight has gone close in both starts and should be highly competitive again. Incredible Moment made all by three lengths last start, though aided by an uncontested lead, and could repeat the dose under similar conditions. Goldentronicmighty below his last winning mark, he could cause an upset from a good draw. Dancing Blaze looks a noteworthy debutant given the links with Joao Moreira, Caspar Fownes and Aaron Kwok.
Race 6: Celestial Hero travelled wide but still ran well last start, and with a smoother trip likely from a low draw, he could make amends. Thunder Kit stormed home for second last start and should play a key role in this open contest. Pegas with a 10lb claimer aboard, he could surprise at odds if able to dictate from a wide draw. Savvy Brilliant badly held up first-up and should show improvement with added fitness and better luck second-up. Megastar Heart has trialled okay ahead of his local debut and the market will provide the best guide.
Race 7: Forza Toro flashed home into second after missing the start last time out, and with a clean jump, he could be hard to hold out. Solid Car on a winnable mark, he looks capable of bouncing back at any time in Class 4. Duke Of Orange has posted fast final sectionals in his recent starts and could cause an upset if he settles closer to the speed from a good draw. Run Run Smart was narrowly beaten after making the running last start and must be respected. Aquaman capable but unpredictable, he could place at long odds from a favourable draw.
Race 8: Vermilion Tempest was narrowly denied last start, and with Moreira aboard, he looks poised to go one better. Absolute Honour capitalised on a low draw to break through last start and remains a strong chance, though the weight rise and a trickier draw raise concerns. Star Brose encountered traffic at a crucial stage last start and is worth considering again. Star Elegance has mixed form but may surprise at odds with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim. Charity Gain resuming off a break, he is expected to improve at his second run back in Class 4.
Race 9: Proud Box led from start to finish by three lengths last time out and a Class 4 double looks well within reach. Star Figure stormed home for third last start and remains well weighted to produce another encouraging effort. Ace has shown marked improvement recently, though he has yet to place from nine starts in Class 4. Silver Up has trialled well for his return and could surprise at odds first-up, despite a less favourable jockey booking. Strathpeffer a proven performer at this level, he should figure in the finish with Ethan Brown aboard.
Race 10: Chill Easy improved last start and has since trialled well, making him a leading contender in this open contest. Endeared has hit a purple patch of form and should be highly competitive, despite a slightly awkward draw. The Unique Star turned in an impressive recent trial and is worth considering as a value pick. Mr Energia with his strong turn of foot, he will unleash a strong burst if the pace suits. Perfectday was far from disgraced last start and could place at long odds with a more patient ride likely from a wide draw.
Race 11: Brilliant Express found the line strongly off a slow tempo last start and looks one to follow from a favourable draw off a mark below his last winning rating. Everyone’s Star finished a solid second to the talented Sky Jewellery last start, and with Moreira staying aboard, he could go one better. Uranus Star with his positive racing style, he should produce a strong on-pace performance with a 10lb claimer aboard. Aerovolanic comes off an uncharacteristic run last start and could improve if he regains his early speed. All’s Well was narrowly beaten last start and should run well again from a decent draw.