WINNO'S WINNERS: HONG KONG (SHA TIN) 25 APRIL
By Darren Winningham | Saturday, April 24, 2021
SHA TIN RACES – SUNDAY 25 APRIL 2021
THE FWD CHAMPIONS RACE DAY 2021
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s feature race meeting in April. The FWD Champions Day – a spectacle for this time of the year.
Despite COVID-19 it is wonderful to see the program supported with some international runners.
Race 1
A Class 4 race to start the day – the race is very open.
A few of these have had several chances to win. I have found some value in Super Mission (7) to be ridden by Derek Leung. The gelding has drawn wide, however, he will go back and run on late. He has had a month between runs, and he was very good and let down nicely in a recent barrier trial.
Enchanting Start (2) is another runner who gets back in his races – Zac Purton has stuck with him. I feel that he has drawn well enough to be positioned so that coming into the straight Zac may bring him along the rails as the gaps open late.
City Legend (3) was a winner last time out here – you know that they say winning form is good form. He has gone up in the ratings and in weight – that may be a drama. Ruan Maia has made a big impact on Hong Kong racing since relocating from Brazil. He retains the ride this weekend.
Mission Smart (10) is from the astute Frankie Lor yards and will be partnered by Joao Moreira. Has drawn well here this weekend. I think that his first two runs at Happy Valley when he resumed from a spell can be overlooked and that he will be well suited by the Sha Tin track – keep safe.
Selections:
7 – Super Mission
2 – Enchanting Start
3 – City Legend
10 – Mission Smart
Race 2
1200 metres at Class 4 – tough field this one.
I like the two horses that finished second last time in their respective races.
Victory Scholars (4) is trained by David Hall and will be ridden by Derek Leung. He was very impressive last start here in this class and distance – has trialled up nicely since then and will be well supported.
Packing Award (5) is trained by David Hayes and partnered by Zac Purton. Again, was very good at his first start in Hong Kong for the stable. Since then, a nice trial over 1000 metres to blow the cobwebs out for this race. I anticipate this runner will be the favourite in the race. It well could be the two expat Australian trainers running the quinella here!
If you want to play wide for a roughie, Party Genius (13) has been leading and then last start the Douglas Whyte stable rode him back and he powered home late. I expect they may adopt the same tactics this weekend from the wide barrier. Look for Karis Teetan to settle him and put him into the race late.
Other chances are included in my selections below.
Selections:
4 – Victory Scholars
5 – Packing Award
13 – Party Genius
3 – Galactic
Rough chance – (1) Lucky Quality & (10) Beauty Cheers
Race 3
A race over 1100 metres – this time at the Class 3 level.
Look the favourite will be Fantastic Way (1) from the John Size stables, to be ridden by Joao Moreira, who has won all three career starts. Cannot fault the form – but does have a massive weight to contend with here.
I am going to select the David Hayes runner – Trader (10) who debuted here and jumped out and led them and gave nothing else a chance. He goes down in the weight and up in grade – I just think this runner has some upside and should be respected. Karis Teetan takes the ride as Zac Purton would not make the weight.
Like That (7) trained by Frankie Lor has had a short let up – solid effort here a month ago when he ran third.
Box my top three selections for a nice result I reckon.
Selections:
10 – Trader
1 – Fantastic Way
7 – Like That
2 – Sunset Watch
Race 4
Class 3 race over the mile – an even field.
Maldives (10) looks well placed here from the David Hall yards – Zac Purton to ride. Likes the mile and goes up from Class 4 to Class 3. I hope he can make the transition here. He will appreciate that there is speed in the race as he likes to get back.
New Future (11) is maybe another runner to consider as the tempo last start did not suit. He will get back as well and will appreciate the speed - will be ridden by Alexis Badel.
Watch the market for Entrusted (8) from the W So stable with Joao Moreira to ride. He has been trialling well and may run a good race first up – if the stable steps in and backs this runner – follow the money.
All For St Paul’s (3) is a Frankie Lor runner and Matthew Poon will ride. He is coming back in distance from 1800 metres last time out when he won and will have no drama with the mile. He likes to bowl along in front – if he gets some soft sectionals, he may be too good to run down.
Selections:
10 – Maldives
3 – All For St Paul’s
8 – Entrusted
11 – New Future
Race 5 The Chairman’s Sprint
The first of our feature races on the program.
The Japanese reigning International Race Day Champion Danon Smash (1) returns to take some HK Jockey Club prizemoney back to Japan. His record is superb, and he races well fresh. If he turns in an effort like he did in December, he will be very difficult to beat. The addition of Joao Moreira aboard looks like he will be given every chance.
The local runner Wellington (6) trained by Richard Gibson has been performing in some easier races. He steps up to Group 1 racing in this race with Alexis Badel retaining the mount. I think that his run two starts ago over the distance and track and he ran 1:07.8 would suggest that, if he could measure up with that type of effort, he will be right in this race.
Beauty Applause (12) is second up here after a short break - trained by John Size and Zac Purton to ride for the stable - two champions in their own rights. This runner warrants some consideration.
Sky Field (13) is trained by Casper Fownes and will be ridden by Aussie Blake Shinn – could be a rough chance at any old price.
Selections:
1 – Danon Smash
6 – Wellington
12 – Beauty Applause
13 – Sky Field
Race 6
Just a short break here between our feature races.
John Size and Moreira combine here with Gallant Express (13) who was dominant winning here a month ago. That form looks wonderful for this race.
The once chance I can see beating the favourite is Horsesain Bolt (9) trained by Douglas Whyte and to be ridden by Harry Bentley. He is fourth up from a spell and drops back from the mile to 1400 metres. I think that this distance will see him peak.
Golden Link (10) won here last start with Matthew Chadwick aboard. Similar class and meets a similar opposition and slightly up in weight – keep safe.
Selections:
13 – Gallant Express
9 – Horsesain Bolt
10 – Golden Link
1 – Tianchi Monster
Race 7 FWD CHAMPIONS MILE
The second leg of our feature races on the program.
Too easy - just take Golden Sixty (1) the local champion Hong Kong super star – only bad luck will see him beaten here.
Trained by K Lui and to be ridden by Vincent Ho, he looks like he will continue his winning way. This will be 14 wins in a row!
Take your pick for the placings! Ka Ying Star (3) will lead them – maybe the speed and small field will see him run second.
Selections:
1 – Golden Sixty
3 – Ka Ying Star
2 – Southern Legend
4 – Mighty Giant
Race 8 FWD QEII CUP
The final leg of our feature races on the program.
Only another small field.
The Japanese runners look like they have a mortgage on the race.
Daring Tact (6) is first up here. No drama though, she has wonderful form first up with 4 wins from 5 starts. She will get back – but in this small field should have no trouble in getting home strong late.
Glory Vase (1) won the HK International Vase in December and resumed back in March in Japan with a solid effort.
Love Only You (7) resumed at home with a good effort at Group 2 level – Vincent Ho to ride. I am just not certain that this runner is a genuine Group 1 runner.
The Hong Kong runner that I like is the old warhorse Exultant (2) trained by Tony Cruz who will be ridden again by Zac Purton. These two have combined for some memorable wins on these feature races – I hope they can knock of the Japanese runners and post a win for the locals!
Selections:
6 – Daring Tact
2 – Exultant
1 – Glory Vase
7 – Love Only You
Race 9
Well, the big races are all over – now it is time to get into the final two races and grab some more cash!
Tourbillon Diamond (2) loves the mile here – he is trained by C Shum and will be ridden by Zac Purton. He has had a freshen up – but a solid barrier trial a fortnight ago would suggest he is forward enough to win this race.
There are some lightweights in the race that may challenge him late.
Super Football (13) trained by Jimmy Ting has won here previously. Matthew Chadwick rides. He got too far back last time out from a wide barrier and could not make any ground late. Look for him to go forward this weekend if he gets away cleanly.
Celestial Power (14) resumes as well from a short freshen up for Frankie Lor. Matthew Poon in the saddle. From barrier 2 and with the light weight they probably will push forward and be handy on the speed. He may just hold these other runners off as they charge home late.
Joao Moreira combines with John Size on Savaquin (11). Forget the last start effort at Happy Valley – had no luck in the running – back to this larger track look for an improved effort.
Selections:
2 – Tourbillon Diamond
13 – Super Football
14 – Celestial Power
11 – Savaquin
Rough chance – (3) Solar Wei Wei
Race 10
We are at the final race on this prestigious race day for the Hong Kong Jockey Club and their major sponsor – FWD.
The last race is over 1200 metres.
Moreira and John Size combine with the very progressive Courier Wonder (7) who is undefeated in all three starts in Hong Kong. Looks well placed here in the last. Could be a big day for Moreira and Size with some solid chances across the program.
Lucky Patch (5) will be piloted by Zac Purton. I think that this runner will be better suited with the senior rider this weekend. Just one issue is the wide barrier as he likes to push forward in his races.
Frankie Lor trains Winning Power (2) who seems to be out of form after posting some solid wins in a row last preparation. I would say on his previous dynamic wins that he is a genuine chance – he just must find his old form.
Duke Wai (1) loves this track and distance – despite the big weight he has drawn perfectly. Look for an improved effort with Karis Teetan aboard here.
Selections:
7 – Shadow Hero
5 – Lucky Patch
2 – Winning Dreamer
1 – Duke Wai
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Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)
1,7,10 / 3,8,10 / 1,6,12 / 9,10,13 - cost is $81 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)
1,10 / 3,10 / 1,6 / 9,10,13 - cost is $24 to $1
Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
1 / 1,2,6 / 2,11,13,14 / 2,5,7 - cost is $36 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
1 / 2,6 / 2,13,14 / 5,7 - cost is $12 to $1
Treble (races 8 to 10)
1,2,6 / 2,11,13,14 / 2,5,7 - cost is $36 to $1
WINNO V CAMPO
I will see if resident Hong Kong man Adam Campton puts his selections up on his Facebook. If he does, I think I may just have to take him on! Take note of his tips as he normally is not too far off the mark – plus he has the local knowledge with WINNO stuck in Queensland! I will post our selections and any late mail!
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