SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, May 23, 2021)

Race 1: #9 Super Kingdom, #1 Turbo Power, #5 Hk Dragon, #3 Great King
Race 2: #6 Sure Win Win, #2 Destin, #5 Shanghai Grace, #12 Blazing Partners
Race 3: #9 Sparky Star, #2 Bella Baby, #1 Victory Scholars, #12 Sunday Betting
Race 4: #9 Courier Wonder, #2 Rattan, #3 Sky Field, #1 Computer Patch
Race 5: #9 Victorious Seeker, #8 Shanghai Dragon, #11 Nuremberg, #2 Clement Legend
Race 6: #5 El Jefe, #1 New Future, #8 Robot Warrior, #4 Dandy Years,
Race 7: #1 Uncle Steve, #2 Craig’s Star, #3 King Opie, #4 The Hulk
Race 8: #2 Glorious Dragon, #1 Exultant, #8 Packing Waltham, #5 Butterfield
Race 9: #6 Great Treasure, #2 Winning For All, #7 Horsesain Bolt, #3 Yo Beauty
Race 10: #2 Dragon Fortune, #1 Super Red Dragon, #13 Brilliant China, #3 Zone D
Race 11: #8 Chicken Dance, #4 Killer Bee, #2 Mig Energy, #1 Metro Warrior

Race 1: Pakistan Star Plate

#9 Super Kingdom is on the steady improve. He’s shown gradual progression, enough so to suggest that a win is coming. #1 Turbo Power has performed considerably well across both of his two Hong Kong starts, winning once and placing second in the other. Zac Purton hops up now and he has a bit of a class edge on this bunch. #5 Hk Dragon mixes his form but with the right run can figure. #3 Great King might improve getting around a bend. He commands respect.

Race 2: Precision Handicap

#6 Sure Win Win has more ability than he’s shown. He gets a handy draw and from there he should get every opportunity close to the speed to showcase his best. #2 Destin is competitive in this grade. Zac Purton hops up and he gets his chance as a two-time course and distance winner. #5 Shanghai Grace mixes his form but is worth including. He can perform at times and if he does that here then he’s not without a hope. #12 Blazing Partners deserves respect for the in-form David Ferraris stable who collected a midweek double at Happy Valley.

Race 3: Makarpura Star Handicap

#9 Sparky Star makes his first appearance for trainer Tony Millard, who has an exceptional record with stable transfers. The youngster has knocked up a number of good runs throughout his career and it wouldn’t surprise to see him go on with it at his first try for the new barn. #2 Bella Baby has the runs on the board. He just needs to offset the wide gate. #1 Victory Scholars is lightly raced but has shown considerable ability thus far. Zac Purton takes the reins and he looks capable of further improvement. #12 Sunday Betting is on the steady improve. Don’t discount with Vincent Ho engaged. 

Race 4: G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap

#9 Courier Wonder is looking to extend his unbeaten record to five. He’s an exceptional talent who appears more than capable of doing exactly that, especially against a group of tired, seasoned sprinters who have been subjected to a long arduous season of Group 1 racing. #2 Rattan has been sparingly run through 2021 due to injury. He’ll have taken plenty of benefit from his last-start fifth which should allow him to take another step forward here. He’s worth taking a chance on at an each way basis. #3 Sky Field placed at G1 level last start. He’s found a suitable contest, but still, he does have plenty to learn as experience is not on his side. #1 Computer Patch can roll forward and find the front. He’ll give this lot something to catch.

Race 5: Viva Pataca Handicap

#9 Victorious Seeker is racing well. He’s favoured with gate four here and the step up to 2000m is a big plus. #8 Shanghai Dragon is the likely leader. He’s in exceptional form as a three-time winner from his past four starts. #11 Nuremberg can roll forward and make a race of this. Don’t discount, he does need to offset the wide gate, however. #2 Clement Legend is rarely not a factor over these staying distances. The booking of Joao Moreira bears close watching. 

Race 6: Blazing Speed Handicap

#5 El Jefe is racing in very good form and the step back to the mile here suits. He draws well and gets his chance under Matthew Poon. #1 New Future makes a welcome step back in grade. This is his class and with a race run to suit, he can finish off and test this group. #8 Robot Warrior is a lightly raced talent. He takes a bit of riding but the manner in which he closed off last start suggests that a win is nearing. #4 Dandy Years is next best. He’s super competitive in his spot.

Race 7: Vengeance Of Rain Handicap (2nd Section)

#1 Uncle Steve is racing in terrific form without winning, having notched five top-three finishes from his last six starts. Zac Purton hops up now and from the gate he gets his chance to jag a well-deserved win. #2 Craig’s Star closed off nicely for a close-up second last start, beaten by a head. He remains in this grade and another big run from the positive gate should see him challenge these. #3 King Opie has found a bit of form in Class 4. Joao Moreira hops up and he could well be getting on at the right time. #4 The Hulk is looking for back-to-back wins. Don’t discount.

Race 8: G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup

#2 Glorious Dragon steps up to 2400m for the first time. Suspect he’ll relish the distance and his latest effort at G1 level in the QEII Cup was solid when finishing sixth behind an arsenal of Japanese raiders. He’s worth taking a chance on here and his breeding also suggests he’ll handle the distance-rise. #1 Exultant is looking for a third consecutive triumph in the race. Still, his form has slipped a touch and he might be worth opposing here. #8 Packing Waltham was unlucky last start in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup. He commands respect with a clean run following that eye-catching effort. #5 Butterfield claimed that G3 contest. He relishes this trip and he’ll have his chance to be hanging around at the finish.

Race 9: Indigenous Handicap (1st Section)

#6 Great Treasure has a bit of class about him, especially as an eight-time winner from 80 starts. He is capable of finishing over the top of this bunch, he’ll be favoured by a fast pace. #2 Winning For All is a winner in this grade. He’s racing well and is worth including. #7 Horsesain Bolt gets the services of Zac Purton. He’s lightly raced and looks close to a breakthrough win. #3 Yo Beauty mixes his form but clearly has some ability. He can finish off for Joao Moreira.

Race 10: Oriental Express Handicap

#2 Dragon Fortune is a lightly raced talent. He’s a one-time winner from four starts who tuned-up with an excellent trial effort between runs. He draws well and only needs clear running room to put his best foot forward. #1 Super Red Dragon has the class edge. He draws well and is a two-time winner in this grade. #13 Brilliant China turned his form around to grab third last start. He’s open to further improvement here. #3 Zone D is racing with plenty of merit. He’s drawn awkwardly but is still progressing through the grades nicely.

Race 11: River Verdon Handicap

#8 Chicken Dance is a sublime talent who has struggled following his return from injury. Still, he draws well once again and his form of late has been solid without returning a win. He gets his chance here. #4 Killer Bee is classy and is a two-time winner from three starts in Hong Kong. He doesn’t look to have reached his ceiling and he’s a leading player with even luck. #2 Mig Energy caught the eye in a recent trial. He draws well and shouldn’t be too far away. #1 Metro Warrior is next best.

Disclaimer: For reference purpose only. All above views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of ASAA88.