Size up the Numbers in Sha Tin feature
The HK$4.2 million Group 3 SA SA Ladies’ Purse 1800m features a wide-open field under handicap conditions at Sha Tin on Sunday, with several runners holding genuine winning claims.
This year’s Hong Kong Derby runner-up, Numbers, was last seen finishing a close second to the now-retired Romantic Warrior Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup over 2400m in May, and his impressive recent trial suggests a bold first-up showing is on the cards.
The John Size-trained Sky Jewellery is a six-time winner from 10 starts and looks well placed to claim his first black-type success after a slashing fourth in Group 2 company second-up, although his history as a bleeder is a slight concern.
One interesting contender is Ensued, who finished 2.50 lengths behind Numbers in their latest meeting and may be capable of reversing the result with a favourable weight swing.
Evergreen galloper Beauty Joy has regained form and resumed with a fast-finishing fifth in a Group 2 feature 20 days ago, although carrying top weight presents a serious challenge.
John Size-trained four-year-old gelding Beauty Award looks primed to score first-up in the Class 4 Handicap over 1400m.
Beauty Award was slow to begin on debut in May but still charged home strongly to finish sixth before producing an improved effort at his latest start in July.
Settling in midfield in a strongly run 1400m contest, the Shamus Award gelding closed off strongly to finish second, while winner Nyx Gluck has since completed a cross-season double to frank the form.
Resuming from a 130-day break, Beauty Award has attacked the line strongly in a recent trial, suggesting he is ready to produce a bold showing first-up and looks one to follow this season. – iRACE Magazine
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Kingly Demeanor is always a threat in the cellar grade and could be hard to run down with the apprentice claim from a low draw. Star Brose held up at a crucial stage but still went close last start and must be respected despite the wide gate. Perfect Pairing has attacked the line strongly in recent starts and appears well weighted to make an impact. Golden Fortune his positive racing style makes him hard to overlook in Class 5; keep safe. Cool Blue resumes from a seven-month break, and the market should provide the best guide.
Race 2: Lightning Ace may have failed to see out the 1400m trip recently but could surprise at odds with the drop back to 1200m after a solid trial on this surface. Macanese Master comes off a tenacious win and looks capable of securing a double from a low draw despite the weight rise. Conrad The Great his recent efforts suggest a maiden win is just around the corner. Wave Garden caused an upset two starts ago and backed it up with another encouraging effort last time out. Shinyu Kokoroe scored a narrow win last start but the wide draw and top weight raise concerns.
Race 3: Yee Cheong Glory below his last winning mark and could bounce back from a good draw after being hindered by wide gates recently. Juicy Dragon has shown a strong liking for the AWT and must be considered a leading contender. King’s Arrow ran on well last start despite the awkward draw and could make amends from pole position. Hayday suited by the switch to the AWT given his on-pace racing style and looks one to watch with Nichola Yuen staying aboard. Sparkling Fellow may lack consistency but the booking of Purton is intriguing.
Race 4: Apex Glory made all in style last start, and a Class 4 double looks well within reach with Purton staying aboard. Little Monster was far from disgraced last start and looks primed to deliver a bold showing with Nichola Yuen aboard. Genius Baby should relish the drop back in distance and could prove a value pick. Prime Ace recorded the fastest final sectional last time out and can make his presence felt under the right race shape. Golden Triumph let down well to finish fifth in a slowly run race last start and has since trialled well.
Race 5: Gorgeous Victory is edging closer to a breakthrough and looks one to follow with Purton remaining aboard. Lucky Year trapped wide mid-race last start and gets another look given his solid previous form. Ghorgan caught the eye flashing home late last time out and appears to be on a winnable mark. Rosewood Fleetfoot boasts strong recent form and was narrowly denied last start, though the drop in trip could be a touch sharp. Bling Bling Genius possesses tactical versatility and could be hard to run down if able to dictate up front.
Race 6: Beauty Award finished second in a race with franked form last start and looks primed to deliver a strong performance first-up. Lady’s Love has shown significant improvement in recent starts and looks capable of securing a Class 4 double from a favourable draw. Mighty Fighter found the line well late off a slow tempo last start and should map closer to the speed from a low gate. Sunny Da Best can unleash a strong finish if the pace suits and is worth considering as a value pick. Star Satyr remains well weighted after a narrow last-start win but the wide gate could prove tricky.
Race 7: Storm Mirror comes off an easy double in Class 4 and will give them something to catch again despite the rise to Class 3. Titan Pegasus would likely have finished closer with a clearer run last start and could make amends with better luck in running. Perfectday likes to get back and charge home late; can make an impact if they go too hard up front. Mickley highly suited by the rise to 1400m after several seemingly disappointing efforts over 1000m. Tagline his Australian form reads strong, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him produce a bold showing first-up.
Race 8: Numbers, this year’s Hong Kong Derby runner-up, resumes off an eye-catching trial win and shapes as a leading contender in this Group 3 event. Ensued may turn the tables on likely favourite Numbers with a favourable weight swing and should not be overlooked. Sky Jewellery possesses a blistering turn of foot and could be hard to hold out if he sees out the 1800m trip. Massive Sovereign recaptured his former brilliance last start but this race looks tougher. Speed Dragon a proven performer at this level who is well weighted to be competitive again.
Race 9: Akashvani has dropped to a winnable mark and may return to more positive tactics in a race lacking natural speed. Celestial Hero overcame a wide trip to score a tenacious win last start and looks capable of securing a Class 3 double. Superb Spirit has been consistent since day one and must be included in the exotics. Har Har Power remains unbeaten from two starts in Australia and has trialled well ahead of his local debut. That’s Gold boasts strong overseas form and should run well fresh, though the wide draw is a query.
Race 10: Majestic Valour narrowly missed from a wide gate last start and has drawn well to go one better. Absolute Heart has trialled well since two consecutive all-the-way wins and may have more rating points in hand. Grand Eagle showed a strong turn of foot to score his first local win in style and looks one to follow. Dynamic Golf won a recent trial easily and looks one to watch on his local debut, though his overseas form doesn’t look particularly strong. Gloryspeed has shown ability in both local starts but the wide draw poses a challenge.
Race 11: Hot Delight a highly promising type, he was caught in the final strides after enduring a wide trip last start and looks the standout in this lineup. Mr Incredible appears well weighted to continue his strong run despite the step up to Class 2. Infinite Resolve charged home strongly to claim second last start and should be right in the mix. Hong Lok Golf resumes off a long break and will need some luck from the wide draw. Storm Rider his last run was better than it appears, and he could sneak into the placings at odds with the apprentice claim.