Purton could find a Little Paradise at Sha Tin
The HK$4.2 million Group 3 Celebration Cup over 1400m has attracted a small but highly competitive field at Sha Tin on Sunday, with several runners holding strong winning claims.
Helios Express may currently rank among Hong Kong’s leading sprinters, but carrying top weight under handicap conditions presents a significant challenge. Invincible Ibis and Little Paradise, with Zac Purton in the irons, both proved themselves during last season’s Four-Year-Old Series, and there appears little between the pair, with the former conceding just 1.5kg to the latter.
Both are expected to run well fresh on their return in this feature.
Two-time Group 3 winner Galaxy Patch was beaten only a neck by Little Paradise at their most recent meeting and, with a favourable 2kg weight swing, looks well placed to turn the tables. Copartner Prance may lack consistency, but he resumed with a solid second behind Ka Ying Rising and should give them something to catch if allowed to dictate on the front end.
Highly promising four-year-old Salon S looks well placed to make a winning return in the 1200m Class 2 Handicap.
Salon S won his first four starts before that winning streak came to an end last time out, but the effort still had plenty of merit as he was stepping up to Class 2 for the first time. Making the running as usual, the son of Zousain was only headed inside the final 150m before finishing fourth, beaten 2.25 lengths over 1400m.
Resuming off an eye-catching trial, Zac Purton-ridden Salon S remains open to further improvement and shapes as a leading contender despite facing another quality Class 2 field. – iRACE Magazine
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Only U posted a fast final sectional time last start and looks one to follow with Purton jumping aboard. Mr Good Vibes has mixed form but looks capable of bouncing back at any time in the cellar grade. So My Folks showed marked improvement first-up but the wide draw could prove tricky. Daily Trophy highly suited by the return to the AWT and has drawn well to make his presence felt. Robot Knight the apprentice claim and inside draw are both positives, and he is expected to produce a bold on-pace showing.
Race 2: Little Monster caught wide but still fought well to finish fifth first-up and, with added fitness and a better draw, can make amends. Just Follow Me had breathing issues last start, but his previous form suggests a maiden win is around the corner. Navas G with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim and his tactical speed, he could be hard to catch if allowed to cut across from the wide draw. Apex Glory resumed with a creditable fourth and is open to further improvement second-up. Glaciated found the line strongly last start and appears well weighted to produce another encouraging effort.
Race 3: Fortune Supernova has dropped in the ratings and is expected to show improvement with winkers applied for the first time. Forever Fancy finished strongly for third on his Class 5 debut last start and should be right in the mix. Draco broke through in fine style last time out, and a Class 5 double looks well within his reach. Double Bingo has been knocking on the door but drawing wide again remains a concern. Vigor Elleegant appears to be on a competitive mark and can run a big race if he doesn’t have any lingering breathing issues.
Race 4: In a wide-open contest with no standouts, Thunder Prince comes off a slashing third over this track and distance and rates highly. Rapid Phantom has been in consistent form and looks well placed with the apprentice claim. Let’s Have Fun placed at long odds last start and should run well again under a light weight. Run Run Sunrise better than his recent form suggests and is worth considering as a value pick. Flying Ting Lok poorly ridden last start and could cause an upset with a better-judged ride.
Race 5: Armour War Eagle was slow away last start and, with a clean jump, should be competitive given he has dropped to an advantageous mark. Bright Mortar stormed home for second last start, and the switch back to the AWT further boosts his winning prospects. M M Concord making his AWT debut, he should run well given his positive racing style. Central Bank should relish the drop in class, and the booking of Purton adds further appeal. Causeway King made the running and finished a solid fourth in Class 3 two starts ago, and a top-three finish wouldn’t surprise as he drops to Class 4.
Race 6: Bucephalas has trialled well for his return, and the inside draw suits his positive racing style. Harold Win will appreciate the extra distance, and his consistency could be rewarded. Etalon Or boasts a reliable record in this class and is well placed with the apprentice claim, though the widest draw poses a challenge. Lucky Man should run a big race if able to settle along the rail, and the booking of Purton piques interest. Turin Champions drops to Class 4, where his best form lies, and is expected to produce a much-improved effort.
Race 7: Bustling City scored an emphatic win on his AWT debut last start, albeit in Class 4, and looks primed to secure a double despite rising to Class 3. Aurora Patch a consistent frontrunner, he should map well from a low draw and be highly competitive. Packing King has performed well since stepping up to Class 3 two starts ago and looks one to follow. Four Stars Align his overseas form reads strong, and he should sprint well fresh on his local debut. Herbal Star has raced well on the AWT and may sneak into the placings, though the rise in class is a query.
Race 8: Little Paradise scored a tenacious win in Group 3 company last start and shapes as a leading contender again with Purton staying aboard. Invincible Ibis finished a solid fourth in the Group 1 Champions Mile last start and should play a key role dropping to Group 3 first-up. Helios Express arguably the second-best sprinter in Hong Kong and commands respect despite carrying top weight. Galaxy Patch narrowly missed in a Group 3 feature last time out but may need some luck from the wide draw. Stormy Grove resumes after a bleeding attack, and the betting market will provide the best guide.
Race 9: Packing Fighter easily defied a wide draw to make all in Class 4 last start and remains a strong chance despite stepping back up to Class 3. Amazing Partners stormed home for second despite a tardy start last time out and must be included in the exotics given his consistent form. Quantum Legend should enjoy a smooth trip from a low draw and looks well weighted to show improvement first-up. Big Return should build on his honest first-up effort with the rise in distance and added fitness. Nucleozor has shown improvement in recent runs and could place at odds even from a wide draw.
Race 10: Salon S a highly promising 4YO, he should give them something to run down despite the wide draw. Rising Force made all easily in his most recent outing and looks poised to land a Class 2 double with Purton remaining aboard. Sky Trust resuming off an impressive trial, he should run well fresh and could prove a knockout chance. Turquoise Velocity narrowly beaten at Happy Valley last start, but this looks a tougher test on his return to Sha Tin. Geneva can unleash a strong late surge if they go too hard up front, which looks likely in a field with plenty of speed.
Race 11: Circuit Champion has had no luck in recent starts and should get every chance to make it right from a favourable draw this time. Aeroinvincible with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim, he is expected to deliver a strong performance and could prove hard to run down. The Red Hare had excuses last start (raced wide) and could show improvement with better luck in running. Endeared may not be prolific in this class, but his consistent form makes him hard to overlook. Lucky Sam Gor should come on from his first-up run but may have reached his rating ceiling.